How to Buy a Suica Card in Tokyo: Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Visitors

Planning your first trip to Tokyo? With its dazzling lights, world-famous trains, and endless sightseeing spots, Japan’s capital can feel overwhelming at first. Well, here’s a secret to make your journey easier: get a Suica card. It’s the ultimate Tokyo transportation card, and it saves you time, money, and stress.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to buy a Suica card in Tokyo with clear steps, helpful tips, and everything else you need to know.

What is a Suica card and why do tourists love it?

Think of a Suica card like a magic pass. It’s a prepaid IC card that lets you ride trains, buses, taxis, buy drinks from vending machines, make purchases in stores, and even pay for meals at some restaurants.

Why is it a must-have?

• No need to buy paper tickets each time
• Accepted across all Tokyo trains and buses
• Can be used in convenience stores and attractions
• Saves time during transfers and busy hours
• Keeps your travel experience smooth and simple

For international tourists, it’s a huge time-saver and makes navigating Tokyo a breeze. That’s why many travelers search for a Suica card even before they land in Japan.

Where to buy a Suica card in Tokyo?

Getting a Suica card is easy and convenient, especially for those arriving in Tokyo. Whether you’re flying into the city or heading to one of its major train stations, there are several places where you can purchase a Suica card. This prepaid IC card is your ticket to seamless travel on public transportation and more. Below are the main locations where you can buy a Suica card upon your arrival in Tokyo, ensuring that you’re ready to explore the city right away.

Narita airport

If you’re landing at Narita, you’re in luck. You can buy a Suica card right at the airport.

Look for

• JR East Travel Service Center (Terminal 1 & 2/3)
• Ticket vending machines with “Suica” signs

The airport counters typically open around 8:00 AM and close by 7:00 PM daily, giving you ample time to buy your Suica card upon arrival. On the other hand, the vending machines are available throughout the day and can be used at your convenience.

Haneda Airport

Haneda is one of Tokyo’s main international gateways. If you’re flying into Haneda Airport, you’ll find similar facilities to Narita for buying a Suica card. In particular, the counters are usually near the train ticket gates. (Tokyo Monorail Station, Terminal 3, 2nd floor) Look for signs in English directing you to “IC Cards.”

Haneda Airport is slightly smaller than Narita, but you’ll still find easy access to Suica cards as soon as you arrive. The counters typically operate from around 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, ensuring that you can pick up your card no matter when you land.

Train stations in Tokyo

If you’re already in Tokyo and need to buy a Suica card, you’re lucky. Almost every major JR station in Tokyo has Suica machines. All you need to do is look for the green JR ticket counters or machines marked with the Suica logo.

Popular stations to buy Suica

• Tokyo Station
• Shinjuku Station
• Shibuya Station
• Ueno Station
• Ikebukuro Station
• Yokohama Station
• Sendai Station

Buying a Tokyo transportation card like Suica at these locations is fast and convenient. Most of these stations are open early and close late, allowing for easy access to Suica card at almost any time of the day. You’ll also find helpful staff available during daylight hours to assist you in case you need any help with the card or purchasing process.

Convenience-store top-ups

While you still need to purchase your Suica or Welcome Suica at JR East stations, ticket machines, or Travel Service Centers, you can recharge the card easily at most convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson (look for Seven Bank ATMs or the Suica logo at the register). This saves a trip back to a station when you just need to add balance on the go.

Online option: Mobile Suica

For those who prefer to skip the physical card, the option to buy and use Mobile Suica via smartphone is also now available. As of May 2025, the updated Mobile Suica app is officially supported on iPhones, allowing users to download the app and link it to Apple Wallet. This allows you to use your phone in place of a physical card to board trains, buses and make purchases. For more information regarding the app and compatibility, click here.

Android users can also use Mobile Suica, but setup can be more complicated. The app requires a phone with Osaifu-Keitai (a type of mobile payment feature commonly found on Japanese Android phones). Many Android phones purchased outside of Japan may not be compatible with Mobile Suica unless specific workarounds are used. Additionally, Google Pay support for Suica is limited depending on the phone model and region. Click here for more details.

Mobile Suica is available through the JR East app and works just like a regular Suica card, but with the added convenience of not having to carry an extra card. You can load money directly onto your phone and manage your balance through the app.

This option is great for tech-savvy travelers who prefer a digital solution. However, it’s important to ensure that your smartphone is compatible with Mobile Suica and that you can set it up before your arrival in Tokyo.

Step-by-step: How to buy a Suica card from a ticket machine

Machines might seem intimidating at first. But don’t worry—they have English menus and are simple to use.

Here’s how:

• Step one: Find a Suica-compatible machine (usually green or gray with a Suica logo).
• Step 2: Select “Purchase New Suica” on the screen.
• Step 3: Choose your preferred language (English is available).
• Step 4: Select card type: Adult or Child.
• Step 5: Insert cash (a minimum of 1,000 JPY: 500 JPY for deposit + 500 JPY balance).
• Step 6: Collect your card and receipt.

Pro Tip: Machines don’t accept credit cards, so have yen ready.

You can also add more balance immediately if you wish to top up beyond the initial load, up to 20,000 JPY.

If you’re unsure, just ask a station staff member. Most speak basic English and are very helpful.

Buying a Suica card at a ticket counter

Prefer human help? You can also buy Suica cards from a JR East counter.

