In April 2026, the PASMO Council announced welcome news for international visitors: a new IC card called TOURIST PASMO, scheduled to go on sale in May. Available at railway stations serving Narita and Haneda airports, the card can be used on IC-card-compatible trains and buses across Japan. It could make getting around the country much less stressful.
What Is an IC Card?
An IC card is a prepaid card with built-in electronic money that works on IC-card-compatible trains, buses, and more across Japan. Just tap it on the reader at a ticket gate or on a bus, and your fare is deducted automatically—no need to buy a ticket every time. The same card can also be used for payments at many convenience stores and vending machines, so you can travel without constantly worrying about coins. IC cards are used daily by commuters and students all over Japan—they’re essentially a must-have for getting around. With one in your pocket, you can breeze through ticket gates just like a local.
International visitors have already had options such as JR East’s Welcome Suica and the PASMO PASSPORT, which was available until 2024. TOURIST PASMO now joins the lineup as a new PASMO-branded option for short-term travelers.
TOURIST PASMO: Key Specs
The card is valid for 28 days from the date of issue and requires no deposit—every yen you pay goes straight into your usable balance. At Narita Airport, it’s a flat ¥2,000. At Haneda, you can choose from six price points—¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥3,000, ¥4,000, ¥5,000, or ¥10,000—so you can match your budget and length of stay.
You can top up at station ticket machines or at convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson. Keep in mind, though, that leftover balance is non-refundable, so only load what you expect to spend. As a rough guide, if you’re mainly sightseeing within central Tokyo, start with around ¥3,000–5,000 and top up as needed.
Where to Buy It
TOURIST PASMO cards are available at counters and ticket machines at railway stations serving Narita and Haneda airports. If you’re taking the train into the city, you can pick one up on your way through the station. Ticket machines and signage in the airport area are generally designed with international travelers in mind, and staffed counters are also available if you need help. As long as lines aren’t too long, you’ll have your card in no time.
Where You Can Use It
TOURIST PASMO is part of Japan’s nationwide IC card interoperability system, just like a regular PASMO. That means it works on JR trains, Tokyo Metro, private railways, and city buses in Tokyo—and also in Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and other cities with IC-card-compatible transit. You can also tap to pay at convenience stores, vending machines, drugstores, and other shops that accept PASMO or Suica electronic money. One important caveat: TOURIST PASMO alone cannot be used as a ticket for shinkansen (bullet train) rides. If you plan to take the shinkansen, you’ll need to purchase a separate ticket or use a compatible service.
What Happens After 28 Days?
Once the 28-day validity period expires, the card automatically stops working. There’s no option to extend it, but you get to keep the physical card as a souvenir—and with its kanji-inspired design, it makes a pretty stylish memento of your trip. If you’re planning a stay longer than 28 days, consider purchasing a standard, non-tourist PASMO or Suica card instead.
Bottom Line: Pick One Up at the Airport as Soon as You Arrive
TOURIST PASMO is a card that can make getting around Japan dramatically smoother. Buy it at an airport railway station, and from that point on, trains, buses, and convenience stores are all just a tap away. The 28-day validity hits the sweet spot for a typical sightseeing trip. If you’re planning to visit Japan from May 2026 onward, add “buy a TOURIST PASMO” to your arrival to-do list. It’s one less thing to stress about on the road.
▶ PASMO Official Site for Visitors
▶ TOURIST PASMO Details
▶ Narita Airport Access Guide
This article was translated from the original Japanese with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. The Japanese version is authoritative.