Japanese Pasmo has a pretty design!
@Yuichiro Yokono

Take trains by touching your Pasmo!
@Yuichiro Yokono

With this card, you can board the Tokyo metro ...
©Anek Suwannaphoom / 123RF

Many other means of transport are accessible everywhere in Japan such as Kyoto buses ...
©Phuong Nguyen Duy / 123RF

... Or many other trains and buses all over Japan! — ... Or many other trains and buses throughout Japan!
©Prasit Rodphan / 123RF

Description
FAQ

Pasmo Pre-paid transport pass

Pre-charged and ready to use
Can be used as an electronic wallet
Valid in Tokyo and other major cities

Description

THIS PRODUCT IS CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK.

The Pasmo prepaid card is a prepaid chip card that allows use of most forms of public transport (metro, train, bus, monorail) in Japan. Alongside Suica and Icoca, Pasmo is one of Japan’s major prepaid card providers. The card is charged for each journey or purchase by simply touching the terminals displaying the Pasmo logo.

The Pasmo card is already loaded and ready for use.
Only one Pasmo card per person is required: once the credit has been used up, the card can be topped up at the station as many times as needed.
The Pasmo card can be purchased prior to your trip to Japan, without affecting its operation.

Although it was originally created for use in the Greater Tokyo Area, since March 2013 Pasmo cards can be used throughout almost all of Japan.

Pasmo card validity

Travel

The Pasmo card can be used to pay for journeys in Japan's main cities, from Tokyo to Osaka, on JR train lines, private train lines, in the Tokyo subway, as well as in any bus or taxi displaying the Pasmo logo.

Please note that the Pasmo card does not work on express trains or Shinkansen bullet trains.

Electronic wallet

The Pasmo prepaid card also functions as an electronic wallet. Using the card, you can make small purchases at any place that displays the Pasmo logo. Eligible places are very varied, from konbini (Japanese mini-markets) and drink-vending machines, to various station facilities, such as lockers and car parks.

More generally, Japan’s prepaid card systems are fully interoperable. That is to say, Pasmo cards are valid in any area where Suica and Icoca cards are.

Add your Pasmo card to your smart device and pay with it!

For greater convenience, you can also add your Pasmo card to your Apple Pay app or Google Pay app. This allows you to pay for your train, metro, bus journeys and purchase at various places with that device by touching Pasmo terminals, just as you would with physical Pasmo cards! Adding your card to your device also saves you a trip to the station to top-up your card, as you will be able to do so directly from your app.

Practical information on the Pasmo card

On purchase, the Pasmo card is ready to use and pre-loaded with 2,000 yen (including a 500 yen deposit, for a total of 1,500 usable yen). To recover the deposit, you will have to return your card in the Tokyo area, at Narita and Haneda airports or Keisei and Keihin train stations.
The Pasmo card can be recharged at the station, on automated machines outside of the ticket gates. You can load up to 20,000 yen on your card at a time. Certain shops or buses can also top-up your card, but with a limit of 1,000 yen. Note that you can only pay for Pasmo card recharges with yen in cash.
The Pasmo cards we offer are non-personal and are reserved for adult travellers. Children's Pasmo cards can be purchased directly in Japan.
Make sure to keep your card safe: if you lose it, you’ll have to purchase a new card, and will not be able to transfer your previous card’s yen balance to the new one!
You can also keep your Pasmo card for your next trip to Japan. It will remain valid for 10 years from the time you last used it.

Common questions related to the Pasmo Card

A Pasmo Card or Suica Card is a rechargeable smart card used throughout Japan for travel on trains, buses, and subways.

Similar to the Navigo pass in Paris or the Oyster card in London, the Pasmo or Suica card is very easy to use: simply tap it against the automated gates in train stations or on the readed on the bus, and the cost of your journey is automatically deducted.

The card is rechargeable at any time.The Pasmo or Suica card also functions as an electronic wallet to make small purchases or to pay for services, such as parking spots.

New : The Pasmo passport is a new Pasmo dedicated for visitors. It has a nice design but is not refundable after 28 days.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PASMO CARD AND SUICA CARD?

The Pasmo card and Suica card are sold by different companies. However, they work the same way and can be used in the same places. They are for example comparable with Mastercard and Visa credit cards, which belong to different companies but can be used in the same way.

The only small difference is the location where you can give your card back and receive your deposit.If you would like to return your Pasmo card at the end of your trip, you can only return it within the Tokyo area. Head to a station of a non JR subway line (for instance : the Keihin or Keisei lines), or the stations at Narita or Haneda Airports. Your remaining balance and ¥500 deposit will be returned to you.If you want to return your Suica card at the end of your stay, you can only do this in the Tokyo region. In order to get a refund, go into any other JR East station. You will then be able to recover the 500 yen deposit.

