Suica card, Nagano, Japan | Image credit: Terence Toh Chin Eng/Shutterstock
We have good news for those travelling to Japan! The extremely popular and convenient Suica card is poised to make a triumphant comeback in Japan this autumn. After a production halt due to a global chip shortage, the convenient electronic money card will once again be readily available, the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has announced.
Explore more with our guide to slow travel in Japan.
Japan’s Suica card: All you need to know
JR Welcome Suica vending machine at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan | Image credit: Picturesque Japan/Shutterstock
According to The Japan Times, the production of unregistered Suica cards was first discontinued in June 2023, followed by the registered ones. However, cards for children, people with disabilities and commuter passes were still being produced.
While a launch date hasn’t been announced, the Suica cards are expected to be available at multiple locations across Japanese cities. At present, these can be bought at the JR East Travel Service Centers in Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Ueno stations, the Japan Guide has reported.
The Suica card in Japan has been a staple for visitors and locals, offering seamless travel and shopping experiences. From trains and subways to convenience stores and vending machines, Suica cards provide a cashless and efficient way to navigate Japan. With the card’s return, travellers can look forward to a more convenient and enjoyable trip. For further insights into Suica cards, click here.
Reports indicate that while Suica will be available at multiple locations soon, another version of the card – called Welcome Suica – has been spotted in use at the Narita and Haneda airports.
(Feature image credit: Terence Toh Chin Eng/Shutterstock)
Related: Iceland Introduces ID Cards As Passport Alternatives For Travel Within Europe
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Written By
Pyusha Chatterjee
Digital Writer – Growth, Travel
A journalist, Pyusha has previously worked with media organisations including The New Indian Express ..Read Moreand Hindustan Times. A solo traveller by choice, she loves exploring life more than anything else, after food of course. When she isn\’t gardening, writing, reading, cooking or singing out loud, you can spot her watching films and series, debating with friends or organising things unnecessarily. Read Less
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