Use transit 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 ride transit and make purchases in stores using Apple Pay.

What you need

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

When you add or transfer your TOICA card to the Wallet app, it will appear as an ICOCA card.

For Suica transit cards, you need an iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus or later. Or, an Apple Watch Series 2 or later that was purchased in Japan.

Use your transit card to ride transit in Japan

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

Ride transit with your transit card

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

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

  2. Hold the top of your iPhone or your Apple Watch display near the ticket gate scanner when you enter and exit.

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

Ride transit and make purchases using Express Mode

When you set your transit card to Express Mode, you can ride transit and make purchases without waking or unlocking your device, authenticating, or opening an app. You might 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 is complete, you'll see Done and a checkmark 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 might be able to use Express Mode when your iPhone needs charging.

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

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

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

Put your transit card in Service Mode

If you need to have a station agent service your transit card, put your device in Service Mode before you hand it to the station agent.

Put your transit card in Service Mode on your iPhone

  1. Open the Wallet app.

  2. Select your transit card.

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

  4. Turn on Service Mode.

Put your transit 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 agent to hold your watch with the display facing down.

Use your transit card in stores

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

Suica logo, indicating acceptance of Suica transit card for payments.
PASMO logo, indicating acceptance of PASMO transit card for payments.
ICOCA logo, indicating acceptance of ICOCA transit card for payments.

You might need to select your transit card on the terminal when you pay, or let the sales clerk know which card you are paying with.

Check the balance on your transit card

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

An ICOCA card with a balance of 2,000 yen and an option to Add Money is displayed in the Wallet app.

On your iPhone

  1. Open the Wallet app.

  2. Tap your transit card to see your current balance.

On your Apple Watch

  1. Open the Wallet app.

  2. Tap your transit card.

  3. Use the Digital Crown to scroll down to see your current balance.

If your transit card balance doesn't update

  1. On your iPhone, open the Wallet app.

  2. Tap your transit 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. Learn what to do if your balance still doesn't update.

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

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

If you bought items with a transit 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.

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

Use your transit card's app

When you download your transit 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 transit card

  • Buy a Green Car ticket**

** You can buy Green Car tickets for JR East trains only.

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