The most important thing when traveling by train is knowing where to exit the train station building from. Exiting a South Gate when you were supposed to exit a west gate can put you 10 minutes away from where you wanted to be.
I only use my Suica as a backup or if I'm not using the Tokyo Metro. The unbeatable metro passes (¥1500 for 72hrs unlimited trips - foreigners only) are cheaper than pay as you go IC card if you make more than 2 or 3 trips a day, which you will....unlike London etc there's no daily cap with Suica/Pasmo so costs can mount (tho to be fair the metro is really cheap per trip but I like a capped limit)
I did the same although I flew into Osaka first so i did get an IC card there (Icoca) and got back to back to back 72 hr passes for Tokyo Metro (which works on both Tokyo subway system). I still use my IC card to go to Yokohama and using the JR Loop in Tokyo. I also lost my ticket on the train to Hakone with no cash and the attendant did not speak English. I showed him my Icoca card and was able to 'repay' my ticket (it was only ¥770 which was like $5). And used the Icoca on the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda.
For those who have a good grasp of the areas in which Tokyo Metro operates, the Tokyo Subway 24H, 48H, and 72H tickets are worth using. However, since many people cannot distinguish between the sections of JR lines and private railways such as Odakyu, Keio, Tokyu, Seibu, Tobu, and Keisei, it is easiest to use a transportation IC card that automatically calculates and pays the fare.
Suica is back at major train stations' JR East Travel Service Centres in Tokyo for those that dare venture to Tokyo from the airports on paper tickets. They've been back since December last year. It's also worth noting JR Pass is almost never worth it anymore for the average traveler.
Thank you for your input. I've read in somewhere that the JR Pass has become really expensive recently and is only worth it if you're gonna travel A LOT
Excellent video, thank you so much, cleared up a lot. I'm going to try to go to Japan this year, and the only thing that scares me a lot is the public transport system, because I just drive everywhere in America haha, so I've never used these systems much. I'm going to watch more of your videos, thank you.
I’m Japanese and I go back there twice a year but I didn’t know I could get at the airport 😅😅. My sister usually lend me her Suica card when I’m there 😂😂. Appreciate your information!! Thank you. 🙏
This was the best video I have seen explaining using Suica and Pasmo IC cards. Even with extensive research, I still learned something from watching your video. Excellent job and looking forward to seeing more videos.
GET YOUR IC CARD AT HANEDA TERMINAL 3!!!!! We didn’t because we had pick up a wifi dongle from T1, and we believed all the youtube lies about being able to get them anywhere. Having wasted the best part of half a day on this, i can tell you that you CANT get them at other terminals and you CANT get them from Tokyo main station or most of-the other stations. We eventually tracked down a pasmo passport at Ginza, but the whole thing was really frustrating and annoying.
Yes, was there last week and got my Welcome Suica card from Haneda Terminal 3, Monorail station. The Welcome Suica is only valid for 28 days, and doesn't need a deposit. I believe the Welcome Suica is only available at the location mentioned.
Thanks again, subbed you from last video where you already had the pov included going from Haneda to whatever city that was, pretty good stuff! I followed along with the navitime app on my phone to get a grasp on how to use it and well it's easier than i thought. And now thanks for the passmo / suica clarification, i surely think that i will not get the japan railpass and just take the suica card and such to shave of some mone'h :)
Just watched your video It is very informative and thank you for sharing. I hope to see more of such information as my last time in Tokyo was 6 years ago.
You can get Suica cards in Tokyo. Just go to any JR rail outlet in the many stations in Tokyo's. You can even have your name on it so if you loss it it will get returned to you.
You absolutely can’t. I’ve just got back and we trekked around endless stations and travel offices before eventually finding a pasmo passport at a ticket office at ginza station.
@@katerose8393 Yes you can.... if you go to a JR East travel center you can get suica cards there..... I even got one myself (you can also reserve shinkansen seats there)
It should be noted that the suica card is paused for sale in most places right now and is abit hard to get. Passmo is still fine if you want a passport. the main cards(which annoyingly i lost mine and will need a new one) are abit more frustrating to get
Hi, I love the informative content of this video. You sure make navigating the trains transportation in Japan look easy lol. My family and I are planning a trip to Japan and your video sure make me less anxious about navigating the rails transportation system. However, I do have one question. Do I need to book the my trail slot time of travel? Or can I just show up? Thanks.
Not sure I understand your question... 13.5 Million people use the trains in Japan every day. Unless they're on some special train, I assure you, they're not making reservations to get on commuter trains like the ones shown in this video.
@@DiscoveringJapan1 hi, sorry I guess what I am trying to understand from Japan train system is.. does it act like a car/taxi where if I needed to go somewhere, as long as I have the suica card and pay for the train ride, I'm good to go or that each time I want to take the train, do I need to make a reservation in advance?
@@Tracey_yaj you only need to make a reservation for reserved seats on express trains or shinkansen bullet trains but not on standard local trains. If you have any questions about what type of train you're getting on you can always go up and ask station staff using google translate. In some cases you may need to pay an additional train fare if you get on a limited express train, for that I would recommend asking station staff for help when it's your first time doing it.
