The Suica card is a rechargeable IC card that works like a contactless transit pass across virtually all public transport in Japan — plus convenience stores, vending machines, lockers, and taxis. If you only do one thing to prepare for Japan, get a Suica.
What Is Suica?
Suica (and its regional equivalents — ICOCA in Osaka/Kyoto, PASMO in Tokyo, Manaca in Nagoya, Nimoca in Fukuoka) is a prepaid contactless card issued by JR East. All IC cards are mutually compatible nationwide — you can use Suica in Osaka, ICOCA in Tokyo, etc. Just get whichever one is convenient at your arrival station.
How to Get Suica
Physical card: Any JR ticket machine in Tokyo or most major stations nationwide. Insert ¥2,000 (¥500 deposit + ¥1,500 loaded balance). Takes about 2 minutes. Mobile Suica: Add to Apple Wallet or Google Pay before arriving — load with foreign credit cards. Available on iPhone 8+, newer Android. Extremely convenient — no physical card needed. Welcome Suica: A no-deposit version sold at airports specifically for tourists. Valid 28 days; deposit is waived but non-refundable balance at the end.
Where Suica Works
Transport: JR trains nationwide · Tokyo Metro · Toei Subway · Most private railways · Buses (most urban routes) · Shinkansen (for non-reserved local fares, not reserved seats). Payments: 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, Ministop · Most vending machines · Lockers at stations · Many restaurants with the IC payment mark · Tokyo taxis
Loading Money
Reload at any JR ticket machine (cash), convenience store ATM, or via app (credit card on Mobile Suica). Minimum top-up is ¥1,000. Maximum balance: ¥20,000. For a 10-day trip, loading ¥5,000–¥10,000 at the start is usually enough for local transport.
Getting a Refund
Physical Suica: Return at any JR East ticket office for remaining balance minus ¥220 handling fee, plus ¥500 deposit. Don't bother for small remaining amounts. Mobile Suica: Transfer balance or use it on a future trip; no refund process needed.
Suica vs JR Pass
They serve different purposes. Suica is for daily local transport (metro, short trips). JR Pass is for long-distance shinkansen travel. You'll want both if you're traveling between cities on the Shinkansen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Suica outside Tokyo?
Yes. Suica works on most IC card-compatible transit systems across Japan, including in Osaka (where ICOCA is the local card), Kyoto, Hiroshima, Sapporo, and many others. It also works at convenience stores and vending machines nationwide.
How much should I load on my Suica card?
Load ¥2,000–3,000 initially. A typical day of Tokyo transit costs ¥600–1,200. You can reload at any ticket machine or convenience store ATM (Seven Bank).
What happens to my Suica card when I leave Japan?
Keep it for your next trip — the balance never expires. Alternatively, return it at a JR East ticket office for a full refund of remaining balance (minus a ¥220 handling fee).
Is Suica the same as ICOCA or PASMO?
All three are IC cards that work interchangeably across Japan's IC-compatible transit network. Suica is issued by JR East (Tokyo area), ICOCA by JR West (Osaka/Kyoto area), PASMO by Tokyo private railways. You can use any of them anywhere.