Welcome Suica cards cannot be imported into Apple Pay. Season tickets cannot be added to Welcome Suica cards.
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Each person needs one. Pasmo/Suica is read when touching the IC card reader upon entering and exiting a gate, and the correct fare is deducted from the card. The same card cannot be read entering twice at the same station.
The Welcome Suica is the same same tap-and-go travel card and has the same functions as the standard Suica card, but there is no need to pay the 500 JYP deposit in advance.
Fortunately, both Apple and Android make it easy to create a mobile Suica or PASMO card through their phone wallet apps. For more information on traveling in Japan, be sure to check out our comprehensive articles, from English-speaking travel agents, to the best places to hike, ski, camp, and more.
Pasmo is your alternative to the Suica card and functions in a very similar way. The only difference being the company that provides the cards. It can be purchased at Haneda and Narita airports as well as all participating private railway and subway stations. A returnable deposit is required when you purchase a Pasmo.
The Welcome Suica has no deposit but doesn't have associated discounts, while the Pasmo Passport has a ¥500 issuing fee but entitles you to discounts at participating businesses.
Smart cards like Icoca, Suica and Pasmo are valid across Japan, so don't worry about which one you buy. You can use Icoca/Pasmo/Suica for all trains, subways and buses in Kyoto. You can also use Icoca/Pasmo/Suica at many shops, especially convenience stores. Buy Icoca cards from vending machines at JR Kyoto Station.
You can load a minimum amount of JPY1,000 at convenience stores. Short-term visitors can also consider the special Welcome Suica card. This tourist card with a sakura design comes without a JPY500 deposit fee but is valid for only four weeks and the balance credit cannot be refunded.
Will a Suica card save me money over regular train tickets? Yes, but only a very little at a time. Within Tokyo, the fare for Suica (or any IC card) users is a couple of yen cheaper than the full fare price.
The JR pass is only worth it if you travel through different cities, if you are just travelling to Tokyo to Kyoto for example, I would just pay on the Suica. You can do the online calculator or just use google to calculate which trip is easier - paying individually on Suica or getting a JR Pass.
Where to buy a My Suica card? You can purchase a “My Suica” at any JR East station ticketing machine or booth, including the ones located at Narita and Haneda airport.You can also buy it at some tourist information centers.
Suica cards are managed by JR East, while Pasmo cards are managed by non-JR Lines, including Tokyo Metro and Keikyu Electric Railway. However both cards can be used on train lines run by other operators, e.g. you can use you Suica on a Tokyo Metro Line or your Pasmo on a JR Line without issue.
Additional tickets must be purchased to use the Suica for travel on a limited express, express or Green Car. The Suica cannot be used for travel on the Shinkansen.