I don't understand about IC shortage so they stop Suica or Passmo. With Suica/Passmo tourist only need one and reuse it for another visit. But with Welvome Suica, tourist need 2 card within 2 visits. 10 visit means 10 card.
IC cards regardless of issuer can be used anywhere in Japan that accepts IC cards, which is essentially everywhere unless you get far off the beaten path. When in doubt, get a card with a larger 'home' footprint such as Suica/Passmo/ICOCA/etc.
Yes, although you cannot return said ICOCA card in Tokyo, to return the card and get your remaining balance refunded you would have to go back to Osaka/Kyoto/anywhere ICOCA cards are issued.
It's an issue of the quality of the ic chips. The regular versions of Suica and Pasmo have to last an indefinite amount of time, at the very least 10 years. Thus the ic chips used in these cards have to be good enough to last a long, long time. The ones in the tempoary versions only need to last 28 days, so they can use much lower quality chips, probably ones made for the full version but didn't pass whatever metrics they put in place for checking. They would likely last a lot longer than 28 days, but since they only need to last for 28 days before they expire anyway, they can get away with using those.
It ultimately doesn't, but it's a matter of priorities and simply slowing down usage. It's still tight at the moment, but you can currently get regular suica cards at the Narita stations (not Haneda, where the only card available is the Welcome Suica) as well as Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Ueno stations. But you have to go to the JR east Travel Service Centers, and they do not guarantee that they won't be sold out. However by forcing people to spend time filling out a form and bothering a clerk to get one at a specific station, they tried to cut down on "frivolous" IC card purchases. And that's what it's ultimately about, the difference in the welcome suica was not really about chip quality, but rather that locals wouldn't be buying it. Tourists _need_ an IC card if they come over, but locals were buying cards too. They couldn't deny Japan's most profitable revenue source, so they made their tourist exclusive cards still available. Now they're opening up the gates to locals (and frequent tourists) by allowing you to "order" one at the counter at select service counters. They're just trying to flatten the curve so they can maintain stock levels, that's all it is. They prioritize tourists because tourists not being able to get a suica will cancel a whole trip.
@@totz808 plus since they don't refund the rest of the money on the card the rail companies just get to keep that money without you putting strain on their trains by riding them.
I'd like to buy a Pasmo Passport because it's cute haha so that I can keep it as a souvenir. Can I get one at Haneda? On their website I see it's available at Narita only.
I don`t understand why for tourist is better to buy a Pasmo Passport card instead of a SUICA card at the Narita Airport? (The price of the card for the SUICA is cheaper) If I stay only 5 days in Japan, the SUICA is the best option?
In 2 days I couldn’t find any place selling Suica All machines mentioned that they don’t sell it anymore (only charging possible) or single tickets that are still expensive and exhausting to buy each single time
So if I'm traveling to Japan - Narita to Shinjuku Shinjuku to Kyoto (One day trip to Nara) Kyoto to Osaka (Day trip to Wakayama) Then Osaka to Shibuya (end trip and head to Narita) Will I need a Suica or Passmo will be ok? JR rail pass is so expensive (Aussie here) (We will be staying a total of 16 days - 4 days each in Shinjuku, Kyoto, Osaka and Shibuya)
To travel between the cities you will need to purchase tickets or have a JR pass. The Suica and Pasmo don't cover trains going between cities. Going between cities you can take a slower train for less money instead of the Shinkansen (bullet) train, or a bus for less. Between cities the bus just takes a bit more time but is less than a train.
you didn't cover the jr pass??? bottom line: it used to be almost worth it if you took the bullet train/ shinkansen every day or two of your pass. now with the last october price increase it isn't worth it at all.
In most cases: yes. But not in all cases. If your trip covers a handful long distance shinkansen trips or many day trips to neighboring regions it might be still worth it. I'll be visiting in may again and stay for a month. I calculated that it would cost me ~1300€ to buy all tickets, in ordinary class. Three weeks JR rail pass in green class costs 860€. So its definitely still worth it if traveling a lot by train. Plus: you don't have to worry about taking a train or not. If its JR and not a nozomi: just hop on it.
@@sparcsau it’s still worth it, just more situational. If you plan to use the bullet train every day for lets a week then it’s 100% worth it to get their 7 day pass. I got it and took around 5 rides on the bullet train and saved around $50 compared to if I would have bought the tickets normally. Not a ton but still worth, especially if you also account for not having to waste time making lines for train tickets or having to worry about missing a train and waiting a ticket
I'm visiting in a few weeks for 33 days, any tips on what to do once the 28 valid days for the Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport are done? Is it worth it buying a new one or at least trying to?
The permanent Suica cards are slowly becoming available. As I see it, you have three options. 1 - You can try to buy a permanent Suica. 2 - head back to the airport to get another temporary card. 3 - Buy regular paper tickets or single day passes.
I heard Pasmo Passport is going to be discontinued? Also, what if you're going to be in the country for more then 28 days? I have an android so I can't get the digital suica
Quit listening to other people and go directly to the Pasmo & Suica websites for the most accurate information. Links were provided in the description.
