Haneda Airport Suica Card Guide for Visitors

Haneda Airport is a major hub in Tokyo, and navigating it can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. You can buy a Suica card at the airport's Suica & N'EX service counters.

One of the benefits of using a Suica card at Haneda Airport is that you can easily purchase a Japan Rail Pass, which grants you access to various train lines in Japan. The Suica card can also be used to pay for airport transportation.

The Suica card can be refilled at designated machines in the airport, and the minimum top-up amount is 2,000 yen. You can also purchase a Suica card with a specific amount of money already loaded onto it.

To use a Suica card, you simply tap it on the IC card panel at a train station ticket gate as you enter and leave. Very occasionally, the IC card reader will be attached to a pole or wall instead of an automatic ticket gate.

If you're taking a bus, you'll need to tap your Suica card once when you exit the bus, unless the bus has a fare board displayed, in which case you'll need to tap on and off.

To purchase a Suica card, you can buy it in JR EAST Travel Service Centers at Narita Airport and Haneda Airport. The basic fee is 1,000 yen for both adults and children.

Here's a quick rundown of how to use your Suica card:

If you're visiting Japan, you can buy a Welcome Suica card at the JR-EAST Travel Service Center within Tokyo's Narita Airport or Haneda Airport. The basic fee is 1,000 yen for both adults and children, and you can charge it with the sum of your choice.

The Welcome Suica card is designed for tourists visiting Japan, making it ideal for short-term use. It's valid for a limited period, typically 28 days from the date of purchase.

To find out more about the Welcome Suica card, visit the official JR-EAST page. The card can be used for travel on trains, subways, and buses throughout Japan, as well as for purchases at a wide range of stores, vending machines, and coin lockers.

Here's a comparison of the Welcome Suica card and the regular Suica card:

The Welcome Suica card is not personalized and is issued as an anonymous card. It also does not have mobile integration, so you can't add it to your mobile wallet for use.

If you're planning to use a Suica card in Japan, here are some tips to keep in mind.

The Welcome Suica card is only valid for 28 days, including the date of purchase. This means you'll want to plan your trip accordingly.

You can purchase the Welcome Suica card at JR EAST Travel Service Centers in Narita Airport and Haneda Airport. These centers are easily accessible, even for first-time visitors.

To activate your Welcome Suica card, simply top it up with the sum of your choice. The basic fee is 1,000 yen for both adults and children.

You can recharge your Welcome Suica card at Automatic Ticket Vending Machines, but be aware that only yen can be used for recharging. Credit cards cannot be used.

The maximum amount you can recharge your Welcome Suica card is 20,000 yen.

Here are some key things to remember about using your Welcome Suica card:

The Suica card is a must-have for navigating Tokyo's public transportation system. You can use it on all JR East train and bus lines, as well as many lines owned by other Japanese rail companies. It's also fully compatible with the Tokyo metro area's Pasmo system.

The Suica card is not limited to Tokyo, it can also be used in many other parts of Japan, such as Kyoto, Sendai, and Niigata. You can also use it in areas serviced by other IC travel card systems, including ICOCA, Kitaca, TOICA, PiTaPa, manaca, SUGOCA, nimoca, and Hayakaken.

If you see "IC" on the card reader, it will work with Suica. But if you do find yourself somewhere that a Suica card doesn't get you through the automatic ticket gate, simply make your way to the staffed gate and show them your card.

Here are some areas where Suica cards can be used:

You can buy a Suica card at Haneda or Narita airport, as well as from JR East ticket machines at train stations, displaying the Suica symbol.

A new Suica Card will cost ¥1,000, made up of a ¥500 deposit for the card and a ¥500 charge loaded onto the card.

You can also buy them at JR East Travel Service Centers.

If you have a blank Suica card, you can register it at the time of purchase by selecting “MySuica” and inputting the information requested — your name, date of birth, gender, and phone number.

This will print your name on the card, making it easier to get it back if you lose it.

