Quick answer: Get an IC card (Suica or PASMO), or add Suica to your iPhone’s Wallet, on day one. Tap in and tap out at the gate, and the fare is taken automatically on trains, subways and most buses across Japan. Use Google Maps for routes and transfers, and avoid weekday rush hours if you have big luggage.
Step 1: Get an IC Card
| Option | Where to get it | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Suica / PASMO card | Ticket machines at major stations | Sales of regular cards restarted in March 2025. ¥500 deposit, refundable when you return it |
| Welcome Suica (card) | Airports and some major stations | Made for visitors. Valid 28 days from first use. Leftover balance is not refunded |
| Suica on iPhone | Apple Wallet, or the Welcome Suica Mobile app | No card to lose. Top up with a credit card in Apple Pay. The Welcome app version is valid 180 days |
Suica, PASMO, ICOCA and other major IC cards work across Japan, so a Suica bought in Tokyo also works in Osaka and Kyoto.
Step 2: Tap In, Tap Out
- Tap your card or phone on the reader when you enter the gate
- Ride the train
- Tap again when you exit. The fare is deducted automatically
If your balance is too low, the gate closes with a beep. Don’t panic: use the fare adjustment machine (精算機, seisanki) next to the exit gates to add money, then tap again.
Step 3: Let an App Plan Your Transfers
Tokyo’s rail map looks scary because several companies run different lines. You don’t need to read it. Enter your start and destination in Google Maps and it tells you the line, the platform, the transfer station and the departure time. In stations, signs in English and line colors and numbers (like “JY 17”) match what the app shows.
Paper Tickets: The Backup
Ticket machines have an English button. If you can’t find the fare, buy the cheapest ticket and pay the difference at the fare adjustment machine when you arrive.
Shinkansen and Long Trips
- For bullet trains you need a shinkansen ticket. Reserved seats are worth it on weekends and holidays
- Rail passes can save money for some long routes, but not always. Compare first: Is the JR Pass Worth It in 2026?
Manners Worth Knowing
- Line up at the markings on the platform and let people off first
- No phone calls on the train. Keep your phone on silent
- Avoid weekday rush hours (around 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.) with large suitcases
- Priority seats are for older people, pregnant women and people with disabilities
FAQ
Can I use Suica on an Android phone?
Most phones bought outside Japan can’t add Suica, so a physical card is the easier choice for Android users.
Can I use my IC card on the shinkansen?
You need a separate shinkansen ticket for most bullet train trips. Buy it at a ticket machine, a ticket office or online.
What if I tap in and the gate won’t open?
Check your balance and top up at the fare adjustment machine, or show the card to the staff window next to the gates.
Recommended Articles
- Riding Japan’s Bullet Train: Everything You Need to Know About the Shinkansen
- Shinjuku to Narita Airport: N’EX, Skyliner, and Cheap Trains Compared (2026)
- Tokyo Station to Haneda Airport: Keikyu Line, Monorail, or Bus?
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