It is available in most places that are frequently used by travelers. However, problems tend to occur when traveling on the Shinkansen or outside the Kanto region. In these cases, it is best to assume that it cannot be used. If we know your itinerary, we can tell you whether it can be used.
Hi, i'm a first time traveller to japan. i need to get from narita to shinjuku and my flight lands around 8AM. is the NEX train covered by SUICA? and is the most convenient way? thanks!
Taking into account flight delays and waiting times at immigration, I recommend taking Narita Express No. 12 bound for Shinjuku, which departs Narita Airport Terminal 1 at 10:15 and Terminal 2 at 10:18. It arrives at its final destination, Shinjuku Station, at 11:41 a.m. You can use Suica to board the Narita Express, but you will need to obtain an express ticket in addition to passing through the ticket gates by tapping your Suica. There are no unreserved seats on the Narita Express, so if you hop on and try to buy an express ticket from the conductor later, you will be kicked out onto the deck after paying for the express ticket if the train is full and there are no seats available. This is a common sight. I recommend purchasing your Narita Express express ticket at the reserved seat ticket machine inside the ticket gate. The counters and ticket machines outside the ticket gates are very crowded, so it is smoother to purchase only the express ticket at the ticket machine on the platform inside the ticket gates.
Will the card mess up if you keep it with your phone? It's happened to me in a couple of hotels were the room card malfunctions apparently because I had it in my phone case.
hotels using magnetic strips tend to be the ones that get messed up, IC cards have a chip inside of them which is a completely different technology. However it's generally good practice to separate wireless devices whenever possible, even if it is more likely that the IC card would actually damage the wifi chip inside your phone before it gets damaged itself.
Hi . I wondering If bus from kawaguchiko to Mishima Station is punctual ? From Mishima I will go by shinkansen to Kyoto , and will have 45 minutes to change from bys to train : it should be enough time ? Thsnk You for replaying Weronika
@@DiscoveringJapan1 I have almost one hour connection between bus and shinkansen at Mishima Station , so it should be enough time even if bus will be delay
Hi! Your videos are so helpful! We downloaded the suica card on our Apple wallet. We’re visiting next month, will this work the same as having the physical card?
Yes it works the same, but you can't top up your mobile suica at ticket machine. You can top up only with your credit cards (Apple Pay). That's the difference. And also you need Wifi or network connection when you top up your mobile suica. Be careful.
I didn't mention it because it doesn't work for everybody. I live here and it doesn't even work for me. It's hit or miss. I can't teach what I don't know.
You can set up either of the 3 passes on iPhone before you even go to Japan. Open wallet, tap the plus sign, choose transit, scroll down to Japan and choose your card. Then add yen. I used my Apple Card and it was seamless. You can also add more to the pass at any of the machines using yen or top off through the app. I think the biggest issue is using using Master Card or American Express, last I heard it didn’t take Visa. Bonus using Apple Pay, no foreign transaction fees.
You can rely on it to a certain extent for information on public transport. However, you need to be a little careful as transfer times at stations can be a little short, bus fares may not be reflected, and reservations are required for certain modes of transport. If you use it to get information on train transfers in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, etc., you can use it with confidence and have no problems.
Do you use a commuter pass? If so, the Suica or PASMO card you use will depend on whether the route you use includes JR or other private railways. If you don't use a commuter pass, you have two options: Suica or PASMO, but since physical cards are not easily available anywhere these days, the easiest way is to get a new Suica card when you purchase a Tokyo Metropolitan Area Pass from the black vending machine at a Yamanote Line station, or to get a new PASMO card for your Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket at a Tokyo Metro ticket machine.
Doesn't the Welcome Suica come with one days travel included? Everything I have read says it gives you access to the monorail from Haneda to get onto the JR East line.
To my knowledge this is not true. You have to add money to it to be issued a card and I do not recall seeing a balance displayed that was initially more than I placed on it. If I am wrong that would be great but I don't recall a days travel extra. Welcome Suica gives you access to the monorail, the subway lines, or JR trains but not the shinkansen. At the end of my trip I also used the remaining balance to buy a t shirt at a shop.
I think you've misinterpreted what you read. Yes, it gives you "ACCESS" to the monorail from Haneda to get onto the JR East line. That doesn't mean it's free/included travel.
@@DiscoveringJapan1 thanks for the reply. So I purchased the Welcome Suica from Klook which comes with a 1 day pass included. I think it must be a special offer through Klook "Welcome Suica Card + IC Special Pass: IC card functionality with a bonus. Enjoy 1-Day unlimited rides on JR local and rapid trains within the 23 districts of Tokyo and the Tokyo Monorail Line"
suica and pasmo are debit cards. you just put money on them and use them like cash for any transportation (and some vending and convenience stores). the JR pass is only for JR trains--it isn't for all trains in the city. it is VERY expensive and only worthwhile if you are going to be making SEVERAL long distance trips around Japan.
I don't understand this whole IC card not being issued thing. I had heard about this prior to landing yesterday but, was able to get a suica card at Narita Terminal 1 thats good for 10 years.
