Recharge the Suica The Suica can be loaded up to a maximum of 20,000 yen at Automatic Ticket Vending Machines and Fare Adjustment Machines displaying the Suica mark. Only yen may be used to load a card. A credit card cannot be used to load a Suica.

Refilling a Suica card is incredibly simple and can be done at almost any train station in Japan. Look for the black or pink ticket machines labeled "Charge" or "IC Card." You insert your card, select the "Charge" button on the touch screen (available in English), choose the amount of cash you want to add (usually 1,000 to 10,000 yen), and insert the bills. The machine will update the balance and eject your card. In 2026, many travelers prefer the Mobile Suica on iPhone or Android, which you can refill instantly using Apple Pay or Google Pay with a linked credit card, eliminating the need to find a machine. If you are using a physical card and find yourself inside a station with an insufficient balance to exit, you can use a "Fare Adjustment" machine located just before the exit gates. You can also top up your Suica with cash at convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson, or FamilyMart by asking the cashier for a "charge" and tapping your card on the reader at the register.