Hi, I saw online that the Suica card is not available. a person told me that it could be added to the JR Pass order before completing the payment but I was unable to add it. Before buying the JR pass I wanted to ask you if it is really possible to add the suica card to the JR pass order. If this is not possible, can the Suica card be physically purchased in Japan?
Thank You
Hi Massimo, thanks for reaching out.
Suica and JR Pass is different things and are not sold together nor are they connected in any ways – sorry. However, suica is a great card. The card can be used for non-JR rides, metro, busses, drink machines and much more.
The new Welcome Suica card can be added to your apple and google pay or be used as a physical card. There are normally multiple machines at all trains and metro stations as well as airports across Japan, there’s no need to pre-purchade as the card comes with no extra fees in Japan.
BUT, there is currently a chip shortage in Japan which has suspended sales of Welcome Suica and the normal Suica card physically at most locations.
You can read more about it here under the dropdown “Purchasing the Welcome Suica” at the bottom. There are a few locations where you still can purchase the Suica card. https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/welcomesuica/welcomesuica.html
I would look into a PASMO card instead. It comes with the same benefits and system 😊 https://www.pasmo.co.jp/visitors/en/buy/
Hope it was of help and have a wonderful stay in Japan.
With kind regards, Jonathan.
