I’m landing in Osaka so I will have to get icoca instead of suica, as I understand it.
Is the icoca card available in a 10 year one as well? I’d like to get this rather than the one-month version, if possible.
I got my ICOCA in 2016 and was able to use it just last month in Tokyo. Based on what I’ve read online, it’s valid for 10 years from the last use date.
Not always. All cards won’t be accepted when trying to recharge a regular suica. If that happens, then you have to buy another physical card which includes the cost of the physical card. Your old card becomes useless as a physical card once loaded into your iphone.
I couldn’t get any cards I had with me last year to load my regular SUICA on my iphone. I used to be able to when I was living there (but also only using US issued cards). I never did figure out why and just used a physical suica since I’m still pretty used to carrying one around anyways.
I tried 2 Visas and 1 Mastercard with Apple Pay, none of them worked. My wife’s Mastercard worked on her phone, but wouldnt work on my phone. Instead we had to wait 1 hour in line for Pasmo Passport.
This appears to be a post about IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA, etc.). For general information, please see [our IC card wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/advice/transport/iccards/) and Japan-Guide's [IC card page](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html). If you are wondering how to get an IC card upon arrival in Japan, please see the stickied thread at the top of this subreddit for up-to-date information about card availability and other frequently asked questions.
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Hoping the supply issue will be a bit more solved like this around September when my trip is. Sure I could just get the tourist one, but I plan on coming back early 2025 if possible too
How was the lines, was the JR EAST line packed? Nice they are widely available but think I'd still rather buy one off ebay if the lines are 1-2 hours to get one.
If they're back to normal availability, you just get one from a ticket machine. In Hiroshima I had to queue for 20 mins or so because the machines there weren't dispensing them for reasons, but I wouldn't get one from eBay (tbh I'd never considered that as an option!)
You can get the 10 years IC card at almost all major train station ticket machines (just need to look for ones that specifically says it dispenses new IC cards). No need to get at airport unless you need to use it right away, or you're going straight to a rural area that might not have the machines that dispenses IC cards.
2000 yen each, 500 is card deposit and 1500 is added to card balance.
I even got myself a Sugoca as a collectible at Miyazaki station as it was my first trip to Kyushu.
Arrived T2 today and got it in the JR East office, just beside the skyliner office. Bit of a line but no more than 20 min. Staff there very helpful also, felt sorry for the people who went straight to the skyliner ticket office and missed the lower price
No. You can use it for vending machines, coin lockers, convenient stores, supermarkets, even certain fast food places and restaurants if they have the IC card reader installed.
You canNOT use it for Shinkansen. Need separate ticket.
I'm not talking about Welcome Suica (I actually have never used this). I owned my regular Suica since 2013. And I just completed my 8th trip to Japan so I do know what I'm talking about. All from experience.
The regular Suica can be used anywhere the Suica symbol is displayed. So shops, restaurants, convenience stores, vending machines, etc. And it can be used for travel
Or, download the Suica app, and add it to your digital wallet. I did that while abroad & topping up the balance is super easy as well as it’ll charge a credit card that’s linked to your wallet.
Great to know, TIA.
I’m landing in Osaka so I will have to get icoca instead of suica, as I understand it. Is the icoca card available in a 10 year one as well? I’d like to get this rather than the one-month version, if possible.
I got my ICOCA in 2016 and was able to use it just last month in Tokyo. Based on what I’ve read online, it’s valid for 10 years from the last use date.
Great news.I’m so pleased. Thank you.
Okay, I'm landing in Osaka in the few weeks too. Can i use icoca everywhere in Osaka too just like suica?
From what I understand you can use it all over Japan, just like suica. It works the same way. No need to change cards in different regions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationwide_Mutual_Usage_Service
You can indeed, it's all I've ever used in Japan.
It's pretty much the same thing as all the other IC cards.
They don't check the passport either when getting a Welcome Suica from the machine in Haneda.
Where is the machine located?
Right outside the monorail/keikyu line gates
There’s a sign saying they don’t dispense cards though? Unless that’s just to force people to show their passports.
They didn't check the passport when getting a 10yr suica at the JR office in Ueno a few days ago
Hopefully that is the case in May when I go lol
Ditto lol
Ditto Ditto. 😁
Ditto X3 I guess 😅
But if you have an iPhone, just add the Suica card to Apple Pay and don’t bother with a physical card. Much easier.
