Apparently, since about 2022, Pasmo is no longer compatible with international Visa cards when trying to add money if you’ve transferred your Pasmo card to your Apple Wallet. This does not seem to be an issue if you have Amex or Mastercard. When trying to add money with your Visa to your digital Pasmo, you will get an error. Since the physical Pasmo card is deactivated once it has been transferred to Apple Wallet, you can no longer top it up at a machine. Instead, the only way to add money is by putting your phone into a Pasmo charging station specifically one with a smart phone cradle. These are found at only some stations, namely JR, and some 7-11s but not all. I’ve been using the charging station with a phone cradle in Shibuya Station/JR East station.
Just wanted to mention this in case anyone has a moment of panic thinking you can’t add money to your Pasmo! I had been using my physical Pasmo card for years so I hadn’t realized this was an issue until I finally decided to add it to my phone for convenience, not knowing my Visa would be an issue. I’m not sure if this is the case for Suica, however.
I also just got back from another solo trip to Tokyo, feel free to ask me about this^ or anything else! I had a blast despite the brief Pasmo blip 🙂
by ubbidubbidoo