How to Charge a Suica, Pasmo or Icoca Card in Apple Wallet

Easily charge your digital IC card with cash at these convenient locations.

Linking your IC card to your iPhone via Apple Pay is a convenient way to travel throughout Japan.

Having an IC card (like Icoca, Suica or Pasmo) on your iPhone is incredibly convenient when traveling in Japan—you can make one-touch purchases on public transit and in countless other places, all while using the same device you always carry with you.

But here’s the rub: In order to install a digital IC card on your iPhone, your Apple Wallet must be linked to a MasterCard or American Express card. Luckily, there’s a workaround: You can import a physical Icoca card into your phone, which we describe here.

So you might be wondering: How do you recharge the digital Icoca card on your iPhone if your Apple Wallet isn’t linked to a MasterCard or Amex card? Read on to find out how to do it. And note that this works for any Japanese IC card like Suica or Pasmo. (Note that if you’ve got a Pasmo Passport or Welcome Suica, you can also recharge them at the places listed in this article.)

Thankfully the process is very straightforward and can be done at three very common places:

• JR Train Stations
• Convenience stores
• 7-bank ATMs

Here are the steps to reload your Icoca card in Apple Wallet using cash in Japan.

JR Stations

Many ticket vending machines at major JR stations support reloading your Icoca on your iPhone. Here are the steps:

1. Locate the big bank of ticket vending machines
2. Find a machine that says “IC charge”
3. Change the language in the top right corner
4. Select “Charge/Check History”
5. Place phone in the IC card rack
6. Select “Charge by Cash”
7. Select charge amount
8. Select “Charge with receipt” or “Charge without receipt”
9. Insert cash
10. Collect change and receipt if needed

Many ticket vending machines at major JR Station support “IC Charge”

Convenience Stores

You can also reload your Icoca on your iPhone at any major convenience store location, including 7-11, Family Mart, Daily Yamazaki, and Mini Stop. Given that you’re rarely far from a convenience store in urban Japan, this is a very convenient option.

To charge your Icoca, follow these steps:

1. Tell clerk you want to charge “Icoca chaar-ji, onegaishimasu”
2. Tap phone on the IC receiver
3. Select charge amount
4. Pay in cash
5. Tap again
6. Receive change and receipt

Charge in cash at a Family Mart of any other major Japanese convenience store

7-bank ATM

Finally, 7-Bank (as in 7-11) ATMs can be used to charge your Icoca card on your iPhone. More than simply being the ATM machine located within 7-11, 7-Bank is a full featured banking provider with ATMs located throughout Kansai and Japan.

Due to their ability to charge iPhones with connected IC cards, they are also becoming increasingly common at train stations outside the JR network as well.

Charging your Icoca on your Iphone is similar as the other methods, here is the process:

1. Select electronic money (電子マネー) option
2. Unlock your phone via Face ID, Touch ID or Passcode and place near the IC reader
3. Double tap your phone to enable IC payments
4. Place phone upside down in the reader and close the phone holder
5. Choose charge and select charge amount
6. Insert cash into money slot
7. Select “Receipt” if you need a receipt or confirm to finish the transaction
8. Don’t forget your phone!

7-Bank ATMs are located in many stations and support IC charging

With so many convenient charging locations available, and now armed with the knowledge of the proper charging process, your Icoca on your iPhone should be sufficiently charged for your travels throughout Japan.

Author
Mike Rogers is a content creator who has lived on-and-off in Osaka for over 13 years. When not in Osaka, he’s travelling the world with his worldschooling family of four or building up his small homestead on Canada’s west coast. His adventures and exploits are documented on his website, Slowsteading.

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