Major Changes To Japan’s Suica In 2025 #japan

Japan is launching ONE app that will solve all your travel and navigation issues 🥹

The Welcome Suica Mobile app will have the following features:
1. Welcome Suica Card to use and to top up virtually (valid for 180 days)
2. One of the new feature which is literally a GAME CHANGER is that you can also use the virtual card as an e-Shinkansen ticket for unreserved seats for all JR East Shinkansens. This means that you can take the Shinkansen without rushing for a specific day or time and no more worrying about where to buy your Shinkansen ticket!
3. It's also a navigation app all in one and a bonus is you can book discounted and express train tickets through the app!

Keep in mind that the Welcome Suica Mobile app will only be available for Apple users for now. The official launch date is on 6th March 2025 but let me know in the comments if you want a tutorial after it's been launched

[catherineellison]

Yes, a tutorial would be so welcomed! I'm taking my daughter to Tokyo next year and I'd like to know as much as I can by the time we go. Thank you!!

[kavanon]

Yes please! We are travelling to Japan on March 31st 2025.. Will be of great help

[KathinaG]

If I didn't had to school worry about it before I went early this month, this wouldbe been a lifesaver for me. Saving this for future Japan trips thank you ❤

[kenzo-in-tokyo]

This is great for my foreign friends :) I see announcements on some of the new features and us locals are jealous!

[kiaohmichi]

Yes please! Definitely need a tutorial!

[jihannesalmoser]

That sounds so cool! Yes, please show us all the perks!

[Mad___Hatter]

I personally still prefer an icoca card, that thing doesnt expire for 10 years and it resets the timer from the last time you use it.

[gsss]

A tutorial would be amazing! This is going to come in affect at the beginning of my japan trip

[PiiandJay]

I love how suicas can also be used at konbinis 🥰

[ipewei]

I wish they would finally release an android equivalent

[illjustcallyoumine]

Yes please, a tutorial would be amazing

[ro.renn.garland]

This is amazing! A tutorial would be so helpful!

[nely]

Wow, awesome! A tutorial would be great, Grace! Thanks!

[flash]

This is so convenient that they are adding this!

[efeceefe]

So excited! I’ll arrive on the 19th to enjoy these changes! ❤❤❤

[nosotrosenchina]

A tutorial for the shinkansen part pls!❤

[paulglennhunter]

I still like using my Suica card, my favourite IC card I've gotten so far is the Okica I got in Okinawa. Hopefully I'll get one from each region eventually 😂

[HappyLilTraveller]

I'm going to Japan in May, so a tutorial would be very helpful! Everything I've read about getting a suica card has been very confusing since they've been out of stock I believe, so it's a relief to know they're adding a digital pass!

[phillydisco-hr]

I will still get my JR pass for train travel because I like to go far, and sit in the quieter Green Class car. But SUICA was good for local transit like subways and buses to tap on and off to pay. I got mine in September last year (Welcome) so my next trip in April I might get the long term card.

[Msal]

You could already generate an electronic Suica card from your Apple Wallet Settings and top up using Apple Pay right from your phone. And buying individual Shinkansen tickets outside of a JR pass is a horrendous deal. It's actually the same price or less to do a round trip by airplane from Tokyo to Osaka than buying a one-way Shinkansen ticket. Having said that, the Suica app is way overdue.