Japan TOURIST PASMO Launches May 2026 — Visitor's Guide + eSIM Tips
Japan's new TOURIST PASMO IC card launches May 2026 — no deposit, 28-day validity, passport-only purchase at Narita and Haneda. Price, where to use it, and how to pair it with a Japan eSIM.
Published May 28, 2026·5 min read
Summary
Japan's new TOURIST PASMOIC card launched in May 2026 for short-term foreign visitors. No ¥500 deposit (unlike a regular PASMO), 28-day validity, and the full purchase amount lands directly on the card. You can buy it at ticket machines and counters in Narita and Haneda airports with a passport, then tap it on trains, buses, and at convenience stores nationwide. Pair it with a pre-installed Japan eSIM so you walk off the plane with both data and a tap-to-pay card ready.
What is the TOURIST PASMO?
Until now, foreign visitors who wanted a tap-to-ride IC card had to pay a ¥500 deposit for a regular Suica or PASMO and deal with refunds at the end of the trip. TOURIST PASMO removes the deposit, locks the card to a 28-day window, and is designed as a take-home souvenir — the new version features a modern kanji-themed design. You can't refund any unused balance, so size your top-up to what you'll actually spend.
Pricing and where to buy (2026)
| Feature | TOURIST PASMO | Regular PASMO |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | None | ¥500 |
| Validity | 28 days from purchase | 10 years |
| Refund of remaining balance | Not allowed | Available |
| Narita Airport price | ¥2,000 fixed (full credit loaded) | ¥1,000 – ¥10,000 |
| Haneda Airport price | ¥1,000 / 2,000 / 3,000 / 4,000 / 5,000 / 10,000 | ¥1,000 – ¥10,000 |
Narita sells TOURIST PASMO at a flat ¥2,000 (all of which loads as credit), while Haneda lets you choose among ¥1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, and 10,000 denominations. Either way, bring your passport— it's required at purchase, both at counters and ticket machines.
Should you buy one?
For a 4–7 day trip across Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto, or Fukuoka, the answer is yes. No deposit means every yen you load is spendable, and you can burn off any remainder at airport 7-Eleven, Lawson, or Family Mart on the way out. A typical mid-week Tokyo itinerary lands around ¥3,000–5,000 in transit and snack tap payments.
If you only have an overnight layover, or if you have an iPhone with Apple Pay set up, the in-Wallet mobile Suica/PASMO is faster — no airport line, instant top-up. TOURIST PASMO is still the cleaner choice for Android travelers, since mobile IC support on non-Japanese Galaxy and Pixel devices is limited.
Bring data, not just a card — the eSIM angle
TOURIST PASMO solves transit and convenience-store payment. It does not solve mobile data. Carrier roaming on a US or Korean SIM in Japan is typically US$10–15 per day, and airport SIM kiosks often have 20–40 minute queues during peak season.
A travel Japan eSIMavoids both: buy it 1–3 days before you fly, scan the QR code over home Wi-Fi, and as soon as you turn airplane mode off in Narita or Haneda you're connected to NTT Docomo or SoftBank 4G/5G. Walk to the PASMO machine, tap your phone to pay if you want, and you're on the Skyliner or Keikyu line with Google Maps already running. A 5-day 3 GB plan is around US$5–8.
FAQ
QWhere can I use TOURIST PASMO outside Tokyo?
AAll over Japan, on any IC-compatible system. That includes Osaka and Kyoto subways, JR lines, Fukuoka's subway, Sapporo's subway, plus most buses. It also works at convenience stores, vending machines, and many cafe chains.
QHow is this different from Welcome Suica?
AThey're very similar — tourist IC cards from different operators. Welcome Suica is issued by JR East and is also deposit-free with 28-day validity. TOURIST PASMO is issued by the PASMO consortium and is easier to buy at Haneda's Keikyu and Tokyo Monorail counters. Either works fine for typical traveler use.
QWhat happens to leftover balance?
ANo refunds — spend it down before you fly out. Airport convenience stores and vending machines all accept tap payment. If you'll return within 28 days you can keep the card and use the balance on the next trip.
QWhy bother with a Japan eSIM if I have TOURIST PASMO?
APASMO is for tapping in — the eSIM is for everything else. Google Maps directions, train delay alerts, restaurant reservations, translation, Uber/GO taxi, LINE messaging. A 5-day eSIM costs about US$5–8, roughly one tenth of carrier roaming.
Bottom line
TOURIST PASMO is a long-overdue upgrade: deposit-free, passport-only purchase, and an actual traveler-friendly design. Pick one up at Narita or Haneda, top up ¥3,000–5,000 for a typical city trip, and pair it with a pre-installed Japan eSIM so you walk out of the airport ready to tap, navigate, and chat from minute one.
Sources: PASMO official site, Tokyo Cheapo, LIVE JAPAN.