Your newsletter is so helpful! I found that I could purchase a digital SUICA in my iPhone, would you happen to know if it is the same type of SUICA as the “regular” SUICA you mention? Or do you recommend that I get the physical card when I arrive in Japan? Thank you for your help!
Thanks for your comment, Maya. What we call "Mobile Suica," which can be used with your iPhone, and the physical Suica card are nearly the same when used functionally. The most significant difference is the way you charge. You can use your credit card for Mobile Suica, but you need the cash to charge the physical Suica card since the physical one only accepts credit cards issued by JRE.
For more details, please refer to the following Japanese site and use the translation function.
Your newsletter is so helpful! I found that I could purchase a digital SUICA in my iPhone, would you happen to know if it is the same type of SUICA as the “regular” SUICA you mention? Or do you recommend that I get the physical card when I arrive in Japan? Thank you for your help!
Thanks for your comment, Maya. What we call "Mobile Suica," which can be used with your iPhone, and the physical Suica card are nearly the same when used functionally. The most significant difference is the way you charge. You can use your credit card for Mobile Suica, but you need the cash to charge the physical Suica card since the physical one only accepts credit cards issued by JRE.
For more details, please refer to the following Japanese site and use the translation function.
https://msfaq.mobilesuica.com/faq/show/26?site_domain=default
But you can always charge to Mobile Suica by cash at most convenience stores. Please charge the minimum amount when you do it for the first time.