After a year-long break, the major train companies in eastern Japan plan to start selling contactless travel cards again on September 1.
Due to a scarcity of appropriate chips, Suica’s issuer, East Japan Railway (JR East), and its card issuer, Pasmo, ceased selling the cards in August 2023.
Private railway businesses in the Tokyo metropolitan area own Pasmo.
There are currently enough chips available for the companies to restart the service, but only for customers who register their names and other personal data. The decision to issue anonymous passes has not yet been made.
Additionally, foreign visitors will be able to purchase the “Welcome Suica” pass at tourist information desks located in Tokyo’s principal terminals.
Previously, JR East had limited its sales to Narita International Airport and Haneda Airport. The Eki-Tabi Concierge will soon be selling the tourist pass at the stations in Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Ueno.