Can You Still Get Suica Card and What You Need to Know

You can still get a Suica card, but it's not as straightforward as it used to be. The Suica card is a prepaid card that can be used to ride trains and buses in Japan, and it's still widely accepted.

To get a Suica card, you'll need to purchase it at a train station or a vending machine located at a station. You can find Suica cards at major train stations like Shinjuku Station and Shibuya Station.

Suica cards are available for purchase at any time, and there's no limit to how many you can buy. However, you'll need to register the card with your name and contact information before you can use it.

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You can get a Suica card at any JR East station ticketing machine or booth, including those at Narita and Haneda airport.

The Suica card is virtually identical to other IC cards in terms of coverage, but you can buy it at a more convenient location for you, such as the first city you visit.

You can also buy a Suica card online through the JR East website or other authorized sellers, but you'll need to pick it up in person at a designated location in Japan or have it shipped.

If you don't have a Japanese phone, you can still get a Suica card by purchasing it at a station ticketing machine or booth.

You can't just put a false phone number or leave it blank, as you'll need to enter your phone number when purchasing the card.

The Suica card costs 2000 yen, with a 500 yen deposit and a 1500 yen available balance, but there's also a special Welcome Suica pass for foreign tourists that lasts for 28 days and requires no deposit.

Suica covers the Greater Tokyo, Niigata, and Sendai regions, making it a convenient option for traveling in these areas.

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You can still get a Suica card, but did you know there are digital alternatives? Iphone 8 and later models can be set up to serve as Suica, Pasmo and Icoca cards by adding the cards to Apple Pay.

You can also use your Android phone as an IC card through the "Mobile Suica", "Mobile Pasmo" and "Mobile Icoca" apps. However, these apps are targeted at residents of Japan and can be difficult to use for visitors.

If you have an Iphone 8 or later, you can choose from Suica, Pasmo or Icoca, but some credit cards issued outside of Japan cannot be used to charge your card. Android phones can be used as IC cards, but the apps are only available in Japanese and require an address in Japan.

Digital IC cards can be used anywhere, regardless of your geographical location, making them a convenient option. You can load a digital card onto your mobile phone, giving you the choice of Suica, Pasmo or Icoca.

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Suica cards are sold by various companies, including JR East and its subsidiaries. You can buy Suica cards directly from JR East, and they offer different types such as Suica, My Suica, Welcome Suica, and View Suica.

If you're looking for a Suica card specifically for the Rinkai Line, you'll need to purchase a Rinkai Suica card from Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit. Similarly, if you're planning to use the Tokyo Monorail, you'll want to get a Monorail Suica card.

Here are the different types of Suica cards available:

There are different types of Suica cards available, each with its own unique features.

JR East and its subsidiaries sell Suica cards directly, including Suica, My Suica, Welcome Suica, and View Suica.

The Rinkai Line, a subsidiary of JR East, sells Rinkai Suica cards.

Tokyo Monorail also sells Monorail Suica cards.

Here are the different types of Suica cards sold by JR East and its subsidiaries:

Some Suica cards come with credit card integrations, allowing you to link a prepaid Suica with a credit card.

These affiliate cards, available through JR and View, among others, function as both a prepaid Suica and a regular credit card.

They provide an auto-charge feature to prevent exhausting the Suica balance, recharging the card when the balance is low.

The automatically recharged amount is added to the user's credit card bill, making it convenient to top up your Suica balance.

Store-related cards like the Bic Suica can include three separate functions: serving as a store point card, a general use Suica, and as a credit card.

Any credit purchase adds a small amount to the available points on the store point card.

Japan Airlines also offers a JALCARD Suica that can function as an electronic boarding pass for a JAL-operated domestic flight in Japan.

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You can purchase a Suica card at ticket vending machines or customer service windows in JR East train stations, including those at Narita and Haneda airport.

A new card costs 2,000 yen, with a 500 yen deposit that will be refunded if the card is returned. The remaining 1,500 yen is immediately available for rides on transport.