@@DiscoveringJapan1 JR East opened up sales of the standard Suica cards starting December 18, 2023. Only certain stations have it including the Narita stations, Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Ueno stations at their travel services counter. For the most part they seem to be in stock, but they are clear that they may run out of stock at any time.
The difference between having to pay for the card itself vs. getting every yen as available balance is a difference that is not absolutely nothing to me for one!
The JR Pass also covers the JR public transit systems. It covers everything that JR operates. Also, getting a physical IC card means you have something that is 100% reliable and won't lose signal, run out of battery, or need an update. Lastly, you can get reliable directions from google maps. It will even tell you the best car on the train to get on for the stations that you get off at.
Is there a video about mask etiquette post-CV ? I honestly hate wearing a mask after CV so, is it actually required anywhere or people just give you "looks" ? Because I cant believe that there are THAT many people that feel under-the-weather. So there must be some social etiquette that controls where people expect a mask and where it is fine.
Post CV, Japanese wear masks for various reasons. It's always been a part of their culture even well before CV. Some just don't like to show their face, others may feel legitimately ill, and others wear masks in the winter just to feel warm. As a foreigner, you don't need to concern yourself with any mask etiquette. You get a sort of free pass.
Wow easy, detailed and very direct video, definitely extremely helpful for us first travelers wanting to be at ease taking the train in Japan
The most important thing when traveling by train is knowing where to exit the train station building from.
Exiting a South Gate when you were supposed to exit a west gate can put you 10 minutes away from where you wanted to be.
TRUTH!
So true indeed
Thank you, best video on IC cards and using trains in Japan. Much appreciated,
I only use my Suica as a backup or if I'm not using the Tokyo Metro. The unbeatable metro passes (¥1500 for 72hrs unlimited trips - foreigners only) are cheaper than pay as you go IC card if you make more than 2 or 3 trips a day, which you will....unlike London etc there's no daily cap with Suica/Pasmo so costs can mount (tho to be fair the metro is really cheap per trip but I like a capped limit)
I did the same although I flew into Osaka first so i did get an IC card there (Icoca) and got back to back to back 72 hr passes for Tokyo Metro (which works on both Tokyo subway system). I still use my IC card to go to Yokohama and using the JR Loop in Tokyo. I also lost my ticket on the train to Hakone with no cash and the attendant did not speak English. I showed him my Icoca card and was able to 'repay' my ticket (it was only ¥770 which was like $5). And used the Icoca on the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda.
For those who have a good grasp of the areas in which Tokyo Metro operates, the Tokyo Subway 24H, 48H, and 72H tickets are worth using. However, since many people cannot distinguish between the sections of JR lines and private railways such as Odakyu, Keio, Tokyu, Seibu, Tobu, and Keisei, it is easiest to use a transportation IC card that automatically calculates and pays the fare.
Excellent video!!!! Love how you edit and teach step by step. Thank you!
Suica is back at major train stations' JR East Travel Service Centres in Tokyo for those that dare venture to Tokyo from the airports on paper tickets. They've been back since December last year.
It's also worth noting JR Pass is almost never worth it anymore for the average traveler.
Thank you for your input. I've read in somewhere that the JR Pass has become really expensive recently and is only worth it if you're gonna travel A LOT
That's good to know!
Excellent video, thank you so much, cleared up a lot. I'm going to try to go to Japan this year, and the only thing that scares me a lot is the public transport system, because I just drive everywhere in America haha, so I've never used these systems much. I'm going to watch more of your videos, thank you.
Did you go to Japan? How was the train experience for you?
I am arriving Thursday at Haneda for 16 days! Yeah I just tested Google maps (haneda to my shinagawa hotel) and its really nice to see all that detail
I stayed in shinagawa too last year when i went to Tokyo.
Great hotel, but quite far from the places that i wanted to go
Informative video. I am going next year and hoping to gather as much info as possible. Navigating the train station looks intimidating.
I’m Japanese and I go back there twice a year but I didn’t know I could get at the airport 😅😅. My sister usually lend me her Suica card when I’m there 😂😂. Appreciate your information!! Thank you. 🙏
どういたしまして。 見てくれてありがとうございます!
Thank you. You make finding trains easy. Hoping not to get lost this March!
I know the feeling! Nervous about just the transportation
@@nishadjan I read somewhere that it's a matter of mindset. If one gets lost .. call it "exploring" 😅
This was very helpful especially the instructions for buying the tickets! Thank you, we appreciate this video and your channel!
This was the best video I have seen explaining using Suica and Pasmo IC cards. Even with extensive research, I still learned something from watching your video. Excellent job and looking forward to seeing more videos.
GET YOUR IC CARD AT HANEDA TERMINAL 3!!!!! We didn’t because we had pick up a wifi dongle from T1, and we believed all the youtube lies about being able to get them anywhere. Having wasted the best part of half a day on this, i can tell you that you CANT get them at other terminals and you CANT get them from Tokyo main station or most of-the other stations. We eventually tracked down a pasmo passport at Ginza, but the whole thing was really frustrating and annoying.
Yes, was there last week and got my Welcome Suica card from Haneda Terminal 3, Monorail station. The Welcome Suica is only valid for 28 days, and doesn't need a deposit. I believe the Welcome Suica is only available at the location mentioned.
