What do I need a prepaid card for?

Prepaid cards are payment cards where the balance is loaded in advance and they operate similarly to debit or credit cards but without a credit limit.

They offer flexibility and control over spending since only the available balance on the card can be used without using a bank account. These cards can be used for public transportation as well as for payments in stores and vending machines.

Prepaid cards typically work in major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. There are three different cards: Suica, PASMO und ICOCA.

Suica, Pasmo or ICOCA?

There are no differences as such. Suica Cards are issued by Japan Railway East, PASMO Cards by Tokyo Metro, and ICOCA Cards by Japan Railway West.

All three prepaid cards are available as physical cards or digitally for your smartphone.

How you get the prepaid card

The easiest option is to digitally store the card on your smartphone. This way, you are much more flexible when it comes to topping up and paying. In the next paragraph, you will learn how to install the card.

Of course, you can also get a physical card. The best option is to get the Welcome Suica Card, which is a regular Suica Card issued to tourists. Advantage: You don’t have to pay a deposit, and it’s valid for 28 days. You can get the card directly at Haneda Airport. Currently, physical cards are limited due to chip shortages.

Setting up the prepaid card on the smartphone

Requirements

You need a Mastercard registered for Apple/Google Pay. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a debit or credit card. Note: Currently, only Mastercards work for tourists in Japan. Visa is blocked for recharging digital prepaid cards for tourists.

iOS

  • Go to the Wallet app and click on the (+) sign in the top right corner.
  • Then select your desired card (Suica, PASMO or ICOCA) under Travel card.
  • Choose the amount you want to load onto the prepaid card. The amount will be debited from your registered Mastercard, free of charge.

Android

  • Go to the Google Wallet app and click on “Add to Google Wallet”.
  • Then select your desired card (Suica, PASMO or ICOCA).
  • Choose the amount you want to load onto the prepaid card. The amount will be debited from your registered Mastercard, free of charge.
Suica mobile phone, Japan

Charge and unload the card

Charge card

On your smartphone, simply select your card in the Wallet app and choose the amount you want to recharge. After confirmation, the amount will be credited to your virtual card within a few seconds.

Physical cards can only be recharged with cash via vending machines. These can usually be found in most larger subway stations.

Unload card

Unfortunately, there is no way to unload the remaining balance on the smartphone (unless you have a Japanese bank account). It’s best to avoid loading too much onto the card towards the end of your trip and spend the remaining yen at the airport vending machines.

Physical cards can be unloaded at vending machines.

Official pages of the prepaid cards

More information for other payment methods in Japan can be found here: Pay in Japan

City Trip Paying Public transport