I recently moved to live in Japan and my main problem is … that I don’t own a Suica card!
I own a non-Japanese Android phone, the Galaxy S23, which is not compatible with Felica technology required for Suica cards.
I’ve been brainstorming possible solutions, and I’m wondering if purchasing a watch, here in Japan, with Felicia/Suica support would allow me to register a Suica card, even if my phone doesn’t support Felica/Suica.
I’ve come across a few options for Felica/Suica compatible watches:
\- Garmin
\- Fitbit
\- Pixel watch
\- the new Galaxy Watch 6 (their first device to be compatible with Felica)
I would greatly appreciate if any of you could share some experiences, whether positive or negative as I plan to buy the watch only for the Suica feature (and buying a new phone is not an ideal option).
Thank you!!
6 comments
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It works at least with garmin watches
I mean… if a Suica is the only IC card you want, you can always buy one online for cheaper than buying a new phone or smart watch.
I *think* you might still be able to get commuter passes (but I’m not sure), so consider that.
Other than that—get a 28 day tourist Suica and go to a non-JR East area within the next month to get a regional IC card there. (Or keep getting tourist Suicas.)
If you regularly commute to work (or school), you are currently still able able to buy a commuter pass (which is just a personalized pasmo, with the purchased route and validity in it). The breakeven varies between 17 to 20 days (or so) of two way travel on the purchased route.
One possible loophole to obtain a new card, might be to buy a new commuter pass, then just refund the commuter pass only, and switch the card to a personalized pasmo.
I am to understand if you do it within the first 7 days of validity, they will deduct the cost of \[ (a return trip) x days + 220 yen \]; you can’t refund a commuter pass past the first 8 days, except for unused months if you purchased a 3 or 6 month commuter pass.
It should also be possible to purchase a commuter pass that starts it’s validity at a later date (up to 14 days away I believe?), and if you refund that before the validity, you should be out 220yen.
I’m not sure if this “method” is now disallowed, as it’s quite clear this is an attempt to workaround the pass shortages at this time.
I have almost the same setup for the exact same reason.
Currently using and S21+ from overseas and a pixel watch bought in japan. Overall it’s pretty convenient not having to have to carry a separate card with me. It also has saved me once already when I lost my wallet somewhere and noticed it too late (so I didn’t have any cash)
The only awkward part is actually tapping it on the train’s turnstiles since I’m rwearing my watch on my left hand but the terminal is on the right. This turns into a weird unnatural gesture where I have to twist my hand awkwardly just to be able to tap it.