Very step-by-step video. I love it!! Thank you so much!
There were a few cases, where depending on if you were using Suica or Passmo you got a small discount.
Thanks again, subbed you from last video where you already had the pov included going from Haneda to whatever city that was, pretty good stuff! I followed along with the navitime app on my phone to get a grasp on how to use it and well it's easier than i thought. And now thanks for the passmo / suica clarification, i surely think that i will not get the japan railpass and just take the suica card and such to shave of some mone'h :)
Actually you can upload daily Tokyo metro tickes on the pasmo but not on the Suica. Also they waived the 500 yen fee on the pasmo passport.
Really? How?
Not all phones are capable so this was not discussed.
Brilliant video, everything covered and makes understanding the Tokyo train map alot easier to understand. Thank you.
Just watched your video It is very informative and thank you for sharing. I hope to see more of such information as my last time in Tokyo was 6 years ago.
Great video! Easy to follow and understand!
Thank you from Egypt for your perfect video
Thank you for this easy to follow video 🙏🙏 I really appreciate it. Great job ❤
Great video. Great and Entertaining breakdown of every topic!!!
Thanks a lot for the guidance ;) amazing video.
Thank you!
Very detailed explanation.. thank you
Thank you for guidance
Excellent video. Very clear explanation
Great vid! Super helpful!!!
Does Kansai airport sell Welcome Suica cards?
Amazing video thanks for the info
thank you... thumbs the way up
Very useful, thank you.
well done video. thanks!
You can get Suica cards in Tokyo. Just go to any JR rail outlet in the many stations in Tokyo's. You can even have your name on it so if you loss it it will get returned to you.
You absolutely can’t. I’ve just got back and we trekked around endless stations and travel offices before eventually finding a pasmo passport at a ticket office at ginza station.
Theres an update in recent days where the normal suica cards have just started to be sold at airports/main stations. only 1 per tourist though.
@@katerose8393 Yes you can.... if you go to a JR East travel center you can get suica cards there..... I even got one myself (you can also reserve shinkansen seats there)
Just arrive in Tokyo its help a lot
Nice information
excellent video and you sir are worth the to subscribe to
It should be noted that the suica card is paused for sale in most places right now and is abit hard to get. Passmo is still fine if you want a passport. the main cards(which annoyingly i lost mine and will need a new one) are abit more frustrating to get
thanks so much
good explanation, thanks!
Thanks for the video
Also iphone users can add IC card before even arriving in japan using apple wallet.
doesnt work with android unless you have japanese phone.
Hi thank you for this very useful video. I have a doubt, can I use ICOCA card in Tokyo region besides Kansai area?
Hi,
I love the informative content of this video. You sure make navigating the trains transportation in Japan look easy lol. My family and I are planning a trip to Japan and your video sure make me less anxious about navigating the rails transportation system. However, I do have one question. Do I need to book the my trail slot time of travel? Or can I just show up?
Thanks.
Not sure I understand your question... 13.5 Million people use the trains in Japan every day. Unless they're on some special train, I assure you, they're not making reservations to get on commuter trains like the ones shown in this video.
@@DiscoveringJapan1 hi, sorry I guess what I am trying to understand from Japan train system is.. does it act like a car/taxi where if I needed to go somewhere, as long as I have the suica card and pay for the train ride, I'm good to go or that each time I want to take the train, do I need to make a reservation in advance?
@@Tracey_yaj you only need to make a reservation for reserved seats on express trains or shinkansen bullet trains but not on standard local trains. If you have any questions about what type of train you're getting on you can always go up and ask station staff using google translate. In some cases you may need to pay an additional train fare if you get on a limited express train, for that I would recommend asking station staff for help when it's your first time doing it.
Excellent video just had a question. Is there a difference between the mobile Apple wallet Suica card or physical card?
Great video! 👍
I don't understand about IC shortage so they stop Suica or Passmo. With Suica/Passmo tourist only need one and reuse it for another visit. But with Welvome Suica, tourist need 2 card within 2 visits. 10 visit means 10 card.
Hi. Can I use the same machine to top up my Nimoca card too? I have my Nimoca card for my previous trip to Fukuoka
Really helpfull.
Thank you for the detailed info.. may I know if ICOCA card can be used for trains in Tokyo?
IC cards regardless of issuer can be used anywhere in Japan that accepts IC cards, which is essentially everywhere unless you get far off the beaten path. When in doubt, get a card with a larger 'home' footprint such as Suica/Passmo/ICOCA/etc.
Yes, although you cannot return said ICOCA card in Tokyo, to return the card and get your remaining balance refunded you would have to go back to Osaka/Kyoto/anywhere ICOCA cards are issued.
how does issuing temporary ic cards alleviate the chip shortage when those use ic chips also?
I've asked myself the same question. 🤔 Links to JR & Pasmo in the description. Ask them...
It's an issue of the quality of the ic chips. The regular versions of Suica and Pasmo have to last an indefinite amount of time, at the very least 10 years. Thus the ic chips used in these cards have to be good enough to last a long, long time. The ones in the tempoary versions only need to last 28 days, so they can use much lower quality chips, probably ones made for the full version but didn't pass whatever metrics they put in place for checking. They would likely last a lot longer than 28 days, but since they only need to last for 28 days before they expire anyway, they can get away with using those.
