How do I reactivate my Suica card?

Inactive cards can be re-activated by simply toping it up. And secondly, if ever you lose it, you can get a replacement at most train stations. Visit the Suica customer service counter or ticket machine and inform the staff that you've lost your card.



To reactivate a physical Suica card, the procedure depends on why it stopped working. If your card has simply "timed out" because it was not used for several months (or if you exited a station improperly), you must take it to a JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-Madoguchi) or a manned ticket gate at any JR East station. The attendant can "reset" the card's status in a few seconds after checking its last transaction. If your card is over 10 years old without use, it may have officially expired; in this case, the balance is technically void, but JR East often allows you to transfer the balance to a new card for a small fee or issues a refund. If you are using Mobile Suica on an iPhone or Android and it appears "suspended," you can usually reactivate it by going into your Wallet app, ensuring your device region is set to Japan, and "re-adding" the card from your previous cards list. In 2026, if you have a "Welcome Suica" (the red tourist card), note that these cannot be reactivated once their 28-day validity period has ended; they are disposable and any remaining balance is forfeited, so you should spend the balance entirely before the expiration date.

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If your Welcome Suica card stops working Your card may not have processed properly the last time you used it at a automatic ticket gate. You have used a station outside the Suica area, and your card need to be adjusted.

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Get a refund A refund will be made after subtracting a refund fee from the charge on the invalid Suica. The initial deposit of 500 yen will also be refunded.

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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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Suica is the prepaid IC card by JR East for JR trains in the Greater Tokyo, Niigata and Sendai regions. A special version of Suica, called Welcome Suica, is available to foreign tourists. The special cards are valid for only four weeks, come without a deposit fee, but do not allow for refunds.

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Suica cards are not refundable at Haneda Airport (as it's not on a JR line) but can be refunded at the ticket office or using the refund machines at Narita Airport. You should also be aware that JR Monorail Suica and Rinkai Suica are not refundable on JR lines.

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Practical information on the Suica card You can keep your Suica card for your next trip. It will remain valid for 10 years. The Suica cards we offer are non-personal and are reserved for adult travellers.

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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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You can check your balance (the amount left of the money you added by charging) at ticket vending machines, multifunctional ticket vending machines and charging machines in the Suica area. Your balance is also displayed on the ticket gate when you pass through.

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Smart cards like Icoca, Suica and Pasmo are generally 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 Osaka.

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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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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.

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Yes, it can. Suica cards can be used anywhere the Suica IC card logo is displayed. It can also be used in convenience stores and vending machines outside of the Tokyo area. You cannot use the Suica to travel between Tokyo and Osaka, but you can use it to travel within cities such as Osaka and Kyoto.

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First, make sure to check your Suica card balance using the ticket machines at the station. This card has 655 yen as the remaining balance. The easiest way to use up your Suica card balance is to use it as a payment method when shopping at the convenience stores!

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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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A Pasmo card is the same as a Suica. You can use it for trains, subways and metro stations and some buses. It is also a tap on card. You can purchase a Pasmo at most stations ( including subway stations) at a vending machine by tapping ENGLISH on the machine and following the instructions provided.

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