Journal

The Suica Card: Your Magic Key to Japan

By David Wright • Published July 24, 2025

Transit gate where riders tap an IC card like Suica to enter in Tokyo

Tap in, tap out—Suica keeps you moving.

Did you know? In greater Tokyo, over 90% of rail riders use IC cards like Suica or Pasmo—paper tickets are the exception.

If there’s one piece of advice I give every first-time visitor to Japan, it’s this: get a Suica (or Pasmo) card the moment you can. Think of it as a magic key to the whole country—tap in, tap out, and let the system quietly calculate the correct fare.

What exactly is a Suica card?

Suica is a rechargeable IC smart card (and mobile wallet) used for contactless payments. It unlocks Japan’s trains, subways, buses—and a surprising number of everyday purchases.

Universal transit pass: Works on JR lines, subways, private railways, buses, and more across major cities.
A digital wallet: Pay at vending machines, konbini, coin lockers, some taxis, and more.

How to get it (physical or mobile)

Option A — Physical card: Buy at any airport or major-station ticket machine (English available). There’s a small refundable deposit plus your chosen balance. Top up at any machine whenever you need.

iPhone & Android: Add a Mobile Suica to Apple Wallet or Google Pay—no cash machine required, and you can set it up from home in many regions.

Why it matters

Tokyo’s rail map looks like a beautiful bowl of noodles. Calculating fares and buying paper tickets wastes time. With Suica, you just tap in and out; the system deducts the correct fare automatically. It’s smoother, faster, and feels local.

Pro tip: pair Suica with luggage forwarding

We combine Suica with takkyubin (luggage forwarding) on our tours. Your suitcases go hotel-to-hotel while you board the Shinkansen with a small overnight bag—glide through stations with total ease.