Japanese Suica Card: How to Check the Balance and Add Money

Japan has a sophisticated train system used by millions of people every day. It is very thorough and structured, and it runs very well. One of the best inventions to compliment the train system is the Suica card.

The Suica card is a card that can be loaded with money and then simply swiped at the train gates. This makes travel much faster, as you don't have to wait in line for long periods of times to purchase a ticket - in fact, you don't even have to slow down while walking; touch the card to the blue circle on the gate, and you're ready to go.

If you're going to Japan for the first time, it can be confusing trying to figure the Suica system out. You will need to add money to it eventually, and you'll need to know how to check your balance for those times when you're planning to go a longer distance.

Checking the Balance

Before adding money, you will need to check the balance to see what is left on it. This is very simple to do. First, look around the train station near the gate - you will see at least one computer. Look for one teller machine that has a picture of the Suica card on the front.

On the bottom left side is a card slot. Simply insert your card. An LED display will light up directly under the LCD, displaying the amount of money left on your card. Rarely, you'll find a machine that doesn't have a display - it will show you two buttons on the screen, and one will say 'balance inquiry' - press that button.

If you don't want to add money to your card, then press the red cancel button above the card slot. You will get your card back along with a receipt. If you do want to add money, leave your card in the machine and follow the next steps.

Adding Money

You will see a small button in the upper corner of the machine that says English. Press that button. You will then be presented with a series of buttons that have different amounts of money on them. Choose the button for the amount you'd like to add.

At this point, the screen will show a small animation indicating for you to either insert a bill into the correct area or insert coins into the coin slot. Add the money you'd like to add. If you put in the exact amount, you will simply get your card and a receipt back. If you add more than the amount - for example, you insert 1,000 yen but you only put 500 yen on - you will receive change in the change area on the front of the machine.