Pasmo Prepaid Card
The PASMO prepaid card is a rechargeable smart card that enables users to ride trains in the Greater Tokyo area and beyond without purchasing a ticket each time. Like its companion Suica card, PASMO greatly simplifies train travel for foreign travelers, as it eliminates the confusion of figuring out how much to pay for each train or bus ride.
Overview of PASMO
Like the Suica card, PASMO is a prepaid card that can be used on most trains, subways, and buses in the Greater Tokyo area and other areas of Japan, as well as on most railways, subways, and buses in the Greater Tokyo area. PASMO originally differed from Suica in that it was created to be used on most non-JR trains, but now the two cards are essentially interchangeable and both can be used for both JR and non-JR trains.
PASMO can also be used to make purchases at participating shops, and even vending machines, where the PASMO logo is displayed.
How to Purchase and Recharge the PASMO Card
The PASMO card can be purchased or recharged using ticket machines and counters at train stations throughout Tokyo and elsewhere where PASMO is accepted.
The card can be purchased or recharged for values of 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 3,000 yen, 4,000 yen, 5,000 yen, or 10,000 yen. The initial purchase includes a 500-yen deposit, and the maximum value the card can be charged to is 20,000 yen.
How to Use the PASMO Card
The PASMO prepaid card is easy to use. Simply touch it to the card reader as you head through the ticket gate or board the bus. The reader will display your balance and deduct the amount of the fare. Do not insert the PASMO card into the ticket slot like an ordinary ticket!
When shopping, look for the PASMO logo displayed at participating shops. At the register, show your PASMO card to the salesperson, confirm the price displayed on the card reader, and then simply touch your card to the reader to make your purchase.
PASMO and Suica rechargeable cards greatly simply train and bus travel and shopping while in Japan, so be sure to take advantage of the convenience that these cards offer!
