What’s the best way for a 12-year-old to pay for things in Japan?

I know this isn’t a super important question, but I want my 12-year-old to feel he has some independence and can pay for some of his own things (shops, swiping for trains, food, etc.) while we visit Japan. Does anyone have advice for what to use?

My son has an iPhone, but, being 12, he can’t have a debit card linked to his Apple Wallet. I assume this means he can’t use a virtual Suica card because there’s no reasonable way to reload it. He can use Apple Cash. He’s going to want to buy little things at vending machines, capsule toys, anime shops, etc. Is there a best, all-in-one way to do this? I feel like it’s finding him an IC card and letting him use that everywhere, but it seems like I’d have to bring cash and reload it at a station every time we want to top it off.

What do you all do for kids who are in that in-between age for independence?

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**Edit:** I just want to say thanks for all of these helpful comments. I think we’re in good shape now with him using cash and a physical IC card. Thank you!

by Erostratuss

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