Welcome Suica (for extended use)

Welcome Suica (for extended use)

Sales of Welcome Suica (for extended use) have been suspended since August 2nd.
It is undecided about when to resume sales.

The best pass for extended stays in Japan!

"Welcome Suica (for extended use)" is a convenient IC card offered by JR EAST that allows you to ride trains, buses, and shop with a single tap.

  • No need to deposit money to purchase the card!
  • Cashless and easy to use!
  • Easily charge the card at stations and convenience stores!
Prices
1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 3,000 yen, 4,000 yen, 5,000 yen, or 10,000 yen cards are available.
  • *No deposit is needed.
  • *Available in bulk only. Not sold at ticket offices such as Travel Service Centers.

  1. Use the card for up to 6 months from the first date of use (the date of issuance).

    • Can be reloaded multiple times. You can use the same card for the entire validity period.
    • Refunds cannot be made for money charged to (or remaining on) the card, regardless of the validity period. (The Welcome Suica card will not be collected.)
    • The validity period begins on the date the card is issued, and the card cannot be used after the validity period ends.
    • Please use up the remaining funds on your card at a station or a store with the The Suica logo logo before you leave the country.

    *You can only charge the card using cash.

    *Please check your card’s validity period via the reference paper.

  2. Go through the automatic ticket gate with just a tap of the card. (Touch & Go)

    Keep the card in your card holder, then tap it onto the automatic ticket gate for a second to pay automatically.

  3. Quick and easy shopping in a wide variety of stores.

    The card isn’t just for trains! You can also use it to pay at any store where the A logo is displayed.

    Image A: The Suica logo

    Enjoy shopping with Suica! It's easy to shop cashless. Click here for more information.

  4. The Welcome Suica card can be used all throughout Japan.

    Thanks to integrated national service agreements, the Welcome Suica can be used not only within the Suica/PASMO area, but also on railway lines, buses, and other locations anywhere in Japan where the B logo is displayed.

    Image B: Logos of IC card transportation systems

  5. Discount tickets, etc. can also be registered on the card.

    Discount tickets that were previously available only in the form of paper (magnetic) tickets can now be registered and used through the Welcome Suica card. Click here for details.

  6. When using the Welcome Suica, the reference paper must be carried at all times.

    When you purchase a Welcome Suica card, and each time you purchase a discount tickets, you will receive a reference paper with the Welcome Suica validity period and information about the discount pass. (This information is not printed on the Welcome Suica card itself.)​
    The reference paper must be carried at all times during Welcome Suica use and shown to JR employees if requested.

  1. You can check the validity period of the Welcome Suica (for extended use) and the IC ticket details.
    Customers can reissue reference papers on their own. Please keep this paper with you when traveling. Always carry this Reference Paper around with you, and show it to the staff if they ask to see it.

    • If you lose your reference paper, you can reprint it at automatic and multifunctional ticket vending machines within the area covered by Suica. You can also ask station staff for help.

    Reprinting a reference paper using an automatic ticket vending machine

    • Ticket Vending Machine
      Ticket vending machine
    • Step 1
      1. Please check that the standby screen is displayed and insert your Suica card.
    • Step 2
      2. Please touch the "Reprint reference paper" button.
    • Step 3
      3. The "Reference Paper" will be reprinted. Please keep this paper with you when traveling.

    Reprinting a reference paper using a multifunctional ticket vending machine

    • Multifunction Ticket Vending Machine
      Multifunctional ticket vending machine
    • Step 1
      1. Please check that the standby screen is displayed and insert your Suica card.
    • Step 2
      2. Please touch the "Reprint reference paper" button.
    • Step 3
      3. The "Reference Paper" will be reprinted. Please keep this paper with you when traveling.
  2. Example Reference Paper
    • Reference paper
    • Reference paper

  • For the latest information on each area, see the official website for the related railway company.
  • Some transportation companies may not allow you to pay with a Welcome Suica card.
  • The card can be used anywhere within a specific area. The card cannot be used across multiple areas.
  • You can still use the card at stores with the The Suica logo logo in Japan, even in areas that don't allow you to pay for trains with your Welcome Suica card.

