The one card you need in Tokyo
I added Suica to my phone on my first day in Tokyo, and it made life so easy. It works on every train, subway and bus in Tokyo, most other big cities, and in convenience stores, vending machines and many cafés. Topping up from the phone is instant. Tapping through gates is fast even at rush hour. The mobile version is easiest on iPhone, while some Android phones are not compatible. Physical cards had a supply shortage for a while, although that has improved. There is no discount compared with paper tickets, but the convenience is worth it.
Pros
- Works almost everywhere
- Instant mobile top ups
- Fast at ticket gates
Cons
- Not all Android phones supported
- No fare discount