First of all, Suica is available as an IC card and a mobile app.
If you want to have it as a souvenir, the Welcome Suica is recommended,
If you want convenience, the app is convenient.
- Welcome Suica card
- Mobile Suica App
1. Welcome Suica card
You can purchase welcome suica card at JR EAST Travel Service Centre, Welcome Suica vending machine, JAPAN RAIL CAFÉ TOKYO nearby Tokyo Station. If you have just arrived in Japan,The fastest way to buy tickets is from the vending machine at the airport (Narita or Haneda) where you landed.
Welcome Suica has a validity period of 28 days and will expire after the expiry date, even if the remaining amount charged remains.
You can choose a deposit amount from 1,000 yen, depending on how often you take the train.
Additionally, you can also recharge the missing amount up to 20 000 yen later. Don’t worry about it.
Please do not forget to bring the reference paper with you. This is an important piece of paper with the expiry date on it.
When boarding a train, simply touch the card to the automatic ticket gate to get through the gate.
The balance will be displayed at that time, so you should look at it.
Suica cards can also be used for electronic money and shopping in shops.
It can be used at Suica-enabled convenience stores, coin lockers and vending machines.
You can check the Suica Logo whether it is available or not.
Please check the following if you have any concern.
https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/welcomesuica/welcomesuica.html
2. Mobile Suica App
On the other hand, for convenience, the mobile app is recommended.The mobile app namely “モバイルSuica” is compatible with both Android and iPhone smartphones. Simply search for the word “suica card app japan” on your Google Play store or Apple store.
It is necessary to check before arriving in Japan whether the device is compatible.
You can recharge at any time by registering your credit card without worrying about time and location.
Even if you are in an area where Wifi is not available, the mobile app is still valid.
The phone must be activated.
When boarding a train, simply touch the smartphone to the automatic ticket gate to get through the gate.
The charge balance can be checked by activating the app.
The mobile app can also be used as electronic money for shopping at Suica stores nationwide. It can be used at Suica-enabled convenience stores, coin lockers and vending machines.
Please check the following if you have any concern.
https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/
Thank you for reading. Please feel free to leave your comments!