An Honest Guide to the SUICA Card

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Are you planning a trip to Japan and wondering whether to get a SUICA card? Although recommended by everyone, these transit cards are often misunderstood. So take an honest look at Japan's IC cards with me and discover all the basics, as well as the hidden details before you travel!
///GET YOUR SUICA/ICOCA CARD
bit.ly/Klook-Preloaded-Suica-...
///Sign up for my monthly insider email here:
japanunravelled.substack.com/...
/// USEFUL TRANSPORT PASSES
TOKYO SUBWAY PASS: bit.ly/KLOOK-Tokyo-Subway-Pass
WELCOME SUICA: www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/wel...
OSAKA AMAZING PASS: bit.ly/KLOOK-Osaka-Amazing-Pass
OSAKA METRO PASS: bit.ly/KLOOK-Osaka-Metro-1or2...
KYOTO ONE DAY BUS PASS: www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kotsu/w...
KYOTO SUBWAY AND BUS PASS: www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kotsu/w...
/// MOBILE SUICA HELP (iPHONE ONLY)
support.apple.com/en-us/HT207154
/// CHECK IC CARD BALANCE APPS
ANDROID: play.google.com/store/apps/de...
iPHONE: apps.apple.com/us/app/multi-i...
/// POCKET WIFI / SIM CARDS
Pocket Wifi + Powerbank Rental: bit.ly/KLOOK-Pocket-Wifi
eSim from Airalo: airalo.tp.st/E74tq5nv
Unlimited Data 4G SIM Card (Multiple JP Airport Pick Up): bit.ly/KLOOK-Data-SIM-Card
/// GET YOUR RAIL PASS
Japan Rail Pass: bit.ly/KLOOK-JAPANRAILPASS
JR Tokyo Wide Pass: bit.ly/KLOOK-Tokyo-Wide
JR Kansai Wide Pass: bit.ly/KLOOK-Kansai-Wide
/// FIND THE CHEAPEST FLIGHT TO JAPAN
bit.ly/WAYAWAY-Cheap-Flight-F...
/// VPN SERVICE
NORDVPN: ref.nordvpn.com/EwSsZRUdypJ
*There are some affiliate links in this description and using them helps to support this channel.
/// MUSIC
"Rollin at 5" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
// PHOTOS
Karl Baron - Japan is uniting their IC cards!
www.flickr.com/photos/8236521...
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Karl Baron - Package from Hildgrim in japan!
www.flickr.com/photos/8236521...
creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Опубликовано:

24 май 2023

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Комментарии : 91

@jumbleumble5386 11 месяцев назад

This video really opened my eyes. Like wooooaaaahhhh i never thought of your solutions

@keegan2crow Год назад

I really love these. These are really awesome to use.

@vanessaholmes1671 Год назад

Thank you so much for all the helpful information 👍

@japanunravelled Год назад

You are so welcome!

@alexaxww 4 месяца назад

Love it absolutely love it

@DaltonsDetours Год назад

Very helpful video. I am heading to Japan in a few weeks on a solo trip and have a JR Rail Pass, but plan on getting an IC card. This gave me the info I needed. I think the Welcome SUICA will work best for me.

@japanunravelled Год назад

Glad it was helpful!

@user-mm1wj8il4n Год назад

I really enjoyed this video very much because you showed me things I didn't even know about the Suica card and PASMO I didn't have to do sych as touching the card reader and so forth. The one thing that was a very huge bouns was the IOS IC Card Reader App which is a big help to me. I have the digtal versions of Suica and PASMO on my iPhone Apple Wallet but I also have another two versions of the physical cards also too. F.Y.I. I have been here only few years and I'm still learning new stuff every time people like you on RU-vid and other social media platforms post helpful tips & tricks here in Japan so I this video is two thumbs up from me.

@peskypossum58 9 месяцев назад

Hello Do you have to have internet connection on your iPhone to use the digital IC cards at the train gates?

@dskadd32 Год назад

Cool. Thank you

@PeepeepoopooHouse Год назад

HE'S DONE IT AGAIN. GREAT STUFF.

@japanunravelled Год назад

Thank you!

@Big-Wonka Год назад

When I was there in April I started collecting them like Pokemon lol. I had the original green and silver suica card from a few years ago, so I wanted the welcome suica. Then I was in the Kansai region and wanted an icoca card. Then I saw a sign on a vending machine about a Kansai one pass that's a special tourist card like welcome suica. That was a bit of a pain to find the right location in Osaka station to get it.