It ultimately doesn't, but it's a matter of priorities and simply slowing down usage.
It's still tight at the moment, but you can currently get regular suica cards at the Narita stations (not Haneda, where the only card available is the Welcome Suica) as well as Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Ueno stations. But you have to go to the JR east Travel Service Centers, and they do not guarantee that they won't be sold out. However by forcing people to spend time filling out a form and bothering a clerk to get one at a specific station, they tried to cut down on "frivolous" IC card purchases.
And that's what it's ultimately about, the difference in the welcome suica was not really about chip quality, but rather that locals wouldn't be buying it. Tourists _need_ an IC card if they come over, but locals were buying cards too. They couldn't deny Japan's most profitable revenue source, so they made their tourist exclusive cards still available. Now they're opening up the gates to locals (and frequent tourists) by allowing you to "order" one at the counter at select service counters. They're just trying to flatten the curve so they can maintain stock levels, that's all it is.
They prioritize tourists because tourists not being able to get a suica will cancel a whole trip.
@@totz808 plus since they don't refund the rest of the money on the card the rail companies just get to keep that money without you putting strain on their trains by riding them.
I'd like to buy a Pasmo Passport because it's cute haha so that I can keep it as a souvenir. Can I get one at Haneda? On their website I see it's available at Narita only.
They were at Haneda earlier this year, but can't say for certain is they're available now. Check the Pasmo desk at Haneda when you arrive.
I don`t understand why for tourist is better to buy a Pasmo Passport card instead of a SUICA card at the Narita Airport? (The price of the card for the SUICA is cheaper) If I stay only 5 days in Japan, the SUICA is the best option?
In 2 days I couldn’t find any place selling Suica
All machines mentioned that they don’t sell it anymore (only charging possible) or single tickets that are still expensive and exhausting to buy each single time
So if I'm traveling to Japan - Narita to Shinjuku
Shinjuku to Kyoto (One day trip to Nara)
Kyoto to Osaka (Day trip to Wakayama)
Then Osaka to Shibuya (end trip and head to Narita)
Will I need a Suica or Passmo will be ok? JR rail pass is so expensive (Aussie here) (We will be staying a total of 16 days - 4 days each in Shinjuku, Kyoto, Osaka and Shibuya)
To travel between the cities you will need to purchase tickets or have a JR pass. The Suica and Pasmo don't cover trains going between cities. Going between cities you can take a slower train for less money instead of the Shinkansen (bullet) train, or a bus for less. Between cities the bus just takes a bit more time but is less than a train.
you didn't cover the jr pass??? bottom line: it used to be almost worth it if you took the bullet train/ shinkansen every day or two of your pass. now with the last october price increase it isn't worth it at all.
In most cases: yes. But not in all cases.
If your trip covers a handful long distance shinkansen trips or many day trips to neighboring regions it might be still worth it.
I'll be visiting in may again and stay for a month.
I calculated that it would cost me ~1300€ to buy all tickets, in ordinary class. Three weeks JR rail pass in green class costs 860€. So its definitely still worth it if traveling a lot by train. Plus: you don't have to worry about taking a train or not. If its JR and not a nozomi: just hop on it.
Mizuho trains also excluded
@@sparcsau it’s still worth it, just more situational. If you plan to use the bullet train every day for lets a week then it’s 100% worth it to get their 7 day pass. I got it and took around 5 rides on the bullet train and saved around $50 compared to if I would have bought the tickets normally. Not a ton but still worth, especially if you also account for not having to waste time making lines for train tickets or having to worry about missing a train and waiting a ticket
@@squishmellowspeaks6785 what about using jr pass within tokyo Osaka
Is it any useful there
You can get your suica again from the station staff
What a system!
Super informative and to the point. May I know the difference in the Iococa card? Thanks.
An IC card is an IC card. The difference is who sells them and where you buy them. ICOCA is sold in Kansai region.
there isnt an app for suica or pass mo?
How much yen do you spend using the pass to get in and out of a train station? If it varies, what would be the average for Tokyo area?
How about Icoca Card? Any Difference from Suica and Pasmo Cards?
Icoca cards are based in other cities (like Kyoto) but all of them can be used most places across Japan
I got my Pasmo my last visit back in 2018, can I still get it personalized and add my name to it, or is that not possible once you get a blank one?
What if i already have a pasmo card from last year.. Can i still use it when i visit Japan?
As long as it's a regular Pasmo, it'll work fine. You're golden!
@@DiscoveringJapan1 Thank you
I'm visiting in a few weeks for 33 days, any tips on what to do once the 28 valid days for the Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport are done? Is it worth it buying a new one or at least trying to?
The permanent Suica cards are slowly becoming available. As I see it, you have three options. 1 - You can try to buy a permanent Suica. 2 - head back to the airport to get another temporary card. 3 - Buy regular paper tickets or single day passes.
@DiscoveringJapan1 thank you! I'll try to get the regular suica from the get go if possible. Hope I get lucky!
