The Suica Card Shinkansen is a convenient and efficient way to travel around Japan. You can purchase a Suica Card at any major train station in Japan.
One of the benefits of using a Suica Card is that you can easily travel on the Shinkansen, Japan's famous high-speed train. The Shinkansen is a network of high-speed rail lines that connect major cities across Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
The Suica Card can be used to travel on the Shinkansen with a special ticket that can be purchased at any train station. This ticket is called a "Suica & N'EX" ticket, and it includes a one-way ticket on the N'EX (Narita Express) train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station.
To use your Suica Card on the Shinkansen, simply tap your card on the reader at the ticket gate and follow the signs to the correct platform.
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Getting a Suica Card
You can buy a Suica card at various places, including Haneda and Narita airports, JR East ticket machines at train stations, and JR East Travel Service Centers.
JR East Travel Service Centers are located at several major train stations, including Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, and Shinjuku Station.
You can also purchase a Suica card online before arriving in Japan, which is a good idea as it saves you time and hassle.
The Welcome Suica card is a special option for short-term visitors, and it comes pre-loaded with ¥1,000 or ¥2,000, with no deposit required.
You can buy the Welcome Suica card at JR East Travel Service Centers or online through Klook or Rakuten Travel Experiences.
However, keep in mind that the Welcome Suica card automatically expires after 28 days and you can't get a refund for any remaining balance.
If you do decide to buy a regular Suica card, be aware that it costs ¥1,000, made up of a ¥500 deposit and a ¥500 charge loaded onto the card.
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Using a Suica Card
Suica cards work much the same as train cards in other parts of the world. They're prepaid cards, so once you've charged your Suica, simply tap it on the IC card panel at a train station ticket gate as you enter and leave.
You'll need to tap your Suica card and the panel will beep or flash red if your balance is too low, so make sure to find a charging machine before you can get through the gates.
Buses are a slightly different beast, so if it's a flat-area bus, you just need to tap your Suica once when you exit the bus. However, if the bus has a fare board displayed, you'll need to tap on and off.
You can charge your Suica card using a ticket machine, which are usually found near the ticket gates at a train station. Or, you can use a dedicated train Card charging machine inside the ticket gates too.
The smallest denomination coin you can use to charge your pass is a ¥500-coin, so don't try to tip all your loose change into the machine.
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Card Management
You can manage your Suica card balance at a charging machine, which is usually located near ticket gates.
If your balance is too low, the IC card reader will beep or flash red, preventing you from passing through the gates.
You may need to pay a ¥220 refund fee if you decide to cancel your virtual Suica card.
The refund can take anywhere from two weeks to a month to receive.
Virtual Cards
You can use a virtual Suica card, known as Mobile Suica, which works by tapping your phone to pay for your travel.
Mobile Suica is a convenient option if you don't want to carry a physical card. It doesn't need to be connected to a network or unlocked to work, but it does need to be on.
Setting up Mobile Suica is relatively straightforward, but note that you may be charged a ¥220 refund fee if you decide to cancel it.
The refund process can take anywhere from two weeks to a month to receive.
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Eligibility and Setup
To use the Mobile Suica app, you'll need an iPhone 8 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 3 or later, or an iPhone 7s purchased in Japan. Android users can access Mobile Suica via Google Pay, but only on an "osaifu-keitai" eligible phone purchased in Japan.
To set up a virtual Suica card, you'll need a phone compatible with Mobile Suica. Note that you may be charged a ¥220 refund fee, and the refund can take anywhere from two weeks to a month to receive.
Welcome Card for Short-term Visitors to Japan
The Welcome Suica Card is a great option for short-term visitors to Japan. It's specifically designed for visitors who don't plan to stay long.
This card comes pre-loaded with either ¥1,000 or ¥2,000, so you can start using it right away. You don't need to worry about a ¥500 deposit, which is a nice bonus.
However, keep in mind that the Welcome Suica automatically expires after 28 days. You can't get a refund for any remaining balance either.
You can purchase the Welcome Suica card at various JR East Travel Service Centers or online through Klook or Rakuten Travel Experiences. Buying online before you arrive is a good idea.
When you activate the Welcome Suica, you'll get a receipt with useful information like the expiration date. Make sure to keep this receipt handy in case anyone asks to see it.
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Eligible Users
If you have an Apple device, you can use the Mobile Suica app on an iPhone 8 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 3 or later.
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To use Mobile Suica on an Android device, you'll need an "osaifu-keitai" eligible phone, which is essentially a smartphone purchased in Japan.
The Mobile Suica app is not compatible with iPhone 7s purchased outside of Japan, and neither is it compatible with any iPhone model released earlier than the iPhone 8.
To access Mobile Suica on Android, you'll need to use Google Pay, and your phone must be an "osaifu-keitai" eligible model.
What is a Card
A card is a digital representation of a payment method, such as a credit or debit card, that's stored in a digital wallet.
Cards can be added to a digital wallet through a link sent via text message, an email, or a QR code.
A card can be a credit card, debit card, or prepaid card, and it can be used to make online or in-person purchases.
To add a card, you'll need to enter the card number, expiration date, and security code.
The security code is a three- or four-digit code on the back of the card, usually in the signature box.
For your interest: Digital Suica Card
Card Acceptance
Suica cards are widely accepted on many train lines in Japan, including JR East-operated trains. However, there's a catch - they only cover the base fare, so you'll need to buy a paper ticket for the surcharge when riding the Shinkansen.
You can use your Suica card on most train lines, just tap it on the IC card panel at the ticket gate as you enter and leave. This is the same process as using a train card in other parts of the world.
Buses are a bit different, though - if the bus has a fare board displayed, you'll need to tap on and off, but if it's a flat-fee bus, you can just tap once when you exit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Welcome Suica for bullet train?
Yes, you can use Welcome Suica on bullet trains, as it is accepted on railway lines throughout Japan.
Can I use a Suica card on any train?
Suica cards can be used on various trains across Japan, including those in the Tokyo metropolitan area and other regions such as Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Okinawa. However, coverage may vary, so check the specific train lines and areas supported by Suica for more information.
Do I need JR pass if I have Suica?
No, you don't need a JR Pass if you have Suica, as you can pay for JR train tickets separately with your Suica card
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