A commuter pass, or 定期券 (teikiken), is an incredibly practical option for anyone who regularly travels the same route in Japan. This is particularly true if you’re a company employee commuting to work, a student heading to university or a Japanese language school, or someone traveling to a part-time job. While the upfront cost might seem high, it offers unlimited travel between two stations for a set period.
How do you get a commuter pass in Japan? And does it help you save money on transportation? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about getting the commuter pass!
What is a commuter pass or 定期券 (Teikiken)?
A commuter pass, or 定期券 (teikiken), is a prepaid train or subway pass in Japan that allows unlimited travel between two designated stations for a fixed period. You purchase it on your prepaid IC card (Pasmo or Suica if you’re in Tokyo) and the route is saved directly on the card.
The commuter pass can be purchased for the following periods: 1 month, 3 months, or 6 months.
If you are working in Japan, your company will likely cover your transportation costs by paying for a commuter pass that covers your route to and from the office.
This most commonly happens for trains, but bus commuter passes are also available and can often be used in combination with train routes.
It can be confusing at first to navigate riding the train or bus, so read our detailed guide on the Japanese transportation system.
Who can buy a teikiken in Japan?
Anyone with an IC transportation card, which is either Pasmo or Suica, can get a commuter pass in Japan. If you have a route that you regularly travel for work or work, you can apply for the commuter pass to save money since you can travel without limit between your home and destination.
Types of commuter pass
There are 2 main types of commuter passes that are available: the adult commuter pass and the student commuter pass. They both have the same fundamental functions but differ in functions and where they can be integrated.
1. Adult Commuter Pass
The adult commuter pass is the standard pass that can be purchased by any adult. Whether you are a tourist, long-term or short-term resident you can get this pass to travel as many times as you want in the route you applied. The pass is meant to be convenient for anyone to use so you do not need to provide any ID or documents.
2. Student Commuter Pass
The Student Commuter Pass is limited to students or anyone who is enrolled in an educational institution of some form. This could include university, graduate, vocational, high school, or grade school students. In order to receive the Student Commuter Pass, you need to present a student ID and documents proving you are currently enrolled as a student. You also need to provide a document with an approved route to and from your school.
The student pass is usually cheaper than the adult version which already helps save money in the long term. However, there are stricter rules about the usage of student passes including the following:
- The pass can only be used by the student pass holder
- You can only use the pass to go between your home and school
Cost comparison: Commuter pass vs normal IC card
How does the commuter pass compare in price versus just using the IC card? The commuter pass will require you to pay for 1, 3, or 6 months in advance, which can seem pretty expensive for a single upfront cost. However, the overall price is lower compared to charging the IC card for the route each time. Additionally, you can use the route you saved as many times as you like.
So, let’s take a common route from Kichijoji Station (吉祥寺駅) to Shinjuku Station (新宿駅) using the JR Chuo Line (Rapid):
Using an IC card (e.g. Suica or Pasmo)
- One-way fare: ¥230
- Round trip per day: ¥460
- Fare for 1 month assuming you commute five days a week for four weeks: ¥9,200 (¥460 × 20 days)
Using a 1-Month Commuter Pass
- 1-month pass (Kichijoji ↔ Shinjuku): approx. ¥6,510 (price based on JR East fare simulator)
Monthly Savings
| Transportation Option | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| IC Card: | ¥9,200 |
| Commuter Pass: | ¥6,510 |
If you commute five days a week, Total savings using Commuter Pass = ¥2,690 per month
That’s nearly 30% savings, and if you commute more than 20 days per month (e.g. weekends, overtime), the savings increase even more. The best part is the more you use the commuter pass, the more you save!
Bonus Tip: Use Within the Route
The great thing about commuter passes is that you can freely get on or off at any station between your starting and ending stations. For example, if your pass covers the route between Shinjuku and Kichijoji, you can stop at Nakano or Koenji without having to pay an extra fee!
If you travel beyond your designated route — like getting off early to meet a friend outside the covered zone — you’ll only be charged for the portion outside your commuter pass area, making it cheaper overall to travel around Tokyo or the city you live for leisure.
Where to purchase a commuter pass
There are three ways you can purchase the commuter pass which includes buying at the ticket machine, the station counter, or online through apps. For the ticket counter or the ticket machine, you will need to also buy an IC card, which includes Suica or Pasmo. The online option allows you to buy the pass via apps on your phone.
