Suica card - is it possible to top up using phone or credit card at machines
 

I have not been in Tokyo for about 2 years. Did quick search but could not find answer, asking because situation might have changed in 2 years.

Simple question - I have physical Suica card, left from my old trips. Is it possible to to top up of it using following methods?

- Top up using (some) app and Android phone (samsung Galaxy)
- Top up at the train station machine with Apple Pay (using iphone 6) or Samsung Pay
- Top up at the train station machine using a credit card

Thanks.

Replying to my own question. No, seems using apple pay is only possible with 8/X devices and Android/Samsung Pay is not an option as well as using credit cards for top up.

Oh, well, get ready with 1000Y bills as usual...

You could buy an Apple Watch and pair it? (avoid LTE version due to differnt cell banding) - then your suica would be on the watch instead (you can issue a new card via the app you dont need a physival one to begin with)

Apple Watch 3 or JP Apple Watch 2 would allow you to charge it via Apple Pay Credit Card on iPhone 6. The JR East recharges code as travel on my Chase credit card.

Definitely do need to buy several hundred $ gadget just for one time Tokyo visit. :)

if you want to try your luck

1) buy a cheap Osaifu-Keitai Android phone (typically japanese-only phone eg $135 below)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/KYOCERA-UNL...W/113224264711

2) attempt to add google account to the japanese phone, and add money w/ credit card. good luck switching the language to english
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japa...fu-keitai.html

3) let me know, so that I can do this for my next japan trip


EDIT:
https://atadistance.net/2018/05/28/g...lops-in-japan/

the steps above won't work.. need a japanese-carrier-locked android device

Hm. Let's see what is going to change in next decade. :)

Well theres always an iPhone upgrade if youre due for one. ?

iPhone launch event imminent!

Will see what is coming next week and/or in January.

I don't have concept 'of due' for gadgets - if a device works and performs 90% required functions, I do not see the reason to replace it just to keep up with the Joneses.

I wouldn't get a new iPhone/Apple Watch for a one time Tokyo visit, especially if using a XX hour visitor subway pass, but it has made it easier to take care of the mundane cash & IC balance check.

90% of my Apple Watch's reason for purchase was Mobile Suica. I refer to mine as my $$$ Suica card. It is incredibly convenient since I tend to go towards the countryside and/or leave the usual international tourist route. It is also really useful on longer train rides to set a timer ~ 10 min before I need to get off. There's a few other things like health tracker, iPhone camera trigger, ability to show a few time zones, and quick read of iMessage which is helpful in everyday life. Apple Watch 3 would do the trick and with version 4 rumored for Sept 2018 announcement, version 3 will probably be on discount soon.

Apply Pay also works with a few other Transit providers outside Japan
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207958

My iPhone X has been great last couple days here in Toyko. Added my Suica card to my Apple Wallet, got the 500yen deposit added to the card. I can add funds via the credit cards in my apple wallet or with cash at the machines. The machines only take cash and I'm not aware of anything official that takes credit. You can buy a new card via credit card with the funds loaded on 3rd party sites but you will pay a bit extra.

Topping up with cash sounds a heck of a lot easier if you don't have a compatible device.

Yes, when I arrived at NRT on my last visit, I changed about US$100 worth of "walking around money" and used some of that to top up my Suica at a ticket machine in JR Nippori Station. Easy, with no investments in new technology required.

I have an iPhone 8 which isn't from Japan. Was able to use the Suica app and add the Suica to my Apple Watch S3. What I noticed using it this past week is that it is kinda annoying for the trains as the suica reader is on the right and I wear the hand on my left wrist.

There also doesn't seem to be a way to top it up using the machines.

A lot of machines require you to insert IC card (which you can't do with your watch/phone)

Some dedicated topup machines only require you to place IC card on a holder, which you can do?

what about android pay? Any experience with using this for suica ?