Roberta Aguirre
The Suica card is a prepaid and contactless IC card that can be used for transportation and shopping in Japan. It is accepted by most local trains, subways, buses, and vending machines. As of 2025, the card can be purchased at Narita Airport, with vending machines available at Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The card can be topped up at these machines, and at Seven Bank ATMs found at 7-Eleven and other convenience stores. The card is valid for 28 days from the date of first use, and a maximum of 20,000 yen can be added to the card.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where to buy Suica Card at Narita Airport | Terminal 1, 2, or 3 train stations, vending machines, JR EAST Travel Service Center, JAPAN RAIL CAFÉ |
| How to activate Suica Card | Designated locations or ticket machines at Narita Airport |
| Topping up Suica Card | Automatic Ticket Vending Machines, Fare Adjustment Machines, Seven Bank ATMs, convenience stores |
| Maximum amount to top up Suica Card | 20,000 yen |
| Currency used to top up Suica Card | Yen |
| Suica Card validity period | 28 days from the date of purchase or first use |
| Suica Card usability | Subways, buses, local trains, shopping, dining, and vending machines |
| Suica Card special train compatibility | Not compatible with limited express trains like the Keisei Skyliner to Narita Airport |
| Suica Card exchange rate | Better than most places outside the airport |
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What You'll Learn
Where to buy Suica cards at Narita Airport
Suica cards are widely available at Narita Airport. If you're flying into Tokyo, the Welcome Suica card can be purchased at Narita Airport Terminal 1, Terminal 2, or Terminal 3.
At the airport, you can buy the card from Welcome Suica vending machines, the JR EAST Travel Service Center, JAPAN RAIL CAFÉ, and the TAKANAWA GATEWAY Travel Service Center.
The card can be purchased without depositing any money. However, if you are buying a pass to register with your Welcome Suica card, you must pay for the pass simultaneously. The card is valid for 28 days from the date of purchase.
You can top up your Suica card at the airport using a credit card, but this option is not available elsewhere in Tokyo. At other locations, you will need to top up your card with cash.
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How to activate a Suica card
Suica is an IC card issued by JR East that can be used for riding trains and subways and for shopping. The card can be used all across Japan, including major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. It can be used at train stations, convenience stores, vending machines, and some restaurants. Suica cards are available as physical cards or as a mobile app.
For physical cards:
- Purchase a Suica card: You can buy a physical Suica card at vending machines or ticket offices at JR East stations. The card is available in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, or 10,000 JPY. 500 JPY is a refundable deposit.
- Top up the card: You can add money to your Suica card at Automatic Ticket Vending Machines and Fare Adjustment Machines displaying the Suica mark, or at convenience stores like 7-Eleven. The card can be topped up with cash or a credit card.
- Use the card: Simply tap your Suica card on the card reader at train stations or when making purchases at stores that accept Suica.
For mobile Suica:
- Download the app: If you have an iPhone, download the Wallet app. For Android users, download the Google Wallet app.
- Add a Suica card: Open the app and follow the prompts to add a new Suica card. You may need to enable certain functions, such as the Transit Card function for iPhone or the E-Money function for Android.
- Charge the card: Add money to your Mobile Suica by selecting the "Add Money" option and choosing your preferred payment method.
- Use the mobile Suica: When entering or exiting train stations, simply touch your phone to the card reader. Your phone needs to be turned on, but it doesn't need to be unlocked or connected to WiFi.
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How to top up a Suica card
Suica cards are a must-have for easy urban travel in Japan. They can be used almost everywhere, from train stations to vending machines. You can purchase a Suica card at Narita Airport, or at Haneda Airport if you're not flying into Narita.
To top up your Suica card, you can use cash or a credit card. However, it is important to note that credit cards are not accepted everywhere. Below are some of the ways you can top up your Suica card:
At the Airport
You can top up your Suica card at the vending machines at Narita Airport Terminals 1, 2, or 3, and Haneda Airport Terminal 3.
At a JR Station
You can top up your Suica card at any JR station with a ticket vending machine. Look for machines with the Suica logo on them and select the "English" option if you don't understand Japanese. You can also top up at the Shinjuku station, which has a Suica-recharging machine.
