For those traveling to Japan in 2025, choosing the right transportation card not only saves time and effort but also helps avoid confusion when switching between different modes of transport.
This article starts with the most recommended card for foreign visitors — the Welcome Suica / Welcome Suica Mobile — and provides a detailed breakdown of various Japanese IC card types, how to purchase them, important notes, and more.

 

I: The Most Recommended Transportation Card for Foreign Visitors in 2025

1. Welcome Suica (Physical Card)
Designed for short-term use by foreigners visiting Japan, the IC card can be used in subways, trams, buses, shopping, dining and other scenarios.

※Welcome Suica” by Eiichi Kimura, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Card Features:
•    No deposit (¥0) — automatically expires after the validity period; no need to return the card
•    Valid for 28 days (starting from the date of purchase)
 ※ A 180-day version also exists but is limited to group reservations and not available at station counters or ticket machines
•    Usable on JR East, Tokyo Metro, Tokyo Monorail (Haneda), and regional transport in Tohoku, Hokkaido, Kyushu, etc.
•    Can be used for payments at convenience stores, vending machines, restaurants, coin lockers, and more
•    Limit of one card per person; passport required for purchase

Where to Purchase (updated as of March 27, 2025):
•    JR EAST Travel Service Centers
 (Tokyo, Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno, Yokohama, Sendai, etc.)
•    Dedicated Welcome Suica Ticket Machines
 (Narita / Haneda Airports)
•    JAPAN RAIL CAFE TOKYO
•    TAKANAWA GATEWAY Travel Service Center
Official Website:
https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/zh-CHT/welcomesuica/purchase.html

Child Card Notes:
•    Applicable for children from their 12th birthday until March 31 of the following year.
•    Passport required for purchase; may be purchased by a family member on their behalf.
•    Date of birth must be entered accurately. Adults using a child card will be fined (fare + double the original fare).

 

2. Welcome Suica Mobile (Digital Card)

Starting in 2025, iPhone users can add Welcome Suica Mobile directly to Apple Wallet, enabling online issuance, top-up, and management.
Card Features:
•    No need to wait in line — can be issued in advance before arriving in Japan
•    Valid for up to 180 days, ideal for long-term stays or repeat visitors
•    No deposit, no need for a Japanese address or phone number
•    English interface — friendly for users who don’t speak Japanese
•    Supported devices: iPhone, Apple Watch (Android not supported)
•    Top-up methods: Apple Pay, internationally issued Visa / JCB credit cards
Official Website:
 https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/zh-CHT/welcomesuicamobile/

II: Welcome Suica Physical Card VS Digital Card

Item	Welcome Suica（Physical Card）	Welcome Suica Mobile（Digital Card）
Deposit	None	None
Validity	28 days	180 days
Can I return the card?	No	No
Device Used	Physical Card	iPhone / Apple Watch
Card Purchase Method	Ticket Window / Airport Ticket Machine	Apple Wallet / In-App Distribution
Suitable For	Short-term tourists, Android users	iPhone users, frequent visitors to Japan

Android users please note: Most overseas Android phones (such as Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.) do not support the Japanese Suica system. It is recommended to use a physical card. Only a few models that support FeliCa, such as Sony and Sharp, can use the Suica function.

III: Overview of Japan's Transportation IC Cards (for reference only)

There are more than ten types of transportation IC cards in Japan. Most cards are technically interoperable, but their issuance areas, card purchase methods, and applicable groups vary. The following lists the issuance scopes and typical usage scenarios of major IC cards for reference.

Card Name	Issuing Area	Recommended Useage Scenario
Suica	Tokyo / Kanto (JR East)	Applicable to JR systems in the metropolitan area such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Chiba, and major cities across the country. Supports Apple Pay (Japanese accounts only)
Pasmo	Tokyo / Private Railway / Subway	Applicable to private railway systems such as Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, Odakyu, Keio, etc., similar to Suica
ICOCA	Osaka / Kyoto / Kobe (JR West)	Applicable to Kansai JR areas (such as Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, etc.), and can also be used in major cities across the country
Kitaca	Hokkaido (JR Hokkaido)	Applicable to JR lines in Hokkaido such as Sapporo and Otaru
Toica	Hokkaido (JR Hokkaido)	Applicable to Nagoya and Chubu JR lines
Sugoca	Nagoya / Chubu (JR Central)	Applicable to Kyushu JR areas such as Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Nagasaki

 Note: The above IC cards are mainly used by Japanese residents for daily commuting. A deposit of ¥500 is usually required when purchasing the card, and the card must be returned at a designated window for a refund. Although most cards are interoperable, the card purchase and return process is relatively cumbersome for short-term visitors to Japan. It is recommended to use Welcome Suica / Welcome Suica Mobile, which does not require a deposit and automatically expires.

IV: IC Card Scope of Use and Hidden Usage

The Suica series of IC cards can be used not only for subway and public transportation, but also for a wide range of everyday purchases:

Use	Example
Shopping Payment	Convenience stores (7-11, FamilyMart, Lawson), drugstores (Matsumoto Kiyoshi), electronics stores (Bic Camera)
Food and Drinks	Ichiran Ramen, Matsuya, Sukiya, some Starbucks vending machines
Tickets	Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Osaka Castle, Nara Park, etc. ticket vending machines
Luggage Storage	JR station smart lockers, swipe your card to use
Rental Service	Mobile power stations (such as ChargeSPOT)
Transportation	Used nationwide for buses, trams, monorails, mountain cable cars, etc.

 

V: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I do if I lose my Suica card?
A: Welcome Suica is an anonymous card and cannot be reported lost or reissued. The Mobile version can be remotely locked in iCloud through Apple ID, which is more secure.
Q: Can I use a physical Suica to bind to my phone?
A: Only registered Suica (My Suica) for permanent users can be imported. Welcome Suica does not support binding to mobile phones.
Q: How to recharge?
A: >Physical card: It is recommended to recharge at the green self-service machine in the station (free of handling fee)
>Mobile card: You can use Apple Pay / credit card to recharge online

When traveling in Japan, having a suitable transportation card is not just “convenient” — it’s the key to improving both your travel efficiency and overall experience.Instead of scrambling for change every time you ride or shop, it’s better to prepare a transportation IC card that’s truly suited for tourists in advance, so your trip can be smoother and more worry-free.
Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been back many times, the Welcome Suica series helps you explore this amazing country in the easiest way possible.Transportation is no longer an obstacle — it’s the very first step to starting your journey! Wishing everyone a smooth and pleasant trip to Japan!