Originally Posted by crazyhorse

Visiting Tokyo in March for our first ever trip to Japan and looking through this thread it appears like I could probably purchase a Suica or Pasmo card through my Apple wallet and load it with an Amex or MC. Since I have no experience with these or what they can be used for, any recommendations for a first time tourist? Seems like they can even be used as a method of payment at some shops? What would be a good amount to load up that I am likely to consume? I suppose that there is no way to get a refund of the funds on the card?

Also with respect to the actual transit itself, how do you use the actual card at the point of entry and exit? The same double click with the right button to bring up the appropriate card and then hold it close to the reader? I assume the system calculates the fare automatically based on the location I entered from and the location from where I exit