Can I use my IC card on buses?

Yes. Tap when boarding (rear door) and exiting (front door). Most city buses in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka accept IC cards. Highway buses and some rural routes may require paper tickets.

Is the JR Pass worth it for Tokyo only?

No. The pass covers JR lines within Tokyo, but you'll also ride private subway lines (Tokyo Metro, Toei) that aren't included. An IC card costs far less for city-only travel. The JR Pass pays off only with long-distance shinkansen trips.

What's the difference between Suica and Pasmo?

Nothing functional. Suica is JR-branded, Pasmo is private railway-branded, but both work on all trains nationwide. Buy whichever is available at your arrival station.

Can I share one IC card with my travel partner?

No. Each person needs their own card. Station gates check that the same card tapping in also taps out—you can't pass one card back through the gate.

Do children need their own IC cards?

Children under 6 ride free. Ages 6-11 need a child IC card (half fare), available at station ticket offices with proof of age. Ages 12+ pay adult fares with regular IC cards.

How to Use Public Transit Passes in Japan

Japan's IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA) work on nearly all trains, subways, and buses nationwide and eliminate the need for paper tickets. Load cash onto one card and tap in/out—no pass calculations needed for most trips. Regional rail passes like the JR Pass only make sense if you're taking multiple long-distance shinkansen rides.

Get an IC card on arrival. Buy a Suica (Tokyo/eastern Japan) or ICOCA (Osaka/western Japan) at any major train station ticket machine. Cost: 500 yen deposit plus whatever you load (start with 2,000-3,000 yen). These cards work interchangeably across Japan despite different names. Touch the card to readers when entering and exiting stations—fare deducts automatically.
Decide if you need a JR Pass. The 7-day ordinary JR Pass costs 50,000 yen (about $330). You need at least 2-3 long-distance shinkansen trips to break even—like Tokyo to Kyoto round trip plus one more leg. If you're staying in one city or only making one long trip, skip it. The pass must be purchased before arriving in Japan or within your first days through authorized sellers.
Know what IC cards don't cover. IC cards work on local/regional trains, subways, and most buses, but do NOT cover shinkansen reserved seats or most express train surcharges. You'll need to buy separate tickets for bullet trains. The cards also work at convenience stores and vending machines.
Consider city-specific passes only for marathon days. Tokyo Metro 24-hour pass (800 yen), Osaka Amazing Pass (2,800 yen), Kyoto bus pass (700 yen)—these only save money if you're making 4+ trips in a day. For normal sightseeing (2-3 destinations daily), IC cards cost less. Day passes also lock you into specific transit systems, while IC cards work everywhere.
Recharge when balance drops below 1,000 yen. Add money at any ticket machine or convenience store (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson). Machines accept bills up to 10,000 yen. Your card balance shows when you tap out at station gates. Before leaving Japan, get your 500 yen deposit refunded at major station ticket offices—minus 220 yen handling fee if there's remaining balance.

Can I use my IC card on buses?: Yes. Tap when boarding (rear door) and exiting (front door). Most city buses in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka accept IC cards. Highway buses and some rural routes may require paper tickets.
Is the JR Pass worth it for Tokyo only?: No. The pass covers JR lines within Tokyo, but you'll also ride private subway lines (Tokyo Metro, Toei) that aren't included. An IC card costs far less for city-only travel. The JR Pass pays off only with long-distance shinkansen trips.
What's the difference between Suica and Pasmo?: Nothing functional. Suica is JR-branded, Pasmo is private railway-branded, but both work on all trains nationwide. Buy whichever is available at your arrival station.
Can I share one IC card with my travel partner?: No. Each person needs their own card. Station gates check that the same card tapping in also taps out—you can't pass one card back through the gate.
Do children need their own IC cards?: Children under 6 ride free. Ages 6-11 need a child IC card (half fare), available at station ticket offices with proof of age. Ages 12+ pay adult fares with regular IC cards.