@japanunravelled Год назад

Yes, the special designs are ones to collect, definitely. I looked into the Kansai One Pass - it has some nice discounts but it still has the deposit. And they claim it has no expiry date. I hear you about it being hard to find, although to be fair, it's hard to find anything in Osaka Station.

@Big-Wonka Год назад

@@japanunravelled It might sound stupid, but I didn't care about the deposit. I was collecting them like old Pokemon cards haha

@japanunravelled Год назад

No, I totally get it! They're definitely good souvenirs.

@Komainu959 11 месяцев назад

@@Big-Wonka Yeah I didn't care about the deposit and kept mine as well. Just like how I keep non-generic hotel key cards...I need therapy!

@blueyonder1233 Год назад

You had me at "couldn't give a flying monkeys", subscribed! 👍

@japanunravelled Год назад

You've made my day! Thanks for the sub!

@jimmyryan5880 5 месяцев назад

Japan continues to be modern and old fashioned at the same time.

@driftertravels928 Год назад

I was in Japan recently and used Suica and Pasmo on my phone and watch, I was able to top them up on Apple Pay with my debit card, never had to use cash.

@hamzakhanfan123 Год назад

After your trip was done. How'd you get a refund for the remaining balance?

@alkadeshmukh2404 9 месяцев назад

I tried using my debit card, I am not able to do it.

@hamzakhanfan123 9 месяцев назад

@@alkadeshmukh2404 used Amex or Visa credit cards!

@japanunravelled Год назад

Because I don't believe in clickbait videos, let me give it to you straight about the current suica situation. - For reasons, you can't get unregistered or registered Suica or Pasmo cards at the moment. - YOU CAN also still get Welcome Suica. - ICOCA and other cards don't seem to be affected - and work just like a SUICA card anyway. ///GET YOUR SUICA/ICOCA CARD bit.ly/Klook-Preloaded-Suica-Card

@namele55777 Год назад

i heard from another channel that jr east is suspending suica card sales because of the global chip shortage? not sure if it's true. BUT apparently you can still get suica in the north (akita, morioka, aomori) because it was just launched a few months back so jr east is still trying to promote its use. also, you can still get the icoca from jr west.

@ian7379 3 месяца назад

You can recharge virtual IC cards on your iPhone with credit cards - basically only American Express if it’s a non-Japanese card.

@japanunravelled 3 месяца назад

Thank you!

@tracy2757 9 месяцев назад

Thanks!

@japanunravelled 9 месяцев назад

No problem!

@Owen2131_ 6 месяцев назад

It’s cool that I noticed this, I mainly will use it though for eAMUSEMENT with Konami rhythm games, since it now will also be eligible as an IC Card for rhythm games, I’ve seen some people use it instead of an ic card eamusement

@japanunravelled 6 месяцев назад

Sounds great!

@ParaSF4 4 месяца назад

Hi. I’m planning to visit Japan with my wife, somewhere in September/October or November (Depends on how warm, and nice the weather is) for approximately 10-14 days. Is the Suica card the right one for us? Or do I just have to take paper tickets? And where can I purchase those paper discount tickets? Just trying to prepare for my holiday, so that I can also save a few bucks. PS: great video. Keep it up!

@japanunravelled 4 месяца назад

Suica or other IC cards are good for travel within cities, but not really good for inter-city travel. For that, visit the ticket office/machine/smart ex. For the discount tickets, go visit tourist information basically, they'll sort you out. Enjoy!

@reptongeek Год назад

What would you recommend if you were planning on visiting every Tokyo Subway station in a single day, which would also mean travelling on non subway lines to make connections. Could you use a combination of Tokyo subway travel card and an IC card

@japanunravelled Год назад

Yes, that would work!

@bigbrowntau Год назад

To be totally pedantic for a moment, you do get a discount when you use an IC card on trains etc...all of ~2 yen per trip! Woohoo! Seriously though, thanks for a great video. I loved your solution on how to get your Suica on your phone :) Right now in Tokyo, I'd suggest getting a Pasmo card, simply because as you pointed out in the comments, you can't get an unregistered Suica. (welcome to the world wide chip shortage) Your recommendation to check out local discount transports cards is extremely valuable! Recently I flew into Narita, and took the Skyliner into Tokyo. I'd booked it online before arriving, and was able to pick up a 3 day pass for the Tokyo metro and Toei subway as a bonus for almost free. Covered all the trains except the JR owned ones, like the Yamanote line.

@japanunravelled Год назад

Good stuff!

@Daisyhatingugolyee 11 месяцев назад

You can't get a unregistered Pasmo either at the moment, btw. It's not just Suica.

