Welcome Suica: Your Passport to Easy Travel in Japan
- MASX
- Nov 6
- 3 min read
What is Welcome Suica?
If you’re travelling to Japan and want one card that makes transport and payments simple, the Welcome Suica is built for you. Issued by JR East, this prepaid IC card lets you tap in and out of trains, buses, subways — and pay at convenience stores, vending machines and more.Unlike the standard Suica card, the Welcome Suica is designed specifically for short-term visitors, with no deposit required and a validity of 28 days from first use.
Why it’s a smart choice for tourists
No deposit required: You skip the usual ¥500 deposit needed for regular IC cards.
Quick and easy to purchase: Sales locations include major airports (such as Narita Airport, Haneda Airport) and major JR stations.
Convenient for transport + shopping: Use it on many trains/buses and at many stores with Suica logo.
Tour-friendly support: English signage, foreign-card top-up support (especially for the mobile version, see later).
What’s new in 2025? Availability & digital moves
2025 brings some important updates:
Sales of non-personalised regular Suica and unregistered IC cards (including standard Suica and other IC cards like PASMO) resumed March 1 2025 after prior suspension due to global semiconductor shortage.
The Welcome Suica is clearly listed as available at specific purchase locations from March 27 2025 onwards.
A major digital advancement: The Welcome Suica Mobile app (iOS) launches March 6 2025, enabling you to issue and top-up a virtual Welcome Suica card via your phone — no physical card required.
Further, from October 1 2025, the mobile version links with JR East’s train reservation system, allowing boarding of Shinkansen/limited-express trains via the app (for visitor card users) — making it even more powerful.
Important note: The tourist version of PASMO, namely the “PASMO Passport”, has been discontinued.
So, if you’re visiting Japan in 2025 (or beyond), these updates mean you’ll have more choices, including digital versions, and the regular resident-cards are back in supply — though tourist-friendly versions like Welcome Suica remain very relevant.
Regular Suica (and other regional IC cards) — for repeat visits
While Welcome Suica is perfect for short-stay tourists, consider these options if you plan multiple trips to Japan or longer stays:
A regular Suica card (or other regional IC cards like TOICA in the Nagoya/Chūbu region, manaca, ICOCA etc) typically requires a ¥500 deposit (refundable when you return the card, minus handling).
They have long validity (often years) and can be reused on future visits, making them cost-effective if you travel to Japan regularly.
Because of the 2023-24 card shortage, you should check availability ahead of time. But as of 2025, standard Suica and unpersonalised IC cards are back in sale.
If you're staying more than 28 days, a regular card is more practical than the 28-day-limit Welcome version.
How to use your Welcome Suica (and regular cards)
Purchase: At designated locations (airports, major train stations). For the Welcome card: show your passport and purchase on arrival. As of March/April 2025, sales begin at select counters and vending machines.
Load money (top-up): At ticket machines, convenience stores, or via the mobile app (for Welcome Suica Mobile).
Use: Tap at the gate when entering/exiting trains/subways/buses; tap at payment terminals in stores with Suica/IC logos.
Validity: For Welcome Suica physical card – 28 days from first use; for Welcome Suica Mobile – valid up to 180 days from issuance.
Refunds/Balance: Welcome Suica is non-refundable after expiry — any remaining balance is forfeited.
For regular cards: refund possible (deposit + balance minus fee) if you return the card.
Choosing which card for you
Short stay (≤ 28 days) + first-time visit to Japan → Go with Welcome Suica. It’s easy, deposit-free, designed for tourists.
Repeat visits or longer stay (>28 days) → Consider a regular Suica (or regional IC card) that you can keep and reuse, despite the deposit.
Use case: If you’re mainly in Tokyo and East Japan, Suica is straightforward. If you will venture to other regions, be aware of regional cards but note that most work cross-region thanks to interoperability.
Thanks to the 2025 updates, travellers have more flexibility than ever. Whether you grab a Welcome Suica physical card at the airport, or install Welcome Suica Mobile on your phone before arrival, you’ll breeze through gates and payments with ease.And if you’re already planning your next trip to Japan? Getting a regular IC card this time means you’ll be set for future visits too. Tap, explore, snack, ride — Japan travel just got smoother.
Safe travels—and enjoy every “ピッ” (pi-!) moment as you tap your way around Japan! 🇯🇵
Please watch our Youtube video: 🇯🇵 10 Japan Travel Questions Most Tourists Get Wrong | QuizPassport Flight QP-001
For fun questions about Japan Trip!
Comments