Local Transit & IC Cards
Suica, Pasmo and the gates that refuse them. Which card to carry, whether it will load on an American phone, and what to do at a fare adjustment machine.
This page settles one of three. Here they are in the order they actually bind — the exceptions are what the decision manual works through in full.
- 1
- 2Whether the JR Pass pays for itself
Whether the pass pays is not a fact about the pass — it is a fact about how many cities you chose, usually decided after buying it.
- 3Which transit card to load before you land
Which card loads decides whether you need a physical one, which decides whether you need cash on arrival — a separate problem the pass decision does not solve.
When Your IC Card Won't Open the Gate: Fare Adjustment
The gate closes, the buzzer sounds, and there is a queue behind you. What actually went wrong, where the fare adjustment machine is, and how to clear it in under a minute.
Mobile Suica on an American iPhone: Setup and Limits
You can add a Suica to a US iPhone without a Japanese Apple ID. The part that catches Americans out is which card tops it up — and one network is refused outright.
IC Card, Day Pass or Single Ticket: What to Use
Pay-as-you-go suits most first trips, but a day pass wins above roughly five rides. The prices, the coverage trap in Tokyo, and how to tell which applies to your day.
Suica vs Pasmo: Japan IC Card Guide
IC cards like Suica and Pasmo make Japan's transit effortless. Here's what they are, the difference, how to get one, and how to use it.
Tokyo Subway and Train System Explained
Tokyo's train network looks daunting but is logical and efficient. Here's how to navigate the subway, JR lines, and the Yamanote loop.
How to Navigate Japanese Train Stations
Big Japanese stations can overwhelm first-timers. Here's how to find your platform, exit, and way through, plus lockers, signs, and tips.