How to use the Suica card in Japan: Guide for Malaysians

Whether you’re planning to visit Japan for the gorgeous cherry blossoms, delectable food or winter sports, there’s bound to be something for everyone. Japan’s highly efficient public transportation makes getting around easy, and the Suica Card is an excellent transportation card option for travellers.

In this article, we’ll talk about what the Suica Card is, where you can buy one, how to use it and more. We’ll also touch a little on the Wise card and how you’ll be able to get more out of your money when travelling.

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What is the Suica card in Japan?

The Suica Card¹ is an Integrated Circuit (IC) card that can be used for transportation fares and payments for purchases in Japan. It runs on Sony’s FeliCa technology, which is also in other transportation cards around the world, like the Octopus Card in Hong Kong.

Regular Suica cards have a very long validity period of up to 10 years from the last time they were used, so as long as you visit Japan at least once every 10 years and use the same Suica Card, it will never expire. If you do forget about the card and it becomes invalid, the remaining balance can be transferred into a new, valid Suica Card.

Where to buy a regular Suica card in Japan?

Despite recent shortages, Suica Cards are now back and available for purchase in Japan. Physical cards can be obtained at JR East Travel Service Centers at larger train stations such as Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, Shinjuku Station, Ikebukuro Station and more.

If you’re looking to get a Suica Card at Narita Airport, it can be a little more tricky as most of the Suica cards sold at the airports are the Welcome Suica cards for tourists. Stock fluctuates from time to time, but it’s possible that you might be able to purchase a regular Suica Card at the Narita Airport stations.

How to get a virtual Suica card?

If you want a regular Suica Card but don’t want to worry about possibly losing a physical card, a virtual Suica Card can be obtained if you have an iPhone. As long as you have an iPhone 8 or newer model, your phone will support the FeliCa technology and you will be able to add a virtual Suica Card to your Apple Wallet.

Simply head to your wallet app, tap on the + button on the top right, select “Transit Card” or “Travel Card”, and you’ll be able to add a Suica Card to your wallet. This virtual Suica Card can be topped up via credit cards added to your Apple Wallet, which makes it incredibly handy as you won’t have to go to a train station to top up your card.

Suica card price in Japan

If you’re wondering how much a Suica Card would cost you, good news. You won’t have to pay a cent for the card issuing fee if you get a virtual one, and the physical regular card costs 500 JPY, although that deposit can be refunded if you return the card.

What is the Welcome Suica card?

There is a special Welcome Suica Card for tourists, with a few differences from the regular Suica Card. While it retains all the same functionality, being able to pay for public transport fares and payments in-stores, the Welcome Suica Card has a 28-day validity period and will expire after that period passes. There is also no option for refunding the unused balance in the card, so you’ll want to make sure to only top it up with what you need.

Where to buy a Welcome Suica card in Japan?

Welcome Suica cards can be bought at JR EAST Travel Service Centers at train stations like

Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station, Narita Airport Terminal 2・3 Station, Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station, Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, Shibuya Station, Shinjuku Station and more.

There are also Welcome Suica vending machines at the train stations in both Narita Airport and Haneda Airport, which is very handy. Lastly, the Welcome Suica Card can also be purchased at the Japan Rail Café Tokyo.

The Welcome Suica doesn’t cost any money for the card itself, so you’ll just have to top up the card with credit to use it. The card can be topped up in 1,000 JPY increments. If you’re only travelling to Japan for a short period and don’t want the hassle of having to refund cards at the end of your vacation, the Welcome Suica Card can be worth picking up.

How to use the Suica card in Japan?

Using the Suica Card in Japan is simple. You can charge both the Welcome Suica Card and regular Suica Card at any automated ticket machine that supports charging, with payment to be made in cash.

Once you have enough credit in the card, all you need to do is tap the card on the gantry’s reader when entering the station, and tap out when exiting a station. It’s as simple as that. If you’re making a purchase at a convenience store or in a restaurant, just inform the staff you want to pay by Suica or IC card, and tap the card on the reader.

If you’re taking super (limited) express trains, express trains or the Shinkansen, you’ll need to purchase tickets separately.

How to use virtual Suica card

For virtual Suica cards, top ups can be done via a linked credit card in the Apple Wallet, or you can find an automated ticket machine and put your phone on the reader to charge it like you would with a physical card. Cash only for this method, however.

Using a virtual Suica Card is exactly the same as a regular physical card, just tap your phone on the readers as you enter and exit stations or make payments.

Can I use the Suica card in Osaka?

The regular Suica Card, Welcome Suica Card and virtual Suica cards can be used throughout Japan, so you don’t have to purchase different cards if you’re going to Osaka or Hokkaido. There is a limitation, however, in that you cannot use your Suica Card to start a journey in one region and end it in another. You will need to leave the ticket gate and re-enter when crossing from one area to another, or purchase tickets for specific trains in advance.

Suica vs ICOCA card vs PASMO

There are other transportation cards available in Japan, such as the ICOCA Card and the PASMO Card. However, these IC cards are essentially similar in function. They can be used nationwide as long as the place supports payment via IC.

The main difference is where you purchase the cards and what kind of designs there are. If you’re landing in the Kansai region, you’ll most likely be purchasing an ICOCA Card and there are limited edition designs such as The Wind and Thunder Gods ICOCA Card that’s only available for purchase at the Kansai International Airport’s JR Ticket Office³.

PASMO and Suica cards are used in the same Greater Tokyo Area, and there’s very little difference between the two, such as a lower initial minimum charge amount of 500 JPY and no refund charge of 220 JPY for PASMO cards.

Pay for shopping, food and more in Japan with the Wise card

Before you rush off for your holiday, make sure to get your Wise account set up so that you can hold and convert over 40+ currencies, including MYR and JPY. This will help save some money as you’ll be able to exchange currencies at the mid-market rate with low, transparent fees⁴.

You’ll also be able to get a linked debit card, the Wise card. You’ll be able to use it all around Japan, where card payments are accepted, and pay seamlessly for all your travel needs. You can opt for auto conversion where you just need to top-up MYR to your account, or convert to JPY in advance at your desired exchange rate.

Wondering how to charge your virtual Suica Card? The Wise card is the perfect option, since you can add it to Apple Pay and use it to top-up the virtual Suica. If you find yourself needing cash at a restaurant or shop, the Wise card offers some free ATM withdrawals of up to 1,000 MYR each month.

Sign up for a free Wise account and get a trusty Wise card to save as you spend whether it’s in Tokyo, Osaka or beyond.

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Source:

1. JR East Suica Card
2. JR East Welcome Suica Card
3. JR West ICOCA Card
4. Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.