Yes, you can get a refund for the remaining balance on your Suica card, but there are specific rules and a small fee involved. To get your money back, you must visit a JR East Ticket Office (Midori-no-Madoguchi) at a JR station in the Tokyo area. The refund consists of your remaining balance minus a ¥220 processing fee, plus the ¥500 deposit you paid when you first got the card. If your balance is less than ¥220, you won't get any of the balance back, but you will still receive the full ¥500 deposit. In 2026, it is important to remember that you cannot get a Suica refund outside of the JR East region (e.g., you can't refund a Suica in Osaka or Kyoto). If you use a Digital Suica on Apple Pay, the refund process is handled through the app, but it typically requires a Japanese bank account, so most tourists find it easier to simply spend the balance down to zero at a convenience store.
Excellent question! The short answer is yes, you can get your Suica money (deposit and remaining balance) refunded, but there are important conditions and a major recent change to be aware of.
Here’s a detailed breakdown:
This is the most straightforward process, but it must be done within Japan. Where: At any JR East Station’s “Midori-no-Madoguchi” (Green Window/Service Center) for Suica, or at major stations for PASMO. What you need: The physical card itself. Fees: A ¥220 handling fee will be deducted from your refund amount. What you get back: Remaining balance (minus the ¥220 fee). ¥500 deposit (for a regular Suica/PASMO). Important: The card will be canceled and returned to you as a souvenir.
This is the most critical point for most tourists. These are designed for short-term visitors and are EXPLICITLY NON-REFUNDABLE. They have no deposit fee and expire 28 days after purchase. Any remaining balance is forfeited. The only way to “get your money back” is to spend it all before you leave (at convenience stores, vending machines, shops, etc.).
Due to a global semiconductor shortage, the sale of regular Suica and PASMO cards has been suspended indefinitely (since August 2025). The only physical cards readily available for tourists are the non-refundable Welcome Suica and Pasmo Passport.
Your current options are: 1. Use a Digital Suica/PASMO on your iPhone or Apple Watch. You can add a Suica to your Apple Wallet. This digital Suica IS refundable. To get a refund, you must go to a “Midori-no-Madoguchi” in Japan. They will scan your phone, cancel the card, and give you cash (minus the ¥220 fee). Refunds cannot be processed outside of Japan. 2. Use an Android phone with Osaifu-Keitai (Mobile FeliCa) capability. Some Android phones (mainly models sold in Japan) can also hold a digital Suica. Refund rules are the same as for iPhone. 3. Use the non-refundable Welcome Suica/Pasmo Passport and plan to spend the balance.