The Suica Card in 2023: Quick Guide to Tokyo's Smart Travel Cards
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- Find out about the handy Suica card for easy travel in Tokyo & Japan. A guide to where to get Suica cards, what these IC cards cost, and how to load them.
Also see our article for the full write up: tokyocheapo.com/travel/suica-...
0:00 Introduction to Suica
0:56 Overview of Japan's Public Transport
2:09 Where to Buy a Suica Card
2:57 Welcome Suica & Pasmo Passport
3:28 Buying a Suica Card
5:29 Recharging a Suica Card
6:14 Refunding a Suica Card
6:51 Paying using Suica
7:18 Virtual Suica Cards
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★★★ Credits ★★★
Intro sequence by the most talented Peter Laugesen
Creative commons images used in the intro:
* Gundam Robot Statue in Odaiba www.flickr.com/photos/picsofl...
* Japanese Salaryman Asleep www.flickr.com/photos/istolet...
* Domestic Cat commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Us...
* Saraninman commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Us...
* Wild Cat www.geograph.org.uk/profile/34298
* Ginza Holiday Promenade www.flickr.com/photos/yoshika...
* Shibuya Crossing www.flickr.com/photos/3102986...
Thank you for this video! My wife and I are finally going to Tokyo in March, so this was very helpful. I’m glad to see videos on this channel again!
Congrats hope you enjoy japan I'd imagine it's pretty pricey to go there oh yeah speaking of which if you like anime head to Akihabara or if you're familiar with tokusatsu head to the Kamen rider cafe
Thank you Tokyo Cheapo! Needed a reminder before going back to Japan next week :) I love all your cute transitions
Thank you. Suica is quite useful all around Japan. Makes things a bit more convenient, though by no means is it absolutely necessary
Thank you very much for your video! I am a Japanese living in US. Since I grew up countryside of Japan, I have never used Suica. but this summer, my kids and I finally go back to japan for the first time in six years . This time, we are planning to explore Tokyo, so I have watched some videos about Suica, but your video is the easiest to understand! as far as i know, other videos never mentioned about Suica for kids and where to get it. I'm really happy to find your Video!!!
Really glad to hear it was helpful for you. Enjoy your trip back to Japan!
happy 2023! love your vids
The Suica card can be used all over Japan but it cannot be used to cross card jurisdiction borders within Japan.
For example, if you tap in at Haneda and travel to Shizuoka , you will not be allowed to tap out because it is already beyond the coverage of JR East.
Stations past Atami are in the TOICA region already.
If you attempt to tap out at the next station, Mishima , you will be greeted with flashing lights, alarm bells, and a closed gate.
Tip: if you will do a cross-border trip, use the old-fashioned paper tickets!
Cool tip😁 probably good for when I go to Japan one day
I once made this mistake taking local trains from Tokyo to Hamamatsu. It was kind of embarrassing to tell the booth attendant since it seemed obvious after the fact! I'm still not sure which fare he charged me, but I'm pretty sure it was more than local route fares. I'm definitely getting the old paper ticket next time!
@@TNTekke I'm sure he charged you the correct fare. Japanese do not cheat !
But it's embarrassing and a lot of hassle !
I hope in the future JR would find a way to make all these cards work from anywhere to anywhere.
@reynaldoflores4522 oh, I don't think he cheated me. I just think he probably wouldn't expect someone to go all that way via local slow trains vs. Express, ha ha!
@@TNTekke 🤣 best to stick with paper tickets for that route ah speaking of you could also carry another card for that particular region oh yeah speaking of this got me curious actually do they still use handheld translators or can they speak full on English now?
Well explained!! Aimee is amazing as always!
Spectacular! Love your channel! Please keep it up! Will always watching. : )
Thank you for all your support!
This video had all the info I was looking for. Thanks for sharing!
Glad it was helpful!
At the first 3 days in tokyo i used paper tickets,thank god u made this video
You're videos are Great! Very helpful.
I really want to get the Welcome Suica card, not because of the deposit-less feature, but because it just looks a little prettier and I will be keeping the card as a souvenir!!
Awesome Video, and well explained!
Thank you for this information. I hope to visit Japan one day. This was very helpful if I do.
Going in 3 months so this was super duper helpful!!
