Suica card in Japan: the complete guide for tourists 2026

If I had to choose one thing to sort out before arriving in Japan, it wouldn’t be the JR Pass or the accommodation. It would be the Suica card.

The Suica is a rechargeable prepaid card that works as a ticket on virtually every train, metro and bus in the country, and also as a payment card at convenience stores, vending machines, supermarkets and many restaurants. Without one, every metro journey means calculating the exact fare, finding the right coins, and buying a ticket from the machine. With one, you tap and go.

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What an IC card is and why there are several

Before getting into Suica specifically, it helps to understand that Japan has a family of transport cards generically called IC cards — named after the integrated circuit chip inside. Suica, PASMO and ICOCA are the three most relevant for tourists, but there are eight more across the country.

The good news is they’re all interoperable: a Suica works on the Osaka metro, an ICOCA works on the Tokyo metro. Technically it doesn’t matter which one you have. The difference lies in where they’re issued and who manages them.

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Suica vs PASMO vs ICOCA: which to choose

Suica — Issued by JR East. The most widely used and recognised. Works across Japan wherever IC cards are accepted. If you’re arriving in Tokyo (Narita or Haneda), this is the natural choice. Also available as Welcome Suica for tourists and in digital form for iPhone.

PASMO — Issued by Tokyo’s private metro operators. Technically identical to Suica in coverage and function. The difference for a tourist is essentially zero. If the machines at your arrival station only show PASMO, get one without hesitation — it works exactly the same.

ICOCA — Issued by JR West. The natural option if you’re arriving in Osaka, Kyoto or Hiroshima via Kansai Airport. Also works perfectly in Tokyo.

The direct recommendation: arriving in Tokyo, get a Suica. Arriving in Osaka or Kyoto, get an ICOCA. If you have a compatible iPhone, consider the digital version — it’s the most convenient of all.

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Types of Suica available for tourists

Standard Suica

The classic physical card. Purchased at JR station machines with a ¥500 deposit that’s returned when you hand the card back. Minimum purchase is ¥1,000 (¥500 deposit + ¥500 balance).

Welcome Suica

A tourist-specific version available at Narita and Haneda airports and some major stations. Key differences from the standard Suica:

• No deposit — the initial ¥500 isn’t required
• Expires 28 days after first use
• Unused balance is not returned on expiry
• Can be purchased with a credit card at designated machines

For visits under four weeks, the Welcome Suica is convenient if you don’t want to think about the deposit. For longer stays or if you want unused balance back, the standard Suica is better.

Suica on iPhone and Apple Watch (Welcome Suica Mobile)

Since March 2025, JR East has had an official English-language iPhone and Apple Watch version called Welcome Suica Mobile. It’s the most convenient option for compatible iPhone users:

• No deposit
• Topped up by credit card directly from the phone
• Works identically to the physical card
• No queuing at any machine

For Android, the official Suica app is available, though the interface is in Japanese and the setup process is somewhat more complex.

Important: the mobile version always charges adult fares. There is no children’s Suica for mobile — children need a physical card.

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Suica for children

This is the section that confuses families most, so here’s a clear breakdown.

Children under 6: travel free on all Japanese public transport. No card needed.

Children aged 6 to 11: entitled to child fare (half the adult rate). For this to apply automatically they need a child IC card — an adult card will charge adult fares.

The options for tourist children:

Child Welcome Suica — Available at dedicated machines at Narita and Haneda airports. When purchasing, you enter the child’s date of birth and show their passport to verify age. Child fares are applied automatically. Expires 28 days after first use.

Standard child Suica — Obtained at a JR customer service window (not from automatic machines). Requires presenting the child’s passport. Has a recoverable ¥500 deposit. Best option for longer stays.

Without a child card: if a child aged 6-11 uses an adult card, they’re charged adult fare. Without any card, they can’t pass through modern turnstiles. There’s no way to pay child fare in cash at modern gates — the IC card is the only practical option.

Mobile Suica for children? Doesn’t exist. There’s no child version for Apple Wallet or any mobile system. Children need physical cards without exception.

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How to top it up

At station machines: the most common method. JR machines have English interfaces. Top up with cash in amounts of ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥3,000, ¥5,000 and ¥10,000. Maximum balance is ¥20,000.

At convenience stores: at the counter of any 7-Eleven, Lawson or FamilyMart you can top up in cash. Say “chāji onegaishimasu” (チャージお願いします) or simply show the card and say the amount in yen — cashiers understand immediately.

With iPhone: if you have the mobile version, top up directly from the app with a credit card.

The ¥20,000 maximum balance is worth bearing in mind: you can’t load more than that regardless. For a family with several days of intensive travel, it’s worth starting well stocked.

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Where it works

Transport:

• JR (regional and commuter trains) across Japan
• Tokyo Metro and Toei subway
• Private railways (Tokyu, Keio, Odakyu, Keikyu, and virtually all others)
• City buses in most cities
• Some taxis (look for the IC card logo on the vehicle)
• Haneda Monorail

Shopping:

• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, Ministop)
• Vending machines (almost all)
• Supermarkets and pharmacies (most)
• Some chain restaurants

What it does NOT cover:

• Shinkansen seat reservations — the Shinkansen ticket (or JR Pass) is separate
• Some rural or mountain buses
• Most taxis outside urban areas

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What to do if you run out of balance at the gate

It happens more often than you’d think, especially after several days without topping up. The procedure is straightforward:

1. Don’t panic, and don’t try to push through — there’s always station staff nearby
2. Go to the customer service window (there’s one at virtually every station)
3. Say “charge please” or show the card — staff understand the situation immediately
4. Many stations also have top-up machines inside the gates specifically for this purpose — look for the “のりこし精算” sign or a small blue machine

You can also top up at any ticket machine in the station — no need to buy anything, just select the top-up (チャージ) option.

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Getting the deposit back before leaving Japan

If you have a standard Suica (with the ¥500 deposit), you can get it back when you return the card before leaving.

Where: at any JR customer service window. Both Narita and Haneda airports have dedicated windows.

What you get back: the ¥500 deposit plus remaining balance, minus a ¥220 processing fee.

What you lose if you don’t return it: the ¥500 deposit and whatever balance remains.

If very little balance remains, the process may not be worth the effort. Many travellers simply keep the card for their next visit — a standard Suica doesn’t expire as long as it has balance and can be reused years later.

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FAQ

Can I use the Suica from the moment I arrive at the airport? Yes. Both Narita and Haneda have Suica and Welcome Suica machines right before the train access points. It’s the first thing we recommend doing on arrival.

Does the Suica work in Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima? Yes, on all public transport in those cities that accepts IC cards. Coverage is nationwide.

Can I pay with Suica at all convenience stores? At 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart, yes without exception. At other shops, look for the IC card logo at the till.

Is there a limit on journeys? No, only on balance (¥20,000 maximum). As long as you have balance the card can be used without restriction.

What if I lose my Suica? The standard physical card isn’t linked to any account — if you lose it, you lose the balance. The iPhone digital version can be locked and recovered from the phone. That’s a significant advantage of the mobile version.

Can I use a Suica from a previous trip? Yes, provided it has balance. The standard Suica doesn’t expire. The Welcome Suica expires 28 days after first use.

To estimate how much you’ll need to load onto your Suica based on your itinerary, use our Japan trip budget calculator.

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Information updated June 2026. JR East may modify Welcome Suica Mobile conditions — check the official JR East website before travelling.