As of October 2024, there are two types of Suica available for purchase: a standard Suica and My Suica, an IC card inscribed with the owner's name.

Suica cards cannot be purchased online.

Here's a quick summary of where to buy a Suica card:

Note that the Welcome Suica is a special type of Suica card issued exclusively for foreign visitors to Japan, and it does not require a deposit.

Using your Suica card for shopping is very straightforward. You just need to tap it against the card reader.

Many stores accept IC cards for payments, so you can use your Suica card at convenience stores, drink vending machines, and various other stores.

If you see a sign near the register showing what forms of cashless payments they accept, and "IC" is on the list, then you're good to go.

You can even use your Welcome Suica card to pay for shopping at a wide range of stores, vending machines, and coin lockers.

Here's a quick rundown of how to use your Suica card for shopping:

If you're visiting Japan, you'll want to know about the Suica card and mobile options. You can set up a virtual Suica card in Japan if your phone is compatible with Mobile Suica.

Note that you may be charged a ¥220 refund fee if you decide to cancel your Mobile Suica. The refund can take anywhere from two weeks to a month to receive.

To use Mobile Suica, you'll need to download the app, connect it to your credit card, and recharge it whenever you want. You can also purchase a new Suica card via the app or transfer your old one by scanning it with your mobile camera.

Your phone needs to be on but it doesn't need to be unlocked, and you don't need to be connected to WiFi to use Mobile Suica. Simply touch your phone on the card reader whenever you enter or exit the gates at the train stations.

If you have a physical Suica card, you can transfer it to your iPhone or Apple Watch by following the steps on the official JR East site.

Suica is an IC card with electronic money functionality issued by JR East, allowing you to use trains and subways smoothly without needing to purchase tickets each time.

You can use Suica not only in Tokyo but also in major cities such as Osaka and Kyoto, making it a convenient option for frequent travelers.

To use Suica, simply tap it over the scanner at the ticket gate and go your way, no need to worry about switching to another line than JR.

Suica can be used on almost any train, subway, or bus line in Japan, except for rural operators that only support paper tickets.

Japan has a well-organized transportation system, making it easy to get around. Suica is a popular IC card that can be used on various transportation lines, including trains and subways.

You can use Suica not only in Tokyo but also in major cities like Osaka and Kyoto. This makes it a convenient choice for tourists.

For a more seamless travel experience, consider purchasing a Suica card. You can use it to pay for transportation and shopping in Japan.

Some IC cards are compatible with the Keikyu Lines. Here are a few examples:

If you have any questions about using these IC cards, you can call Keikyu Corporation during their business hours, which are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (JST), excluding year-end and New Year holidays.

IC cards like Kitaca, Manaca, and Sugoca are widely used in Japan for traveling by subways, trains, or buses. They can be used in various areas, including Hokkaido, the Nagoya area, southern Japan (Kyushu), and even with some exceptions in areas where a Suica card can be used.

You can purchase these IC cards in the same way as a Suica card, and they work similarly. If you plan to travel mainly by subways, trains, or buses, an IC card is a convenient option.

Most railway company machines work similarly, with some slight variations.

If you come to Japan on a tourist visa, you may consider buying a Japan Rail Pass for 7, 14, or 21 days.

The Japan Rail Pass is only valid on JR lines, not on subway networks in cities like Tokyo and Osaka, which are operated by private companies.

You can use a prepaid IC card like Suica/PASMO/ICOCA on almost any train, subway, or bus line in Japan, except for rural operators that only support paper tickets.

IC cards don't come with the discount that the JR Pass brings, but they're convenient for travel within cities.

The JR Pass won't work on non-JR lines, so you'll be stopped at the ticket gates if you try to access them with a JR Pass.

Having an IC card like Suica at hand can save the day in such situations, as you can tap it over the scanner at the ticket gate and go your way.

To buy an ICOCA, go to any station in western Japan that is operated by JR-WEST (any JR station in the Kyoto - Osaka - Hiroshima area).