We're glad to hear that! Hope you have a great trip.
Thanks!!! This was so helpful! love you guys!
What a fantastic, concise and easy to follow blog. Brilliant. I’m going to subscribe. Thank-you. 👍🏻🇬🇧🇯🇵
Glad to hear it was helpful! Thanks for your lovely comment and for subscribing!
Very informative , thanks!
Very good video 👍
Thank you 😊
Can't get Suica at the mo (August 2023) due to hi demand + global chip shortage. But i could get a Welcome Suica card from JR office at Narita airport. Remember you can only top up using cash - Not credit or debit card. Also if you have a JR railpass you can get around many parts of Tokyo by going on JR lines rather than metro lines which eat into your suica money. Also if you buy stuff in shops using Suica the receipt will also show the balance left on your card. PS great video.
Amazing video! Great job, and thanks so much! ^__^
Super helpful! Thank you!
very good info. thanks a bunch
Thank you!
thank god for this channel
thank you so much ,very helpful,you take oof a lot of worries,kudos to you
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
Your video was so helpful for me !
Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!
Great help girls. All explained nicely.🙏
Nice vid, thank you!
Thank u guys, a big help❤
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching 😊
Great video, thankss :)
great guide
Nice video 👍 good information ❤
This is a very helpful video! This covers not only how to get Suica, but also about shinkansen, local travel cards (1:13 ! I'm Japanese, but I didn't know the names of the cards in Kyushu area! TIL! ) , and how to get refund! Travelers must watch this video! ロケ撮影も大変そうです、お疲れさまでした！
Cant wait to go to Japan in june!! Thanks for the info!
Glad it was helpful. Enjoy your trip!
@@tokyocheapo thanks!!!
You don’t necessarily need to change to Japan region for your Apple Pay to add the card. I just added it to my apple wallet without paying the 500 yen deposit.
I still have my suica from 2018 trip to tokyo :)
二人とも笑顔が素敵！
Thank you. I like your video - get to the point.
I get the JR pass and buy 3-4 day subway passes. The JR pass will help a lot!
Nice video! From japan
I’m just returning from Japan and I used a virtual Suica on my iPhone….. I didn’t have to switch it to Japan or do anything special to add the virtual Suica to my wallet… there was no “caveat” 😁
For the credit card I used my Canadian MasterCard but my Visa was hit and miss.
Pasmo worked only once to recharge on a MasterCard and never worked on a Visa….
July 2023. I am planning to go to Japan this fall, I was able to install the App and also add it to my wallet on my Iphone 14 (USA). Did not have any issues. I also added some funds already via my Apple credit card.
We’re you able to use it at shops like 7/11 and the ATMs? I’m just thinking if need to withdraw cash it’s a good way of doing so with my credit card (0 FX fee). Also my AMEX worked great in loading/reloading the SUICA too.
top video!!!!
Thank you for this video! How much should I charge the card (more or less) for 4 days in Tokyo?
An informative video for first time travellers to Tokyo. Thank you.
Planning on purchasing a physical Suica card souvenir but using my phone/Apple Watch mostly.
Hi! Do you happen to know if we can still get the deposit back if we purchase the physical card and then add it to our Apple wallet? I read somewhere that once you add it to your Apple wallet, the physical card will no longer work.
I read something that now we can use credit card and tap for transit there, it that true?
What a pair !!!!!!
Im Australia , and had no issue adding suica onto my apple wallet 💁♀️
The narrator: explaining the two different kind of cards you can get.
Me: Ignores everythng while looking at the cute little kitten at the top left corner of the screen at 3:10
It's important to look at the kitten 🐱
I was living in Japan when the Suica was launched and later had it connected with a Japanese credit card. I found myself spending much more because of the convenience. It almost feels like everything is for free, that is, until you see the charges on your credit card statement.
Thank you for holding the camera steady when filming the machines. Very helpful.
Q. Do very small stations have ticket readers? If not what do you do?
Even small stations have ticket readers these days, especially in Tokyo and surrounding areas. It'd be very rare to encounter a station that doesn't have one, but if you do you can tell the station staff the name of the station you came from and they will help you out.
