Suica Card Guide for Travelers in Japan

Japan is a country that's easy to get around with the right card. The Suica card is a prepaid IC card that makes traveling in Japan a breeze.

You can purchase a Suica card at most train stations or online. It's a simple process that takes just a few minutes.

The Suica card is accepted on most public transportation systems in Japan, including trains, buses, and subways. This means you can use it to travel almost anywhere in the country.

Suica cards can be refilled with funds at any train station, making it easy to top up and keep traveling.

A Suica card is a prepaid card you can use in Tokyo and wider Japan. It's issued by JR East, one of the many types of IC train cards in Japan.

The Suica card is a convenient way to pay for public transportation, including trains, subways, and buses. You can use it to ride these services without having to worry about buying individual tickets.

Suica cards are accepted at many vending machines, some convenience stores, and station-area facilities like coin lockers. This makes them a great option for tourists and locals alike.

At the most basic level, a Suica card is a simple and affordable way to get around Japan.

Getting started with Suica is easy. You can buy a new card once you've arrived in Japan at the JR-EAST Travel Service Center within Narita Airport or Haneda Airport, or at the JR ticket offices at major JR stations in the Tokyo area.

A new card costs 2,000 yen, which includes a 500 yen deposit that will be refunded if the card is returned.

You can also use Mobile Suica, which allows you to recharge it wherever and whenever you want.

You can buy a Suica card once you've arrived in Japan at the JR-EAST Travel Service Center within Narita Airport or Haneda Airport, or at the JR ticket offices at major JR stations in the Tokyo area.

Suica cards are available at ticket vending machines or customer service windows in the Suica area, namely at all JR East train stations. A new card costs 2,000 yen, which includes a 500 yen deposit that will be refunded if the card is returned.

As of March 2024, sales of the card remain officially suspended "for the time being", but since January 2024 have been available in limited quantities to foreign tourists at customer service centers. However, as of October 2024, Suica cards cannot be purchased online.

You can also buy a Suica card at ticket counters or ticket vending machines at JR-EAST operated stations in eastern Japan. Just look for the machines displaying the Suica symbol.

With Mobile Suica, you can download the app and connect it to your credit card, and recharge it wherever and whenever you want. Your phone needs to be on but it doesn't need to be unlocked, and you don't need to be connected to WiFi.

Mobile Suica is a convenient way to use your IC card without carrying a physical card. You can download the Mobile Suica app and connect it to your credit card to recharge it whenever and wherever you want.

To use Mobile Suica, you need to set your phone's region to Japan, and it only works on certain phones purchased in Japan. This includes iPhone 8 and up, Apple Watch Series 3 and later, and some Android phones.

You can either purchase a new Suica card via the app or transfer your old one by scanning it with your mobile camera. Once you have created your Mobile Suica, you can touch your phone on the card reader whenever you enter or exit the gates at the train stations.

Mobile Suica interacts with the FeliCa chip using Java technology, and you can review past Suica transactions via your phone's display. You can also recharge your Mobile Suica when the remaining balance gets low, just like with a physical card.

The Mobile Suica app is available on Apple devices and Android users can access it via Google Pay, but they must have an “osaifu-keitai” eligible phone. This essentially means a smartphone purchased in Japan.

JR East offers a limited e-money-only application called "Easy Mobile Suica" that does not require a credit card and was launched in late October 2006.

There isn't a huge difference between Suica and Pasmo cards, but it's worth considering if you need a commuter pass for daily JR line journeys.

If you're only staying for a few weeks, the deposit-free Welcome Suica might be a good option, as it's easily bought at train station machines.

Both Suica and Pasmo have special IC cards for short-term visitors to Japan, such as the Welcome Suica and Pasmo Passport.

These special cards automatically expire after 28 days and cannot be returned for a refund, so you'll lose any remaining balance.

The Welcome Suica has no deposit but doesn't have associated discounts, while the Pasmo Passport has a ¥500 issuing fee and entitles you to discounts at participating businesses.

You can use Suica to pay for transportation and shopping in Japan, and it's especially convenient for frequent travelers. The card's technology allows it to be read at a short distance from the reader, so you don't need to touch the card to the reader.

The balance on your Suica card is displayed when you pass through ticket gates, and you'll need to have at least the minimum fare to ride at least one stop to enter the system. No fare is charged until you exit the system.

You can store a travel record of the past 20 trips on the card, which can be displayed or printed out at ticket machines or some fare adjustment machines. This can be helpful for tracking your expenses and planning your route.

You can use your Suica card to travel in Tokyo and other major cities like Osaka and Kyoto, making it a convenient option for frequent commuters or tourists.

The Suica card can be read at a short distance from the reader, so you don't need to physically touch it to use it. Many people leave their cards in their wallets or pass cases and simply pass them over the reader when entering a ticket gate.

The balance on your card is displayed when you pass through a ticket gate, and you'll be required to pay the minimum fare to enter the system, but the fare won't be charged until you exit.

A travel record of your past 20 trips is stored on the card, and you can display or print it out at ticket machines or some fare adjustment machines.