Logo for Transportation IC Card Nationwide Network of Mutual Use Service

Logos of IC card transportation systems

  • This is the logo for the IC card nationwide network of mutual use service, which includes Suica, PASMO, Kitaca, TOICA, manaca, ICOCA, PiTaPa, SUGOCA, nimoca, and Hayakaken.
  • You may use your Welcome Suica Card for any train, bus, or in any store, etc., in Japan with the IC card logo logo.

The Welcome Suica card can be charged at any ticket vending machine, convenience store, etc., with the The Suica logo logo. You can charge your card using cash, and the maximum amount you can charge is 20,000 yen.

Charging at a Ticket Vending Machine

  1. Step 1
    Insert your Welcome Suica card into the card slot.
  2. Step 2
    Tap the amount you want to charge on the "Charge" screen.
  3. Step 3
    Insert the amount of cash you selected.
  4. Step 4
    Your newly charged Welcome Suica card will be returned to you.

Charging at a Convenience Store

  • This mark is a landmark!
    Check that there is a Suica logo.
    Tell the cashier "I want to charge my Suica," then hand over your Welcome Suica card and the amount of cash you would like to charge the card with.

Charging on
Seven Bank ATM (in Seven-Eleven Stores, etc.)

Seven Bank ATM

  1. Step 1
    1. Tap the “Charge E-money” button.
  2. Step 2
    2. Place your Welcome Suica card on the charging area.
    *The placement of the charging area depends on the ATM model.
  3. Step 3
    3. Tap the “Charge” button.
  4. Steps 4 and 5
    4. Select the amount you want to charge. 
    5. Insert the bills into the bill insertion slot under the screen.
  5. Step 6
    6. Tap "Receipt" if you want a receipt, or "Confirm" if you don't want a receipt, and the charging process is complete.

Riding Trains

Tap your Welcome Suica card on the automatic ticket gate for one second, and you can get on the train without buying a ticket.

  1. Step 1
    Tap your card onto the sensor at the station where you start your journey.
  2. Step 2
    Travel to your destination by train!
  3. Step 3
    Tap your card onto the sensor at the destination to automatically pay your fare.
  4. If your balance is insufficient, you will not be able to exit the ticket gate.
    Charge your card at the fare adjustment machine and then tap your card on the ticket gate’s sensor.

Shopping in Stores

  1. Step 1
    Pay at the cash register.
  2. Step 2
    Tell the cashier, "I want to pay by Suica."
  3. Step 3
    Check the purchase amount on the screen and tap your Welcome Suica onto the sensor.
  4. Step 4
    Your payment will be complete.

Buying Beverages at Vending Machines

  1. Step 1
    Look for the Suica logo.
    Choose an item
    and press its respective button.
  2. Step 2
    Hold your Welcome Suica card to the sensor until you hear a beep.
  3. Step 3
    Remove the item from the dispenser slot.

Using a Locker

You can use your Welcome Suica card as the key to your locker, and use it to pay for the locker as well.
*You cannot split your payment between cash and your Welcome Suica card.

When putting luggage in
  1. Step 1
    Once your luggage is inside, close the door and the lamp will turn on.
    *If the lamp is lit, it means the unit is in use.
  2. Step 2
    On the payment method screen, tap the Suica card icon.
  3. Step 3
    Tap your Welcome Suica card on the sensor, and the locker will lock.
  4. Step 4
    Always get a receipt.
    *The locker’s location and related contact information will be listed on it. Always carry this Reference Paper around with you, and show it to the staff if they ask to see it.
When taking luggage out
  1. Step 1
    Select "Taking out" on the screen.
  2. Step 2
    Tap your Welcome Suica card on the sensor to unlock the locker.
  3. Step 3
    Open the door and remove your luggage.
    *The process may differ depending on the locker model.

