Suica IC cards resume unrestricted sales this March

After a lengthy pause due to a nationwide shortage, the popular Suica and PASMO cards are making a comeback.

Sales of “unnamed” versions of these essential travel cards will resume on Saturday, March 1st, 2025.

A typical Suica IC Card — Plain “unnamed” Suica cards like this will soon be available to travelers

Sales of all travel cards had previously been suspended in 2023 due to a shortage of available IC chips, an issue that also also affected other IC travel cards used in Japan such as ICOCA.

JR East which issues Suica cards and the private train companies that issue PASMO cards chose to temporarily halt sales while finalizing a robust procurement plan to deal with these shortages.

Sales of tourist friendly cards such as the Welcome Suica, a temporary card that is valid for 28 days did continue for a period, but as the IC chip shortage worsened even sales of these cards were suspended at times during the last 2 years.

The sales suspension first showed signs of lifting in September 2024, with the MySuica (a Suica card featuring the holders name) returning to sale, though unrestricted sales of regular or “unnamed” Suica cards remained suspended.

Suica card held up in a train station in Japan — Suica cards are issued by JR East and used in most of eastern Japan

The regular or “unnamed” cards were the most popular version of the card in use as travellers could easily pick them up upon arrival to the country.

A Welcome Suica IC card being held in front of a fare chart — Welcome Suica cards which last 28 days were still available when normal sales were suspended

Tourists in late 2024/early 2025 have been able to purchase temporary Welcome Suica cards and the MySuica “named” cards, but they will soon finally be able to choose from the full range of IC cards again.

As sales of all types of IC card are now resuming, there now appears to be a stable and ongoing supply of IC cards for the foreseeable future.

A train travelling on the JR Yamanote Line in Tokyo — Suica is the main IC card used in Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto area

This ensures that both residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the ease and efficiency these cards offer when traveling in Japan.

This resumption of sales is particularly timely as it coincides with expansions in Suica service areas.

Starting from Saturday, March 15th, 2025, Suica will become available on the Shinonoi Line, Shinetsu Main Line, and Oito Line in Nagano Prefecture.

The central building at Matsumoto Castle with a red footbridge in front of it — The Oita line connects the cities of Nagano and Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture

This expansion significantly increases the utility of Suica for travel within the Nagano region, benefiting both local residents and tourists exploring the region’s scenic beauty and mountain landscapes.

A screenshot of the Welcome Suica Mobile app

For international visitors to Japan, the “Welcome Suica” IC card ticket remains a valuable option, especially as it will become a digital travel card later this year.

Source: JR East Press Release