Travel IC cards vary depending on where they are purchased. Currently, travel IC cards can be used throughout Japan. They can also be used at convenience stores, some vending machines, and stores with IC card stickers on the cash register.
| Where to buy | Card | Areas sold |
| JR Hokkaido | Kitaka | Hokkaido area |
| JR East | Suica | Tokyo and Northern Japan |
| JR Central | Toica | Tokaido |
| JR West | ICOCA | Western Japan |
| JR Kyushu | SUGOCA | Kyushu |
| Tokyo private lines/subways | PASMO | Greater Tokyo |
The most famous one is Suica and PASMO because mamy people come into Japan from Tokyo. There is also Welcome Suica Card.
Suica & PASMO– need 500 yen deposit, you can refund the balance, valid for 10 years
Welcome Suica — For overseas visitors only. No depost required, no refund availble for the balance so need to use up before you leave Japan, valid for 28 days only
Where can we buy them ?
Currently, only personalized (registered) PASMO and Suica are sold. All About PASMO｜PASMO PASSPORT / PASMO
UPDATE
From September 1, 2024, Welcome Suica will be sold at the following locations.
・ JR EAST Travel Service Center
Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station, Narita Airport Terminal 2・3 Station, Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station, Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno
・ Welcome Suica vending machine
Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station, Narita Airport Terminal 2・3 Station, Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station
・ JAPAN RAIL CAFÉ TOKYO
In principle, only one Welcome Suica will be sold per person.
ICOCA is sold in Western Japan, so if you start your trip from Western Japan, you can purchase them in Kansai Airport: ICOCA – How to use JR-West (westjr.co.jp)
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