Can you add money to the Pasmo Passport card with credit/debit card?
I heard Pasmo Passport is going to be discontinued? Also, what if you're going to be in the country for more then 28 days? I have an android so I can't get the digital suica
Quit listening to other people and go directly to the Pasmo & Suica websites for the most accurate information. Links were provided in the description.
Hi, can Suica card use at JR line?
It is available in most places that are frequently used by travelers. However, problems tend to occur when traveling on the Shinkansen or outside the Kanto region. In these cases, it is best to assume that it cannot be used. If we know your itinerary, we can tell you whether it can be used.
Hi, i'm a first time traveller to japan. i need to get from narita to shinjuku and my flight lands around 8AM. is the NEX train covered by SUICA? and is the most convenient way? thanks!
Taking into account flight delays and waiting times at immigration, I recommend taking Narita Express No. 12 bound for Shinjuku, which departs Narita Airport Terminal 1 at 10:15 and Terminal 2 at 10:18. It arrives at its final destination, Shinjuku Station, at 11:41 a.m. You can use Suica to board the Narita Express, but you will need to obtain an express ticket in addition to passing through the ticket gates by tapping your Suica. There are no unreserved seats on the Narita Express, so if you hop on and try to buy an express ticket from the conductor later, you will be kicked out onto the deck after paying for the express ticket if the train is full and there are no seats available. This is a common sight. I recommend purchasing your Narita Express express ticket at the reserved seat ticket machine inside the ticket gate. The counters and ticket machines outside the ticket gates are very crowded, so it is smoother to purchase only the express ticket at the ticket machine on the platform inside the ticket gates.
How do you know how far you can get out of Tokyo before JR Rail pass is needed??
What to do when they are no more Suica Cards & Passmo cards avaible on the website?
If I have the old Suica card (green) from 2019? Is it still good for ten years? Are all the cards (Pasmo and Suica) now only temporary?
Your Suica is good to go. Just charge it up when you get here.
what about the Manaca card? is it also the same
I already have a green Suica card, can I top it up at the Welcome Suica machine at Haneda
Absolutely!
Will the card mess up if you keep it with your phone?
It's happened to me in a couple of hotels were the room card malfunctions apparently because I had it in my phone case.
hotels using magnetic strips tend to be the ones that get messed up, IC cards have a chip inside of them which is a completely different technology.
However it's generally good practice to separate wireless devices whenever possible, even if it is more likely that the IC card would actually damage the wifi chip inside your phone before it gets damaged itself.
Doesn't Pasmo Passport have some discounts in places for tourists that Suica doesn't?
Aren't Pasmo $500 non-refundable for the card? Welcome Suica card is free so it's misleading to say there is no difference.
Why didn’t you cover pasmo passport? That is specifically for foreign tourists. You get discounts when shopping
Check again! 3:18
Hi . I wondering If bus from kawaguchiko to Mishima Station is punctual ?
From Mishima I will go by shinkansen to Kyoto , and will have 45 minutes to change from bys to train : it should be enough time ?
Thsnk You for replaying
Weronika
Trains are almost always on time, but busses can be subject to traffic jams. Unfortunately this can't be predicted with 100% certainty.
@@DiscoveringJapan1 I have almost one hour connection between bus and shinkansen at Mishima Station , so it should be enough time even if bus will be delay
Hi! Your videos are so helpful! We downloaded the suica card on our Apple wallet. We’re visiting next month, will this work the same as having the physical card?
I've got exactly the same question :-) Did you already receive an answer to it?
Yes it works the same, but you can't top up your mobile suica at ticket machine. You can top up only with your credit cards (Apple Pay). That's the difference. And also you need Wifi or network connection when you top up your mobile suica. Be careful.
Hi, Why do you never mention the Apple Wallet that also offers SUICA card support? Any clues how good this is and how the usability of it is?
I didn't mention it because it doesn't work for everybody. I live here and it doesn't even work for me. It's hit or miss. I can't teach what I don't know.
You can set up either of the 3 passes on iPhone before you even go to Japan. Open wallet, tap the plus sign, choose transit, scroll down to Japan and choose your card. Then add yen. I used my Apple Card and it was seamless. You can also add more to the pass at any of the machines using yen or top off through the app. I think the biggest issue is using using Master Card or American Express, last I heard it didn’t take Visa.
Bonus using Apple Pay, no foreign transaction fees.
Isn't the Suica already back in stock, but still just limited to Haneda? 🤔🤔
NO. As of now, getting a permanent Suica is still sketchy.
Is google maps really that reliable there? I had some really bad experiences in many countries...
You can rely on it to a certain extent for information on public transport. However, you need to be a little careful as transfer times at stations can be a little short, bus fares may not be reflected, and reservations are required for certain modes of transport. If you use it to get information on train transfers in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, etc., you can use it with confidence and have no problems.
It took 30 seconds to add a Suica card to my iPhone wallet. My phone is my IC card. Why do none of these videos mention this option?
Because not every country's phone can use the app. 😆
How about expire card,times ? 🤔
What about the e-Suica card? You can put in your Apple wallet and load it with a credit card. Will this also work?