At a Non-JR Station
You can also top up your Suica card at ticket vending machines at non-JR stations such as the metro, Toei, and Seibu. Select the "Pasmo/IC card recharging" function.
At a Convenience Store
Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson can also help you top up your Suica card. You can either use their ATMs or tell them at the register that you want to charge your Suica card.
Using the App
If you have an iPhone, you can use the Welcome Suica Mobile app or add your Suica card to your Apple Wallet. This option is not yet available for Android users, who still need a physical card or a Japanese phone.
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Suica card validity and expiration
Suica cards are valid for 10 years from the date of their last use, not the date of issue. This means that if you use your card at any time during this period, the 10-year validity will reset from that date of use. It is important to note that occasionally, unexpired cards that haven't been used for a while may be rejected by ticket gates. However, this can be quickly rectified by bringing the card to a station attendant for a reset.
The Welcome Suica card, on the other hand, has a validity period of 28 days from the date of purchase. This information is not displayed on the card itself but can be found on the reference paper provided at the time of purchase. This reference paper should be kept with you during your travels and shown to staff upon request. If you lose the reference paper, it can be reprinted at automatic and multifunctional ticket vending machines within the area covered by Suica.
Suica cards can be used on trains, subways, buses, and monorails in metropolitan areas, as well as some public transportation outside of these areas. They can also be used as electronic wallets in stores, vending machines, and even for services like lockers, parking, and taxis. However, they cannot be used on limited express trains, Shinkansen, long-distance buses, or airport shuttles. Additionally, some special trains, such as the Keisei Skyliner to Narita Airport, require an extra "limited express" fare that is not covered by the Suica card, so separate tickets must be purchased for these trains.
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Suica card uses and functionality
Suica cards are prepaid rechargeable contactless smart cards and electronic money systems used as fare cards on train lines and other public transport systems in Japan. They are issued by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and can be used across the nation as part of Japan's Nationwide Mutual Usage Service. Suica cards can be used as electronic money for purchases at stores and kiosks, especially at convenience stores and within train stations.
Suica cards can be purchased at Narita Airport Terminal 1, 2, or 3, and Haneda Airport Terminal 3 (Tokyo Monorail) Station. They are also available at the JAPAN RAIL CAFÉ TOKYO, and the service centers of Tokyo Station, Shibuya Station, Shinjuku Station, Ikebukuro Station, Ueno Station, and Takanawa Gateway Station in Tokyo. The price of the card varies from 1,000 to 10,000 JPY, with 500 JPY being a partially refundable deposit. Suica cards can be topped up at ticket machines, stores, and restaurants where they are accepted as a form of payment. They can also be topped up at fare adjustment machines and Seven Bank ATMs found at 7-Eleven and other convenience stores. It is important to note that only yen can be used to top up the card, and credit cards are not accepted for this purpose.
The Suica card is widely accepted across Japan, with over 1.63 million stores accepting payment via Suica's digital currency as of October 2023. To identify if a store or restaurant accepts Suica, look for the green Suica logo or the brown and red "IC" icon. Suica cards are also compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay, allowing users to add their cards to their digital wallets and use them on supported devices.
The Welcome Suica card is a variation of the standard Suica card designed specifically for visitors to Japan. It can be purchased at Narita and Haneda Airports, select JR East Travel Service Centers, and other locations. Unlike the standard Suica card, Welcome Suica does not require a deposit and has a validity period of 28 days from the date of purchase. It can be topped up and used multiple times during this period.
Suica cards offer a convenient and seamless way to navigate public transportation and make purchases in Japan, providing a hassle-free experience for travellers and locals alike.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy a Suica card at Narita Airport.
You can buy a Suica card at the vending machines at Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station, Narita Airport Terminal 2 and 3 Station, or at the JR EAST Travel Service Center.
After obtaining your card, top up your Suica Card, and touch the card to the sensor at the ticket gate. You can also use the card to make payments by tapping the card against the machine’s card reader at stores, restaurants, convenience stores, drug stores, and fast-food restaurants displaying the Suica logo.
