Commute like a local in Japan by booking your Suica card here! 🚆
Highlights
- The Suica IC card in Japan is a handy prepaid transport card that you can use to pay for fares and small-value purchases in Tokyo.
- Specifically, you can use it in the JR East line, subways, buses, and the Tokyo Monorail that connects Haneda Airport to Tokyo. (If you’re coming from Narita Airport, consider booking the high-speed Keisei Skyliner! Learn more about it here.)
- This IC card in Japan may also be used in other regions outside Tokyo, provided that you will not travel continuously between two areas.
- If you plan to explore Tokyo, you may also want to book this budget-friendly subway ticket, which will give you unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for up to three (3) days!
- Discover more travel essentials and things to do in Japan by downloading WAUG — South Korea’s No. 1 travel activity booking platform. Get the app here and sign up to get an extra $3 discount coupon!
Explore more: ICOCA IC Card in Japan: Price, Reviews, & Where to Use
Must-have in Japan: Tokyo Suica Card
When in Tokyo, one of the ways that you can achieve a seamless and enjoyable trip is by buying the area-designated Japan IC card called Suica. Similar to the Octopus Card in Hong Kong and the EZ-Link in Singapore, Suica will allow you to pay for transportation fares and small-value purchases in convenience stores, dining spots, and coin lockers. You can even use it in areas that are covered by other IC cards like the ICOCA, Sugoca, and Nomica for as long as you will not travel continuously between two areas. What this means is that you won’t have to carry cash all the time just to purchase single-journey tickets to go from one attraction to another, like the Tokyo Sanrio Puroland or the Tokyo Tower.
Where to Use Suica in Tokyo and other areas in Japan
If you’re buying a Suica card for your Tokyo trip, know that you can use it to ride the JR East trains, taxis, buses, and subway. You may also use it to take the Tokyo Monorail, which connects Haneda Airport to Tokyo. Furthermore, as shown in the photo above, users of the Suica card will be able to access certain transportation systems in Sendai and Niigata, Hokkaido, West Japan, Kyushu, and Tokai areas.
Aside from transportation, you can also use the Suica card to pay for your purchases in convenience stores, retail stalls, rice bowl restaurants, fast food chains, cafes, drug stores, and even beverage vending machines and coin-operated lockers. In fact, you can even use your Suica card for non-transportation purchases in areas outside Tokyo so long as the store or vendo machine bears any of the following logos:
If you’re a meticulous travel planner and would like to download a train network map that shows the valid areas where you are permitted to use Suica, click here.
How much is a Suica card and how can I book online?
- PRICE of one (1) Suica Card: around $21
- Inclusive of preloaded credits worth ¥1,500
- Pick up at any of the following locations:
- Narita International Airport Terminal 1. Open from 8:30am-10pm.
- Narita International Airport Terminal 2. Open from 8:30am-8:30pm.
- Haneda International Airport International Terminal. Open from 8:30am-10pm.
- HIS-TIC Harajuku Tourist Information Center. Open from 10am-5pm.
- Shinjuku Takashimaya Duty Free. Open from 10am-8pm (Sunday-Thursday) and 10am-8:30pm (Friday-Saturday)
If you are unfamiliar in using WAUG, here are the steps to purchase a Suica:
- Sign up here, if you haven’t yet.
- Go to the Suica card booking page. Here’s the link.
- Select your pick-up date and quantity.
- Check out with your Visa, Mastercard, or American Express Card.
- Receive purchase confirmation and Suica card voucher in the app.
Suica Card Reviews on WAUG
To help you decide if the Suica card is for you, here are some reviews that we’ve found:
It was good. I’ll buy it again.
Suica card review on WAUG | 2020-02-20
I bought it because it was annoying to insert money at the ticketing machine every time. The IC card is cute, and it’s easy to top up when you want to.
Suica card review on WAUG | 2019-07-10
I like it ^^ I think I bought it really cheap on WAUG! If you show the WAUG app voucher at the HIS counter in Narita Terminal 1 counter, it won’t be difficult to get the card.
Suica card review on WAUG | 2019-08-01
How to Top Up Your Suica Card
To reload your Suica card, you can go to a convenience store that shows the Suica logo or use a ticket vending machine found inside subway stations. You can load up for as many times as you need, but the amount should not be above 20,000 yen.
How to Use the Suica IC Card
It’s simple! Just place the Suica card on the reader found at the entry and exit gate. The fare will be automatically calculated at your final stop. If the balance on your card is insufficient, worry not; you can add more money to your Suica IC card at a top-up machine.
How to Get a Refund for Your Suica Card Tokyo Balance
You can apply for a refund of your Suica card balance at JR Ticketing Offices (Midori-no-Madoguchi ticketing offices) located at any JR East station. Note that an amount of ¥200 will be deducted from your Suica card balance for this service.
FAQ: Suica Card Japan
1. Can I use Suica on the Shinkansen?
No, it cannot be used for travel on the Shinkansen. You must also purchase additional tickets to use the Suica card for travel on the limited express, express, or Green Car.
2. Does this IC card expire?
Your Suica card will expire in ten (10) years if not used.
3. Can I use a credit card to reload my Suica card?
Credit cards cannot be used to reload or top up your Suica card.
4. Can I keep the Suica card as a souvenir?
You most definitely can! (It makes for a good one too.)
5. What does it mean that I can only use Suica if I’m not traveling continuously to other areas?
Your point of origin and destination must be in the same area. If you plan to go to another region (or travel continuously), you must exit the (final) ticket-gate of your first area and then re-enter (first gate of the second area).
6. Is it possible to add a Suica card to my iPhone or Apple Watch?
Instructions to create a new Suica card on your iPhone or Apple watch can be found here. Note that once you have transferred your Suica to Apple Pay, you will no longer be able to use the plastic or the physical card.