Not all phones work, so I didn't cover this.
@@DiscoveringJapan1 Thanks. I set it up in my Apple Wallet and put ¥2,000 on it as a test. We are off to Japan in April. I hope it works!
@@miketaylor5256 I did that last year and it worked flawlessly! Trains, vending machines, konbini, I paid for many things with my iPhone.
@@miketaylor5256 did it work fine? I’m going in a month and I was wondering if it’s enough just getting it on my iphone instead of physically
@miketaylor5256 did it work ? Which credit card, i.e. visa or Mastercard, did you use?
You didn't cover the train category such as limited express
what if i'm staying long term(moving to tokyo) what card should i get???
Do you use a commuter pass? If so, the Suica or PASMO card you use will depend on whether the route you use includes JR or other private railways. If you don't use a commuter pass, you have two options: Suica or PASMO, but since physical cards are not easily available anywhere these days, the easiest way is to get a new Suica card when you purchase a Tokyo Metropolitan Area Pass from the black vending machine at a Yamanote Line station, or to get a new PASMO card for your Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket at a Tokyo Metro ticket machine.
定期券は利用しますか？使用するなら、利用する路線にJRとその他私鉄のどちらが含まれるかでSuicaとPASMOのカードが決まります。定期券を利用しないなら、SuicaかPASMOの2択ですが、リアルカードは現在どこでも簡単には手に入りませんので、山手線の駅の黒い自販機で都区内パスを購入する際に新しいSuicaカードを発行するか、東京メトロの券売機にて東京メトロ24H券を新しいPASMOに発行するというのがお手軽な方法です。
Doesn't the Welcome Suica come with one days travel included? Everything I have read says it gives you access to the monorail from Haneda to get onto the JR East line.
To my knowledge this is not true. You have to add money to it to be issued a card and I do not recall seeing a balance displayed that was initially more than I placed on it. If I am wrong that would be great but I don't recall a days travel extra. Welcome Suica gives you access to the monorail, the subway lines, or JR trains but not the shinkansen. At the end of my trip I also used the remaining balance to buy a t shirt at a shop.
I think you've misinterpreted what you read. Yes, it gives you "ACCESS" to the monorail from Haneda to get onto the JR East line. That doesn't mean it's free/included travel.
@@DiscoveringJapan1 thanks for the reply. So I purchased the Welcome Suica from Klook which comes with a 1 day pass included. I think it must be a special offer through Klook "Welcome Suica Card + IC Special Pass: IC card functionality with a bonus.
Enjoy 1-Day unlimited rides on JR local and rapid trains within the 23 districts of Tokyo and the Tokyo Monorail Line"
So what is the difference between these Suica Cards and the JR pass?
suica and pasmo are debit cards. you just put money on them and use them like cash for any transportation (and some vending and convenience stores). the JR pass is only for JR trains--it isn't for all trains in the city. it is VERY expensive and only worthwhile if you are going to be making SEVERAL long distance trips around Japan.
I don't understand this whole IC card not being issued thing. I had heard about this prior to landing yesterday but, was able to get a suica card at Narita Terminal 1 thats good for 10 years.
That's awesome for you! Things are changing daily in Japan. I can't keep up lately.
@@DiscoveringJapan1 I figured just thought I would put it out there since maybe that has changed again.
@@DiscoveringJapan1 JR East opened up sales of the standard Suica cards starting December 18, 2023. Only certain stations have it including the Narita stations, Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Ueno stations at their travel services counter. For the most part they seem to be in stock, but they are clear that they may run out of stock at any time.
The difference between having to pay for the card itself vs. getting every yen as available balance is a difference that is not absolutely nothing to me for one!
Listen again. The video said "usage", not price. Also 500 yen is like $3. If $3 is too much. You should just stay home.
The JR Pass also covers the JR public transit systems. It covers everything that JR operates.
Also, getting a physical IC card means you have something that is 100% reliable and won't lose signal, run out of battery, or need an update.
Lastly, you can get reliable directions from google maps. It will even tell you the best car on the train to get on for the stations that you get off at.
in terms of transportation, it feels like Japan is still quite outdated as it is limited to using a card only
Is there a video about mask etiquette post-CV ?
I honestly hate wearing a mask after CV so, is it actually required anywhere or people just give you "looks" ?
Because I cant believe that there are THAT many people that feel under-the-weather. So there must be some social etiquette that controls where people expect a mask and where it is fine.
Post CV, Japanese wear masks for various reasons. It's always been a part of their culture even well before CV. Some just don't like to show their face, others may feel legitimately ill, and others wear masks in the winter just to feel warm. As a foreigner, you don't need to concern yourself with any mask etiquette. You get a sort of free pass.
I didn't see a lot of Japanese wearing masks this past December and I didn't.
How do you prove kids' ages - especially when using a kiosk?
Honor system.
If I have IC card, i don’t have to buy train ticket?
If you have an IC card (e.g. Welcome Suica) then you load money on it and then each train journey is deducted from the balance.
Be really, REALLY careful of bus stops in Google Maps.
It sometimes incorrectly navigates to a completely different bus stop near the same station.