You can also store commuter passes or pre-purchased fares on your Suica card, which can make future rides between certain stations free of charge.

If you're traveling from a JR East station to a station outside of the JR East area, you'll need to purchase a separate ticket, even if you have a Suica card with a balance.

Suica cards are sold by different companies, which is worth noting if you're planning to buy one.

JR East and its subsidiaries sell various types of Suica cards, including Suica, My Suica, Welcome Suica, and View Suica.

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

Tokyo Monorail sells Monorail Suica.

You can use your Suica card as a physical card or download the My Suica app to make payments on any train line that accepts IC card payments in Japan.

The Welcome Suica card is a special type of Suica card designed for visitors to Japan, featuring a beautiful Japanese design.

Integrations are a key feature of Suica, allowing users to combine multiple functions into one card.

The View Suica pairs the prepaid Suica with a credit card, creating an affiliate card that can be used for both prepaid and credit transactions.

Various types of these affiliate cards exist, including those available through JR and View, as well as store-related cards like the Bic Camera Suica.

These cards have two balances: a prepaid Suica balance and a credit balance for which monthly bills are sent.

The Bic Suica, for example, can also serve as a store point card, adding a small amount to the available points on the card with each credit purchase.

Another type of Suica, the JALCARD Suica, can function as an electronic boarding pass for a JAL-operated domestic flight in Japan at an airport that offers the JAL IC service.

You can use a Suica card to pay for rides on any train line that accepts IC card payments in Japan. The card is available as a physical card or as a mobile app.

To use the card, simply scan it at a card reader at the ticket gate. You don't need to touch the card to the reader, as the technology allows for it to be read at a short distance.

The balance on the card is displayed when you pass through the ticket gate, and the minimum fare to ride at least one stop is required to enter. No fare is charged until you exit the system.

A travel record of the past 20 trips is stored on the card, and can be displayed or printed out at ticket machines or some fare adjustment machines.

You can also store commuter passes, pre-purchased fares for one, three, or six month periods along a certain route on the card. This makes future rides free of charge between the specified stations.

Suica cards can be purchased from JR East and its subsidiaries, including Rinkai Suica and Monorail Suica. There are also different types of Suica cards available, such as Welcome Suica and View Suica.

Here are some types of Suica cards:

Note that if you're traveling from a JR East station to a station outside of the JR East area, you'll need to purchase a ticket.

Using Suica is a breeze, especially when you know the basics. Suica cards work much the same as train cards in other parts of the world, so if you've used them before, you'll feel right at home.

To use a Suica card, simply tap it on the IC card panel at a train station ticket gate as you enter and leave. You'll need to tap it again when you exit a bus in some areas, but not always.

If the IC card reader beeps or flashes red, it usually means your balance is too low, so you'll need to find a charging machine before you can get through the gates.

Where Can You Charge Your Suica Card?

You can charge your Suica card at a convenience store.

You can also top up your Suica at a convenience store, using the ATM or loading money at the cash register.

The most convenient and easily accessible machine for charging IC cards is the ATM at Japan's 7-Eleven convenience stores.

You can also charge at FamilyMart, Lawson, ポプラ (Popura), MINI STOP, and Daily Yamazaki convenience stores.

To charge at a convenience store, press '電子マネーチャージ' (Electronic Money Charge) at the top of the screen, then place your card in the reading area on the right side.

You can also ask the store staff for assistance in charging at convenience stores in Japan.

Google Pay has made it possible to add Suica cards to your Android device, but there's a catch: your phone must have been purchased in Japan. This functionality is limited to Android devices that have their Google Account's region set to Japan.

To use Google Pay with Suica, your phone must also support Osaifu-Keitai, which is a type of smartphone that can store IC cards. This includes phones that have a FeliCa chip, such as modern Google Pixel phones.

In 2018, Google announced that Suica cards could be added to Google Pay, making it easier for users to access their Suica cards on their Android devices.

You use a Suica card by tapping 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.

To charge your Suica card, you'll need to find a ticket machine or a dedicated train card charging machine inside the ticket gates. There are normally several ticket machines near the ticket gates at a train station.

You can change the language to English on the ticket machine by pressing a button near the top right of the screen. Then just follow the on-screen prompts to charge your Suica card.

The smallest denomination coin you can use to charge your pass is a ¥500-coin, so you can't just tip all your loose change into the machine.

You can also top up your Suica at a convenience store using the ATM or loading money at the cash register.

Having a Suica card is a game-changer for navigating Japan's public transportation system. It eliminates the need to buy paper tickets each time you take the train, making your travels much more convenient.

You can use your Suica card to travel on any train line in Japan, including JR and non-JR lines. This means you can hop on the Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, or any other line without having to worry about buying separate tickets.

With a Suica card, you can enter and exit train stations by simply touching the card reader at the ticket gates. No more fumbling for paper tickets or trying to find a ticket machine!

Suica cards can be charged at any train station, and you can even top up your balance at convenience stores. This means you can always have a fully charged card, ready to go whenever you need it.