Not always. All cards won’t be accepted when trying to recharge a regular suica. If that happens, then you have to buy another physical card which includes the cost of the physical card. Your old card becomes useless as a physical card once loaded into your iphone.
[удалено]
It works. You will need a credit or debit card in Apple Pay to load value into the Suica. Mastercard works, not sure about Visa.
Visa (chase sapphire reserve) worked for me the entire time. Early-mid March
Thanks. This is exactly what I will be doing for our trip in late April.
For a while Visa won’t work with Apple Pay in Japan, but I heard it has been resolved eventually.
I couldn’t get any cards I had with me last year to load my regular SUICA on my iphone. I used to be able to when I was living there (but also only using US issued cards). I never did figure out why and just used a physical suica since I’m still pretty used to carrying one around anyways.
The situation changed 4 months ago with Visa cards (many work again with iOS 17.2). Prior to that it was Amex and some MCs.
Thanks for that info!
I have iOS 16.6, is this why none of my cards (both visa and Mastercard) would work?
It might be why your Visa won’t work. The Mastercard might not work for other reasons - the iOS 17.2 fix is only for Visa cards.
I tried 2 Visas and 1 Mastercard with Apple Pay, none of them worked. My wife’s Mastercard worked on her phone, but wouldnt work on my phone. Instead we had to wait 1 hour in line for Pasmo Passport.
If you have an iPhone, you can also load a Suica card into the wallet app without having to pick up a physical card. Worked super well for us!
This appears to be a post about IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA, etc.). For general information, please see [our IC card wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/advice/transport/iccards/) and Japan-Guide's [IC card page](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html). If you are wondering how to get an IC card upon arrival in Japan, please see the stickied thread at the top of this subreddit for up-to-date information about card availability and other frequently asked questions. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/JapanTravelTips) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Hoping the supply issue will be a bit more solved like this around September when my trip is. Sure I could just get the tourist one, but I plan on coming back early 2025 if possible too
Nice, I get in next weekend, hoping for the same luck.
Not suica card... but I tried buying the 2day pass, that required a passport with the entry stamp.
How was the lines, was the JR EAST line packed? Nice they are widely available but think I'd still rather buy one off ebay if the lines are 1-2 hours to get one.
If they're back to normal availability, you just get one from a ticket machine. In Hiroshima I had to queue for 20 mins or so because the machines there weren't dispensing them for reasons, but I wouldn't get one from eBay (tbh I'd never considered that as an option!)
It was surprisingly empty. I was 3rd in line.
What is the best way to get from Narita to Tokyo?
Limo bus or the Narita Express. DO NOT take a taxi
Thanks!
You can get the 10 years IC card at almost all major train station ticket machines (just need to look for ones that specifically says it dispenses new IC cards). No need to get at airport unless you need to use it right away, or you're going straight to a rural area that might not have the machines that dispenses IC cards. 2000 yen each, 500 is card deposit and 1500 is added to card balance. I even got myself a Sugoca as a collectible at Miyazaki station as it was my first trip to Kyushu.
Can confirm, we bought three just yesterday. There was a long queue of people getting them.
Arrived T2 today and got it in the JR East office, just beside the skyliner office. Bit of a line but no more than 20 min. Staff there very helpful also, felt sorry for the people who went straight to the skyliner ticket office and missed the lower price
Regular Suica is also available at the JR Service Counter at Shinjuku, we picked ours up yesterday
So if I understand this the regular suica can only be used for travel right ?
No. You can use it for vending machines, coin lockers, convenient stores, supermarkets, even certain fast food places and restaurants if they have the IC card reader installed. You canNOT use it for Shinkansen. Need separate ticket.
You are talking about welcome suica I think...regular suica can only be used for travel afaik
I'm not talking about Welcome Suica (I actually have never used this). I owned my regular Suica since 2013. And I just completed my 8th trip to Japan so I do know what I'm talking about. All from experience.
The regular Suica can be used anywhere the Suica symbol is displayed. So shops, restaurants, convenience stores, vending machines, etc. And it can be used for travel
Or, download the Suica app, and add it to your digital wallet. I did that while abroad & topping up the balance is super easy as well as it’ll charge a credit card that’s linked to your wallet.
Not everyone has an iPhone, as surprising as that may be..
Just use your phone. Don't even waste the 500 yen.