How do I get a virtual Suica card?

Android: How to Add a Suica or PASMO Card
  1. To add a card to your Android, go to the Google Pay app and select ?Payment?.
  2. Select ?Payment method?, then E-money, and then either Suica or PASMO.
  3. Select ?Anonymous card?, then ?Next?, and then ?Accept? at the bottom of the Terms of Service.




In 2026, getting a virtual Suica card for your smartphone is the standard way to travel through Japan. If you use an iPhone, the process is built into the Apple Wallet app; simply tap the "+" button, select "Transit Card," and search for "Suica" or "Pasmo." You can then add funds directly using a credit card (Visa/Mastercard/Amex) stored in your Apple Pay. For Android users, your phone must have an Osaifu-Keitai (FeliCa) chip, which is usually only found on phones purchased in Japan; if you have one, you can use the "Google Wallet" or "Mobile Suica" app. A major 2026 convenience is that you no longer need a physical card to start; you can generate a new virtual ID instantly. This allows you to "tap-and-go" at all train stations, buses, and even vending machines and convenience stores (Konbini) across the country. One tip for 2026 travelers: make sure your credit card supports "International 3D Secure" to ensure the in-app top-up doesn't get declined by your home bank.

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You can add a new Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA card on your iPhone or Apple Watch, or you can transfer your physical card to your device. When you add your first Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA card, Express Mode is automatically turned on for that card, which allows you to pay for transit rides and make purchases with just a tap.

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The Suica/Pasmo reader and ledger tracking your expenses. * Nice for travelers: The app, as well as all the station information, is available in Japanese and English.

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You can buy the Welcome Suica card through Vending Machines located at the Haneda Terminal 3 station, Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Terminal 2 Station, and Narita Terminal 1,2, and 3 Stations. For official information please visit the Welcome Suica Card official website.

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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.

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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.

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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. If you want, you can also purchase the card online through the JR East website or other authorized sellers.

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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.

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Cash, credit and debit cards are all accepted, with credit cards and cash the most relevant. Since a credit card is your best choice for a significant amount of your spending, a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card provides lots of value.

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No visitor to Tokyo should be without a Suica card and no visitor to Japan should be without a JR Pass. The Suica card is convenient for intercity trains and buses while the JR Pass saves you time and money when traveling through the country.

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The good news is that the IC Card shortage seems to only affect Suica and Pasmo for the time being. If you're visiting other regions in Japan outside of Tokyo, you could still use their IC Cards! All IC Cards can be used across Japan regardless of where it is from.

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You can charge your Welcome Suica card (put money on it) in various places, including ticket machines at stations and in convenience stores. Just look for the mark. You can charge your card with cash. You can put up to 20,000 yen on it.

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The Suica card can be used in the majority of Japanese public transport: subways, buses and all local trains, as well as in buses and taxis displaying the Suica logo. Please note that the Suica card does not work on express trains, shinkansen, highway buses or airport shuttles.

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