With children: start with their card
Do not treat Welcome Suica Mobile as a child-fare card. Check your childโs age and the physical child-card process.
Check official details โSuica or Welcome Suica in Tokyo: buying, top-ups and child cards
Compare regular Suica, physical Welcome Suica and Welcome Suica Mobile, including validity, refunds, child cards and where to buy after arrival.
Official information reviewedWhere should I start?
Suica is stored value, not an unlimited travel pass. First decide whether you need a physical card or a child card. Regular Suica has a deposit and refund conditions; physical Welcome Suica lasts 28 days from purchase with no ordinary balance refund. Welcome Suica Mobile is a separate product: its published validity is 180 days from issue and users must be 13 or older.
Compare the options for your trip
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| Option | Validity and deposit | Before choosing |
|---|---|---|
| Regular physical Suica | Includes a ยฅ500 deposit; becomes invalid after 10 years without use. | Check the issuerโs return locations. JR East-issued cards are returned to JR East. |
| Physical Welcome Suica | 28 days including purchase day; no deposit. | No ordinary balance refund; a child version is available. |
| Welcome Suica Mobile | Published validity: 180 days from issue. | Age 13+ on supported Apple Pay devices. Check country, OS and top-up requirements. |
Prefer simple setup? Compare physical cards
If device or payment-card compatibility is uncertain, save a physical-card sales point as a backup before departure.
Check official details โAlready have ICOCA? Check acceptance first
Before buying another card for a new city, check IC acceptance on your route. Nationwide mutual acceptance does not mean unrestricted travel across separate IC areas.
Where can I buy at Narita or Haneda?
Physical Welcome Suica sales include dedicated machines and JR EAST Travel Service Centers at Narita T1, Narita T2ยท3 and Haneda T3 Tokyo Monorail stations. It is not sold at every terminal or gate. Keep the reference paper supplied with your card.
Check official details โPhysical cards: top up with yen as needed
Top up physical Welcome Suica with yen at supported machines or Seven Bank ATMs; credit-card top-ups are not supported. Mobile top-up rules are separate. Our suggestion is to start with your first dayโs needs and add value as needed, limiting unused non-refundable credit.
Check official details โChild Welcome Suica: bring ID and date of birth
The child card is usable through March 31 following the childโs 12th birthday. Bring the childโs passport or other ID; a family member buying it still needs that ID. Dedicated machines ask for the date of birth. Check each serviceโs rules for free accompanied young children and separate-seat tickets.
Check official details โRefunds: regular Suica and Welcome Suica differ
For a JR East-issued regular Suica, return deducts up to ยฅ220 from the balance and returns the ยฅ500 deposit: ยฅ500 back with zero balance, or ยฅ1,280 with ยฅ1,000 balance. Contact the issuer for other cards. Physical and Mobile Welcome Suica have no ordinary unused-balance refund; consult official guidance for faults or other exceptions.
Stored value and limited-express tickets are separate
An IC balance alone does not secure your NโEX or Skyliner ticket and seat. Arrange the airport trainโs required ticket separately, and check tickets or reservations for intercity travel such as TokyoโOsaka.
Check official details โQuestions before you go
Are physical and Mobile Welcome Suica both valid for 28 days?
No. The physical card lasts 28 days including purchase day; Welcome Suica Mobileโs published validity is 180 days from issue. Check the conditions for your product.
Can I use Welcome Suica Mobile for my child?
The app is for ages 13 and over. For child fares, check the physical child-card conditions and bring the childโs ID.
Can I top up physical Welcome Suica with a credit card?
No. Official physical-card instructions require yen cash. Mobile top-up conditions are separate.
Can I refund the remaining balance before leaving?
Regular Suica follows the issuerโs refund rules. Physical and Mobile Welcome Suica have no ordinary unused-balance refund, so top up in smaller amounts.
Does Suica replace an airport limited-express ticket?
No. Stored value, limited-express tickets and seat reservations are separate. Check the requirements for your train.
Continue planning
ICOCA in Osaka โ
Compare your options before buying another card for Osaka.
Tokyo to Osaka โ
Check the separate ticket and reservation requirements for intercity travel.
Transport preparations in My trip โ
Note each travellerโs card and top-up plan.
Official sources & review date
Checked: ยท Review due: 2026-11-25
- JR East regular Suica โ
- Physical Welcome Suica โ
- Welcome Suica purchase, children and top-ups โ
- Current Welcome Suica Mobile conditions โ
- JR East visitor FAQ โ
JapanPin prepared this guide using official information. Suggested plans are not firsthand reviews or live service or booking information. Check prices, operations and booking terms with the official provider for your date.
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