IS MY PASMO OR SUICA CARD ALREADY CHARGED?

Yes, your Pasmo or Suica card is already charged and has ¥2000 on it (including the ¥500 deposit).

HOW CAN I TOP UP A PASMO OR SUICA CARD?

You can top up a Pasmo or Suica card in stations at ticket machines, or on buses that accept Pasmo and/or Suica cards. You can only use cash to top up your card. Instructions will be in both Japanese and English.

Quick guide of how to use the machines :

It is really easy to recharge your suica transport card. You can recharge it on the automatic machine provided for this purpose, in any station. Moreover, the terminals are available in several languages and you will always find English.

Step 1: Select the load button on the main screen and insert your card.

Step 2: You can then choose to recharge your card, view the remaining amount on your account and print it.

Step 3: Select the amount of money you want to insert. You can choose between 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, or 10 000 yens. Usually you will have to pay in cash. Still few machines accept card or contactless. Also, it often do not take small change or coins.

Step 4: Take your change if you have some and get your card back!

IS THERE A MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM AMOUNT?

You can add between ¥1,000 and ¥20,000 to your card at one time.

HOW DO I CHECK HOW MUCH MONEY IS LEFT ON MY CARD?

The remaining credit is displayed when you place your Pasmo or Suica card vending terminals in stations or on the reader in the bus.You can also check the amount by placing your Pasmo or Suica card into a ticket machine, which can also print a history of your trips.

IF I MAKE A MISTAKE WHILE CHARGING MY CARD, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Please take your card to a station attendant immediately. You can be reimbursed if you have not used your card since topping it up.

CAN THE PASMO OR SUICA CARDS BE USED IN ALL OF JAPAN?

Although originally created only for use in Tokyo, since March 2013, the Pasmo card can be used on virtually all rail networks in Japan, as well as many bus lines.

Similarly, the Suica card, founded in 2001 by the JR East company, provides access to virtually all rail networks in Japan as well as many subway lines and buses.

Look for the special logo below in train stations or on buses to see if they accept IC cards.

WHICH TRAINS CAN I TAKE WITH THE PASMO OR SUICA CARD?

Train stations that accept Pasmo or Suica cards will display the logo shown to the left.

Pasmo or Suica cards can be used to travel on:

JR train lines
Privately owned train lines
On the Tokyo subway system

Please note that Pasmo or Suica cards cannot be used on limited express trains or shinkansen. Suica cards are not valid on long distance buses (highway bus) or airport shuttles.

CAN I TAKE THE BUS WITH A PASMO OR SUICA CARD?

You can use a Pasmo and Suica card on most buses in the Tokyo area, as well as in other Japanese cities, and even a few inter-city and overnight buses.

Buses accepting Pasmo and / or Suica cards will always display the Pasmo logo and / or Suica logo shown below.

IN WHICH STORES CAN I USE A PASMO OR SUICA CARD?

Pasmo and Suica cards can be used as electronic wallets in stores that display the symbol shown here as an example:

Combini (Japanese convenience stores)
In trains
Shops inside train stations
Vending machines
Certain restaurants

You can also use the Pasmo and Suica cards to pay for certain services such as lockers, parking and taxis.

IS MY PASMO OR SUICA CARD REGISTERED TO MY NAME? CAN I GIVE IT AWAY?

All our Pasmo and Suica cards are non-registered. It is therefore possible to give your Pasmo card or Suica card to a family member or friend if you no longer require it.

CAN I KEEP MY CARD FOR MY NEXT TRIP TO JAPAN?

Yes, you can. Pasmo and Suica cards do not expire for 10 years.

If you would like to return your Pasmo card at the end of your trip, you can only return it within the Tokyo area. Head to a station of a non JR subway line (for instance : the Keihin or Keisei lines), or the stations at Narita or Haneda Airports. Your remaining balance and ¥500 deposit will be returned to you.

If you want to return your Suica card at the end of your stay, you can only do this in the Tokyo region. In order to get a refund, go into any other JR East station. You will then be able to recover the 500 yen deposit.

Yes, you can add your Pasmo card to your phone with the pasmo application. This way, you can use it for public transportation and pay in kombini or in vending machines when they accept contactless.

This app is available on IOS on the AppStore and on Android on Google Play.

However, the app is only available on Japanese phones or with a Japanese sim card! So, if your iphone or android, does not meet these criteria, you will not be able to use the Pasmo application.