You can also buy a Suica card online through the JR East website or other authorized sellers, but you'll need to pick it up in person at a designated location in Japan or have it shipped.

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To purchase a Personal User Suica Card, you'll need to follow these 10 easy steps.

First, touch the ‘Purchase New Suica’ button on the lower left panel.

Next, select the “My Suica” option.

You'll then read the ‘Statement of Personal Information’ Screen and touch confirm.

After that, enter your phone number and touch the ‘OK’ button.

Next, review the information you’ve entered on the ‘Contents Confirmation’ screen and touch the ‘OK’ button.

A screen will display what you’re agreeing to purchase: a Personal User Suica at 2000 yen.

You'll need to insert cash to complete the purchase.

Once you've inserted the cash, take your brand new Suica card and receipt.

Note that you can get a replacement card if you lose it, with most train stations offering this service.

Also, be aware that the 500 yen deposit is refundable, but you'll need to bring your card to the ticket counter of the issuing operator to get it back.

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You can buy a Suica card at ticket vending machines or customer service windows in JR East train stations. These stations are located throughout Japan, making it easy to get a card wherever you go.

New Suica cards cost 2,000 yen, which includes a 500 yen deposit that will be refunded if the card is returned. This means you'll have 1,500 yen available for rides right away.

You can also charge more money onto the card in increments of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, and 10,000 yen. This makes it easy to top up your card as needed.

Fare adjustment machines within the station's ticket gates also allow you to charge your card. These machines are convenient and can be found inside the fare-paid zone.

As of March 2024, sales of new Suica cards remain suspended, but you can still get one in limited quantities at customer service centers if you're a foreign tourist.

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The Pasmo card is a smart card solution that was implemented in the Tokyo-area private railways, bus companies, and subways on March 18, 2007, to replace the existing Passnet magnetic card system.

Collaboration with JR East allows passengers to use Suica cards wherever Pasmo cards are accepted, making it easy to ride any railway or bus in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

This agreement has since been expanded to other systems across Japan, known as the Nationwide Mutual Usage Service, which enables full interoperability with various IC cards, including Kitaca, TOICA, manaca, ICOCA, PiTaPa, SUGOCA, nimoca, and Hayakaken IC cards.

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Pasmo is the IC card issued for the railway, metro and bus operators in Tokyo that don’t belong to the JR network.

The Pasmo card is a popular choice for many travellers, and it's often compared to Suica.

Pasmo has a special card for foreign tourists called Pasmo Passport that lasts 28 days and requires no deposit.

Interoperation is a key feature of Suica, allowing users to seamlessly travel across different transportation systems in Japan.

In 2007, the Tokyo-area private railways, bus companies, and subways implemented PASMO, a smart card solution that replaced the existing Passnet magnetic card system.

Suica and PASMO cards are functionally identical for commuters, allowing passengers to use them interchangeably on most railway and bus lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

However, there's a caveat - monthly passes for JR East lines can only be loaded onto Suica cards, while monthly passes for Tokyo Metro can only be loaded onto PASMO cards.

Through collaboration with JR East, passengers can use Suica wherever PASMO cards are accepted, making travel even more convenient.

As a result of this agreement, other systems across Japan have implemented the Nationwide Mutual Usage Service, allowing Suica to have full interoperability with other IC cards.

These cards include Kitaca, PASMO, TOICA, manaca, ICOCA, PiTaPa, SUGOCA, nimoca, and Hayakaken IC cards, making travel even more seamless for commuters.

By 2013, Suica had achieved full interoperability with these cards, making it an incredibly convenient option for travelers.

If you're planning to get a Suica card, consider purchasing it in the first city you visit, such as Tokyo, where you can buy Suica or Pasmo cards.

The cards are virtually identical in terms of coverage, so you won't miss out on any benefits by choosing one over the other.

If you prefer to load a digital card onto your mobile phone, you can choose between Suica, Pasmo, or Icoca regardless of your location.

You can purchase and use these cards in various cities, making it convenient for travelers.