One of the biggest advantages of using a Suica card is that you can make purchases at station kiosks, convenience stores, and vending machines. This is especially useful when you're on the go and need to grab a snack or buy something quickly.

Here are some of the benefits of using a Suica card:

Overall, having a Suica card is a must-have for anyone traveling in Japan. It's convenient, easy to use, and saves you time and money in the long run.

Pasmo is nearly identical to Suica, allowing for entrance and exit to train, subway, and metro stations with a simple tap. It can also be used on buses and to make purchases.

The Pasmo card can be purchased at stations in eastern Japan operated by other railways, such as Tokyo Metro, Keisei Railways, and Tobu Railways. This is a convenient option if you're not at a JR station but want a prepaid card quickly.

The Pasmo PASSPORT is a special IC card available for visitors to Japan, usable for 28 days. You can purchase it at Narita and Haneda airports, as well as at Tokyo Metro stations like Ueno, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro.

Apple Pay offers a convenient way to use your Suica card. You can add your Suica card to Apple Pay in the Wallet app and use it in the same way as a physical card.

On September 7, 2016, Apple announced that Suica cards could be added to Apple Pay in the Wallet app. This functionality was initially limited to devices purchased in Japan, including the iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2.

You can add your Suica to your Apple Wallet if you have an iPhone 8 or later. Simply go to your Apple Wallet, hit the + button, and select "Travel Card", followed by "Suica".

To top up a Suica in your Apple Wallet, you'll need a linked credit or prepaid card in the Wallet app. Tap your Suica in the app, and hit "Add Money".

The release of the iPhone 8, iPhone X, and Apple Watch Series 3, and later, devices purchased anywhere in the world could be used with Apple Pay Suica.

Pasmo is a great alternative to Suica, and it's available at stations in eastern Japan operated by other railways, such as Tokyo Metro, Keisei Railways, and Tobu Railways.

You can purchase a Pasmo card at a ticket machine or at a station ticket counter, just like Suica. The Pasmo PASSPORT, a special IC card for visitors, is available at Narita and Haneda airports, as well as at Tokyo Metro stations like Ueno, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro.

In other parts of Japan, there are other IC cards like ICOCA, which is issued by JR-WEST and can be used in the Kyoto-Osaka area.

These IC cards, including Pasmo and ICOCA, can be used for transportation and payments all around Japan, making them very convenient for travelers.

If you're planning to travel extensively in Japan, you'll want to understand the difference between the Japan Rail Pass and a prepaid IC card like Suica.

The Japan Rail Pass is only valid on JR lines, so you won't be able to use it on subway networks in cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

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

You'll be stopped at the ticket gates if you attempt to access a different railway than JR using a JR Pass, but having an IC card like Suica handy can save you from this inconvenience.

Switching between lines can be seamless with an IC card, but keep in mind that it doesn't come with the same discount as the JR Pass.

The main difference between Suica and Pasmo IC cards is the company that manages them, with Suica being managed by JR East and Pasmo by non-JR Lines. This means you can use either card on train lines run by other operators without issue.

Suica cards have a higher initial minimum charge amount of ¥1,500, compared to Pasmo's ¥500. This can be an important consideration if you're just starting to use the cards.

You can purchase Suica cards at JR stations, while Pasmo cards can be purchased at private stations. This might be a minor inconvenience, but it's worth noting.

Both cards can be used at all stations, and you can register them for added convenience. Replacement fees for both cards are the same at ¥510.

It's worth noting that returning a Suica card with less than ¥220 on it will incur a ¥220 fee, while Pasmo cards can be returned without any additional fee.

If your Suica is damaged, don't worry, there's help available. Just head to a JR train station office and the staff will sort you out.

Staff at JR train station offices may not speak much English, so it's a good idea to try a bigger station like Tokyo Station if you're concerned about communication.

If you're having trouble with your Suica, don't hesitate to seek assistance at a JR train station office.

If you lose your Suica card, you can get it reissued if you registered it.

You'll need to head to a JR train station office to start the process. The staff will help you through it.

If your Suica card is stolen, you can also get it reissued if you registered it.

To do so, visit a JR train station office and the staff will assist you.

If your phone is damaged, it's frustrating, especially if you're traveling in a foreign country. You can head to a JR train station office and the staff will sort you out.

Just keep in mind that staff may not speak much English, so it's a good idea to try out a bigger station like Tokyo Station.

Refunding an IC card in Japan is a relatively straightforward process. You can return your card for a refund of the ¥500 deposit.

Suica cards need to be returned to a JR Ticket Office. This is a good opportunity to visit a JR station and get familiar with the layout.

Pasmo cards, on the other hand, can be returned at a non-JR Line Station Office. For example, you can return it at a Tokyo Metro Station.

Make sure to return your card to the correct location to avoid any issues with your refund.

You can use a Suica or Pasmo card in Kyoto. These cards have a wide range of usage in Japan, including the old capital and its neighboring city, Osaka.

For a smooth trip, be sure to check the areas where Suica and Pasmo cards are accepted. You can also refer to our Tokyo to Kyoto transport guide for some money-saving tips.