On local area trains, you have to pay the fare or give the ticket to the driver when you get off. Or, there are cases where only simple ticket gates for Suica are installed. When boarding from a small unmanned station, you will receive a receipt called a boarding certificate at the station or when boarding, and you will pay the receipt and cash when you get off.
Is using the digital Suica card in Apple Wallet exactly the same as using a physical card? Instead of touching my card I'd just use my phone, right?
Great video. I love using my suica card. Idk if mentioned but I live in hawaii and i added my card to my phone here. So you dont have to be in japan to do it.
Thanks! We can't wait to visit Japan!
We love Japan!!!!
when you use the app, is it possible to convert dollars to yen when you in put it in the apple wallet app
Can I use a charger from Canada apple in Japan without any adapter?
Hi, what does the 1500JPY stored value mean for Pasmo Passport? Are we able to use that? Thank you 😊
3:59 - How much extra is the "Name-Inscribed" card? I think this is also called the "My Suica" card, right?
Nice.
Hello, thank you for this information and I understand that the sale of these cards has been suspended since yesterday, so i would like to know if there are other cards on sale at Henada airport?
The sale of unnamed cards has been suspended but you can still buy name-inscribed cards from the machine 😊
At the end of the trip can I get the remaining balance (not the 500 yen deposit)? I would like to keep the Suica card for future trip.
i love the cats
Thank you for your video ❤ i have one question, is there a day ticket also? Can i buy it with the suica card or is it a extra ticket? 😊
If there are vacant seats, including on the Shinkansen, you can purchase them just before the day. Also, even if all the seats are full, we sell tickets at any time, knowing that you will not be able to sit in the non-reserved seats. However, when purchasing Shinkansen tickets, basically you cannot use your Suica balance at the counter. I think you could probably use it at the ticket vending machine
Thank you for this video! This summer I plan to have my kids carry around their Suica cards in a plastic ID holder on a lanyard. Do you think this might interfere with scanning?
Thanks for watching! It's common for people to tap their Suica card while it's in their wallet so a plastic holder should be fine too. Enjoy your trip to Japan!
@@tokyocheapo Great, thank you!
With the current Apple version it works just fine to add it to the wallet and put money on it without changing the region.very easy - we just did it for your trip
Yes it's become a lot easier in recent times to use Suica on your phone, which is a great plus when travelling!
I don’t see the link for buying the Suica card online.
i think its useful for who is living in Japan only 5 days travel and if u are not going out from tokyo still tokyo metro 24, 48, 72 h is okay
Thanks for the vid! If im traveling with a friend, could we both use the same card? Or he has to get one too? Thanks!
You'll need to get one card each. Hope you have a great trip!
For IPhone you don’t need to switch region to get the suica in your wallet app, and can link with you US credit card.
That's right! We popped a clarification in our pinned comment as it's now possible without switching your phone's region.
Thank you for this very useful information! I bought my JR pass 7 days. If I use it to take JR lines to go to Tokyo from the airport, on the day of my arrival, that day will be considered as the first day of using my pass? I only intend to go to Kyoto on the fifth day afterwards. It is better to use a SUICA card to get around the first days in Tokyo, right?
Yes, it’s best not to use your 7 day JR pass till you want to travel on the Shinkansen. Use the suica until you depart for Kyoto
Thanks for the informative video, super useful. 1st time travelling to Japan, any charges for children aged 5yrs and below?
Hello!
For children aged six to 11, there's children’s Suica cards available. For children aged under six, they can generally travel for free with an adult, as long as there's only two children to one adult.
Thanks for the info! Does it allow to reload the Suica card via US credit card?
You can use a credit card for the first deposit with Welcome Suica, which can be purchased at airports. However, it cannot be used for the second and subsequent charges. Also, it is unclear whether American credit cards are valid. Therefore, we recommend that you prepare and charge in cash.
Thank you for this amazing video! It’s really helpful 😊 I wonder if it’s possible to recharge our Suica card with our foreign credit card instead of cash? 😳 also can the short term 28-day pass do all the things the regular cards do like working at the vending machine?
I’ve not seen any option to recharge a physical suica card with a credit card. But if you prefer to recharge the suica with a credit card, add the suica to your iPhone wallet. But to recharge the digital suica in your iPhone, you’ll need to use a mastercard. Foreign issued master card works.
