Hakone IC Card Guide: Using Suica and PASMO

Where you can use it in Hakone

The Hakone Tozan Railway and Hakone Tozan Bus both accept IC transit cards (PASMO, Suica, etc.). The Lake Ashinoko cruise also accepts PASMO/Suica when buying your ticket. Coverage differs by mode of transport, so check the signage at each stop or ticket counter on the day (see the Hakone transport guide).

Suica and PASMO basics

A standard card can be bought at station ticket machines; the deposit is typically ¥500 plus whatever you load. PASMO can also be bought at Odakyu Line station machines. The two are interchangeable, so it doesn't much matter which one you choose for use in Hakone.

Cards designed for visitors

• Welcome Suica: for short-term visitors. No deposit, valid for 28 days from purchase. It's a use-it-up card — the balance isn't refundable.
• Tourist Pasmo: launched May 2026 for visitors, sold at counters and machines at Narita and Haneda airports. Also deposit-free, valid 28 days, non-refundable, with the purchase price loaded directly as your balance.

Both are designed to be spent down before you leave the country, so plan your balance carefully.

Charging and payment notes

Top-ups are usually done at station machines, and many of them don't accept credit cards for charging, so it's worth carrying cash (a common tip on travel forums too). Stations get further apart as you head into the mountains, so it's smart to load extra balance while you're still down in the lowlands.

IC card vs. Freepass

If you're looping through the mountain railway, ropeway, cruise, and buses, the Hakone Freepass is often cheaper than paying individually with an IC card. If you're only using a specific stretch on a day trip, or mostly getting around by car, an IC card is enough (see getting to Hakone).

FAQ