Japan to launch travel card app for international visitors

One of the 25 destinations on our Good to Go list, we’re sure many of you are planning a trip to Japan this year for the World Expo in Osaka, or the slew of new art gallery openings across the country.

And getting around Japan’s sights is about to get easier as the country is about to launch an app for international visitors where you can top-up and use your travel card on your phone.

Launching 6 March, iPhone users will be able to download the ‘Welcome Suica Mobile’ application and purchase a Suica card. This Suica card can then be used for travel on trains, subways and buses in cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

“But why is this such a big deal,” we hear you cry. Well, if you’re using a physical Suica card, you’ll need to make top-ups with cash as ticket machines do not accept credit cards.

Travel isn’t the only use for your Suica card, either. Japan is a very cash-heavy society, and many stores and restaurants will not take card payments. But many places that don’t accept card may accept Suica – so if you run out of cash, you can top-up your Suica card and pay that way.

JR-East, the transport company that issues Suica cards, has a (non-exhaustive) list of retailers that accept Suica payments on its website, and it includes beverage vending machines, convenience stores like Lawson and FamilyMart, and restaurants like KFC and CoCo Ichibanya (IYKYK).

Strictly speaking, the ability to get a Japanese travel card on iPhone isn’t new – you can add a Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA card to your Apple Wallet and top-up directly. But the app is also set to get new features in the coming months: By autumn 2025, you’ll be able to use Shinkansen e-Tickets, and by spring 2026, you’ll be able to buy Green Car tickets.

Android user? Unfortunately, no plans have been announced to launch the app on the Google Play store. You also can’t use Suica cards on Google Pay.

More information: jreast.co.jp