Where can I make the first charge?

You can do the following stationsJR stations in Tokyo urban areaShinjuku stationShibuya stationTokyo StationShinagawa station Ikebukuro station Ueno stationAll other stations on the Yamanote LineJR East AreaNarita airport stationYokohama stationKamakura stationTohoku Shinkansen stations (Sendai or Shin-Aomori etc…)All other JR East area stations which have ticket machines Non-JR transportation in Tokyo areaTokyo metro stopsOdakyu StopsKeisei Railways stopsKeikyu Haneda airport station (not available at Tokyo monorail station)Tobu Railways stopsAll other Pasmo zone stops

What can I do if I lose my Welcome Suica?

Because the Welcome Suica cards sold on our website are not registered to an individual, unfortunately they are not eligible for a refund or a replacement.

Is my Welcome Suica card already charged?

No you have to charge by yourself in Tokyo area.

What is "reference paper"?

The "reference paper" is a piece of paper that must be submitted to station staff in the event that there is a problem with your Welcome Suica . It can be issued by pressing the "issue reference paper" button at the recharge machine.

All Prepaid cards

Welcome Suica

Q: How do I top up a Welcome Suica card?

HOW CAN I TOP UP A Welcome Suica CARD?You can top up your Welcome Suica card in stations at ticket machines, or on buses that accept Pasmo and/or Suica cards. You can only use cash to top up your card. Instructions will be in both Japanese and English.Quick guide of how to use the machines : It is really easy to recharge your Welcome Suica transport card. You can recharge it on the automatic machine provided for this purpose, in any station. Moreover, the terminals are available in several languages and you will always find English.Step 1: Select the load button on the main screen and insert your card.Step 2: You can then choose to recharge your card, view the remaining amount on your account and print it. Step 3: Select the amount of money you want to insert. You can choose between 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, or 10 000 yens. Usually you will have to pay in cash. Still few machines accept card or contactless. Also, it often do not take small change or coins.Step 4: Take your change if you have some and get your card back!IS THERE A MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM AMOUNT?You can add between ¥1,000 and ¥20,000 to your card at one time.HOW DO I CHECK HOW MUCH MONEY IS LEFT ON MY CARD?The remaining credit is displayed when you place your Welcome Suica card vending terminals in stations or on the reader in the bus.You can also check the amount by placing your Welcome suica card into a ticket machine, which can also print a history of your trips.

Info

Note that now, you can use the Suica card digitally, thanks to the e-Suica. It's available on iPhone and Android phones from Japan (international Android phones are not supported).

Please read our complete guide on how to use the e-Suica in Japan here.

To travel around cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and more, take a look at some of our other pre-paid ticket/card options:

Travel around Tokyo with the Tokyo Subway Pass.
Travel around Osaka with the Osaka Subway and Bus Pass.
Travel around Kyoto with the Kyoto One Day Bus Pass.

Other pass options:

Regional Rail Passes:

There are a number of regional passes we offer that allow unlimited travel within specific regions of Japan.

If your destination city is within one of these regions, consider a regional pass to get fully covered access to the transportation there and in the surrounding area!

Take a look at all of our regional pass options here.

Note also that physical prepaid cards such as the Suica or Welcome Suica are included with all our tours.

IMPORTANT:

The card's initial use or charge MUST be done in the Tokyo area (JR, Tokyo Metro, Odakyu ticket vending machines, etc.).
It is not possible to use or charge the card for the first time at a station outside Tokyo (it is possible from the second time).
The first charge of the Welcome Suica Card cannot be done at the pink JR recharge machines. Please use the green or black JR machines instead.
If you arrive at Tokyo Haneda airport (HND), you can use the Haneda Monorail line and transfer to the JR Yamanote line at Hamamatsucho station without charging the card first, as the card includes free travel on the Monorail and JR lines in central Tokyo on the first day of use. To take the Keikyu line from Haneda, you must charge the card before taking a train from Keikyu Haneda station.

What is a Welcome Suica?

The "Welcome Suica" is a type of Suica card offered to travelers and visitors to Japan. The Welcome Suica card is a rechargeable smart card used for transportation and other purchases in Japan, particularly in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It can be used on trains, buses, subways, and even for purchases at convenience stores and vending machines.

-Travel

There's no need to purchase paper tickets with cash for every single train ride! The Welcome Suica card can be used on the majority of Japanese public transport: subways, buses, most local trains, as well as in taxis displaying the IC card logo.

-Electronic wallet

The card also functions as an electronic wallet. You can make small purchases on trains, at vending machines, shops, and at restaurants displaying one of the Welcome Suica symbols. It can also be used to pay for taxis and station storage lockers.

