Suica Card

Hello! I haven't been able to find a straight answer anywhere (not even on the JREast site). Am I required to buy a Suica card before I arrive in Japan, or wait to buy it at Narita Airport? :?

Are you sure you're not talking about a Japan Rail Pass?
Japan Rail Pass - Wikipedia

Those have to be purchased outside Japan. It appears that Suica cards are just ordinary prepaid rail cards.

Suica cards are just pre-paid rail cards. My wife has one she sometimes uses. We also have ICOCA which is the same deal, just a pre-paid card for use at the gates. They are handy and I would get one if you aren't going to get a rail pass. However, if you will do considerable traveling during your visit to Japan I would highly recommend the rail pass as it will save you a lot of money. Just keep in mind its only good on the JR line you choose. You can get a JR Pass that is good on all of the lines as well. More info is available here:

http://www.jtbusa.com/en/jr/j-jr.asp

There are some restrictions on which trains you can take but even with the ordinary coach class, pass you have a wide selection.

thank you!!!

I feel like a true idiot! I thought a Japan Rail Pass was the exact same thing as a Suica card! Thanks both of you for replying! Now I know the difference!

arukeeper23 said:

I feel like a true idiot! I thought a Japan Rail Pass was the exact same thing as a Suica card! Thanks both of you for replying! Now I know the difference!

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There's no such thing as a "stupid question." How are you supposed to find out something unless you ask?