#126 SUICA Update
How to purchase IC card tickets essential for sightseeing in Tokyo.
A concerning issue for travelers from overseas, where cashless systems are more advanced than in Japan, is how to use cashless systems for transportation and shops after arriving in Japan. Unfortunately, it is uncommon in Japan to pass through ticket gates by holding up your credit card directly over the automatic ticket gate. The convenience of obtaining an IC card, such as SUICA, is a significant issue for travelers. In Tokyo, the gateway to Japan, until recently, the regular green SUICA was only available at some travel centers due to a lack of IC chips. However, you may have needed clarification about how to purchase these SUICAs at the stations. Once again, I want to inform you about the current situation.
What is an IC card ticket?
It is an IC card, the same size as a credit card, that can be used in place of ticket gates at convenience stores, restaurants, etc., by charging cash in advance. There are ten different types, mainly issued by JR operators, etc., which consist of blocks throughout Japan, including SUICA (JR East), ICICA (JR West), SUGOCA (JR Kyushu), etc. It is best to purchase the card before sightseeing at the first place of arrival. Therefore, since, inevitably, you will first arrive in Tokyo, you will overwhelmingly purchase JR East's SUICA in most cases.
However, I want to add an important point: in the case of JR, operators are divided into blocks, such as JR East and JR Tokai, for each block. Therefore, it is not possible to use IC cards across blocks. For example, if you want to take the Shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto after sightseeing in Hakone, it is better to buy a paper ticket instead of SUICA. However, you can settle the bill at the counter if you need to straddle the block.
The advantages of SUICA
The most apparent advantage of the IC cards represented by SUICA is that they allow cashless train rides and shopping at stores. In the past, SUICA could only be used at commercial facilities attached to train stations, but nowadays, it can be used at gas stations and many restaurants. It is best to understand that it is the same as a debit card. The most significant advantage for travelers is that they are free from carrying coins.
Two Types of SUICA
The biggest reason for travelers' confusion is that there are two types of SUICA: the Welcome Suica for travelers and the green regular SUICA for residents like myself. As Japan A to Z reader "@ollithomson1" wrote in his comment, there may be a problem with the company's disclosure of information to the public. Thank you for your valuable comment, Olli.
To sum up, two types of SUICA are currently available for purchase, although there are differences in where you can buy and whether or not a deposit is required. The table below summarizes the detailed differences. Simply put, the Welcome Suica is used for one trip only and is valid for 28 days; if it is lost, it is the end. The regular SUICA requires a 500 yen deposit but is valid for 10 years, making it suitable for repeat customers. If a card is lost, the regular SUICA can be reissued, and if the lost card has not been used, the amount charged at the time of loss will be carried over. However, you will be charged a 520 yen fee and a 500 yen deposit will be charged for a reissue, so it is necessary to remember the amount remaining at the time of loss and determine if the reissue is worthwhile. The procedure for reissue is at a JR East station counter. You will need to bring your passport or other ID.
Current Situation
When you arrive, you can buy a Welcome SUICA at Haneda or Narita airports if you need SUICA. However, if you intend to use SUICA for a long time after that, you will need to buy a regular SUICA from a ticket vending machine with a black sign at a station in Tokyo. You must enter your personal information, such as name, date of birth, and phone number. How about buying the SUICA of your choice, depending on how you use it?
In addition, JR East plans to release "Welcome Suica Mobile," an SUICA application for foreign travelers by spring 2025, enabling them to prepare their smartphone tickets before arrival without waiting in line in front of an automatic ticket vending machine. In the details, the service will be iOS at the beginning. However, since you can already use the regular SUICA smartphone application, I am still determining the impact of starting the new one. “Welcome Suica Mobile”
Movement to Withdraw in Some Areas of Kyushu
IC card tickets are convenient, but in Kumamoto Prefecture, there is a move to withdraw from the system. Buses and railways in Kumamoto Prefecture will stop using IC card tickets such as SUICA on the 15th of this month, except locally issued IC cards. The reason for this is the considerable expense involved in updating the card-reading machines, and the five transportation companies in Kumamoto Prefecture will be using new terminals that allow credit card touch payments and other forms of payment. This change is expected to reduce costs from 1.2 billion yen to 700 million yen for replacing IC cards. This move is attracting attention to whether it will spread to other areas.
The Best Combination in Tokyo
Although the movement around IC card tickets is changing daily, they are necessary for foreigners traveling in major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka for the foreseeable future. Especially in the case of Tokyo, IC cards such as SUICA should be helpful in one-off situations such as traveling from Harajuku to Shibuya by JR or taking a train from Haneda to central Tokyo while using a multi-day pass such as the Tokyo Subway Ticket as the primary ticket. Therefore, buying either of the two types of SUICA when you arrive would be a good idea.
There are so many options for public transportation in Japan's major cities that it is difficult to decide which type of pass or ticket to buy at first. As the environment constantly changes, I will keep updating this page to keep you informed.
This is useful, I'm visiting Japan next year so will buy a card then. Thanks!
So, are you saying that buying these cards is only useful because of cashless transactions? So, no price reduction as such?
if so there is nothing easier than going to your ticket machine pressing Eng -> choose your destination station, pay the required fare in coins and off you happily go !