Use travel cards on your iPhone or Apple Watch in Japan

In Japan, you can use Suica, PASMO, ICOCA or TOICA cards in the Wallet app to travel on public transport and make purchases in shops using Apple Pay.

What you’ll need

To use a Suica, PASMO, ICOCA or TOICA card with Apple Pay, you’ll need:

• An Apple Account you have used to sign in on your device with two-factor authentication.

• An iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus or later with the latest version of iOS supported for your iPhone. Or an Apple Watch Series 3 or later with the latest version of watchOS supported for your Apple Watch.

The TOICA card will be issued by JR West as an ICOCA card.

Use your travel card to travel on public transport in Japan

You can use your travel card anywhere you can use a physical travel card, or where interoperable Integrated Circuit (IC) or pre-paid cards are accepted and can be enabled for use in Apple Wallet.

Use public transport with your travel card

With your travel card set to Express Mode, you can pay for journeys quickly with just a tap of your iPhone or Apple Watch.

1. Make sure your device is turned on. It doesn't need to be connected to a mobile data or Wi-Fi network.

2. Hold the top of your iPhone or your Apple Watch display near the ticket gate scanner when entering and exiting.

3. You'll see Done and a tick appear on the screen. If you're using your Apple Watch, you'll also feel a gentle tap and hear a beep.

Use public transport and make purchases using Express Mode

When you set your travel card to Express Mode, you can travel on public transport and make purchases without waking or unlocking your device, authenticating, or opening an app. You may even be able to make purchases when your iPhone needs charging.

1. Hold the top of your iPhone or your Apple Watch display near the contactless reader.

2. When the transaction has been completed successfully, you'll see Done and a tick appear on the screen. If you're using your Apple Watch, you'll also feel a gentle tap and hear a beep.

Depending on your iPhone model, you may be able to use Express Mode when your iPhone needs charging.

If you want to use a card that hasn't been set to Express Mode:

• On your iPhone: Authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.

• On your Apple Watch: Double-click the side button to access your cards, swipe down to select your travel card and authenticate with your passcode.

Put your travel card in Service Mode

If you need a station worker to service your travel card, put your device in Service Mode before handing it to them.

Put your travel card in Service Mode on your iPhone

1. Open the Wallet app.

2. Select your travel card.

3. Tap the More button, then tap Card Details.

4. Turn on Service Mode.

Put your travel card in Service Mode on your Apple Watch

1. Remove the Apple Watch from your wrist.

2. Enter the passcode to unlock it.

3. Double-click the side button.

4. Scroll down to select your card.

5. Use the Digital Crown to scroll down, and tap Turn on Service Mode.

6. Ask the station worker to hold your watch with the display facing down.

Use your travel card in shops

You can use your travel card where you see these symbols:

You may need to select your travel card on the terminal when you pay, or let the sales assistant know which card you are paying with.

Check the balance on your travel card

Check the balance on your travel card on your iPhone or Apple Watch.

If your travel card balance won’t update

1. On your iPhone, open the Wallet app.

2. Tap your travel card.

3. Tap the More button, then tap Card Details.

4. Turn on Service Mode, then authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.

To turn off Service Mode, tap on the card. Find out what to do if your balance still won’t update.

You can also add money or passes to eligible travel cards on your iPhone or Apple Watch. Find out how to top up your travel card using Apple Pay.

Get a refund for purchases made with your travel card using Apple Pay

If you bought items with a travel card using Apple Pay, return them to the same terminal where you made the purchase. Do this before using your card for another Apple Pay purchase.

Find out more about refunds for purchases made with a payment card using Apple Pay.

Use your travel card’s app

When you download your travel card’s app, you can use it for additional services on your card. For example, you can:

• Create a new commuter plan

• Change or refund your commuter plan

• Refund your travel card

• Buy a Green Car ticket**