In 2023 and continuing into 2026, the availability of physical Suica cards has been affected by a global semiconductor shortage, leading to specific restrictions on where you can purchase them. For most tourists arriving in Japan, the standard "Green" Suica card is no longer sold at regular ticket machines. Instead, travelers should look for the Welcome Suica (a red card with no deposit) available at specialized "JR East Travel Service Centers" or dedicated red vending machines at Narita and Haneda Airports. If you are already in central Tokyo, you may be able to find a standard card at major hubs like Tokyo, Shinjuku, or Shibuya stations, but you often have to visit the manned ticket office rather than a machine. A much more convenient alternative that became the "gold standard" in 2023 is the Digital Suica. Anyone with an iPhone or Apple Watch can add a Suica card directly to their Apple Wallet without needing a physical card at all; you simply tap your phone at the ticket gates. This digital version can be topped up using a credit card on your phone, bypassing the need to find a physical sales point entirely.