The Suica card Nagoya is a convenient way to travel around the city. It's a prepaid card that can be used to ride trains, buses, and subways.
You can purchase a Suica card at most train stations in Nagoya, including Nagoya Station and Kanayama Station.
The card is rechargeable, so you can add value as needed.
Suica cards can be used to ride the Nagoya Municipal Subway, the Kintetsu Nagoya Line, and the Meitetsu Nagoya Line.
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Getting Started
You can buy a Suica card at a JR-EAST station in eastern Japan or at a ticket counter. To use a Suica card, you need to go to a station operated by JR-EAST.
To get started with Mobile Suica, set your phone's region to Japan, then download the app and connect it to your credit card. This will allow you to recharge your Mobile Suica wherever and whenever you want.
You can either purchase a new Suica card via the Mobile Suica app or transfer your old one by scanning it with your mobile camera.
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How to Buy
To buy a Suica, go to a station operated by JR-EAST, which includes any JR station in eastern Japan. This is the best option for purchasing a Suica.
Suica and other IC cards can be bought at ticket counters or ticket vending machines. You can choose to buy a Suica at a ticket counter or a ticket vending machine.
To buy a PASMO, go to a Tokyo Metro station or any other station that is not operated by JR in the Tokyo area.
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Mobile
To get started with mobile payments in Japan, you'll need to set your phone's region to Japan. This is a requirement for using mobile versions of IC cards like Suica or Pasmo.
Mobile Suica is a convenient option that allows you to download the app, connect it to your credit card, and recharge it anywhere, anytime. You can also purchase a new Suica card or transfer your old one using the app.
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To use Mobile Suica, simply touch your phone on the card reader at train stations, and your phone needs to be on, but not necessarily unlocked. You don't need to be connected to WiFi either.
Android users will need to open the Google Wallet app and select the E-Money function to activate their digital IC card.
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Entering from a Conventional Line
To enter the station from a conventional line, you'll need to touch your IC card to both the conventional line and Shinkansen ticket gates. This is a straightforward process that's easy to get the hang of.
If you're just passing through the conventional line concourse, your fare won't be deducted from your IC card balance. This is a convenient feature that allows you to move through the station without incurring additional charges.
Note that there is a minimum IC card balance required to pass through the conventional line concourse.
Convenience and Features
The Suica card is a game-changer for travelers in Japan. It's a prepaid IC card that can be used on any train line in Japan, including JR and non-JR lines like Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, Tobu, and more.
You can enter and exit train stations by simply touching the card reader at the ticket gates with your Suica card, eliminating the need to buy paper tickets each time. This convenience is especially useful when traveling on multiple lines.
The Suica card can also be used to make purchases at station kiosks, convenience stores, and vending machines, making it a versatile tool for daily life in Japan.
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What Are IC Cards?
IC cards are prepaid commuter cards embedded with a chip that can be used to board subways, trains, and buses, as well as make purchases at many vending machines and convenience stores.
Suica and Pasmo are two popular IC card options in Japan, with Suica operated by JR and Pasmo representing many non-JR lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
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You can add money to these cards and use them on any Nationwide Mutual Usage Service line, which includes major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo.
If you live in Japan, getting a new IC card might not be possible due to chip shortages, and some people have even started buying them as collector's items.
The Convenience Factor
You can use your Suica card to pay for purchases at station kiosks, convenience stores, and vending machines. The Suica card can be charged at any train station and even at convenience stores.
With a Suica card, there is no need to buy tickets for each ride on subways and trains. You can enter and exit the train stations by merely touching the card reader at the ticket gates with your Suica card.
The Suica card is accepted on many non-JR lines, making it a convenient option for travel in Japan. You can use your Suica card to pay for purchases at most vending machines and shops inside train stations.
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Suica cards are only sold in the eastern Japan area, including the greater Tokyo area and Tohoku (northern Japan). This makes it a convenient option for tourists and travelers in these areas.
Here are some of the different types of prepaid IC cards available in Japan:
- Suica – Offered by JR East and valid on all Japan Rail trains in the Greater Tokyo, Sendai and Niigata regions, and non-Japan Rail lines
- Pasmo – Works on the same buses, trains and subways as Suica
- Icoca – Offered by JR West and valid on all JR trains servicing the Greater Osaka, Hiroshima and Okayama areas
- Kitaca – Offered by JR Hokkaido for all Japan Rail trains and non-JR trams, buses and subways in the Greater Sapporo area
- Toica – Offered by JR Central and valid on all JR train lines that run in the Greater Nagoya region and select parts of Shizuoka Prefecture
- Manaca – Can be used for travel on non-JR and non-Kintetsu bus, subway and train lines in Nagoya
- Sugoca – Offered by JR Kyushu and valid on all JR-operated trains in the Nagasaki, Oita, Kagoshima, Kumamoto and Greater Fukuoka regions
- Hayakaken – Valid on the Fukuoka Subway lines in Fukuoka City
- Nimoca – Works on all Nishitetsu buses and trains that service the Greater Fukuoka region and some other cities on Kyushu Island
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Suica everywhere in Japan?
Yes, your Welcome Suica card can be used nationwide in Japan. It's compatible with other e-money services, making it convenient for travel across the country.
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