What is the difference between Suica and welcome Suica?

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.



In 2026, the primary difference between a regular Suica and a Welcome Suica is their intended audience and validity. A regular Suica is a rechargeable IC card designed for long-term use; it requires a 500 yen deposit, is valid for 10 years from its last use, and allows you to refund the remaining balance (minus a fee) and the deposit at the end of your trip. In contrast, the Welcome Suica is a "tourist-only" card that requires no deposit. It features a special red cherry blossom design and is valid for only 28 days from the first use. Crucially, any balance left on a Welcome Suica is non-refundable after it expires, making it ideal for short-term travelers who want a souvenir card and wish to avoid the hassle of returning a regular card to a station office.

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Features of the Welcome Suica
  • No deposit is needed and the Welcome Suica can be used for 28 days from the date of purchase. ...
  • Get through the automatic ticket gate with just a tap of the card. ...
  • Quick and easy shopping in a wide variety of stores. ...
  • The Welcome Suica card can be used all throughout Japan.


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The Welcome Suica card is an excellent option if you're traveling to Japan for only a few days. With no deposit, it is cheaper than other Suica cards, and has a cute sakura design. As it can be a souvenir, I think it is worth buying, but remember to use all of the money inside before returning home!

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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.

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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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The Welcome Suica IC card itelf is free. The money you pay will all be transferred to digital money. Cards can be purchased from a minimum of 1,000 yen to 10,000 yen and can be recharged up to a maximum of 20,000 yen. You can recharge your card at JR Automatic Ticket Vending Machines.

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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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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.

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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.

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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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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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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 only difference between PASMO and SUICA is who sells them. SUICA is from JR East, and PASMO is from Tokyo-area non-JR rail operators, including Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. Wherever you can use SUICA, you can use PASMO, and vice versa. Same with charging with new amounts.

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