Key points
- Japan launched the Tourist Pasmo IC card in May 2026, replacing the discontinued Pasmo Passport.
- It is valid for 28 days from the date of issue and requires no 500-yen deposit.
- At Narita it costs a flat 2,000 yen; at Haneda it comes in 1,000–10,000 yen denominations.
- Any balance left after 28 days is non-refundable.
Japan has introduced a prepaid travel card aimed squarely at overseas visitors, making it easier to tap through transit gates and pay for everyday purchases without cash.
What the Tourist Pasmo is
The Tourist Pasmo IC card launched in May 2026 and replaces the Pasmo Passport, which was discontinued in 2024. It is a rechargeable electronic wallet that works on trains, buses, and at retailers, and is accepted nationwide on most IC card-compatible transit systems — including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Sapporo.
Beyond transit, it can be used for cashless payments at vending machines, convenience stores, drugstores, restaurants, and coin lockers.
The card is available only to short-term overseas visitors. As the issuer put it: “This IC card was inspired by PASMO PASSPORT. It is only available to tourists from overseas on short-term visits.”
Price and where to buy it
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Validity | 28 days from date of issue |
| Deposit | None (no 500-yen deposit) |
| Narita Airport price | Flat 2,000 yen |
| Haneda Airport | 1,000–10,000 yen denominations |
| Where to buy | Ticket windows and vending machines |
One thing to plan around: any remaining balance after the 28-day window is non-refundable, so it’s worth topping up in smaller amounts toward the end of a trip.
A card that doubles as a souvenir
The card carries a design with kanji characters, centred on 旅 (travel), and is presented as both a functional tool and a keepsake. The card itself is a payment convenience and has no bearing on entry requirements — for what you need to enter the country, see the Japan visa hub.