Just follow these steps:

• Step 1: Head to the JR East Travel Service Center.
• Step 2: Tell the clerk, “I want to buy a Suica card.”
• Step 3: Pay in yen (cash, and at some counters, credit cards).
• Step 4: Receive your card with instructions.

It’s that easy! You can ask them to load extra balance or explain how the card works.

Welcome Suica: a special Suica card for international tourists

Japan offers several IC cards designed to make travel easier, especially in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. These cards allow you to hop on trains, buses, and even make purchases up to 20,000 JPY at shops and vending machines without carrying cash. For short-term visitors, there are international tourist-specific versions, such as Welcome Suica, PASMO Passport, and Kansai One Pass (ICOCA for Tourists), each offering unique benefits depending on your travel area and needs.

If you’re visiting for a short time, particularly in Tokyo, consider the Welcome Suica. It is designed with travelers in mind. It’s a convenient, prepaid IC card that functions just like a regular Suica but comes with tourist-friendly advantages.

Key features of the Welcome Suica

• Valid for 28 days
• No deposit needed
• Works like a regular Suica
• Available in digital form too

Just like the regular Suica, you can get Welcome Suica at Narita or Haneda airports and some major train stations. While both cards function the same during use, the main difference is the deposit and refund policy.

Note: Welcome Suica is great for short visits, but it comes with a fixed 28-day validity. Once that period ends, it stops working and cannot be recharged or refunded, even if it still has a balance left.

Tip: If you plan to stay in Japan longer than 28 days or think you may return in the future, the regular Suica might be a better long-term choice, especially since you can claim a refund for the deposit and remaining balance.

Common mistakes tourists make (and how to avoid them)

Even experienced travelers slip up. Here are the top mistakes first-timers make when buying or using a Suica card:

Not having cash

Japan is still largely a cash-based society, especially when it comes to smaller transactions. While Suica cards are convenient, you’ll need cash (Japanese yen) to load the card at ticket machines. For first-time users, it’s a good idea to withdraw yen at the airport or at 7-Eleven ATMs, which accept international cards. Having around 5,000-10,000 JPY in cash will help you get started without stress.

Buying at peak times

Train stations in Tokyo are busy, especially during weekday mornings (7:30-9:30 AM) and evenings (5:00-7:00 PM). Lines at ticket machines can get long, and station staff may be too busy to offer assistance. To avoid the rush, try purchasing your Suica card during off-peak hours—late morning or early afternoon. If you arrive at the airport, take advantage of the JR East Travel Service Centers, which are typically less crowded and offer multilingual support.

Forgetting the card deposit

When purchasing a regular Suica card, you’ll pay an initial 1,000 JPY minimum, of which 500 JPY is a refundable deposit, and the remainder is stored value you can use. Many travelers forget that the deposit is part of the upfront cost. To get the 500 JPY back, you must return the card to a JR East counter before leaving Japan. However, the Welcome Suica, which is designed for tourists, has no deposit but also cannot be refunded. Choosing the right card depends on how long you’ll be in Japan and whether you plan to return.

Trying to buy a Suica outside of the JR East area

Suica is issued by JR East and is mainly available in Tokyo and the surrounding regions. If you’re starting your trip in western Japan, such as Osaka, Kyoto, or Hiroshima, you won’t find Suica for sale. Instead, you’ll want to buy ICOCA (issued by JR West) or another compatible IC card like PASMO. These regional cards are largely interchangeable when it comes to use on trains, buses, and in shops, but they’re sold and managed by different railway companies. Always buy your card in the region where you first plan to use it.

Losing the card

Suica cards are not linked to your identity or passport unless you register them through Mobile Suica. That means if you lose your physical Suica card, the balance cannot be recovered. Tourists are often surprised by this. To avoid losing it, keep your Suica in a secure place like a zippered travel wallet, a neck pouch, or a cardholder with RFID protection. Also, avoid putting it near magnets or phones, which could affect its functionality.

Bonus tip: Check your card’s remaining balance

Another common mistake is forgetting to check how much money is left on your card, especially before boarding a train. Most ticket gates will show your remaining balance after you tap through, and you can also check at any station machine. Reloading is easy, but again, make sure you have yen ready since not all machines accept foreign cards. If you’re not near a station, you can also download an app which can scan your physical card and tell you your balance.

By staying aware of these pitfalls, you can avoid unnecessary delays and make the most of your time exploring Tokyo—and beyond.

Final thoughts

Your Suica card = stress-free Tokyo

Buying a Suica card is one of the smartest things you can do when you arrive in Japan as a tourist. It’s the key to smooth travel, fast entry, and cashless convenience. When you buy a Suica card in Tokyo, you’re not just buying a train pass, you’re buying freedom to explore without confusion or delay. No guessing how much a fare costs. No digging through change. Just tap, go, and enjoy. Thus, a transportation card like Suica is more than practical—it’s part of what makes your trip easy and memorable. It simplifies every ride, every snack stop, and every connection.

So, go ahead. Pick up your Suica as soon as you land. Whether it’s the standard Suica or the Welcome Suica, you’re set for an amazing adventure in one of the world’s greatest cities. Happy travels!

Let Umami bites walk you through your first purchase with confidence. The journey begins the moment you tap in. Are you ready?