SUICA: how long does it last? And other questions

Hello everyone. I was in Japan a couple of years ago and I bought a Suica card at the Shinjuku station.

I keep it and I have it now with me. Now that I’m coming back to a Japan in a few months I was wondering whether the card is still valid…?

Plus: how can I check the current balance and the remaining duration from abroad?

by deveroos

7 comments
  1. It‘s 10 years after last use (if it‘s a regular suica not a welcome suica). You can use an nfc reader app to show the balance. For ios for example japan train card balance check.

  2. If you have a regular green Suica, it’s valid 10 years after last usage. And the loaded money isn’t lost either. And yes, there are several balance check apps available. At least from the Android side I can say for sure. The one I used is called “SUICA Scanner” and has a racoon / tanuki in its logo.

    With my own card, which has been in 7 years since my last trip last year, I treated myself to a beer and an onigiri at a Lawson store in the Narita terminal after baggage claim. With the ~400 yen that were still on it. 😀

  3. As long as it’s not a “Welcome Suica” it’s valid for 10 years from last use.

    Just wait until you get there to check the balance. I went back to Japan after 7 years and was wondering if I had anything left on my IC card. I did! … 2 yen…

  4. Just went through this a week ago. Mine was over 10 years old, took it to the ticket office out of curiosity and they renewed it and even transferred whatever balance I had on it.

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