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Suica & IC Cards
Suica (and regional equivalents PASMO, ICOCA) is a rechargeable card for trains, vending machines and konbini purchases.
1. Get a card
Physical Suica: buy at a JR station ticket machine (¥500 refundable deposit). Mobile Suica: add it to Apple Wallet / Google Pay for free — works with foreign credit cards via Apple Pay top-up.
2. Charge at the konbini register
Hand your card to the cashier and say "Suica ni charge onegaishimasu" (charge my Suica). Pay with cash (typically ¥1,000+ units). The register adds the balance and prints a receipt.
3. Charge at the ATM
7-Eleven ATMs can charge IC cards too: select "チャージ" and follow the prompts.
4. Use it everywhere
Tap to ride trains/buses, buy from vending machines, lockers, and pay at konbini registers (tap the IC reader).
Tips
- Balance check: tap your card on the ATM or ask the register "tsūka runing o misete kudasai".
- Mobile Suica on iPhone works without a Japanese phone plan — ideal for tourists.
- Welcome Suica (tourist version) has no deposit and expires after 28 days.