Japan Suica 2026: deposits, expiry and refunds across the three versions
Suica now comes in several forms, and the deposit, expiry and refund rules differ enough that the wrong choice bites on your last day. Working from JR East's own guidance, here is how the standard Suica, Welcome Suica and Welcome Suica Mobile compare.
Suica options at a glance
| Type | Deposit | Validity | Balance refundable | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Suica (card) | ¥500 | No expiry | Yes, less a ¥220 fee | Repeat visitors who want to keep it |
| Welcome Suica (card) | None | 28 days | Per official rules | A single short trip |
| Welcome Suica Mobile | None | 180 days from issue | No — value lapses at expiry | iPhone users who would rather skip a card |
(Source: JR East official site, checked October 2026.) The column that catches people out is the last one: Welcome Suica Mobile is convenient, but the balance is not refunded, so top up to what you will actually spend.
Suica deposit and refund rules
The purchase price of a standard Suica already includes the ¥500 deposit. Cards are sold at ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥3,000, ¥4,000, ¥5,000 and ¥10,000; subtract the deposit for usable value.
- Returning the card: you receive the ¥500 deposit and the remaining balance, less a ¥220 handling fee. JR East's example: ¥1,280 back on a ¥1,000 balance.
- Whether to bother: if you expect to return to Japan within a year or two, keeping the card beats refunding it — a refund costs ¥220 and the next card costs another ¥500 deposit.
- Unregistered cards: back on sale since 1 March 2025, available at JR East stations among other places.
Topping up: cash versus credit card
This is the detail most visitors get wrong.
- ・A native network rather than roaming — fast and stable, with data and duration both selectable
- ・The first choice on iPhone; Android users should take the KDDI plan instead
- ・Refund guaranteed if the signal is unstable or the plan goes completely unused
Four things to know before relying on Welcome Suica Mobile
- iPhone and Apple Watch only. Android users need a physical card.
- 180 days of validity from the date of issue, after which the balance lapses.
- No balance refunds. JR East states this plainly, so size your top-ups.
- Some countries face restrictions on issuing or topping up, per JR East's own note — it may only work once you are in Japan, so it is worth a trial run before you fly.
It also works with Touch de Go! Shinkansen for reserved seats on JR East shinkansen services.
Why Suica and connectivity are worth arranging together
Issuing, topping up and checking a mobile Suica all need data. A physical card taps without a connection, but looking up routes, interchange times and last trains does not. The ten minutes after landing tend to be exactly when you need data most and have none.
| Option | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| eSIM | Most travellers; working on landing | Handset must support eSIM; install before departure |
| Local physical SIM | Long stays needing a Japanese number | Airport queue, and keeping your original SIM safe |
| International roaming | Transits and very short trips | Higher rates; confirm the daily cap first |
| Station and convenience-store Wi-Fi | Quick lookups | A login step each time, and nothing while you are moving |
The three Japan plans are compared in our Japan eSIM comparison, and the pre-arrival formality is covered in the Visit Japan Web guide.
Japan Suica: frequently asked questions
How much is the Suica deposit, and what do I get back?
JR East sets the deposit on a standard Suica at ¥500, included in the purchase price. On return you receive the ¥500 deposit plus your remaining balance, less a ¥220 handling fee — JR East's own example is ¥1,280 back on a ¥1,000 balance.
Are unregistered Suica cards on sale again?
Yes. Sales of unregistered Suica and PASMO cards resumed on 1 March 2025, per notices from the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation and Tokyo Metro. Suica is sold at JR East stations among other places; PASMO availability varies by operator.
How does Welcome Suica differ from a normal Suica?
Welcome Suica is the version for overseas visitors: no deposit, but valid for 28 days. A standard Suica carries the ¥500 deposit and no expiry. For a single short trip, Welcome Suica saves you dealing with a refund.
What is Welcome Suica Mobile, and does it work on Android?
It is JR East's smartphone version for overseas visitors, released on 6 March 2025. It currently supports iPhone and Apple Watch only — Android is not covered. It is valid for 180 days from issue, carries no deposit, and can be topped up with a credit card registered to Apple Pay or with cash at ticket machines.
Can I get a refund on the Welcome Suica Mobile balance?
No. JR East states that balances are not refunded, and any remaining value lapses when the validity period ends, so top up to what you expect to use.
Can I top up a Suica with a credit card at a ticket machine?
No. A physical Suica is topped up with cash at ticket machines, in amounts of ¥500, ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥3,000, ¥5,000 or ¥10,000, with a ¥20,000 balance ceiling. Credit-card top-ups go through the mobile version, using a card registered to Apple Pay.
- ・QR code emailed within about 10 minutes, so you can install before you leave
- ・Refund guaranteed if the signal is unstable or the plan goes completely unused
- ・LINE support at @peanutmo, 10:00–17:00 (UTC+8)
Installation takes about three minutes with our step-by-step setup guide.
Related reading
Immigration and customs declarations online, including how the QR code is used.
Softbank native, KDDI native and dual-carrier — which suits your handset.
The pre-travel clearance targeted for fiscal 2028, transit passengers included.
Real usage figures for navigation and transit lookups.
