Suicaスイカ
Written and edited by: JapanLiveNow
A Suica bought in Tokyo also works in Osaka and Fukuoka on participating services. Return it to its issuing company for a refund.
Standard Suica has a JPY 500 deposit. Welcome Suica has no deposit but expires and has no standard balance refund. Choose with these differences in mind.
Official information checked · Standard adult cards
Sources: JR East and other Suica issuers ↗
Where can you buy it, and what does it cost?
- Issuer
- JR East and other Suica issuers
- Deposit
- 500 yen
- Initial purchase price
- JPY 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000 or 10,000, including the deposit
Buy JR East Suica at station machines or counters displaying the Suica mark. Other issuers, including Tokyo Monorail, have different refund counters. Check the company name on the back of your card.
The JPY 500 deposit is paid when you first buy the card. You cannot spend it on travel or shopping, and you do not pay it again when topping up.
Official purchase and usage guide ↗ · Checked 2026-10-17
How do you top up?
Add cash at a station top-up machine or a convenience store offering IC card top-ups. Accepted amounts and banknotes vary by machine. The maximum balance is JPY 20,000.
- Select チャージ (Charge), then insert the card or place it on the marked reader.
- Choose an amount and insert cash as instructed on screen.
- Check the final balance, then collect your card and change.
At a convenience store or counter, tell the staff how much to add. The order of steps and available amounts vary by machine.
Official top-up and usage guide ↗Checked 2026-10-17
Can you use it nationwide?
Use it on trains and buses displaying the nationwide IC card interoperability mark. Buy a separate ticket for journeys crossing separate IC card areas or continuing to a station that does not accept IC cards.
On trains and buses
Tap the same card at entry and exit gates. With a mobile card, leave using the device you tapped in with. Buses may require a tap on boarding, on exit, or both; follow the door and onboard instructions.
Each train passenger needs a separate card. Buy a ticket for the whole journey before boarding if you are crossing separate IC card areas or going to a station that does not accept the card.
At convenience stores, hotels and shops
Use it at convenience stores, restaurants, vending machines and shops displaying the IC card payment mark. Only participating hotels accept it; ask each hotel about room-charge payments and limits.
Name the card at checkout and tap when the amount appears on the reader. If the balance is short, ask whether you can split payment with cash or another card.
Official coverage and exceptions ↗ · Checked 2026-10-17
Where can you get a refund, and what is the fee?
Return a JR East Suica to a JR East station counter handling Suica. Your refund is the remaining balance minus the fee, plus the JPY 500 deposit. Other JR companies, such as JR West and JR Kyushu, cannot refund it.
Remaining balance − refund fee + deposit
If your balance is below the fee, only the remaining balance is deducted. Points and commuter passes are handled separately. Rounding rules and identification requirements depend on the card.
Keep the card if you plan to use it on another trip. To return it now, find the refund counter's opening hours and bring the card and any required identification.
Suica Official refund counters and conditions ↗ · Checked 2026-10-17
Can you use it without a physical card?
Add a new Suica in Apple Wallet or transfer an eligible physical Suica and its balance. The physical card stops working after transfer. Refunds for the mobile card follow a separate mobile procedure rather than a station-counter return.
Transferring a physical card into Wallet disables the original card and moves refunds to the mobile procedure. Read the mobile refund conditions before transferring if you planned to return the card at a station counter.
How to add and fund a card in Apple Wallet →Sources: Apple Support · Checked 2026-10-17