Suica Card – A Widely Used Transportation Cards in Tokyo

As the public transport network is highly developed, the transportation cards are useful indeed to improve travel efficiency and save travel costs in Tokyo and even entire Japan. You needn’t to queue up for buying a ticket and be troubled for the small changes with such a card. Sucia is the most used transportation card in Tokyo except for PASMO, and is also applicable to take public transport nationwide.

It should be noted that, the classic Suica cards have been unavailable today, but it’s planned to resume sales of registered Sucia cards in September, 2024. The tourist cards “Welcome Suica”, the version for oversea visitors, can be obtained at a few spots all the time. It is similar to the classic cards but has a valid period.

Where to get a Suica Card?

Welcome Suica:

  Haneda Airport Terminal 3, Tokyo Monorail Station
JR East Travel Service Center (06:45-20:00), or the vending machines of Welcome Suica

  Narita Airport: JR East Travel Service Center / vending machines at Terminal 1 & Terminal 2

  More spots of sale from September, 2024:
JR East Travel Service Center at JR stations of Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno (10:00-18:00 mostly)

When you purchase a Welcome Suica card, a reference paper will be issued, with the expiration date and more card information printed on. Please keep the card as well as the Reference Paper properly, for the staff would ask you to show your reference paper when you use your card to take a train.

More About a Welcome Suica

  The tourist cards “Welcome Suica” can be used for 28 days since the day you purchase it.
  No deposit is required to get a Welcome Suica. The pre-stored fare is paid when you buy it.
  No refunds for the “Welcome Suica” cards, and you needn’t to return the card when your trip is coming to an end.
  When you buy or book a “Welcome Suica” card, you can select the pre-stored amount in the card, in JPY 1,000 or 2,000. Sometimes, the Suica card with balance of JPY 3,000, 4,000, 5,000 or 10,000 in can also be provided.

Registered Sucia IC Card can be expected from September, 2024:
  JR East Travel Service Center at stations of Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno
  Japan Rail Café TOKYO

Registered Suica card requires to register your real name, gender, date of birth, and phone number when you buy one. It’s more suitable for a long-term use, such as for the locals and those who’ll stay in Japan for years (oversea students, those work in Japan,…). It’s unrefundable, but you can apply for a replacement if lost it.

When Can It Be Used?

Take Public Transport

You can simply swipe your Suica card when taking the subway, tram, bus and other public vehicles. Tickets for intercity trains can also be reserved and stored in this card. Just swipe the card and go, the fare will be deducted automatically.

Apart from Tokyo, it can be used to take trains, buses, etc. in some areas in Sendai, Niigata, Hokkaido, Nagoya, Kansai region, Kyushu, and so on around Japan. As long as there is a logo of “IC” – the mark for nationwide interconnectivity on the vehicle, Suica card can be used.
 

Paying at Stores

Suica card is also applicable for payments in stores, especially the convenience stores around the city. Seeing the logo of Suica, you can swipe your card.
    
On a national scale throughout Japan, any logo of Kitaca, manaca, TOICA, ICOCA, etc. indicates that you can use your Suica card in the store.

Shopping aboard, vending machines, taxis, coin lockers, restaurants and other more occasions allow people to utilize Suica cards as well.

However, Suica card can’t be used in stores using the shopping network of PiTaPa card.

How to Recharge Your Suica Card?

At a subway/railway station, you can top up your Suica card on the self-service ticketing machine with Sucia card logo. It’s easy to operate as the language can be selected, but Japanese cash is accepted only. A credit card can’t be utilized to top up your Suica card.

The maximum amount to top up is 20,000 yen. Meanwhile, the balance in your card can’t exceed JPY 20,000 after topping up each time.

Other Methods to Recharge Your Card:

  ATMs of Seven Bank in 7-11 convenience stores can be utilized to top up your Suica card.
  At some stores where your Suica card can be used, you can recharge it, too. Please consult the salesclerks for details.

Tips for Using Sucia Card

Don’t top up too much, as Welcome Suica card is not refundable. Just charge an appropriate amount if you need, and try to use up the balance on this trip. You can take the Suica Card as a souvenir when you leave Japan for home.

Suica card can’t be applied to take Shinkansen bullet trains generally. It’s best to buy the Shinkansen train tickets in advance for your long-distance travel in Japan.

If the card doesn’t function with sufficient balance, or you have any difficulty or confusion in using the card, please ask staff for help at the station or bus office. You can also ask the staff to make clear in advance when purchasing it.

Mobile Suica supports users to apply for an electronic card via the official app or Apple Wallet on your iPhone. You can download the app, or add the virtual card in your Apple Wallet. It’s also convenient just like the physical card.