Getting around Tokyo takes one transit IC card (or a phone setup) — trains, buses and convenience stores all work with a tap. Start with your style.
I want everything on my phone / I'll buy a physical card / I'll manage with cash and paper tickets
Phone: add Suica to Apple Wallet / Google Wallet
- On a supported phone you can issue a Suica in the app without buying a card and top it up by credit card. Tap your phone at gates and on buses.
- Set it up before you arrive in Japan — it saves you the airport counter queues.
- Some overseas-issued credit cards don't work for top-ups. If yours fails, fall back to a physical card below.
Physical card: Welcome Suica, Suica, PASMO
| Card | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Suica | Tourist-only. No deposit, valid 28 days | Short-stay overseas visitors |
| Suica / PASMO | ¥500 deposit, no expiry (lapses after long non-use) | Repeat visitors and residents |
Sales locations and stock vary — check the official JR East page for Welcome Suica. Top up with cash at station ticket machines or convenience-store counters. For children's IC cards, ask at the counter when buying.
Where does it work? | Maihama & Urayasu quick table
| Situation | IC accepted | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| JR Keiyo Line (Tokyo Sta. ⇔ Maihama / Shin-Urayasu) | ✅ | Tap the gate |
| Tokyo Metro Tozai Line (Urayasu Sta.) | ✅ | Tap the gate |
| Disney Resort Line monorail | ✅ | The loop between the parks |
| Local buses / Osampo bus | ✅ | Tap when boarding or alighting |
| Airport limousine bus | Ticket-based | Buy in advance at counters or online (access guide) |
| Convenience stores / vending machines | ✅ (most) | Handy for small purchases |
| Taxis | Varies by vehicle | Many accept cards and QR (taxi guide) |
Can I tap a credit card instead?
Since 25 March 2026, contactless credit card payment works on many railways in the Kanto area. In this area, though, the split is clean and worth knowing.
- Tokyo Metro Tozai Line (Urayasu Station) — supported. Tap your card or phone straight at the gate
- JR Keiyo Line (Maihama, Shin-Urayasu) — not supported. JR East is not part of this rollout, so you still need Suica or PASMO
Since Maihama is the station for the parks, you will end up needing an IC card anyway. Tapping a credit card is an option for days you head into central Tokyo from Urayasu Station. (As of August 2026)
Cash-only works too
Without an IC card you can still ride everything — just buy paper tickets at the machines. But you'll queue at a machine for every transfer, so for stays of two days or more, an IC card (or phone setup) ends up being the easiest. Keep some cash on hand regardless: a few situations, like the night-time emergency clinic, are cash-only.
For the full journey from the airport, see the Urayasu & Maihama access guide; for pre-trip prep, the pre-trip checklist.