You can also find certain recharge machines at stations in Tokyo where you can place your entire phone in a slot and recharge with cash.
The 28-day cards will also work at vending machines, convenience stores etc.
With Welcome Suica, credit cards can be used only for the first charge at the time of purchase. However, the upper limit is 20,000 yen. I'm not sure about the credit cards that can be used here. Subsequent charges must be made in cash. Also no refund
I was able to add the suica card to my iPhone without changing the region to Japan. So it might not be necessary anymore?
Hi there! Thanks for the comment - that’s right, it’s not necessary anymore 😊
7:24. Ha, depends from which country you are, because as a dutch man i can say that i can already ad a suica card to apple wallet.
May I buy a SUICA card at Haneda airport and return it at Osaka airport? If yes, is it possible to get back my remaining balance at Osaka airpot?
what about suica but on andrpid using nfc? for phone bought outside of japan
As far as I know it is not possible to add Suica or Pasmo on Android phones unless it was bought in Japan.
traveling to Osaka in April 2023 for 9 days, and traveling to Kyoto as well. Is the Suica travel card enough to travel between both cities round trip, or do your recommend the JR pass.
For Osaka and Kyoto only a Suica (or the Icoca - the Osaka version of Suica) is all you need. If you’re travelling longer distances the JR rail pass is worth considering, we have an article about Japan rail passes: tokyocheapo.com/travel/which-jr-rail-pass-to-choose/
Hello! I’m going to Japan in March for 2 weeks and am debating on whether or not to get the physical Suica card or just get it from my Apple wallet… I’ve read that you once you add the card to your Apple wallet, you are no longer able to get a refund for whatever amount is on there. But I like the fact that I can add funds straight from my Apple wallet onto the Suica. Which is better?
Also wondering if I get the physical card but add it to my Apple wallet, will I still be able to get my deposit back from purchasing the physical card? Do I have to give the physical card back in order to get my deposit back?
Hello! When you transfer the physical card to your Apple wallet, the deposit will be transferred as well and the physical card will stop working. You can get a refund (and your deposit back) on a card in the wallet but you have to use the dedicated Suica app which is in Japanese and it requires you to link a Japanese bank account. So for a short trip, you can either go with the Apple wallet for convenience but get no refund, or use only the physical card during your stay and return it to get a refund. Hope that helps! 😊
Did not cover how to purchase and recharge the cards with a Credit Card.
- It is possible.
good introductory video.
Keep the videos coming.
If you have a compatible iphone, you can purchase/charge into you wallet using a credit card. Unfortunately you can’t recharge using a physical suica using a credit card.
Thanks for your video 😍 Is this better than using my contactless bank card?
You're welcome! 😊 We're glad you enjoyed the video. When comparing Suica Card to a contactless bank card, it depends on your preferences and needs. The Suica Card offers added convenience in Japan, especially for public transportation and small purchases. If you value seamless travel and quick transactions, Suica might be a great choice. However, using your contactless bank card can be convenient too, depending on the acceptance and features it offers. Ultimately, it comes down to what suits your travel style and preferences best!
Does the Suica card work on smaller islands South of the Mainland, in between Okinawa? I'm taking a 12 day cruise from Hong Kong and will be stopping is some small islands. THANKS.
It has limited use in Okinawa. It should work on the monorail (Yui Rail), and you can probably use it on vending machines, but apparently the buses don’t accept Suica or Pasmo
Can you top up suica card at a kobini (7 eleven store) if low on amount.
Great question! Yes you can.
Hi! Geat video!
Can you help me with this tricky question?
Can I refund funds IF I get digital Suica card on iOS wallet? Can’t find info on this…
Hi there! Unfortunately the process to get a refund from a mobile suica card is not super easy. You need to register on the dedicated Suica app, which is mostly in Japanese and process the refund through there.
@@tokyocheapo Thank you so much for help!
Do I need a separate card for my kids or can we all use one card but tap it multiple times?
Do I need to purchase kids suica card separately for each child under 12?
We are a group of 4. 2 adults 2 kids.
You need a separate card for each person
So for those cards, you need to tap your card before you enter and after you exit? That is interesting and very different from the NYC OMNY transit system. I'm trying to understand if the double tapping charges the card once or twice?
