Heading to Japan & wondering how to pay to get around? Look no further than the Virtual Suica card! Psst, it can be added to your Apple Wallet and topped up with your YouTrip card via Apple Pay 😉 Travelling through the country has never been easier.
In June 2023, JR East suspended the sale of rechargeable Suica cards due to production shortages of the chips used to make them. And at the time of writing, there has been no update on whether sales will be recontinued 🫠 This doesn’t affect current cardholders but may leave some of us first-time Japan travellers wondering ‘What now?’.
Don’t panic — introducing the Virtual Suica card as your solution. It’s convenient, useful, and most of all, easy to get your hands on. Simply add your Virtual Suica card to your Apple Wallet and top it up with YouTrip through Apple Pay! Here’s everything you need to know 👇
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What’s A Virtual Suica Card?
Image Credits: Gizmodo
The Virtual Suica card is available to download on your Apple devices. Say goodbye to fumbling for change at vending machines or queueing up for train tickets — all it takes is a tap with your Virtual Suica card and you’re all set!
How To Easily Top Up Your Virtual Suica Card In Japan Via Apple Pay With YouTrip: Check out our guide to if it’s still worth buying the JR pass despite prices increasing
How To Add Your Virtual Suica Card To Apple Pay & Top Up With YouTrip
1️⃣ Give the ‘+’ symbol on the top right corner of your Wallet App a little tap
2️⃣ Select ‘Travel Card’ and key in ‘Suica’ (easy peasy lemon squeezy 🍋)
3️⃣ Tap ‘Continue’ then key in your desired JPY amount — make sure you’ve got enough JPY on your YouTrip app first! 💴
4️⃣ Scan through the T&Cs & select ‘Agree’ (you’re almost there…)
5️⃣ Double-click the side button to top up your Suica card with your YouTrip Mastercard and voila! You’ve now got the best Yen rates in town ✨
* Do note that you can only top up your Suica card with a Mastercard
How To Easily Top Up Your Virtual Suica Card In Japan Via Apple Pay With YouTrip: Find out more here
Other Alternatives
Unfortunately, Android users are only able to access the Virtual Suica card via Google Pay if they have a smartphone purchased in Japan. But don’t worry, we’ve got your backs. Here’s an alternative that’ll come in handy: The Welcome Suica. An eCard for tourists used for transport on JR East trains, subways, and buses, the Welcome Suica can also be used for payments at a wide variety of stores where the ‘Suica’ logo is displayed. Better yet, it helps you skip the tiresome need to queue up for a train ticket from the vending machine.
Although no deposit is required, the Welcome Suica only lasts for 28 days and doesn’t allow refunds regardless of the validity period status or balance loaded on your card.
❗Upon purchase, you’ll receive a reference paper with your Welcome Suica’s validity period. Do note that you’ll have to keep that reference paper with you at all times as your validity period will not be printed on the card itself and may be requested by JR employees.
You can purchase them here:
| Counters | Welcome Suica Vending Machines |
| 📍 JR-East Travel Service Center | 📍 Narita Airport Terminal 1, 2 & 3 Stations |
| 📍 Narita Airport Terminal 1, 2 & 3 Stations | 📍 Tokyo Monorail Airport Line |
| 📍 Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Line | 📍 Haneda Airport Terminal 2 & 3 Stations |
| 📍 Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station | |
| 📍 Welcome Suica Vending Machines |
*Limited to 1 Welcome Suica per person
How To Easily Top Up Your Virtual Suica Card In Japan Via Apple Pay With YouTrip: Find out more here
Your Guides To Exploring Japan 🇯🇵
| Everything You Need To Know | Read Now! |
| Prices For Japan’s Regional JR Passes Are Set To Increase From 1 Octover 2023 | 👉 Click here |
| Flower Festivals In Japan To Look Forward To 2023 | 👉 Click here |
| 9 Theme Parks To Visit In Japan 2023 | 👉 Click here |
| Japan Theme Parks To Increase Admission Prices For Peak Periods 2023 | 👉 Click here |
| Is It Still Worth Buying The Japan Rail Pass Despite Prices Increasing In October 2023? | 👉 Click here |
| How To Capitalise On The Japanese Yen Right Now | 👉 Click here |
| The Best Japanese Onsens And Ryokans To Stay At In Japan 2023 | 👉 Click here |
| YouTrip’s Ultimate Saving Guide: Unveiling Brands That Are Cheaper In Japan Than Back Home | 👉 Click here |
| YouTrip’s Japan Bucket List: Best Things To Do In Kyoto & Osaka 2023 | 👉 Click here |
| YouTrip’s Japan Bucket List: Best Things To Do In Tokyo 2023 | 👉 Click here |
Get The Best JPY Rates With YouTrip!
And there you have it, a seamless way of travelling through the Land of The Rising Sun with the best JPY rates all day!
As Singapore’s favourite multi-currency wallet, we aim to get those pesky fees out of the way and help you save on your travels. With the best foreign exchange rates, no longer will you have to deal with those long queues at money changers! So if you’re looking for a go-to travel card, sign up for your complimentary YouTrip card today with promo code <YTBLOG5> and get FREE S$5 in your account! For more great tips and articles like this, join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter here or down below.
And while you’re at it, why not join the conversation with thousands of #YouTroopers in our very own Community Telegram Group @YouTripSquad? Get tips and tricks to everything YouTrip including exclusive invites to exciting events and experiences, & be part of the #YouTripSquad!
Bon Voyage 💜
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