If you are looking forward to traveling to Japan, the first thing you should know about is the Suica transportation system IC card. Suica cards can be easily obtained at airports and major train stations.

In this article, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner how to obtain a basic Suica card and how to use it conveniently from a traveler's point of view.

What is Suica Card?

The Suica card (hereafter sometimes referred to only as “Suica”) is a typical Japanese transportation IC card issued by East Japan Railway Company. By charging electronic money in the card, it is a convenient card that allows users to pay for train and bus rides, as well as shopping, without carrying cash.

For travelers visiting Japan, Suica also offers great advantages such as “no need to calculate transportation costs,” “no need to carry coins,” and “no language barrier. It is truly an essential item that makes traveling in Japan more comfortable!

There are two types of Suica!

Suica offers two types of cards. Both are available for travelers visiting Japan. Let's understand the features of each and choose the one that best suits your travel style.

Normal Suica

Normal Suica is a conventional card designed for long-term use.

◼︎ Features
・Color & Design: Green and silver (penguin character)
・Selling price: 1,000 yen and up
・Deposit: 500 yen
・Maximum amount you can top up: 20,000 yen (including card balance)
・Expiration date: Invalid after 10 years of unused since last use

Welcome Suica

Welcome Suica is an easy-to-use card designed specifically for international visitors to Japan.

It expires 28 days after purchase, but is recommended for travelers staying in Japan for a short period of time. There is no deposit fee and no need to return the card. It also looks very Japanese in design, so it is a good way to keep it as a memento of your trip!

◼︎ Features
・Color & Design: Red and white (cherry blossoms)
・Selling price: 1,000 yen and up
・Deposit: 0 yen (none)
・Maximum amount you can top up: 20,000 yen (including card balance)
・Expiration date: 28 days from purchase date
・Number of cards on sale: limited to 1 per person

Suica can be used on iPhone and Apple Watch!

Good news for those who want to enjoy a smarter and more comfortable trip to Japan. If you have an iPhone or Apple Watch, you can use Suica without carrying a physical card.

The setup is as simple as adding Suica in the "Wallet" application. You can load money directly from Apple Pay-enabled credit cards, so there's no need to find a top-up location!

◼︎ Compatible models
・iPhone: iPhone 8/8 Plus or later (*Requires the latest iOS)
・Apple Watch: Series 3 or later (*Requires the latest iOS)

◼︎ Advantages
・No need to purchase and carry a card
・Easy to top up with Apple Pay
・Easy balance check
・No need to worry about losing your card

*If you are using an Android device, unfortunately this feature is not available. Please consider a normal Suica card or Welcome Suica.

Where and how to buy Suica

This section explains “where” and “how” to buy both normal Suica and Welcome Suica.

This time, I actually bought two types of Suica cards at JR Shinjuku Station!

I will explain in an easy-to-understand manner so that all travelers can purchase Suica cards smoothly, so please take a look.

Where can I buy a “Normal Suica”?

◼︎ Place of sale
・Multi-function ticket vending machines at JR East stations
・Midori-no-Madoguchi (Midori-no-Madoguchi)
・Talking ticket machines (operator-assisted) and Midori-no-Madoguchi at JR East Shinkansen stations

Suica cards had been suspended due to a global shortage of semiconductors, but as of March 2025, they have resumed sales.

・Currently, both 'name-inscribed' and 'anonymous' types are available for purchase.
・It is possible that sales may be suspended or resumed in the future.
・Please check JR East's official website for the latest information.

I bought a “Normal Suica”

Normal Suica cards can be purchased at “multi-function ticket vending machines” in JR East stations. This time, I would like to purchase a "Name-Inscribed" Suica card!

↑
You will see the black top of the display as shown in the photo. Although it is obscured in the photo, look for black ticket vending machines with “Suica” written on the black part!
・The black ticket machines can be used for purchases and recharging. The green ticket machines are for recharging only.

↑
The initial screen of the ticket machine looks like this.
①Select your language from the “Language” menu bar at the top of the screen.
②Next, touch “Purchase/Charge” on the left side menu.

↑
Touch "Name-Inscribed" Suica card when you are given the option to purchase or add money to the card.

↑
The screen will switch to the name entry screen, so enter the name of the purchaser.

↑
Next, also enter the gender and date of birth.

↑
Then enter your phone number. (*No hyphen is required.)
①You can register using your mobile or landline phone number.
②Next, select the amount of money you wish to purchase. (The image is omitted, but I chose 1,000 yen this time)

↑
Finally, insert the purchase price and the Suica card will come out of the ticket machine. This completes the process!
・Normal Suica cards have a 500 yen deposit fee, so your initial balance will be your payment minus the deposit.
・If you pay 1,000 yen, as in this case, you'll receive a Suica card with 500 yen loaded on it.

Where can I buy a “Welcome Suica”?

◼︎ Place of sale
( Narita Airport )
At Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station, Terminal 2 and 3 Stations
・JR East Travel Service Center
・Welcome Suica vending machines

( Haneda Airport )
At Narita Airport Terminal 3 Station
・JR East Travel Service Center
・Welcome Suica vending machine

( Available at major stations in Tokyo )
Stations with JR East Travel Service Center:
Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, Shibuya Station, Shinjuku Station, Ikebukuro Station, Ueno Station

( Others )
JAPAN RAIL CAFÉ TOKYO (*Restaurant café at Yaesu Exit of Tokyo Station)

I bought a “Welcome Suica”

↑
This time, I would like to purchase “Welcome Suica” at “JR East Travel Service Center (New South Exit)”!
・There is also a JR East Travel Service Center at the East Exit of Shinjuku Station.
・The location of the JR East Travel Service Center at Shinjuku Station can also be found on the JR East official website.

