JR West partners with JAL and ANA

Railways and airlines have traditionally been competitors, competing for the same passengers. However, in recent years, collaboration has been increasing alongside the growth of inbound tourism demand in Japan.

For example, in 2021, overseas JAL Mileage Bank members became able to exchange their miles for the JR-WEST RAIL PASS. This marked one of the initiatives jointly promoted by JR West and JAL to encourage travel across western Japan.

Looking ahead to the 2030s, the two companies are working to directly integrate their booking systems, allowing travelers to arrange both rail and air transportation in a single booking process.

Previously, travelers needed to book flights first and then separately reserve Shinkansen or limited express trains. With this new system, international visitors to Japan will be able to organize their entire journey on one platform.

As an early example, dynamic package products combining flights between Haneda and Nanki-Shirahama with JR West’s Limited Express Kuroshio and regional rail passes are already being introduced.

While flights are generally slightly faster in terms of travel time, how do they compare on price?

For example, on the Osaka–Fukuoka route, last-minute airfare and the standard Shinkansen fare are roughly similar, both costing around ¥16,000. However, if flights are booked early and outside peak travel periods, airfare can sometimes drop to around ¥9,000, making air travel the cheaper option depending on the conditions.

Under the Japanese government’s goal of attracting 60 million international visitors by 2030, stronger integration between transportation and tourism is becoming increasingly important.

One key challenge will be how to combine and coordinate relatively stable Shinkansen fares with airline prices, which can fluctuate significantly depending on timing and demand.

Currently, around 70% of inbound travelers’ overnight stays are concentrated in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Kansai, and Nagoya, making regional distribution another major issue.

Attention is now focused on whether collaboration between railways and airlines can help solve this challenge by encouraging international visitors to travel beyond Japan’s major urban centers.

2026年5月2日
鉄旅ライフ編集部
過去のコラムはこちら

2026 Guide: How to Get a Suica Card in Japan for Foreign Travelers

2026.04.15

There are many types of discount options available for Shinkansen travel, including online-only deals and special tickets with specific conditions.

However, some discounts are limited to residents of Japan or require Japanese-language booking systems, making them difficult for international travelers to use.

This guide explains how to obtain a Suica IC card in Japan and how to book Shinkansen tickets at discounted prices.

  • No need to buy paper tickets
  • No need to settle extra fare at the ticket counter when you travel beyond your planned station
  • Can also be used at convenience stores and other shops

If you are traveling in Japan, Mobile Suica is a very convenient option.

Three Ways to Get a Suica Card

If you are traveling to Japan, having an IC card like Suica is the most convenient way to pay for trains, buses, and even at convenience stores.

  1. Standard Suica (Anonymous)

Foreign travelers can purchase a standard Suica card at major JR East stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area, including the black multi-function ticket machines and JR ticket offices (Midori no Madoguchi).

Where to buy: Ticket machines or JR ticket offices (Midori-no-Madoguchi) at major stations such as Tokyo, Shinjuku, and Shibuya
Cost: Initial payment, including a 500 yen deposit
Validity: Valid for 10 years. The 500 yen deposit is refundable when the card is returned at designated JR East stations.

However, return locations are limited, and the refund process may take time depending on how busy the station is.

  1. Welcome Suica (Tourist Card)

A special version designed for short-term visitors.

Where to buy: Narita and Haneda Airport
Key advantage: No deposit required

Important:
Valid for 28 days only
Remaining balance is non-refundable

  1. Welcome Suica Mobile (App)

For iPhone users, this is often the easiest option.

How to get: Download the Welcome Suica app
Payment: Apple Wallet (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)

No physical card is needed—just tap your phone at the ticket gates.
Important:The remaining balance will expire after 180 days.

Welcome Suica Mobile (App)

Welcome Suica Mobile is the option most travelers choose, as it is fast to set up and easy to use without needing a physical card.

However, there are important validity limits to be aware of. Welcome Suica Mobile is valid for 180 days, while the physical Welcome Suica card is valid for 28 days. In both cases, any remaining balance will expire and cannot be refunded.

