Suica is a prepaid IC card that works as both a transit pass and a digital wallet. Issued by JR East, it can be used far beyond Tokyo thanks to Japan’s nationwide IC card interoperability. This means you can tap in and out of trains, subways, and buses across much of the country, including Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, and Fukuoka.

For transportation, Suica lets you pass through ticket gates with a simple tap, automatically calculating fares with no need to line up for tickets. It also functions as a cashless payment card at convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson, as well as vending machines, coin lockers, and many chain restaurants. As of 2026, with many stations reducing staffed ticket counters, having an IC card like Suica can save travelers a significant amount of time during their trip.

This is the key change travelers need to understand in 2026. Today, there are two main ways to use Suica in Japan: carrying a physical IC card or using Mobile Suica directly on your smartphone. Each option works seamlessly for transportation and cashless payments, but the setup and convenience can differ depending on how you travel and what device you use.

For travelers using an iPhone, Mobile Suica is the most convenient option and removes the need to line up at a ticket counter. It requires no deposit, can be topped up anytime with a credit card, and eliminates worries about losing a physical card.

Setup is quick and straightforward. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone, tap the plus icon in the top right, choose Transit Card, and search for Suica. Enter the amount you want to add and complete payment using an Apple Pay–linked Mastercard or JCB card. Some Visa cards may not be supported. Once finished, your phone functions as a Suica card.

For Android users, most devices purchased outside Japan do not support the FeliCa chip required for Mobile Suica. In that case, using a physical Suica card is recommended.

A physical Suica card is ideal for Android users, families who need child cards, travelers who want a keepsake, or anyone worried about their phone battery running out. It’s dependable, easy to use, and available for travelers of all ages, which makes it a safe, no-fuss option.

The main drawbacks are a refundable 500 yen deposit and the need to top up in person, usually at station ticket machines or convenience stores. That said, for many visitors, the reliability and simplicity of a physical card outweigh the extra steps.

As of 2026, physical Suica card availability has largely stabilized, and travelers can purchase them through several convenient channels. The most reliable option is major stations operated by JR East, including Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, and Shibuya Station. Suica cards are sold at multifunction ticket machines as well as JR East Travel Service Centers.

When purchasing a card, you will pay a set amount such as 1,000 yen or 2,000 yen, which includes a refundable 500 yen deposit. For example, if you pay 2,000 yen, the card will come preloaded with 1,500 yen of usable balance plus the 500 yen deposit.

Another option is the Welcome Suica, a version designed specifically for short-term visitors. If you don’t want to pay a deposit and are only traveling in Japan for a limited time, this red-and-white card with a cherry blossom design is a convenient choice. It has no deposit, but it is valid for just 28 days and any remaining balance cannot be refunded.

Welcome Suica cards are mainly sold at dedicated ticket machines at Narita Airport Station and Haneda Airport Stations (Terminals 2 and 3). Note that the PASMO PASSPORT with the Hello Kitty design, which was sold in the past, was discontinued in August 2024. Travelers should now choose Welcome Suica instead.

There are three main ways to add balance to your Suica. The first is at station ticket machines. Insert your physical card into a machine labeled “Charge,” or place your phone on the reader tray, choose the amount, and pay with cash.

The second option, and often the easiest, is at convenience stores. At stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson, simply tell the cashier “Charge o kudasai,” select the amount on the register screen, pay in cash, and tap your card or phone on the reader.

The third option is using in-store ATMs at 7-Eleven. These ATMs support IC card top-ups and offer a Traditional Chinese interface, making them especially user-friendly for travelers.

This is a common question for first-time visitors. The short answer is that, for travelers, there is almost no practical difference between them. Suica is issued by JR East and is mainly associated with the Tokyo area, PASMO is issued by Tokyo’s private railways and subway operators, and ICOCA is issued by JR West and is most commonly used in Osaka and Kyoto.

Thanks to Japan’s nationwide IC card interoperability system, a Suica purchased in Tokyo can be used to ride subways in Osaka or buses in Fukuoka without any issues. The main limitation is that IC cards cannot be used for continuous long-distance travel across regions. For example, you cannot tap in with a Suica in Tokyo and ride all the way to Nagoya. For long-distance trips, be sure to buy the appropriate train ticket or Shinkansen ticket instead.

If you have a standard physical Suica card, not a Welcome Suica, you can request a refund before leaving Japan at a JR East ticket office, commonly known as the “Midori no Madoguchi,” at stations operated by JR East. The refund amount is calculated as your remaining balance minus a 220 yen handling fee, plus the 500 yen deposit.

Here’s a useful tip. If your remaining balance is less than 220 yen, the handling fee is treated as equal to the balance, meaning the balance becomes zero but the full 500 yen deposit is still refunded. For this reason, it’s smart to spend down your balance at a convenience store until it reaches zero, so you can receive the entire 500 yen deposit back.

For Mobile Suica, there is no physical deposit to reclaim. Refunds must be processed through the app and returned to your credit card, with a handling fee applied. Many travelers choose to keep Mobile Suica active instead, since it remains valid for up to 10 years and can be reused on a future trip to Japan.

Why has Suica become such an essential item for traveling in Japan? Here are six key advantages that make getting around easier, faster, and far more convenient, helping you enjoy a smoother trip from start to finish.

Standard physical Suica cards, excluding Welcome Suica, come with an impressively long validity period of up to 10 years. As long as the card is used at least once within that period, whether for transportation, shopping, or topping up, the validity is automatically extended.

This means you can take your Suica home and reuse it on your next trip to Japan, or even the one after that. For frequent or repeat visitors, it’s a reliable long-term travel companion that keeps paying off.

Say goodbye to the hassle of lining up at ticket machines before every ride. With Suica, there’s no need to check fare charts or buy individual tickets. Simply tap your card or phone on the gate reader and you’re through in about 0.2 seconds.

This is especially valuable during rush hour or when traveling with large luggage. Being able to tap and go saves both time and energy, making your journey far smoother from the very first ride.

Suica isn’t just for transportation. It also works as a convenient digital wallet. You can pay with Suica at major convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson, as well as at station kiosks and vending machines across Japan.

This makes quick purchases like drinks or onigiri completely hassle-free. There’s no need to dig for coins or deal with pockets full of 1 yen and 5 yen pieces, which keeps your wallet lighter and your trip smoother.

Station coin lockers are a lifesaver for travelers, and many newer lockers now accept Suica for payment. This means you don’t need to hunt for 100 yen coins just to store your luggage.

Even better, lockers that support IC cards often use your Suica as a digital key. When it’s time to pick up your bags, simply tap your card again to unlock the door, with no keys or password slips to lose.

Japan’s rail network can be complex, especially when transferring between different railway operators. With Suica, there’s no need to worry about buying extra tickets or adjusting fares during transfers. The system automatically tracks your journey and calculates the correct fare for you.

In some sections of the rail network, using an IC card can even be slightly cheaper than paying with cash. It’s one more small advantage that adds up over the course of a trip.

In Tokyo and most major cities across Japan, taxis and buses widely support cashless payments. When you reach your destination, simply tell the driver you’d like to pay with Suica, then tap your card or phone on the reader or back-seat screen to complete the payment.

This removes the hassle of counting coins in a dimly lit car and helps avoid awkward moments caused by language barriers during cash payments. It’s a small feature that makes getting around Japan feel noticeably smoother.

Whether you choose a physical card or Mobile Suica, Suica is one of the best tools for exploring Japan. As cashless payments become even more widespread, its value for travelers continues to grow.

Get your Suica ready before you go, and enjoy a smoother, stress-free journey through Japan from the moment you arrive.