Get a Suica Card to pay for your transportation fares in Tokyo like a local! Book one at a cheaper price here.
In a nutshell
- What is Suica Card? This is a prepaid transportation card in Japan (or IC Card) that is commonly used to pay for public transportation fares and small-value purchases.
- Can I ride the subway and bus with this card? Yes, you’ll be able to use a Suica card to ride the JR East line, subways, and buses in Tokyo. You may also use it to take the Tokyo Monorail that can get you to Tokyo from Haneda Airport.
- How much is a Suica Card? You can book one here for less than $18. This option comes with ¥1,500 of preloaded credits (or $11) and a deposit of ¥500.
- Suica Card vs. Tokyo Subway Ticket — what’s the difference? The Tokyo Subway Ticket is a travel pass that gives subway access for a fixed period of time. This option is ideal if you plan to use the subway extensively during your trip. On the other hand, the Suica IC Card is a stored-value transportation card that you will need to top up before riding the train. This means that you can top up the exact amount that you need for your trip. To learn more about the Tokyo Subway pass, click here!
Meet Suica IC Card in Tokyo
Memorable trips are greatly defined by the ease, convenience, and comfort that one gets in their commuting experience. One of the ways you can achieve a seamless and enjoyable commute in Tokyo is by buying its designated Japan IC card called Suica. Similar to the Octopus Card in Hong Kong and Cashbee in South Korea, the Suica card allows travelers to pay for transportation fares and small-value purchases in convenience stores, select dining spots, and even coin lockers. This means that you won’t have to carry cash all the time (and risk losing it!) and that you get rid of the hassle of purchasing single-journey tickets as you make your way to attractions like Tokyo Sanrio Puroland or this must-visit observation deck. The Suica card also comes in a very cute design, which can serve as a great reminder of your trip for when you return home!
Where to Use Tokyo’s Suica Card
If you’re buying the Suica card for your Tokyo trip, know that you can use it to ride the JR East trains, taxis, buses, and subway. You may also use it to ride the Tokyo Monorail, which connects Haneda Airport to Tokyo. Furthermore, as shown in the photo above, travelers with a Suica card can use the same card to access the transportation systems in Sendai and Niigata, Tokai, Hokkaido, West Japan, and Kyushu areas, which use similar prepaid transportation cards like Icoca, PASMO, and Sugoca!
Aside from transportation, you can also use the Suica Card to pay for your purchases in beverage vending machines, convenience stores, retail stalls, rice bowl restaurants, fast food chains, cafes, drug stores, and coin-operated lockers. In fact, you can even use your Suica Card for non-transportation purchases in areas outside Tokyo so long as the store or vendo machines bear the following logos:
- Suica
- Kitaca
- PASMO
- Manaca
- Toica
- ICOCAA
- Hayakaken
- Nimoca
- SUGOCA
Book Suica Card on Klook
If you want to get your hands on Japan’s Suica card, you can book it online here. This option comes preloaded with some credit, so you can go on your way after picking up the card!
1. Suica IC Card (Tokyo Pick Up)
- PRICE: Book here for around $17.8!
- INCLUSIONS: One (1) Suica IC Card, preloaded credits worth ¥1,500, & card deposit of ¥500.
- PICK-UP LOCATION & HOURS:
- HIS Travel SHINJUKU Head Office – EASYGO Counter
- Address: South Gate Shinjuku Bldg 1F, 5-33-8 Sendagaya, Shibuya Ku, Tokyo
- 11am-1pm & 2-7pm daily (closed on the 1st Sunday of December and New Year holidays)
- HIS Travel SHINJUKU Head Office – EASYGO Counter
- NOTE: This offer is for tourists in Japan only and not available to Japanese passport holders.
2. Suica IC Card + Skyliner Ticket Combo
- PRICE: Book here for around $30!
- INCLUSIONS: Tokyo Skyliner Ticket, one (1) Suica IC Card, preloaded credits worth ¥1,500, & card deposit of ¥500.
- PICK-UP LOCATION & HOURS: Check here.
- NOTE: The Tokyo Skyliner ticket can be used to go from Narita Airport to Ueno or downtown Tokyo.
Is Tokyo’s Suica Card worth it? Check out these reviews!
With over 100,000 bookings and a 4.8/5 rating from 11,000 Klook users, the Suica Card proves to be a must-have travel item in Japan! A customer who left a review for Suica said that it’s “an essential purchase” and that the card “…was definitely a big help for us to travel from one destination to another. This was also convenient since we didn’t have to load the card from time-to-time. I’ll definitely buy again when we come back!”
Another customer who booked Suica IC card in Japan wrote here that redemption was very easy: “Getting around the Metro was never been easy, so thanks to Suica Card for the hassle-free transportation. Ticket redemption is very easy and they also give discount voucher in Mall once you claim the card. Easy to reload machine are all available in English language. All in all. This is a great deal and a must-have item when you’re in tokyo. ☺️”
How to Top Up the Suica Card in Tokyo
To reload your Suica card, you can go to convenience stores that show the Suica logo or use the ticket vending machines found in the subway stations. Credit cards cannot be used to reload or top up your Suica card, so make sure you bring enough cash. (Note that each Suica card can only store up to ¥20,000. However, the card can be loaded and used as many times as you need.)
How to Use the Suica Card in Japan
It’s simple! Just place the Suica card on the reader found at the entry and exit gate. The fare will be automatically calculated at your final stop. If the balance on your card is insufficient, worry not; you can add more money to your Suica IC card at a top-up machine.
How to Get a Refund for Your Suica Card Tokyo Balance
You can apply for a refund for your Suica card balance at JR TIcketing Offices (Midori-no-madoguchi ticketing offices) located at any JR East station. Note that an amount of ¥220 will be deducted from your Suica card balance for this service.
Final Tips
- The Suica IC card cannot be used for travel on the Shinkansen.
- You must purchase additional tickets to use the Suica card for travel on a limited express, express, or Green Car.
- The Suica Card can also be used for certain transportation systems in the Sendai and Niigata, Hokkaido, Tokai, West Japan, and Kyushu areas. However, the Suica card cannot be used for travel to prefectures or areas not covered by the Suica. If your point of origin or point of take off is not a valid area covered by the Suica card, you won’t be able to use your IC card. Purchase a single-journey or regular ticket beforehand.
- Your Suica card will expire in ten (10) years if not used.