@axios101 10 месяцев назад

Hi, first of all thanks for the interesting video! A question: the Suica can be used everywhere in Japan, but it seems there are problems if you travel between different areas which belong to different "branches" of JR and public transportation system (and "homes" to different cards), right? To solve problems, can you just use a "fare adjustment machine", inserting the station of origin and asking to calculate the difference? Or you need a "physical ticket" to do such a thing (and if you used a SUICA from the origin, you do NOT have a physical ticket for the initial station)... AND last question: somewhere I read that using an IC card should give you a (very) limited discount on local transports or access to a sllightly discounted fare... right?

@japanunravelled 10 месяцев назад

Thanks! IC cards were primarily designed for commuters, not people doing long distance journeys covering multiple JR zones. If you cross, you'll have to talk to staff to get them to "fix" your card. I'm not sure if you can actually do this at a fare adjustment machine. Having a ticket would be easier, although sometimes the ticket machines don't sell the base fare tickets to cover the whole of a (long) journey. So again, talk to staff or see if the machine works. IC cards do give a tiny discount compared to using paper tickets. We're talking the equivalent of cents. It's hardly worth mentioning. I cut this from the original video, which I kind of regret now because it would have headed off the legion of nitpickers who have already commented that I'm somehow "wrong". However the original point that IC cards are not the same as discount passes is the key takeaway here.

@axios101 10 месяцев назад

@@japanunravelled First of all: thanks for ur kind reply! I understand that "exiting" from the variuous "regions" is very difficult while doing small trips in the same day... and any other longer journey would likely require a little bit of prior organization and, at least, booking (if just only for luggage)... same thing for regional passes (ex: JR Tokyo Wide Pass)... I was just asking in the unlikely event I would stay overnight very close to the "border" of a zone and inadvertently travelled further using the Suica without reflecting.. (it could happen in my next trip, since I am plalling something "a little out of the ordinary" 😅). Lastly: I did not absolutely want to criticize your video, about that minuscule discount... Just asking to check if I had understood correctly... the eventual discount surely it is not at all comparable to other passes or promos...

@japanunravelled 10 месяцев назад

Oh, you needn't worry about crossing the borders. The staff are used to it happening. I've done it a lot and I just hand them my IC card without saying a word - they know what the problem is. Finished in 30 seconds. Yes, no worries - I know you're not criticising. You definitely save an enormous amount with the passes and other special tickets compared to the "saving" with IC cards. Do look out for the price rises with some of the regional passes though. Tokyo Wide that you mention is still going to be worth it - video is in the works for that, once I've added the updated price! Good luck with the trip and well done on planning something "out of the ordinary" - that pretty much sums up almost every trip I do!

@axios101 10 месяцев назад

@@japanunravelled Thanks again! 👍

@th3bmc Год назад

😮 Well you were right, many things in your video nobody else mentioned. Subbed and liked, well deserved.

@japanunravelled Год назад

Much appreciated!

@just4therecord Год назад

If I transfer the balance from my Suica card to my iPhone, does it empty out the card or does it main balances in both physical card and iPhone? Thanks

@japanunravelled Год назад

I'm afraid I have no idea, but I'm sure someone will comment and say.

@williamxia2900 Год назад

I just read an article about Suica and Pasmo cards in Japan getting suspended on June 8th? Anyone have any news on this? Can we still get them and just get the registered ones with our names on it?

@japanunravelled Год назад

Yes, and Welcome Suica is not affected: "Users can still buy registered versions, and holders who have lost their current cards or cannot use them due to a malfunction will be able to purchase new ones." www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/06/02/national/suica-pasmo-sales-suspension/

@tinypenguinhk Год назад

I believe for iPhones, IC cards should still be usable after the battery has died. Try it, it worked for me.

@japanunravelled Год назад

Yes, the lower power mode supposedly is good for 5 hours. I wouldn't want to rely on that. Better to keep your phone charged or have the physical card I think.

@tinypenguinhk Год назад

@@japanunravelled True. One extra point is that Apple Watches can use the IC cards too, so that’s even less troublesome.

@ksbma 10 месяцев назад

would I be able to use my IC pass on metros that are operated by JR? Also for the digital Suica card, do I still need to get a physical suit card in order to use a digital Suica for registration purposes?

@japanunravelled 10 месяцев назад

1. Almost certainly yes. 2. No - just add one in the iOS transit card settings.

@ksbma 10 месяцев назад

@@japanunravelled awesome, thank you!

@user-rf3lv8qr1u 11 месяцев назад

Hi, next year I am going to Japan and I'm planning to spent 1 week in Tokyo and 2 weeks on Kyushu. Can I use Suica card to buy train or bus tickets on Kyushu? Or should I get other IC card like Sugoca?

