2024 Welcome Suica Card for Tourists in Japan: Price, Where to Buy & FAQs
At the time of our Japan spring trip, we still managed to buy our Suica Card at Tokyo Station. However, as of writing, the selling of the original green Suica Card has been temporarily suspended due to the worldwide shortage of semiconductors. Not to worry though, you can still buy the Welcome Suica Card for tourists valid for 28 days as an alternative.
We’ve created this guide for everything you need to know about this tourist card in Japan, from its price and where to buy to frequently asked questions.
What is a Japan Welcome Suica Card?
The Welcome Suica is an alternative smart card for tourists in Japan, similar to Taiwan EasyCard, Hong Kong Octopus Card, Singapore Tourist Pass, and Korea tourist cards including the T-Money Card.
Like the green Suica, the red Welcome Suica can be used for public transportation including trains, buses, and taxis. It can also be used to pay for convenience stores and vending machines in Japan.
Japan Welcome Suica Card usage
Your Welcome Suica can be used for the following:
1. Public transportation in Japan
The main use of the Welcome Suica is for public transportation like JR East trains, subways, buses, and even taxis with the Suica logo.
2. Convenience stores
When you buy from convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson, you can use your Welcome Suica to pay.
3. Vending machines
If you buy drinks or coffee from vending machines, you can use your Welcome Suica to pay, especially if you don’t have enough coins or cash with you.
4. Restaurants
You may also use your Welcome Suica to pay for your food in some Japanese restaurants. You can look for the Suica logo or simply ask the restaurant to be sure.
5. Lockers
If you need to use lockers to store your luggage or things, you can pay with your Welcome Suica as well.
Which Japan areas can I use my Welcome Suica Card?
The Welcome Suica is acceptable in the following areas:
1. JR East Lines in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, as well as buses, subways, and Tokyo Monorail connecting Haneda Airport with Tokyo.
2. Specific transport systems in other parts of Japan including Sendai, Niigata, Hokkaido, Tokai, West Japan, and Kyushu.
What is NOT covered by the Welcome Suica Card?
The Welcome Suica can’t be used for rides on the Shinkansen (bullet train), express trains, highway buses, and airport shuttles. You have to buy separate Japan tickets or rail passes for these types of transport.
How much is a Welcome Suica Card?
The card itself is free, but you need to top up money from ¥1,000 to ¥10,000. You can recharge your card as many times as you want but with a maximum top-up of only ¥20,000.
Do note that you can only reload your Welcome Suica with Japanese Yen currency. Credit cards can’t be used for top-up.
Tip: If you buy your Welcome Suica on Klook, you can already enjoy one-day unlimited rides on JR trains and Tokyo Monorail Line for only ¥1,500. |
Where to buy a Welcome Suica Card in 2024?
There are several options to buy your Welcome Suica, but if you’re asking, “Can I buy a Welcome Suica Card online?” Yes, definitely. We highly recommend that you secure your Welcome Suica before your flight so you’ll be at ease knowing you already have this travel essential before arriving in Japan.
Option 1: Klook (online)
Welcome Suica + JR Lines One-Day Pass
- Card price: ¥1,500 (US$10)
- Top-up not included
- Nice feature: One-day unlimited Rides on Tokyo JR trains and Tokyo Monorail Line
- Pick-up location: NINJA WiFi Counter on 3F, Departure Hall, Terminal 3 of Haneda Airport
Option 2: Haneda Airport (on-site)
If you are unable to secure your Welcome Suica online, you may still buy it directly at the following locations of Haneda Airport Terminal 3 (Tokyo Monorail Station):
- JR EAST Travel Service Center
- Welcome Suica vending machines
Notes:
- Only one Welcome Suica is sold per person.
- After purchasing the Welcome Suica, keep the Reference Paper when traveling in Japan as the staff may ask for it. It contains the validity period and discount ticket details you won’t see on the card itself.
How to use the Welcome Suica Card
Like any other tourist card, you just have to tap the Welcome Suica on the card reader of the ticket gate. Your fare will be deducted from your balance upon exit.
Japan Welcome Suica Card frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. How do I put money on my Welcome Suica Card?
To top up or put money on your Welcome Suica, you can go to:
Option 1: Ticket machines
Look for any ticket machine with a Welcome Suica mark at Japan’s airports and subway stations, and top up your card by following these steps:
1. Put your Welcome Suica in the card slot.
2. Select your desired amount.
3. Insert the cash you selected.
4. Card will be ejected with the new amount.
Option 2: Convenience stores
You may also proceed to convenience stores in Japan like 7-Eleven. They usually have Seven Bank ATM machines where you can reload your card.
2. What is the difference between Suica and Welcome Suica?
The Welcome Suica was particularly made for tourists in Japan. Unlike the green Suica with a penguin design, the red Welcome Suica with a sakura design does not have a deposit so you can keep the card as a Japan souvenir.
3. Can foreigners buy a Welcome Suica Card?
Definitely! It’s really meant for tourists so you can buy it online or from designated selling outlets in Haneda Airport.
4. Can I buy Welcome Suica at Narita Airport?
Previously, you may purchase your Welcome Suica at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, and main stations in Japan. However, at the moment, it is only limited to Haneda Airport. You may proceed to JR EAST Travel Service Center and Welcome Suica vending machines at Terminal 3 (Tokyo Monorail) Station of Haneda Airport.
You may visit the JR East official website for the latest information on where to buy the Welcome Suica.
5. Can one card be used by multiple persons at the same time?
No, each person needs to have their own Welcome Suica. You cannot use one card to tap and pay for multiple persons at once.
6. Does the Welcome Suica Card expire?
Yes, the Welcome Suica is only valid for 28 days. There is no refund for any balance after the card expires, so be sure to use the amount before the validity period.
7. Is my Welcome Suica Card refundable?
Your Welcome Suica is NOT refundable. Any amount left will not be refunded once the card expires. It’s best to use the remaining balance during the 28-day validity.
8. Can I reuse my Welcome Suica Card?
While you can reload your Welcome Suica as many times as you want with a maximum top-up of ¥20,000, you cannot reuse the physical card itself after it expires in 28 days. You can only keep it as a souvenir, and you will need to buy another one when you return to Japan.
That’s pretty much everything you need to know about the Welcome Suica Card in Japan.
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