A step-by-step guide to returning your Suica, PASMO, and other IC cards before leaving Japan
🛫 Introduction
If you’ve been traveling around Japan using a prepaid IC card like Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, or TOICA, you probably have a bit of balance left when your trip ends. The good news? You can get a refund for both the remaining balance and the card deposit—but you need to know where and how to do it.
This guide explains everything you need to know about returning your IC card, including:
- Where to return it (and where you can’t)
- How much you’ll get back
- What documents you need (if any)
- Tips for tourists flying out of Narita, Haneda, Kansai, or other major airports
Let’s get your money back—easily and stress-free.
🗺️ Where to Get a Refund: Stations and Airports
You can’t just return your IC card anywhere—you need to go to specific service counters or ticket offices, depending on the type of card you have. Here’s where you can get a refund before you leave Japan.
🚉 Major Train Stations (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, etc.)
✅ Suica Refund Locations (JR East)
– JR East Ticket Offices (“Midori no Madoguchi”) at:
・Tokyo Station
・Shinjuku Station
・Ueno Station
・Ikebukuro Station
・Shibuya Station
・Yokohama Station
✅ PASMO Refund Locations
– Private railway counters (e.g., Tokyu, Keio, Seibu)
– PASMO counter at Shibuya Station, Ikebukuro, and Narita Airport
✅ ICOCA Refund Locations (JR West)
– JR West Ticket Offices at:
・Osaka Station
・Kyoto Station
・Shin-Osaka Station
・Namba Station (JR)
Tip: Refunds can only be processed in the region the card belongs to. You can’t return ICOCA in Tokyo or PASMO in Osaka.
✈️ Airports (Most Convenient for Tourists)
🛫 Narita Airport
– JR East Travel Service Center (Terminal 1 & 2) → Suica
– Keisei or PASMO counters → PASMO
– Open daily, but hours vary (usually 7:30–20:00)
🛫 Haneda Airport
– JR East Service Center (Terminal 3) → Suica
– Keikyu Line counter (PASMO)
– Open 7:45–20:00
🛫 Kansai International Airport (KIX)
– JR West Ticket Office → ICOCA
– Nankai Electric Railway Service Counter (for PiTaPa but not refundable)
⚠️ Not Available at:
– Subway stations (in most cases)
– Convenience stores
– Ticket vending machines
– Any station outside the card’s valid region
Tip: Arrive early at the airport! Refund lines can take time, and most counters close by 8pm.
🧾 How to Get a Refund: Step-by-Step
Getting your money back from an IC card is usually quick and easy—as long as you go to the right place and follow these simple steps.
✅ Step 1: Go to the Correct Counter
Find the appropriate refund counter for your card type (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, etc.) at a JR station or airport (see previous section).
Look for:
– “Midori no Madoguchi” (JR)
– “PASMO Counter”
– “IC Card Service Window”
✅ Step 2: Bring Your Physical IC Card
Make sure you have the actual card (not a mobile version). You cannot get a refund without the card.
✅ Step 3: Tell the Staff You’d Like a Refund
Say:
“IC card no refund onegai shimasu.” (I’d like a refund for my IC card.)
Or just show them the card and say “refund please.”
✅ Step 4: Show Your Passport (Sometimes)
– Not always required, but it may help if you’re using a tourist IC card
– If your card has your name printed on it, ID may be requested
✅ Step 5: Receive Your Refund
You will be refunded:
– 💴 Remaining balance (in yen)
– 💴 ¥500 deposit (if applicable)
– Minus a ¥220 handling fee (typical for JR cards)
Refunds are given in cash only, in Japanese yen.
✅ Step 6: That’s It!
You’ll be asked to confirm the refund amount and sign or press a button. Then, you’ll return the card and receive your money on the spot.
💡 Extra Tips:
- Refunds are not available at vending machines or convenience stores.
- Refunds must be done before the card’s expiration (usually 10 years after last use, except tourist cards).
- For non-refundable cards (like Welcome Suica), use up the balance before returning home.
💡 Should You Even Bother Refunding Your IC Card?
Here’s a simple truth: Refunding your IC card is possible—but not always necessary.
In fact, for many short-term travelers, it makes more sense to just use up the balance before you leave and skip the refund process altogether.
Why?
✅ 1. Refunds take time
– You’ll need to find the right counter
– Wait in line
– Possibly pay a handling fee
– And do it all before your flight
✅ 2. Refunds are in cash, not credit
– You’ll get your yen back… but you can’t spend it at home
– Leftover coins aren’t always useful
✅ 3. Many cards don’t offer refunds at all
– Welcome Suica
– PASMO Passport
→ You can’t get anything back, so using up the balance is your only option anyway
So What Should You Do Instead?
- 🛍️ Use the card like cash before you leave:
– Buy snacks at the airport
– Use it at vending machines
– Pay at convenience stores
– Get souvenirs at participating shops - 🛫 Leave only a small balance
– Keep just enough for the last train ride to the airport
– Top up only what you need—use Google Maps to estimate fares - 💼 Keep the card for next time
– Most IC cards stay valid for 10 years
– You can reuse it on your next trip to Japan—or give it to a friend!
❓ FAQs & Final Tips: Things to Know Before You Refund
Here are a few final things to keep in mind when returning your IC card:
❓ Can I refund my card at any station?
No. Refunds must be done at specific counters in the region where the card was issued.
For example:
– You can’t refund a Suica in Osaka.
– You can’t refund an ICOCA in Tokyo.
❓ Do I get the full amount back?
Almost.
– You get your remaining balance
– You get your ¥500 deposit (if applicable)
– But a ¥220 handling fee may be deducted (typical for JR cards)
– Tourist cards like Welcome Suica and PASMO Passport offer no refund
❓ Can I refund a Mobile Suica or PASMO?
Only if you still have access to the registered app.
– Refunds must be done in the app
– May require Japanese language and a Japanese bank account
→ Difficult for short-term visitors
❓ What if I forgot to refund my card before leaving Japan?
Unfortunately, you cannot refund the card from overseas.
– Save the card and use it next time (valid for up to 10 years)
– Or give it to a friend visiting Japan
❓ Can I refund a card at the airport on the day I leave?
Yes—but allow extra time.
– Refund counters may have lines
– Most close by 8:00pm, and not all terminals have counters
– Do it before checking in or passing through security
🧳 Conclusion: Refund or Use It Up—What’s Best for You?
IC cards like Suica, PASMO, and ICOCA are a convenient way to travel around Japan—but when your trip ends, you have two choices:
Refund it
→ Best if you have a large balance, time to spare, and a refundable card like regular Suica or ICOCA.
Use it up
→ Easier, faster, and often smarter—especially for tourists using Welcome Suica or PASMO Passport.
You can spend the leftover balance at convenience stores, vending machines, and even airport shops.
So unless you’re staying long or planning to come back soon, consider skipping the refund lines and just enjoy your final yen.
