Welcome Suica for Tourists: What to Know Before You Buy
Short answer: Welcome Suica is a tap-to-pay train card for visitors — no deposit, valid 28 days, and the leftover balance is not refunded. Top up small amounts in cash, and spend what is left at convenience stores before you fly home.
| Item | Official rule (JR East) |
|---|---|
| Where to buy | Welcome Suica machines at Narita T1 and T2·3 stations and Haneda T3 (Tokyo Monorail) station; JR East Travel Service Centers at Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno, Yokohama, Sendai and others. One card per person. |
| Price | JPY 1,000 to 10,000 loaded value; no deposit |
| Valid | 28 days including the purchase day |
| Top-up | Cash yen only, up to JPY 20,000 balance; ticket machines with the Welcome Suica mark or Seven Bank ATMs |
| Refund | None for leftover balance; lost cards are not reissued |
| Where it works | Trains, subways and buses in Tokyo and other IC areas; shops and vending machines with IC logos (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, etc.); coin lockers |
What trips people up
- Crossing areas: you can't ride from one IC area into another on one tap (e.g. Tokyo to Sendai). Exit the gate and re-enter.
- Shinkansen and limited express: the card pays the base fare in the area; you still need the limited express or Shinkansen ticket.
- Child card: needs the child's passport shown at purchase.
- Keep the reference paper: the validity date is only on that paper; machines can reprint it.
Left out (not confirmed on official pages today): Suica on iPhone/Android for visitors, and sales status at every station.
Quick answers
Can I get my Welcome Suica balance refunded?
No. JR East says no refunds are available for Welcome Suica, whatever the balance or validity. Only a card that malfunctions can get a balance refund.
How long is Welcome Suica valid?
28 days including the purchase day. It stops working on day 29. The GOOD THRU date on the back is not the validity date.
Can I top up Welcome Suica with a credit card?
No. Top-ups are cash yen only, at ticket machines with the Welcome Suica mark or at Seven Bank ATMs (7-Eleven), up to JPY 20,000.
More Japan trip guides: Japan trip checklist (all guides)
Official sources
Checked November 4, 2026 (JST). Prices and rules can change; confirm on the official pages.
- JR East — Welcome Suica (official, English): www.jreast.co.jp
- JR East — Welcome Suica purchase, top-up, refunds (official, English): www.jreast.co.jp