Edit: So I asked around and the response I got back were- the transit system is based on location zones rather than fix fare. So while NYC transit is fixed, Japan transit is calculated when you enter and exit a station.
Thanks for sharing that info! It’s interesting to hear how transit differs around the world.
Thank you for posting an answer to your own question! You saved me a lot of time!
Nice content. Q, How to take high speed train from Tokyo to Sapporo?
Thanks for watching! This article describes the different transport options from Tokyo to Sapporo: tokyocheapo.com/travel/transport/tokyo-to-sapporo/
Can I simply add it to my apple wallet using 'transit card' option there? It seems you don't need to change regions for that.
Yes that's right, you can! There's no need to change regions anymore. We have a more up-to-date guide showing how to add it to your apple wallet here: ua-cam.com/video/74mMXxvuh-g/v-deo.html
thanks for the information. I have a question. to get to my hotel, I'm supposed to take the Keikyu Line and get off at the anamori-inari station (only 2 stops!). when I looked at the airport info page, it shows KK14. but it appears I might be able to take KK12, 13, or 15? is that correct? any train lines 12-13-14-15 will allow me to get off at the anamori-inari station and I'm not restricted to just taking the KK-14 train? also, does the train has the actual number in front as it approaches? that is, will it say KK14? thanks!
Hi Andy, KK14 is the ID number of the stop for anamori-Inari. When your are at Haneda Keisei station you should be able to see which trains stop there - most of them do, all the local and express trains, plus some of the limited express trains.
Hi.
I’m planning to visit Japan with my wife around September/October or November (depends on how nice and warm the weather is, and good prices for flights-accommodation). Do I need to buy 2 seperate Suica card or can we travel both on just one card?
If you have any more information, please let me know. Thanks
You need one suica per person
Hello can we use Suica from osaka to kyoto ? Without using JR Pass. Thx
Yes.
Hi, do you recommend Suica card for 10 days staying in Japan? And is the price the same with the physical one by one tickets?
Yes, definitely worth it - it’s much simpler with a suica/pasmo etc rather than buying paper tickets
I just refunded my suica, it took a lot of searching, but I returned it at the Tokyo station (JR yamanote line). The ticket station to refund is at the yaesu north gate. Across from bistro ishikawatei. Remaining money was used for dinner 🍽
Suica cards are sold by JR East, so only JR East counters can handle them. Therefore, it cannot be handled at the Haneda Airport station. You can do it at Narita Airport station.
Is it true that if you add your suica to the apple wallet you can make use of the 500yen deposit?
Hi there! Yes that is true.
Stupid question is this exactly the same for Osaka?
Is it better value to buy daily tickets instead of tapping on and off with a Suica? Or does the Suica stop charging at a certain price point?
Suica is usually best - you really have to travel a lot before the daily passes work out as cost effective. We have an article on our website about the 24 hour tokyo travel passes tokyocheapo.com/travel/transport/tokyo-one-day-passes/
If i want to stay in Tokyo for 5 days it would be cheaper just to get the suica card? And if i want to travel to Kyoto and Osaka I need the JR pass for the bullet train? What about a day trip to Mt Fuji from Tokyo what card can I use?
Hi there! Yes if you have an iPhone, you can add Suica to your Apple wallet or you can pick up a Welcome Suica card or Pasmo Passport when you land. This will make your travel around Tokyo a lot more convenient compared to using paper tickets.
For the bullet train, if you're only travelling between Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, paying 50,000 yen for the JR Pass won't be worth it. It's better to buy individual tickets. We have a video on how to do that here: ua-cam.com/video/IpSMSn0DzgA/v-deo.html
As for a day trip to Mt. Fuji, it depends on what transport you take, bus or train. We also have a video guide for getting from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, if you'd like to check that out: ua-cam.com/video/EXRDkfoiMqA/v-deo.html 😊
Does the machine available for 24hrs? Like if I arrive at midnight and want to purchase such card.
Hi there! Currently new Suica cards aren’t being sold due to a shortage in chips needed for the cards. You can, however, still purchase the tourist cards Welcome Suica and PASMO Passport. There are machines at both Narita and Haneda airport that sell these so you can pick one up at any time.
can you keep your suica card and also get refund of the money thats in the card?