Improving the convenience of ticketing services for overseas visitors to Japan!

May 8, 2024

East Japan Railway Company

Improving the convenience of ticketing services

for overseas visitors to Japan!

~ Seamless and ticketless transportation during your stay! ~

1. Image of service improvement of handling requests/problems of overseas visitors

2. About "Welcome Suica Mobile" *

⑴ App content

Name: "Welcome Suica Mobile"

Compatible devices*

: iPhone, Apple Watch

Compatible language: English

Timing of introduction: Spring 2025

SF (charges on the device) validity: 180 days from the date of issue

 JR East will enhance convenience by expanding ticketing services so that

overseas visitors to Japan can use JR East's Shinkansen and Super (Limited) express

trains seamlessly.

 The “Welcome Suica Mobile” app will be released in the spring of 2025. This app

allows users to issue and top-up Suica (IC card) before arriving in Japan

without having to stop by a ticket office or ticket vending machine, and to use the

service smoothly after entry for transportation using railways and other modes of

transport as well as shopping.

 "JR EAST Rail PASS Search” will be released in the summer of 2024. In the

past, you had to look for a rail pass that would fit your travel itinerary, but

using this service, simply by entering your travel itinerary and destination

on JR East's multilingual website, you will be guided to the JR East area rail

passes that match your travel itinerary and other relevant information.

 To relieve crowding at ticket counters, a system that allows visitors to

receive their Japan Rail Pass without waiting in line will be introduced around

spring 2026.

*1 Countries in which the Welcome Suica Mobile app can be downloaded are currently being determined based on the laws and regulations of each country.

*2 The app may not be usable depending on the iOS or watchOS version.

⑵ Ticket design surface in the app

This design is based on "red and white" and "cherry blossoms"

with a shape of a Japan-like map implying the availability of this

Suica all over Japan. "Cloisonne" meaning "connection", and

multiple Japanese traditional patterns representing "good luck"

and "amulet" are also shown on the back, with the hope of a safe

travel and good encounters with people and culture in Japan.

⑶ App services and functions

[STEP1] From spring 2025

① Download the app to your iPhone and issue Suica in advance for smooth travel after

entering the country.

② Charge smartly anytime, anywhere with a credit card set up for Apple Pay.

③ With "Touch de Go! Shinkansen," non-reserved seats for Shinkansen can be used by simply

touching the ticket gate with Suica.

*Please check to the JR East website for the sections where "Touch de Go! Shinkansen" can be used.

④

Information on sightseeing and train operations can also be conveniently obtained using the app

The app can be used to collect information on

sightseeing and operations in the East Japan.

Gathering information

From spring 2025, you will be able to find

information using the app!

Currently, information could only

be found by searching the website.

From spring 2025,

you will be able to issue Suica using the app!

Download the app to your iPhone, issue Suica, and

you will be able to travel smoothly without having to wait in line for tickets!

Currently you had to purchase from a ticket

vending machine or at a ticket counter.

From spring 2025,

you will be able to charge by credit card!

Even if you don't have cash on hand,

you can charge from Apple Pay.

Currently, you needed cash to charge.

From the spring of 2025,

you can ride trains with Suica!

You will be able to use non-reserved seats on the Tohoku, Akita, Yamagata,

Joetsu or Hokuriku Shinkansen without purchasing a ticket*.

Non-reserved seats

on Shinkansen

Currently, you had to purchase a ticket.

[STEP2] From spring 2026

We are developing a system that will allow users to purchase reserved seats on JR East's

Shinkansen and local trains before arriving in Japan* and use them without needing physical

tickets by linking “Welcome Suica Mobile” and “JR-EAST Train Reservation”, operated by JR

East, sells tickets and train passes to overseas visitors to Japan. Our goal is to have this system

ready by the spring of 2026. https://www.eki-net.com/en/jreast-train-reservation/Top/Index

* Countries in which the Welcome Suica Mobile app can be downloaded are currently being determined based on the

laws and regulations of each country.

Linking “Welcome Suica Mobile” and “JR-EAST Train Reservation" eliminates the need to issue

reserved-seat Super (Limited) express tickets.

In addition to linkage, we will reduce the number of entry fields required for membership registration for “JR-EAST

Train Reservation” to make it easier to use the service.

[Reference] Differences between Welcome Suica Mobile and Welcome Suica (card type)

[Legend] ○󴑤󴑤󴑤Can be used ×󴑤󴑤󴑤Cannot be used

* The remaining charge balance will not be refunded and will expire at the end of the validity period.

Welcome Suica Mobile

Welcome Suica

Personalized/

non-personalized

Non-personalized

SF/e-money

○

Discounted Passes

○

SF balance refund

※

Top-up

󴑤Top-up with a credit card registered to Apple Pay

󴑤Top-up with cash at tray-type ticket vending

machines, etc.

󴑤Top-up with cash at ticket vending machines, etc.

Suica validity

period

180 days from the date of issue

Valid for 28 days from the date of first use

Deposit

Unnecessary

Currently, you had to purchase a ticket.

Ticketless travel

starting spring 2026!

Ticketless boarding



Shinkansen/Super(Limited) express

reserved seat tickets

3. About "JR EAST Rail PASS Search"

JR EAST Rail PASS Search” will be released in the summer of 2024, enabling customers to

smoothly purchase rail passes for overseas visitors to Japan sold by JR East, that are matched to

their travel purpose and itinerary during their stay.

Details of the release date will be announced on JR East's multilingual website.

https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/

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4. Improved convenience of picking up Japan Rail Pass

Currently, the Japan Rail Pass can be picked up at the JR EAST Travel Service Center or other

ticket counters upon confirmation of eligibility, causing inconvenience in terms of waiting time when

the ticket counters are crowded.

The goal is to introduce a system by spring 2026 that will enable reserved-seat ticket vending

machines at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, and some major stations in Tokyo to automatically identify

Japan Rail Pass usage status information and issue tickets.

● The image is for illustrative purposes only and may change in the future.

● Apple, the Apple logo, Apple Pay, iPhone, and Apple Watch are trademarks of Apple Inc.

registered in the United States and other countries.

● The iPhone trademark is used under the license from Aiphone Co., Ltd.

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