1. At ticket counter
Going to the actual ticket counter with staff is very helpful when buying a commuter pass for the first time. The staff will take you to the ticket machine and help you select the correct stations for the route you want to save. Also remember, the Student Commuter Pass can only be purchased via the ticket counter since the staff will need to ask for student documents.
Quick Tip: Buying commuter passes at the counter during the start of the school year, April or September, will be the most busy. Try getting the pass ahead of time if you are a student, you can set the period for the commuter pass to start at a later date.
2. At the ticket machine
The ticket machine features a touch screen interface (note you may have to press with a bit of force sometimes) and is pretty easy to use. The good news is that the ticket machine offers English. At the top corner of the screen you should see an option to change the language.
How to buy a Japanese commuter pass using the ticket machine
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to purchase the pass on a ticket machine:
1. Select “Commuter Pass” on the display screen
First, head to the ticket machine. Make sure the machine allows for you to issue a commuter pass.
If the screen is displayed Japanese, you have to select 定期券 (teikiken) button to set up your commuter pass. In English, the button will say “Commuter Pass” instead. You can also change the language at the top corner of the screen.
2. Select commuter pass type
Once you press the “Commuter Pass” button, you will be given 3 options: Train Commuter pass, KEIO Bus Commuter pass, and Reserved pass. In our case we will select the “Train Commuter pass” option to save a train route onto our IC card.
3. Select “New commuter pass”
Select “新規” (shinki), or in English “new commuter pass”, if this is your first time making a commuter pass route.
4. Set up your commuter pass route
When setting up your route, the machine will display 2 options for your departing station:
- The current station you are at, in this case 神泉 (Shinsen)
- その他 (sono hoka) or “other”, meaning a different station from where you are currently making the commuter pass
You can create a commuter route at any station, even ones that are not on the route you wish to save. If you are currently at the station you wish to depart from, select the button on the left.
Since I usually depart from 吉祥寺 (Kichijouji) station and not 神泉 (Shinsen) I will select, “その他” (other), the button on the right.
If you selected “その他”, you will need to input the name of the station you wish to depart from, followed by which station you wish to arrive. If your arrival and departure stations are not direct routes (if you need to transfer in between), you can also choose between available transfer stations options.
The keyboard will only be in hiragana, so being familiar with Japanese writing systems will be very helpful. You can refer to our hiragana chart if needed!
After you input your departure and arrival stations, you just select either 通常の定期券 (tsuujou no teikiken) or ドッチーモ (docchii mo). Tsuujou no teikiken is just the regular commuter pass, so selecting this option will save the route you made. The second option, doochii mo, translates to “both”, which is an add-on service where you can also include a commuter route to Shinjuku for an additional price.
For now, we will select the top option, “Tsuujou no Teikiken” or the regular commuter pass route.
Now, your departing and arrival station including transfer stations in between should be displayed on this screen. You can only get the “adult” commuter pass from the ticket machine, so you must select the おとな (adult) button. If you wish to purchase a child or student commuter pass, you would need to go to the station staff.
5. Buy New Card or Use Current Pasmo Card
The top option, PASMO定期券 (Pasmo Teikiken) will create a new IC card with your saved commuter pass route. Just like buying a new IC card, you will also need to deposit 500 yen. Credit cards cannot be used.
The bottom option is for those who already own a Pasmo IC card. Choose this option if you just need to save your Commuter Pass route on the card you already own.
6. Agree to registering your personal information
The policies just discuss how your personal information will be handled and used by Pasmo (the Commuter Pass issuing company). The terms just state the company may use your personal info to confirm changes or refunds of your commuter pass, to share your information with bus, train operators, or other transportation companies, and to contact you for specific purposes (like if you lose your Pasmo card). You have tap 同意する (doui suru) or “Agree” to continue with purchasing the commuter pass.
7. Input your personal information
First you have to input your last name in the top box and your first name in the bottom box. You also have the option to change the keyboard to English letters so you can input your name in English (don’t forget to check our guide on how to convert your name to katakana if you are curious!)
Choose your sex which is either 男性 (dansei or male) or 女性 (josei or female).
Now enter your birthday, displayed as 生年月日 (seinengappi), starting with the year, month, and day. For months and days that are single digit, include a zero before the actual number (e.g. 09 for september). Also make sure the year is set to 西暦 (seireki) or Western year calendar.