First day of charge & use

If you arrive at Tokyo Haneda airport and plan to use the Keikyu line, you will need to go to a Keikyu machine for the first charge of your Welcome Suica, and then take the Keikyu Line
If you arrive at Tokyo Haneda airport and plan to use the Tokyo Monorail to get to the city center, you can use the Welcome Suica card straight away, with no charge needed first. You can also transfer to the JR Yamanote line, and continue to travel free of charge on the first day of use of the card. However you will need to charge the card before traveling on the Tokyo Metro, or any other non-JR lines.
Note that the Welcome Suica cannot be charged at Tokyo Monorail Station ticket machines for the first use.
When making your first charge at a JR station, be sure to do so at the green or black ticket vending machines. The pink recharge machines CANNOT be used for the first charge.
You cannot use or charge this card for the first time outside of the Tokyo area (JR East Area), for example in Osaka, Kyoto, or at Kansai International Airport.
After the first charge in Tokyo, it can then be used anywhere in Japan. For example, you can charge and use the card at Tokyo Station, and then recharge and use the card in Kyoto or Osaka.

Practical information on the Welcome Suica card

The Welcome Suica is valid for 28 days from the first day of use, or the date the card is first charged. After that, it expires and can no longer be used.
The card has an expiration date. Please check the "Good Thru" box on the back of the card for the expiration date. The card will become invalid if not used for the first time before the expiration date. Current available cards have an expiration date of the end of January 2025.
The Welcome Suica is non-refundable. Any remaining balance on the card should be used up by the 28-day expiration date, or it will be lost. The card can be charged with up to 20,000 yen, but please remember your balance should be spent by the end of your trip, as you cannot get it back.
One card is required per person.
The Welcome Suica card does not come preloaded with any money. In order to charge the card, please go to a JR station in the JR East area (eg: Tokyo, Shibuya or Shinjuku station, Narita Airport...), Tokyo Metro stations, Tokyo Keisei Railway station etc.., and add some credit to your card at one of the ticket machines. For more details about charging the card for the first charge time, please check our FAQ.
Along with your Welcome Suica, you will need a reference paper, which can be requested by any JR staff at any given time or when using the Welcome Suica card for discounts. This reference paper can only be issued and printed at JR ticket machines in stations. Please print it when you first charge your Welcome Suica card.

Delivery

We will send the physical card to your home address after your order is confirmed (This product is not digital, so there is no need to exchange a voucher).
Please place your order allowing sufficient time for delivery.

Cancellation

This product is non-refundable through Japan Experience.
In case of malfunction, a refund can be requested through JR in Japan, according to their conditions.

More about the JR refund conditions

Green Suica has a 10-year validity period (if not used), while Welcome Suica is limited to 28 days from the date of first use and the date indicated on the expiration date card. you can board the same trains and use it in convenience store or vending machines than the Green Suica.

Green Suica allows for a refund of the amount charged to the card and the card deposit at the end of travel in Japan th the end of your travel, while Welcome Suica does not allow any refunds.

You can do the following stations

JR stations in Tokyo urban area

Shinjuku station
Shibuya station
Tokyo Station
Shinagawa station
Ikebukuro station
Ueno station
All other stations on the Yamanote Line

JR East Area

Narita airport station
Yokohama station
Kamakura station
Tohoku Shinkansen stations (Sendai or Shin-Aomori etc…)
All other JR East area stations which have ticket machines

Non-JR transportation in Tokyo area

Tokyo metro stops
Odakyu Stops
Keisei Railways stops
Keikyu Haneda airport station (not available at Tokyo monorail station)
Tobu Railways stops
All other Pasmo zone stops

HOW CAN I TOP UP A Welcome Suica CARD?

You can top up your Welcome Suica card in stations at ticket machines, or on buses that accept Pasmo and/or Suica cards. You can only use cash to top up your card. Instructions will be in both Japanese and English.

Quick guide of how to use the machines :

It is really easy to recharge your Welcome Suica transport card. You can recharge it on the automatic machine provided for this purpose, in any station. Moreover, the terminals are available in several languages and you will always find English.
Step 1: Select the load button on the main screen and insert your card.
Step 2: You can then choose to recharge your card, view the remaining amount on your account and print it.
Step 3: Select the amount of money you want to insert. You can choose between 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, or 10 000 yens. Usually you will have to pay in cash. Still few machines accept card or contactless. Also, it often do not take small change or coins.
Step 4: Take your change if you have some and get your card back!

IS THERE A MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM AMOUNT?

You can add between ¥1,000 and ¥20,000 to your card at one time.

HOW DO I CHECK HOW MUCH MONEY IS LEFT ON MY CARD?

The remaining credit is displayed when you place your Welcome Suica card vending terminals in stations or on the reader in the bus.You can also check the amount by placing your Welcome suica card into a ticket machine, which can also print a history of your trips.