Thanks for this! You answered all the questions I had. And the lanyard/pocket tip is great. I usually carry the cards for everyone in the family, but, that gets annoying, pretty quick. I'd like to teach my kids to be more responsible.
Thanks for the info on the child suica card. I don't see many videos on this. Love all your videos. Very informative, especially from a family perspective with young kids. We plan to visit Japan in March-April 2024 during Cherry Blossom season. We plan to pack light. Just two 35L size backpacks for the 4 of us (girls 6 & 10), plus two fanny packs. We noticed all the stairs and different terrain, so we are using backpacks. We also bought foldable backpacks for day trips. Do you know what the weather is like at the end of March, early April?
That’s awesome you can pack that light! We will also be in Japan end of March into April, for cherry blossom season. For Tokyo I’m expecting it to be 50s-60s Fahrenheit with some rain. Weather varies if you go north or south. 🌺🌸 Heidi
@@KenshoQuest We plan to visit Senjo-ji, Sanrio Puroland, Odaiba, Kirby Cafe, Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo, Giant Bronze Buddha in Kamakura, Yunessan, black eggs, pirate ship in Hakone, Charter a bus tour in Kyoto to see the major spots, Universal Studios, Dotonbori food tour in Osaka. It's a lot, hopefully we won't be too tired.
You can get a Suica card on the Apple Wallet. Do they give you an option to get a child Suica card? This will be our families first time to Japan so I would like to know how convenient or inconvenient it is to have it on my phone compared to the physical card. Awesome video and appreciate all the information :)
Hi. The only option for a child SUICA card is the physical plastic version. You need to go into an office and bring their passport to get one. It will have your child’s name printed on the card. And when the child card is used, the ticket gate makes a chirping noise. I have a digital adult PASMO on my phone and it’s super convenient because I can top it up without needing to find a re-charge machine. It just means I need to take my phone out of my purse to tap it. But many people already have their phone in their hand to navigate. 🌸 Heidi
The IC card reader, how do that works? I can't seem to add my Suica or Pasmo card into my Samsung S23 US phone. Can't do it on Google pay or Samsung pay. Please advise 🙏
Hi, I'm not sure I understand your issue. But the card reader app for android is: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=digital.cardreader&hl=en_US&gl=US With this app you can add pretty much all the available IC cards in Japan including Suica and Pasmo. It uses NFC to scan your IC card and read data. Note, it is a reader only. It does not have any option to add Google Pay or Samsung pay. So you won't be able to recharge your cards through this app. Unless your Samsung was purchased in Japan, only iPhones have an app that is capable to recharge. I hope this helps.
Hi. Love your channel. Very helpful for our Osaka trip next month. I added ICOCA card to my iPhone wallet and plan to buy kid’s ICOCA once we’re there (passport verification). My question is once we have physical kid’s ICOCA, can we put it in my kid’s Apple watch wallet and still get the kids fare as the physical card? Thanks!
We had a child suica card when we were in Japan, it's a great solution for children. Now, we plan on going back next year and I am wondering if I can have the card turn back to an adult one, now my daughter is older than 11.
Hi, unfortunately I do not think it can converted as the child suica card is labeled as child only and programmed. However, you can get a welcome Suica upon arrival.
What happens to the Suica when the child becomes 12yrs old? Does it deactivate? Does it automatically switch over as and is considered an adult Suica card?
Hi, good question. I do not believe it will deactivate and it will not change to a regular Suica card. Instead, you can visit the JR East ticket office and ask if they can convert it to an adult card. There might even be a small fee and you may have to wait in a long line. It might be easier to just try and get your child a regular Suica once they turn 12.
I read that for kansai region, kansai one pass is better than icoca, because it offers discounts for some attractions. Question : Is there any child “kansai one pass” ?
Hi. Are you referring to the Kansai Thru Pass? If so, yes, the child version is about half the price of the adult version. Here's our affiliate link: affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=29280&aff_adid=733156&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-US%2Factivity%2F1329-kansai-thru-pass-osaka%2F
@@goodlifebdg Hmmm, I'm not finding anything about a child version of the Kansai One Pass. That doesn't mean there isn't one, I'm just not finding it online. It would be worth asking at a ticket office when buying the regular pass. kansaionepass.com/en/about.html
Does the Child Pasmo card act the same way as a Child Suica card? In terms of savings in transportation? Thank you so much! Your videos are so helpful!
@@LeBigTrip The only time we had to show proof of age was to get a child SUICA card. It's never been an issue to have our younger kids walk through the ticket gates. But it is required by Japanese law for foreign tourists to carry their passport with them. I keep mine on me for tax-free shopping, as well.
@@LeBigTrip Never. When you go through gate, a kids suica will make a chirping sound, that's what the attendant is listening and looking who goes through the gate.
Hi, can you get a child Suica card electronically (apple wallet)? Is there any disadvantage of having it electronically (apple wallet) rather than he physical card? Thanks
Hi, great question but currently not possible to get an electronic SUICA for child since it requires verification. I personally like both using the iPhone as well as the physical card. They can both be charged easily, you can even charge your iPhone in many 7-11s.
@fernandorocha1963 0 seconds ago Hello, we are a family of four with one child of the age of 8. We know that he cannot get an electronic Suica card as we need to prove his age. We would like to avoid loading the cards with cash, is it possible to have the physical child Suica card and then transfer it to the apple wallet? So we can load it electronically with our credit card?@@KenshoQuest
Hi. A friend lend me his daughter’s passmo. She’s 9yrs old. Is it okay if I use it for my 10yr old son? How to check if the passmo card is stll working? Thank u so much
Hi, if the card is less than 10 years old it should still work. Go to the charge machine to check if it is valid. If it is working it will tell you the balance.
Hi, Here is the link to the app: Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=digital.cardreader&hl=en_US&gl=US iPhone: apps.apple.com/us/app/japan-train-card-balance-check/id1479319615
Hi, I think it should work. However, do keep in mind that if you are successful your physical child IC card will no longer function and cannot be reused.