How to Buy and Use a Suica

Prices

Note:
Prices include a deposit of 500 yen. The difference between the adult's card and the child's card is the amount deducted when using transportation.
When using a child's Suica card, the child's fare is deducted, and when using an adult's Suica card, the adult's fare is deducted.

Where to Purchase

Using Your Suica Card – Getting Around

Riding Trains

• Simply touch the Suica card to the reader at the ticket gate when out and about. There is no need to purchase a ticket from a vending machine.
• The fare is automatically calculated at the station where you get off.
• When you get off the train, the fare will be calculated at that station. If the balance is insufficient, however, you will need to add more money to your Suica.

Regions where the Suica can be used

The Suica cannot be used for continuous travel between areas. The use of transportation begun in one area must be ended in that area. When crossing from one area to another, first leave the ticket gate and then re-enter.

Using Your Suica Card – E-money

Shopping

• The Suica can be used not only for transportation but for shopping as well.
• You can use your Suica to make purchases onboard trains as well as from vending machines, to rent coin lockers and for spending at convenience stores and restaurants.

The Suica can be used wherever the below logos are displayed.

Refunds

• Suica cards issued by JR East Japan can be returned only at JR East stations. Suica cards issued by the Tokyo Monorail or elsewhere cannot be returned to JR East. Refer to the issuing company for further details on how to return them.
• When the card is returned, the deposit of 500 yen is returned along with any remaining amount.
• There is a charge of 220 yen to return a Suica card, which is deducted from the total. For refunds, a fee of 220 yen is subtracted from the total (a result of less than zero is considered zero), and then the initial 500 yen deposit is added.

Refund examples

1. With a balance of 1,000 yen, the fee of 220 yen is subtracted for 780 yen, and then the deposit of 500 yen is added for a refund of 1,280 yen.
2. When the balance is 100 yen, subtracting the fee leaves less than zero, so the amount is considered zero, and then the deposit of 500 yen is added for a total refund of 500 yen.
3. When the balance is zero, subtracting the fee leaves less than zero, so the amount is considered zero, and then the deposit of 500 yen is added for a total refund of 500 yen.

Validity Period

• If not used for a period of 10 years, the Suica becomes invalid. For such invalid cards, the following options are available:

1. Get a replacement Suica card
   The charge on the invalid Suica will be transferred to your new card.
2. Get a refund
   A refund will be made after subtracting a refund fee from the charge on the invalid Suica. The initial deposit of 500 yen will also be refunded.

Other

• Lost Suica cards cannot be reissued.
• When traveling outside the Suica valid area please purchase a ticket beforehand.