8. Select validity
First select the desired amount of months you want the commuter pass for, you can choose between: 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months.
Then choose from which date you would like the commuter pass to start. Note that the dates are formatted by 月 (gatsu or month) then 日 (nichi or day).
9. Confirmation and payment
Check that all the details you input are correct and press 確認 (kakunin or confirm).
Now the total fee should be displayed including the deposit for a new card if you are getting a new IC card. If you need a receipt (for work or personal records) you can press 領收書 (receipt) before inserting the money and paying.
Congratulations! You have successfully made a commuter pass on your IC card! Now all you have to do is hop on the train and make sure you are following the train announcements in Japanese correctly.
How to buy commuter pass in Japan online
Buying the commuter pass has never been easier since you can purchase online and have it saved directly to your phone! There are apps available for both Apple and Androids phones. Below we will break down how to download either Pasmo or Suica digital commuter pass:
1. Pasmo App
The PASMO Mobile is only available on Apple, via Apple wallet, or Pixel Phones. First you set up a Pasmo card on your Apple wallet or app on pixel. Then follow the following steps to set up the Commuter Pass:
- Apply for Commuter Pass: In the app, go to 定期券購入
- Enter stations, duration, and pass type
- Payment & Activation, you can purchase the commuter pass via Apple Pay (iPhone) or credit card
- Now the commuter pass route has been added and saved to your digital PASMO card! You can type your smart phone at the ticket gate (just like a physical IC card)
2. Suica App
The Mobile Suica app is available for both Apple and Android. Like PASMO, for Apple you can add the Suica through the Apple wallet function. Here are the steps to setting up the Commuter Pass using Suica:
- Install the Mobile Suica app and link it with Apple Pay (iPhone) or Google Pay (Android) with a supported device
- Create a Suica account (email, name, password) and register your personal information
- Choose 新規購入 (Purchase New Pass) or 定期券購入
- Input Commute Route: Select your start and end stations, choose duration of either 1 month, 3 months, or 6 months and then select the commute type of either “Work” or “Student”.
- Pay via credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay
- Great! Now your virtual commuter pass is activated within the app. Tap your smartphone at ticket gates (just like a physical IC card)
How To Transfer a Physical IC Card to Digital
If you already have a physical IC card, you are able to transfer it to your Iphone or Android. The process is very simple, since all you need to do is register the card on the app. So, here is how you can transfer the IC card to both Iphone and Android.
Transferring to iPhone:
- Open Wallet, tap “+” icon to add the card
- Choose either PASMO or Suica
- Then you can select transfer or transit physical card
- Input your card information
- hold the card to your iPhone wait for the balance to be transferred to you phone
- Now you have transferred your card to your Iphone! The physical card will now be disabled and can no longer be used.
Transferring to Android (Pixel Only for PASMO):
- Install Mobile PASMO or Mobile Suica
- Requires Osaifu-Keitai compatible device (most Japanese Android phones or Pixel)
- Follow app instructions to import your card by placing it on the back of the phone
Getting a commuter pass in Japan is one of the smartest ways to save money and simplify your daily travel. But with language barriers at stations, even simple tasks can become stressful. That’s why learning Japanese can make a huge difference.
Join classes at Coto Academy, a leading Japanese language school in Japan. Our courses focus on real-life conversation skills that help you handle daily situations like commuting, shopping, and more. Check out our intensive Japanese courses in Tokyo or Yokohama, or better yet, fill out the contact form below immediately for a free level check!
FAQ
Who can buy a commuter pass in Japan?
Anyone living in Japan including workers, students, and long-term residents can buy a commuter pass. Tourists who are living in Japan for more than a month and regularly traveling the same route may find the commuter pass worth purchasing.
How much can I save with a commuter pass?
Commuter passes could provide 20 to 40% savings compared to paying individual fares daily. The more frequently you commute, the more you save.
How long is a commuter pass valid?
You can choose between 1-month, 3-month, or 6-month passes. The longer the duration, the greater the overall discount.
Can I use a commuter pass on weekends or holidays?
Yes, you can travel freely along your registered route at any time, including evenings, weekends, and holidays without paying extra. So, if you have to go to your office for an event on the weekend, you won’t have to pay any additional fees.
Can students get a discount on commuter passes?
Yes, student commuter passes are available at reduced rates. However, you’ll typically need school documentation to apply or verify eligibility at a station.
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