↑
①The attendant will ask you about your requirements at the entrance.
②You will be given a small purchase form. According to the paper I received, I could choose “desired purchase amount” from 1,000 yen and 2,000 yen. (For example, if you buy a card for 2,000 yen, it will come with 2,000 yen already loaded.)

↑
After receiving a purchase form, wait in line at the reception counter.

↑
When you hand in your purchase form at the reception counter, you will be asked, “Is it ok if your Welcome Suica expires after 28 days?” If you are satisfied, pay the purchase price. Once you receive your card, the purchase procedure is complete. It is very easy!
・This time, I bought the card on November 16, 2024, so the expiration date was December 13 of the same year.
・Only one Welcome Suica card can be bought per person.
・In order for one person to purchase a Welcome Suica card for more than one person, all other purchasers had to be present or present passports for all other purchasers.

↑
I was able to buy it. The colors are Japanese red and white, with a nice cherry blossom design!
・There is no deposit required for Welcome Suica, so if you buy it for 1,000 yen, it will come with 1,000 yen loaded on it.

Let's Add Money to Your Suica!

We recommend using station ticket machines to add money to your Suica card. The process is very simple and intuitive.

There are two types of adding money methods at automatic ticket vending machines at train stations: “place type” and “insert type”.

▼How to add money at station ticket machines
①Simply insert your Suica card into the machine, and it will automatically switch to the "Select Amount" screen.
②For example, when you insert 1,000 yen, the "1,000" button becomes available to select.
③Touch this button, and you'll hear a sound as the money is added to your card.
④The machine will return your card. (The process is now complete)

You can also add money to your Suica at convenience store cash registers or ATMs where Suica is accepted. At the register, simply tell the staff "I'd like to add money to my Suica." ATMs have English language support, so you can just follow the on-screen instructions. However, please note that both options require Japanese yen cash.

It's convenient to be able to add money to your card easily around town!

How to use Suica

Suica is easy for anyone to use with its intuitive operation. Simply touch your card to the reader for smooth and speedy payments - from public transportation to shopping.

Here's a guide to using your Suica card in different situations.

Transportation: Trains, Buses, and Taxis

◼︎Using Trains

Simply touch your Suica card to the panel marked with the "IC Card" symbol at the ticket gate. Use the same action for both entry and exit. The fare is automatically calculated and deducted from your card balance.

◼︎Using Buses

Touch your Suica to the IC card reader on the fare box when boarding. Touch again when getting off to pay the fare. For flat-rate buses, you don't need to touch when getting off. (Note: Buses within Tokyo's 23 wards have flat rates)
You can also pay for multiple passengers with one card on buses. For example, if you want to pay for two people with one Suica, the first person should tell the bus driver "I'm paying for two" before touching the card, and the second person won't need to pay.

◼︎Using Taxis
Tell the driver "I'll pay with Suica" when arriving at your destination. Simply touch your Suica to the payment terminal in the taxi to complete the payment. This is convenient when you're in a hurry or worried about having the exact change.

Shopping: Convenience Stores and More

First, check if Suica payment is accepted. Look for stickers indicating "Electronic Money Accepted," the "IC Card" symbol, or the "Suica" logo.

If you want to pay with Suica, tell the store staff at the register that "I'd like to pay with Suica." (Showing your card while asking might make the process smoother!)

Then, simply touch your Suica to the payment terminal at the register. It's very easy! At self-service registers, just follow the on-screen instructions and touch your card to complete the payment. Suica payments are accepted at various other locations, including restaurants, supermarkets, fast food restaurants, drug stores, and shops inside stations.

Vending Machines

Suica is also convenient for purchasing drinks and snacks from vending machines. After selecting your item, simply touch your Suica to the area marked with the "IC Card" symbol on the machine. No need for coins, making it safe and easy to use even at night. Almost all vending machines in and around train stations accept Suica.

Frequently Asked Questions about Suica (FAQ)

Q. What are the benefits of using Suica?
A. You don't need to buy train tickets every time you travel. The fare is also slightly cheaper than paying with cash tickets. Another major benefit is cashless shopping, which makes purchases much smoother.

Q. Where can I check my Suica balance?
A. Your balance is displayed when using ticket gates, convenience stores, and vending machines.
*You can also check your balance by inserting your card into station ticket machines.

Q. What's the difference between "Name-Inscribed" and "Blank" Suica cards?
A. Name-Inscribed cards have personal information recorded, so they can be reissued if lost, and the remaining balance is guaranteed. Blank cards have no personal information and can be transferred to others, but cannot be reissued if lost, and the balance is not guaranteed.

Q. I want to use up my remaining Suica balance. Is this possible?
A. Yes, it is. We recommend making a purchase at a convenience store. Try to pay with your Suica card (knowing there's insufficient balance). When you hear the warning sound for insufficient funds, just tell the staff you'd like to "pay the remaining amount in cash." Alternatively, when buying tickets at station machines, you can pay any shortage in cash.

Q. I want to get a refund for my normal Suica card deposit. Where can I do this?
A. You can get a refund at "JR East Green Window (Midori no Madoguchi)" ticket offices within the Suica service area, or at JR East Shinkansen station Green Windows.
*Refunds are not available at non-JR East stations or bus offices.

Finally

In this guide, we've covered everything from basic information to practical tips about using Suica for international visitors.

With a Suica card, you can enjoy sightseeing without worrying about complex fare calculations or language barriers. Consider using it during your stay! Easy to obtain and start using right away, Suica helps you begin your comfortable journey in Japan. (For iPhone and Apple Watch users, we strongly recommend using Suica through the Wallet app.)

We hope you have a wonderful time in Japan.

Thank you for reading to the end. See you in our next article!