If you’re planning a Tokyo adventure, understanding pasmo card English instructions can save you time, stress, and stray coins. This ultimate guide walks you through every step—from picking the right card to topping up, riding trains, and getting your deposit back. You’ll have all the tips you need to tap, ride, and explore Tokyo without missing a beat.
You’ll learn
- How to choose between blank, personalized, child, mobile, and passport cards
- Where and how to register or add a commuter pass
- Every way to top up your balance, including machines, buses, stores, and mobile
- The simple steps to ride, shop, and get refunds
- How Pasmo stacks up against Suica and fits into your travel budget
Get your Pasmo card
Choose the right card type
Picking the card that fits your trip helps you avoid surprises at the station. Here are your options:
Blank Pasmo
- No registration required
- Cannot reissue if lost or damaged
- Ideal for short visits or if you won’t top up heavily
Personalized Pasmo
- You register your name, birth date, gender, and phone number
- Reissuable if lost or damaged once you show ID
- Can carry a commuter pass (season ticket)
Child Pasmo
- For ages 6 to 12 (valid until March 31 of the year the child turns 12)
- Same reissue benefits as personalized cards
- Automatically converts to adult fare once the age limit passes
Pasmo passport
- Designed for short-term visitors (valid up to 28 days)
- Offers discounts at select stores and restaurants
- Requires presentation of a foreign passport
Mobile Pasmo
- Digital card on iPhone (iPhone 8 or later) and Apple Watch (Series 3 or later)
- Add it via the PASMO App and connect to Apple Pay (Japan Travel)
- Note that availability may vary due to device or regional restrictions
Where to buy your card
You can pick up a Pasmo card at:
- Major train and subway station ticket machines or counters
- Airport transfer machines (e.g., Narita and Haneda airport)
- Selected convenience stores and bus operator offices
- For mobile issuance, download the PASMO App on your iPhone
For a detailed list of stations and stores, see our guide on pasmo card where to buy.
Register and personalize
Personal data registration
If you opt for a personalized card, you’ll need to fill in your details:
- Approach a ticket machine or staffed counter that offers personalization
- Follow on-screen English prompts to enter your name, date of birth, gender, and phone number
- Pay the ¥500 deposit (non-refundable on integrated credit cards)
- Collect your card with information printed on the back (PASMO)
Add a commuter pass
Commuter passes save money if you travel the same route daily. To set one up:
- Bring proof of your route (e.g., route map or station names)
- Head to a station counter or bus operator office
- Choose your pass period (1, 3, or 6 months)
- Pay the commuter pass fee plus the ¥500 deposit
Once installed, simply touch your Pasmo to the gate reader—fares outside the pass area will deduct automatically.
Top up your balance
Keeping enough credit on your card means no fumbling for coins at the gate. You have four topping-up options.
Ticket machines
- Available at all major stations
- Accept bills up to ¥10,000 and coins
- Maximum balance after top-up: ¥20,000 (PASMO)
On-bus top up
- Ask the driver “Chāji o onegai shimasu” (チャージをお願いします)
- Minimum denomination: ¥1,000 bills only
- Maximum balance after top-up: ¥10,001 (PASMO)
Convenience stores and shops
- Look for readers marked “IC card”
- Pay at the register—staff will top up for you
- Same balance limits as ticket machines
Mobile charging
- Open the PASMO App or Apple Wallet on your device
- Follow English prompts to add funds via credit card or Apple Pay
- Mobile Pasmo follows the same ¥20,000 cap as physical cards
Did you top up too much? If you haven’t used the card after adding value, return to the same station that did the top-up on the same day for a fee-free refund of the excess amount.
Use your Pasmo card
Riding trains and buses
- Touch your card to the reader at station gates or bus fareboxes
- Wait for the green light and beep before passing through
- Any fare shortfall or surcharge will deduct automatically
Pro tip: Holding your card flat on the reader is faster than an edge tap.
Shopping and vending
- Look for the “IC” button on the payment terminal
- Tap your card, wait for a beep, and you’re done
- Works at convenience stores, restaurants, vending machines, and more
Using Pasmo for small purchases saves you from digging through coins.
Refund and deposit info
Getting your deposit back
When you no longer need your Pasmo card, you can claim your ¥500 deposit:
- Return the card at any staffed station counter
- Ask for a refund of deposit and remaining balance
- Receive cash or bank transfer (mobile refunds go through Japanese banks)
Note that integrated credit cards do not refund the deposit.
Refunding stored balance
- If your balance is zero, you’ll only get the deposit back
- Stored fare balances are refunded together with the deposit
- Individual fare balance refunds (without deposit) aren’t available (PASMO)
Reissue and troubleshoot
Lost or damaged card
- Head to a nearby station counter or bus operator office
- Show your ID if you have a personalized card
- Get your remaining balance and deposit transferred to a new card
Blank cards cannot be reissued, so consider personalization for peace of mind.
Overcharge refund process
- If you add value that pushes balance above ¥20,000, you cannot top up
- For accidental overcharge, request a refund the same day at the same station
- Make sure you haven’t used the card since topping up
Compare Pasmo and Suica
Feature comparison table
| Feature | Pasmo | Suica |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Private railway & bus companies | JR East |
| Deposit | ¥500 | ¥500 |
| Refundable deposit | Yes (except credit cards) | Yes |
| Max balance | ¥20,000 | ¥20,000 |
| Bus top-up limit | ¥10,001 | ¥10,000 |
| Mobile version | Yes | Yes |
| Visitor passport | Yes (Pasmo passport only) | No |
Choosing the right card
- If you plan to mix JR lines and private rail, either card works
- For discounts at select shops, Pasmo passport has the edge
- To learn more about their differences, check our article on suica pasmo difference explained
You can also compare Pasmo with other day tickets in our tokyo transportation card comparison guide.
Plan your Tokyo travel
Combining with rail passes
- Attach a commuter pass to your personalized Pasmo for daily routes
- Use major passes like JR Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass alongside your Pasmo to cover longer trips (jr pass yamanote line coverage)
- Tap Pasmo for local subways, then show your rail pass at JR gates
Budget travel tips
- Monitor your spending with the balance display at gates or on apps
- Take advantage of day-pass deals like the Tokyo Subway 24-Hour Ticket (tokyo subway 24 hour ticket)
- Keep small change handy only for buses outside IC coverage
With a bit of planning, your Pasmo card becomes more than fare payment—it’s a key to seamless exploration.
Frequently asked questions
-
What languages are available on Pasmo machines?
Pasmo ticket machines offer English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese prompts for issuing, topping up, and registering cards. -
Can I use Pasmo outside Tokyo?
Yes, Pasmo works on compatible private railways and buses across many regions in Japan, along with Suica coverage areas. -
How do I top up if I run out of cash?
Use convenience stores or mobile charging via the PASMO App with credit or debit cards. -
Is there an expiry date on Pasmo balances?
Stored fare balances remain valid for about ten years from the last use, so you can keep and reuse your card on return trips. -
Can I share my Pasmo with family members?
No, Pasmo is non-transferable. Each traveler needs their own card for fare tracking and security.