Welcome Suica can conveniently be used
in the following ways.

  • Trains and subways
    ​
  • Buses and taxis
    ​
  • Stations and stations buildings
    ​
  • Vending machines and coin lockers
    ​
  • Convenience stores and supermarkets
    ​
  • Restaurants
    ​
  • Books and sundries
    ​
  • Drugstores and pharmacies
    ​

Welcome Suica can be used at stores with these logos.

The Welcome Suica card can be used at shops around the country!You can still use the card at stores with the logos below, even in areas that don't allow you to pay for trains with the card.

Learn more
Suica e-money | JR-EAST (jreast.co.jp)

IC, Suica, PASMO, Kitaca, tolca, manaca, ICOCA, SUGOCA, nimoca, HayakakenIC, Suica, PASMO, Kitaca, tolca, manaca, ICOCA, SUGOCA, nimoca, Hayakaken

  1. Checking and/or Printing Payment History

    You can check and print your payment (charging) history at any ticket vending machine, multifunctional ticket vending machine, or IC card charging station within the area covered by Suica.

  2. Checking Balance

    You can check your remaining balance at any ticket vending machine, multifunctional ticket vending machine, or IC card charging station within the area covered by Suica. When going through a ticket gate, the remaining balance will be displayed.

  3. Traveling beyond and into another Area

    The Welcome Suica card can be used to ride any train or bus with the The Suica logo logo, but the card can only be used within a single area and cannot be used across multiple areas. When crossing from one area to another, first leave the ticket gate and then re-enter. If you accidentally use your Welcome Suica to go into a different area, please tell station staff at the station you deboard at and show them your Welcome Suica card and your reference paper. Fare adjustments for all of the areas traveled will be settled in cash.

  4. We cannot reissue your Welcome Suica card if you lose it.

  5. You cannot register a commuter pass on a Welcome Suica card.

  6. Welcome Suica cannot be used together with Apple Pay.

  7. If your Welcome Suica card stops working

    If your card stops working even if your Welcome Suica card is still valid and has sufficient balance, you may be experiencing one of the following issues. Check your card holder, etc., and if you still can't use the card, ask a station attendant in a Suica area for help.

    • Your pass case may interfere with the ticket gate reading your card.
    • Your card may not have processed properly the last time you used it at a automatic ticket gate.
    • You used a station outside the area covered by Suica and your card needs to be adjusted.

    If the issue is due to a faulty card and you cannot use the card, we ask that you do the following.

    Apply for a faulty card refund
    • We will check your remaining balance via the card number (the 17-digit number that starts with "JE") listed on the back of your card and issue a refund.
    • We cannot, under any circumstances, provide you with a refund if we cannot read the card number on the back of your card.
    Faulty card refund
    • We will refund your balance at any JR EAST Ticket Office (Midori-no-madoguchi) in the Suica area, starting the day after your refund application, up to 14 days after the end date of your Welcome Suica card validity period. You will not be able to receive your refund on the day of your application.
    • To claim a refund, bring your faulty card, Reference Paper, and any other necessary documents with you to a JR EAST Ticket Office (Midorino-madoguchi) in the Suica area.

  8. Handling Regulations

    ● Japanese title: 東日本旅客鉄道株式会社訪日外国人旅行者等向けICカード乗車券取扱い規則

    East Japan Railway Company Procedural Regulations for IC Cards for Foreign Visitors to Japan (jreast.co.jp)PDFが別ウィンドウで開きます

    ● Japanese title: 東日本旅客鉄道株式会社ICカード乗車券取扱規則

    East Japan Railway Company IC Card Ticket Handling Rules (jreast.co.jp)PDFが別ウィンドウで開きます

    Please only use Welcome Suica for the stated purpose. Do not exchange it for cash or resell it.

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