Every Japanese IC card type
Japan has ten major transit IC cards plus tourist and regional editions. They all use the same chip, so they read the same way.
Major nationwide cards
Mutually compatible across most of the country.
- Suica, JR East, Tokyo and eastern Japan
- Pasmo, Tokyo private railways and buses
- Icoca, JR West, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima
- Kitaca, JR Hokkaido, Sapporo
- Toica, JR Central, Nagoya
- Manaca, Nagoya subway and private lines
- Sugoca, JR Kyushu, Fukuoka
- Nimoca, Nishitetsu, Fukuoka
- Hayakaken, Fukuoka city subway
- Pitapa, Kansai postpay card
Tourist cards
Short term cards sold to visitors, usually without a deposit.
- Welcome Suica, valid 28 days, no deposit
- Pasmo Passport, valid 28 days, no deposit
- Icoca for tourists, sold in the Kansai region
Regional and collaboration cards
Locally issued cards and special editions on the same chip.
- Regional bus and tram cards in smaller cities
- Station and character collaboration editions
- Company and campus cards built on the same chip
Common questions
Are all IC cards compatible with each other?
The ten major cards are mutually usable on most networks nationwide. Pitapa is a postpay card with narrower acceptance, and some small local cards only work in their own region.
What is Welcome Suica?
Welcome Suica is a red tourist card sold at airports and major stations. It needs no deposit and is valid for 28 days from the day it is issued.
Can this app read all of them?
Yes. They all use the same FeliCa chip, so the balance and history read the same way. You can also pick Other for smaller regional cards.