@japanunravelled 11 месяцев назад

Yes you can.

@user-rf3lv8qr1u 11 месяцев назад

Thank you for your answer ❤️

@ybing Год назад

I think is not correct, IC card should save you few bucks at certain fare especially in Tokyo, coz it won't round up to 10 yen like paper ticket

@japanunravelled Год назад

You might save a few bucks after a year or so, yes. But most travellers only use their card for a week or two. The saving is so small it's not worth mentioning, and as I did mention, you save proper money with discount passes.

@ririeranggasari 9 месяцев назад

Is it safe to keep my pasmo in a magnetic phone case? Ive had my pasmo for 7 years now and whenever in Japan I alwas just put it inside my phone cases, but none had magnets..

@japanunravelled 9 месяцев назад

Don't know for sure, but I'd avoid that if possible.

@ririeranggasari 9 месяцев назад

@@japanunravelledthanks for replying. Yes I think better be safe than sorry now since blank suica and pasmo sales are suapended..

@Panda_Roll 8 месяцев назад

Question regarding the IC card's remaining balance. Is the mobile app the only way to read it?

@japanunravelled 8 месяцев назад

Great question! Most ticket gates show you the remaining balance as I show in the video, but you can also check it at ticket machines and fare adjustment machines (you find these inside the gates). You can also charge IC cards at 7-11 ATMs nationwide - so you can check your balance there too.

@Panda_Roll 8 месяцев назад

@@japanunravelled Love the convenience. Thank you and thanks for bringing up how collecting the deposit on the Suica isn't worth the effort during the airport rush to leave. I guess the welcome Suica one makes more sense for a tourist anyway.

@keopi_joayo 7 месяцев назад

Do IC cards work with a plastic case? I'm a clumsy person and possibly lose it somewhere so I'm planning to buy a plastic case with lanyard :')

@japanunravelled 7 месяцев назад

Yes, those work well with IC cards!

@keopi_joayo 7 месяцев назад

@@japanunravelled Thanks! I appreciate your response.

@peskypossum58 9 месяцев назад

Do you need a wifi internet connection to use your mobile IC card on your iPhone?

@japanunravelled 9 месяцев назад

I'm sorry, I don't know, and I can't find a definitive answer. Hopefully someone who knows will tell us!

@peskypossum58 9 месяцев назад

@@japanunravelled I found this in the Apple page.

@GamerFromJump 3 месяца назад

You don’t it just needs to be on and in Express Mode.

@lannifincoris6482 Год назад

No, I want to save time.. have bought my SUCIA just a few days ago, I like the penguin

@Chris-ut5ih 4 месяца назад

So how do you actually spell that Japanese phrase? Is it “IC kado de onegaishimasu?” It doesn’t translate well into google

@japanunravelled 4 месяца назад

translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=IC%E3%82%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E3%81%A7%E3%81%8A%E9%A1%98%E3%81%84%E3%81%97%E3%81%BE%E3%81%99&op=translate

@okie_4057 3 месяца назад

Can you share card with spouse or do we each need a card?

@japanunravelled 3 месяца назад

If you're traveling at the same time you'll need 1 each.

@okie_4057 3 месяца назад

@@japanunravelled thank you for the quick response

@roldansalalila6544 Год назад

Does the SUICA has an expiration?

@japanunravelled Год назад

Same as the balance really, if not used for a period of 10 years, the Suica card becomes invalid.

@roldansalalila6544 Год назад

@@japanunravelled Thanks...

@hamzakhanfan123 Год назад

Make a full guide for Taxi's in Japan

@japanunravelled Год назад

I'll put it on my ideas list, thanks!

@goodlifebdg 11 месяцев назад

Is there any “welcome icoca” card ?

@japanunravelled 11 месяцев назад

Good question! I tried to find an equivalent when putting this video together, but couldn't find one. At least, not one that doesn't have a deposit. There is a "Kansai One" version which has special discounts for tourists - may be worth checking out: www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/icoca-haruka/ kansaionepass.com/en/

@goodlifebdg 11 месяцев назад

@@japanunravelled thanks ! Will check them out

@Nhkg17 Год назад

Why not use just debit card? This is how transit system works in my city. Nobody has to deal with another card, charge it,...

@japanunravelled Год назад

That's a good question that you can ask Japan sometime!

@krysanteemik5686 Год назад

Although there are a few railroad companies in Japan that have installed Visa touch turnstiles. However, most of them consider the transaction time for credit and debit cards to be too long to handle the rush hour in Japan.