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Getting around Tokyo on your first day can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re standing in front of a ticket machine with a line of people behind you.
Welcome Suica is a prepaid IC card made for tourists visiting Japan. With one tap, you can ride trains and buses, pay at convenience stores, and skip the ticket line entirely.
If you’re planning a short trip to Tokyo, this card is worth picking up as soon as you arrive.
What is Welcome Suica?
Suica is an IC card that can be used on trains, buses, and in many shops across Japan. Welcome Suica is a version designed specifically for short-term visitors.
You add money in advance, and the fare or payment is automatically deducted from your balance each time you use it. This reduces the need to calculate fares or handle small change.
What you can pay for
With Welcome Suica, you can:
- Ride trains, subways, and buses
- Pay at convenience stores, vending machines, shops, and restaurants
- Use coin lockers at some stations
Using one card for both transportation and payments reduces the need to carry cash during your trip
Where and how to buy Welcome Suica
You can get Welcome Suica as soon as you arrive in Japan. It is available at airports and major stations, so you can start using public transportation right away.
Where to buy
Welcome Suica is available in three ways:
Welcome Suica dedicated machine (airports only)
- Narita Airport (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2)
- Haneda Airport (Terminal 3)
JR EAST Travel Service Center (station counter)
- Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Ueno, Shibuya, and more
- Some locations are temporarily unavailable
JAPAN RAIL CAFE TOKYO
- Tokyo Station
Welcome Suica Mobile App (iOS only)
- Download the app before your trip → Welcome Suica Mobile (JR East)
- Valid for 180 days from setup
Note: top-up may be restricted depending on your country until you arrive in Japan
For the latest list of locations, check the official JR East page: → Where to buy Welcome Suica (JR East official)
How to buy at a ticket machine
You can purchase Welcome Suica at a dedicated ticket machine by following the on-screen instructions. The machines support multiple languages, including English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean.
When purchasing, you choose the amount to load onto the card. The process is quick, and you can start using the card immediately after purchase.
Welcome Suica card price
Welcome Suica is available in six amounts. The price you pay is the amount loaded onto the card. There is no card fee or deposit on top.
| Amount |
|---|
| ¥1,000 |
| ¥2,000 |
| ¥3,000 |
| ¥4,000 |
| ¥5,000 |
| ¥10,000 |
One thing worth knowing is that no deposit is required. With a regular Suica card, you pay a ¥500 deposit that you can claim back later. With Welcome Suica, the full amount goes straight onto your card.
If you are unsure how much to load, ¥3,000 is a reasonable starting point for a few days in Tokyo. You can always top up later at any station.
A child version is also available for children under 12. ID is required at purchase.
How to use Welcome Suica
With Welcome Suica, you can enter stations, ride trains and buses, and pay with a single tap. No tickets needed.
On trains, subways, and buses
Simply tap the card at ticket gates when boarding. Tap again when you exit, and the fare is automatically deducted.
There is no need to buy tickets, and you don’t have to check complicated fare charts, making it easier to get around.
At shops and vending machines
Welcome Suica can be used at many places such as convenience stores, vending machines, and restaurants. You simply tap the card on the reader to pay.
This is especially useful for small purchases, as you don’t need to carry or handle cash.
Coin lockers
At some stations, Welcome Suica can be used as a key for coin lockers. You can complete both the locker operation and payment with a single card.
Checking your balance
Your balance is shown on the screen each time you pass through a ticket gate. You can also check it at any ticket machine.
If your balance runs low, the gate will stop you when you try to exit. It is a good idea to check before you travel.
How to top up your Welcome Suica
Welcome Suica is a prepaid card. You add money to it and spend from the balance. The maximum balance is ¥20,000.
At a ticket machine (physical card)
- Select your language on the screen.
- Insert your card.
- Select “Charge,” and choose an amount.
- Insert cash.
Note: Only cash is accepted. No credit cards.
The machines support multiple languages including English. Ticket machines are located near the ticket gates at most stations.
On your iPhone (Welcome Suica Mobile)
If you have set up Welcome Suica Mobile on your iPhone, you can top up through the app using a credit card registered to Apple Pay.
Important things to know before using
Welcome Suica is convenient, but there are some limitations. It’s important to understand these in advance to avoid problems during your trip.
Validity and expiry
Welcome Suica is valid for 28 days from the date of purchase. Once 28 days have passed, the card becomes invalid, even if there is remaining balance on it.
The validity period cannot be extended. As long as your trip is within 28 days, you can use it throughout your stay without issues.
Note: The Welcome Suica Mobile App (iOS) is valid for 180 days.
Long-distance travel: what you need to know
- Physical card: Welcome Suica (card) is designed for travel within a city or nearby areas. It cannot be used for Shinkansen or limited express trains. A separate ticket is required in these cases.
- Welcome Suica Mobile (app): The app supports Shinkansen travel. Non-reserved seats can be used by simply tapping at the ticket gate, and reserved seats can be booked through JR-EAST Train Reservation directly from the app.
Not accepted everywhere
Welcome Suica can be used in many places that support IC card payments, but it is not accepted everywhere. Some areas or stores only support local IC cards, so you may not be able to use it in those cases.
What to do if your balance runs low
If your balance is not enough to cover your fare, you should top up at a fare adjustment machine before exiting the ticket gate.
Refunds and lost cards
Welcome Suica cannot be refunded. Try to use up your remaining balance before you leave Japan.
If you lose your card, the balance cannot be recovered. Welcome Suica is an unregistered card and cannot be reissued.
You are welcome to keep the card after your trip as a souvenir of your time in Japan.
Summary
Welcome Suica is a prepaid IC card for short-term visitors, allowing you to use trains, buses, and make everyday payments with one card.
It is valid for 28 days and works well for getting around within cities, but it cannot be used for long-distance travel such as the Shinkansen. You can buy it at airports and major stations.
