Guide to Welcome Suica Mobile
When it comes to taking public transportation in Japan, using a prepaid transit card, also known as an IC card, is one of the prevalent methods for fare payment across many train, subway and bus company networks. IC cards deduct the exact fare automatically, thus removing the complexities of figuring out the fare beforehand or not having the correct change.
In addition to paying for public transportation, IC cards can be used for contactless payments for goods and services at a large number of shops and restaurants across Japan. The way to use an IC card is to simply tap it on the card reader when making payments. Digital IC cards, like digital credit cards, are also becoming increasingly common as cashless and contactless payments have become more widespread since the pandemic.
One of the most well-known and widely used IC cards in Japan is the Suica card that is available in both physical and digital forms, and available to anyone. In addition to that, there is also the Welcome Suica card, which is for overseas visitors who enter Japan as temporary visitors, and also available in both physical and digital versions. Both cards are issued by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East).
One advantage that is applicable to both the Welcome Suica and regular Suica cards is the ability to make use of a service known as Touch de Go! Shinkansen, in which card holders can take non-reserved seats of the shinkansen lines operated by JR East, and the fare is paid using the card balance.
This article is mainly about the digital version of the Welcome Suica Mobile with comparisons to the physical version and regular Suica card.
Comparing the digital and physical versions of the Welcome Suica
The Welcome Suica is available to temporary visitors to Japan. The usage of the digital and physical cards is largely the same, but there are some differences, which may make the digital version more attractive to travelers.
- The digital card can be issued at anytime after arrival in Japan via the Welcome Suica Mobile app, which can be downloaded on your smartphone in advance. The physical card must be purchased in person at selected places
- The digital card is valid for 180 days from the date of issuance compared to 28 days from the date of purchase for the physical card
- The digital card can be recharged either through the mobile app or through Apple Wallet, all via your smartphone. Physical IC cards need to be recharged by cash at machines
- The digital card is already activated to use the Touch de Go! Shinkansen service, in which users can take unreserved seats on the bullet train lines operated by JR East, while physical card holders must activate their cards at a ticket machine before use
- The risk of misplacing, forgetting or losing a physical card is minimized
Welcome Suica Mobile app
The digital Welcome Suica card is available via the Welcome Suica Mobile app, which can be downloaded only from the Apple App Store. The following steps outline how to set up the mobile app on iOS. Note that Android users will not be able to download nor use the app.
- After tapping on "next" button on the initial start up screen, a "user information" screen showing your account number will appear. Fill out your secret keyword - which is like a password and only required when making external inquiries relating to the app - and country of origin. Then tap to continue
- Select an amount to load as an initial balance via Apple Pay to complete setting up the digital card. The newly activated Welcome Suica digital card will be set up for Apple Pay via the app and added to Apple Wallet. A successful purchase will result in a screen that says "Your Suica is now ready". You can now see your card balance in Apple Wallet as well as in the mobile app
For a smooth and seamless travel experience, turn on Express Transit in Apple Wallet for the Welcome Suica digital card. Doing so will allow your selected transit card - in this case, the Welcome Suica digital card - to be the primary transit card from which the fares will be automatically deducted. Express transit also allows the card to be used even when the phone is locked.
Shopping with Welcome Suica Mobile
During the pandemic, cashless and contactless payments became widespread in Japan, and since then paying with prepaid IC cards like Suica is widely accepted. Businesses that display an IC logo near their payment counters accept payment by prepaid IC card (both digital and physical cards). Simply inform the staff that you would like to pay with Suica, then tap your card.
Services available on the app
The Welcome Suica Mobile app is good for more than just issuing a digital card and checking your card balance. Two useful services that can be found in the app are: Travel information, in which visitors can check the latest train status information and schedules as well as travel tips, and Support, which shows the ways to use the digital card as well as the Touch de Go! Shinkansen service. Additionally, seat reservations can be made through the app in the near future.
Key Features of the Welcome Suica card
A major benefit for tourists to purchase a Welcome Suica over a regular Suica is that the former does not require a deposit to purchase, but it expires 28 days after the date of purchase. On the other hand, a 500 yen deposit is required when purchasing a regular Suica card. Welcome Suica card holders - both digital and physical versions - are eligible to get rewards at certain retail stores participating in the JR EAST Rewards program by presenting their Welcome Suica card. However, this benefit does not apply to regular Suica card holders.
While the Suica card is available for purchase at a large number of stations, the Welcome Suica is available for purchase only at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport Terminal 3, JAPAN RAIL CAFE, and some JR East Travel Service Centers in the Greater Tokyo Area and in northeastern Japan. The Welcome Suica Mobile is available to be added directly to smartphones for even more convenient and seamless travel.
The "Touch de Go! Shinkansen" service is available with both regular Suica and physical Welcome Suica cards by completing a one-time activation at a ticket machine. In contrast, no activation is required for the Welcome Suica Mobile.
The images for this article was shot on July 14, 2025, and all information listed is accurate as of August 31, 2025.
Download the Welcome Suica Mobile app
- Welcome Suica Mobile - Official website