Standard Suica: A Better Option for Long-Term Use

By contrast, a standard Suica card used in Japan remains valid for up to 10 years after the last use. If you plan to revisit Japan or want to avoid losing your balance, it is recommended to obtain a standard (anonymous) Suica card once you arrive.

Mobile Suica (App) and Payment Limitations

Mobile Suica(App) requires FeliCa, a contactless payment technology. Many smartphones outside Japan do not support this feature, so Mobile Suica may not be available on some devices.

Even if the device is compatible, some overseas-issued credit cards may not be accepted for charging Mobile Suica.

In such cases, cash top-ups at station machines may be required.

So I started thinking about a better way to use this system.

First, before traveling to Japan, install Welcome Suica Mobile on your iPhone. Then register for Smart EX and book your Shinkansen tickets in advance. This allows you to take advantage of early booking discounts.

The ticket counters at Tokyo Station were extremely crowded, with so many people that it was difficult even to take photos.

The ticket counters at Tokyo Station were extremely crowded, with so many people that it was difficult even to take photos.It is almost unthinkable to line up to buy tickets.
It is better to book your Shinkansen tickets before arriving in Japan. It is cheaper and more comfortable.

How to Ride the Shinkansen at a Lower Price Without Losing Your Deposit

The remaining balance expires after 180 days, which can feel a bit wasteful.

Therefore, a practical approach is as follows: upon arrival in Japan, use your pre-linked Welcome Suica (connected with Smart EX) to ride the Shinkansen and spend it down during your trip. Then, purchase a Standard Suica from a ticket machine and charge it with Japanese yen in cash.

After that, for everyday use—such as local trains or payments at convenience stores—a standard Suica card is more convenient and stress-free. The balance on a Standard Suica remains valid for up to 10 years after the last use.

Step 1: Before you fly Install Welcome Suica Mobile on your iPhone and link it to the Smart EX app. Book your Shinkansen using “Hayatoku” (Early Bird) discounts. You save money and skip the station queues!

Step 2: After you arrive Find a Standard Suica (Green Card) at a local station. Charge this card with cash for your daily travel on local trains (JR/Subway) and shopping.

Why this works?

  • The Welcome Suica handles your discounted Shinkansen tickets.
  • The Standard Suica stays valid for 10 years, meaning your remaining balance won’t expire even if you come back to Japan years later.

Can One Smartphone Be Used for the Whole Family on the Shinkansen?

With Smart EX (Express Reservation), you can book tickets for up to 6 people using a single smartphone (one transaction).

However, you cannot pass through the ticket gates for everyone using just one smartphone if your companions do not have their own IC cards.

How reservations and boarding work

  1. Number of passengers per booking
    You can reserve tickets for up to 6 people (adults and children combined) in one transaction.
    Note: During late-night hours (11:30 PM – 5:30 AM), bookings are limited to a maximum of 3 people.
  2. Boarding methods
    It is not possible for all passengers to enter by tapping a single smartphone. One of the following methods is required.

If everyone has an IC card:
After booking, you can register (link) each passenger’s IC card in the app. Each person can then tap their own IC card at the ticket gate and board without a paper ticket.

If some passengers do not have an IC card:
You cannot enter using only a smartphone screen. You must issue paper tickets for all passengers at a station ticket machine using the credit card or reservation code used for booking.

If using QR tickets:
After booking for multiple passengers, you can distribute QR tickets via email or messaging apps such as LINE. Each person can then use their own smartphone to board.

Special cases

Traveling with children:
Infants under 6 years old can travel for free if they do not occupy a reserved seat. If you wish to reserve a seat for them, you must book a child ticket. In that case, you will need to link a child IC card such as a child Suica or issue a paper ticket.

Oversized baggage seats:
If you reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area, only one passenger can be booked per transaction. Multiple passengers require separate bookings.

Practical advice

If not everyone in your group has an IC card, it is best to arrive at the station early and collect paper tickets before going through the ticket gates to ensure a smooth experience.