SUICA Card Tokyo — How to Use Public Transport in the City
- Mar 2
- 3 min read
Complete Guide to Public Transport in Tokyo: Cards, Trains, Metro & More...
If it’s your first time in Tokyo, understanding public transport can feel overwhelming at first. The Suica card makes trains, metro, and everyday payments incredibly simple and quickly becomes essential for moving around the city.
During our trip to Tokyo, we used the Suica card to get around, and it was by far the most practical way to pay for public transport.
What is the Suica card
Suica is a rechargeable card that works like an electronic wallet for public transport and many everyday purchases.
You can use it for:
JR trains and most metro lines in Tokyo
Public transport in other Japanese cities
Buses
And the best part is you can also use it in:
Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson)
Vending machines, restaurants, and some lockers
You just tap it on the reader and the fare is deducted automatically.
📱Suica on your phone: the digital version
It’s available on iPhone through Apple Wallet, and on Android it only works on phones purchased in Japan (it usually doesn’t work on others).
How to add Suica to iPhone
Open Apple Wallet
Tap “+” → Transit Card
Select Suica
Choose the initial balance
Pay with a bank card
How to recharge it
Directly from Apple Wallet
With credit or debit card
Anytime, anywhere
How it works
You just tap your phone on the reader (like any contactless card). On public transport you tap at the start and at the end of the ride.
We used this option and it works great.
💳 If you prefer the physical card…
Where to buy it
JR station ticket machines
Customer service counters
How to recharge it
You can recharge Suica:
At station machines
At convenience stores
With cash or, in some cases, card
How it works
Exactly like the digital version: just tap the card on the reader.
A few useful things to know…
With this card you don’t need to buy individual tickets
It’s valid for years
If you have remaining balance, you can get the money back when you return it
Differences between Suica and Pasmo
SUICA and PASMO work almost exactly the same. Both can be used on metro, trains, buses, and in many shops and vending machines. The main difference is the company that issues them, but for travelers it doesn’t really matter: you can use either one without any problem and they’re fully compatible.
Our experience using Suica in Tokyo
During our 3-day Tokyo route we used the Suica card every day, and it was the easiest way to move around the city. Many times we recharged it directly from our phone through Apple Wallet, and also at train machines when needed. We even used it to pay in shops and cafés. For us it was incredibly practical because you avoid buying tickets each time, you just tap in and out.
⚠️ Things to keep in mind if you use Suica on your phone
✔ Phone battery: if your phone dies, you won’t be able to validate the card when exiting the metro or train. It’s a good idea to carry a power bank or make sure you have enough charge before traveling.
✔ Connectivity / signal: you don’t need internet to travel, but you may need a connection to recharge Suica from your phone. If you don’t have a SIM that works in Japan, the safest option is recharging at station machines.
✔ Wi-Fi in stations: most Tokyo stations don’t have free Wi-Fi, so don’t rely on being able to connect there to top up.
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