SUICA FOR 2024 – 2025 TRAVEL

We’ve done the research.

We have the card.

Here’s exactly why and how we did it.

WHAT IS SUICA?

The SUICA card is a no-contact payment card used specifically for transportation and certain shopping areas in Japan.

MISINFORMATION

Outdated information about the SUICA card is everywhere right now.

But, If you have an iphone, there is really no reason to not get the virtual SUICA card

Even if you get the JR Pass. We recommend getting the SUICA, as well.

PHYSICAL CARD

If you have an android or other device, as of September 2024, you do not have a SUICA option to download onto your mobile device.

You will need to get the physical card at the airport in Japan. If the SUICA card is not available, the Welcome SUICA card will be.

If you have an iphone, you’re in luck! The SUICA card is now available to download to your Apple Wallet.

PRE 2024

Before last year, the SUICA card was only available as a physical card.

However, after an international shortage of cars chip readers, Japan needed a solution. Besides coins/cash.

So, they launched the international SUICA app that you can not only use for train, subway, monorail, and bus transportation.

You can also use it for any place that shows the SUICA logo.

SUICA FOR IPHONE

This was incredibly easy to download. The SUICA card is valid for a year.

So, you can download the SUICA app, and load it, as early as a year before your last day of travel.

For example, if you’re returning from your trip to Japan on December 20th, 2025. You can purchase your SUICA card as early as December 21, 2024.

To be safe, I’d give myself an extra week. But there’s really no reason for that. I just like to err on the side of caution.

Why would you do that?

You can watch the price of the yen before your trip and add money to your card at the most advantageous time. See more below.

DOWNLOAD SUICA ON IPHONE

If you’re returning from your travels to Japan, in less than a year.

Download the SUICA app now. It will take 2-5 minutes max. It’ll be one less thing to do in the future.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

You will be charged a minimum of 1000 yen (1000¥). But this amount will be loaded onto your SUICA card for your use.

ADDING SUICA TO IPHONE

STEP-BY-STEP

On your iphone:

  1. Open Wallet
  2. Click the + in the top right corner
  3. Click Transit Card
  4. In the search bar, type suica
  5. Click the SUICA Japan card (Appears green on the left side. With a penguin waving on the right)
  6. Click the blue Continue button on the bottom of the screen.
  7. Select the amount you want to load on your card.
  8. Click add.
  9. Read and agree to the terms and conditions.
  10. Double-click the button on the right side of your phone to pay.

And done! You’ve downloaded the SUICA card and are ready to use it on your trip to Japan!

USING YOUR SUICA CARD

To use your SUICA card, on your iphone:

  1. Open Wallet
  2. Click the green SUICA card
  3. Double click the right button on the side of your phone. So, it can scan your face. Then, scan it on the reader. Using it like paying for anything else with Apple pay.

If you’re unsure how to use the app, you can practice at home. Before your trip.

RELOADING YOUR SUICA CARD

To reload your SUICA card:

  1. Open Wallet
  2. Click the green SUICA card
  3. Click “Add Money”
  4. Click/type the amount you would like to add.
  5. Click the button on the right side of the phone to pay with apple pay.

Your balance will be updated in a few seconds!

IMPORTANT NOTE

As the Yen and Dollar fluctuate, throughout the year prior to your travel. You can reload your card at any point. Receiving the exchange rate for the time you load the card. Not the future exchange rate, for the time you are traveling.

You can check exchange rates of yen to dollars anytime on google by searching “yen to dollar”.

For while you’re traveling in Japan, we recommend downloading an offline exchange rate calculator. You can find options on the app store.

We hope you found this guide helpful!

We can’t wait for our upcoming trip to Japan! Follow along with us on our trip planning journey.

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August 30, 2024

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