Picture this: you’re at Narita Airport baggage claim, boarding pass in hand, and you still have yen on your Suica card. A Suica card refund at Tokyo airport helps you recoup your deposit and leftover e-money before you head home. In this ultimate guide you’ll learn exactly where to go and what to prepare for a hassle-free refund at both Narita and Haneda.
Key point: You’ll walk away with your ¥500 deposit plus any remaining balance, minus fees.
Why refund Suica card
Getting back that deposit and unused balance is like finding extra pocket money after your trip. You’ll avoid wasted yen, clear your wallet, and still keep the card for next time since it’s valid for ten years from last use (Japan Travel Navitime).
- Recover your ¥500 deposit and leftover e-money
- Avoid losing unused fare as you depart
- Keep the card for future visits
- Learn more about claiming your deposit in our suica card deposit refund guide
Get Suica card refund Tokyo airport
Here’s how to claim your money back at Tokyo’s two main airports.
Narita Airport refunds
You can process your Suica refund in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Narita Airport. The JR East Travel Service Center handles this in each terminal.
| Counter | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JR East Travel Service Center (Terminal 1) | Baggage claim level, near Exit 8 | 7:30 am – 8:00 pm |
| JR East Travel Service Center (Terminal 2) | Arrival lobby, near gates 4 – 7 | 7:30 am – 8:00 pm |
You simply hand over your Suica card and receive cash in yen. No photo ID needed when you use these counters. (Piqtour)
Haneda Airport refunds
Haneda Airport is served by the Keikyu Line, not JR East, so you can’t refund a JR-issued Suica card at the main airport counters. What can you do instead?
- Visit a major JR East station such as Tokyo or Shinjuku before heading to Haneda to claim your Suica refund
- If you have a Pasmo card, you can refund it at the Keikyu Line ticket office in Haneda. Check pasmo card english instructions for help
Fee and deposit details
A standard handling fee of ¥220 applies to JR East IC card refunds, deducted from your remaining balance. You’ll also get back the initial ¥500 deposit. Here’s a quick example:
- You have ¥1,000 remaining on your Suica
- Subtract the ¥220 fee (¥1,000 – ¥220 = ¥780)
- Add the ¥500 deposit (¥780 + ¥500 = ¥1,280)
That means you walk away with ¥1,280 in cash. Pasmo refunds have no commission fee, so you receive the full balance plus deposit. Learn more in our suica pasmo difference explained post.
Additional refund tips
Here are a few insider tricks to ensure a smooth process:
- Mobile Suica cards bought through Apple Pay on an iPhone can’t be refunded without a Japanese bank account. You’ll need to complete the withdrawal procedure in the app, which deletes membership data (Japan Travel Navitime)
- Use up leftover yen at airport convenience stores or shops before you line up. For store locations, see suica card convenience stores
- Remember that Suica cards stay valid for ten years from your last transaction, so hold on to yours for your next trip
- To beat the crowds, aim for a refund before 11 am or visit station offices on a weekday
Summary and next steps
- You’ll get back your ¥500 deposit plus any remaining e-money minus a ¥220 fee
- Head to the JR East Travel Service Center at Narita for easy processing
- For Pasmo holders, Haneda’s Keikyu ticket office refunds with no commission
- If you’re flying out from Haneda, hit a JR East station first to avoid disappointment
- Keep using your Suica for up to ten years if you don’t need a refund
Got a refund success story or tip? Share it in the comments below. For more Suica hacks, check out suica card how to use tokyo or compare options in our tokyo metro pass vs suica guide.
FAQs
Can I get a Suica refund at Haneda Airport?
No, JR-issued Suica cards can’t be refunded at Haneda’s main counters. Plan to stop by a JR East station or use Narita’s service center.
What is the Suica refund fee?
JR East IC card refunds carry a ¥220 handling fee. You’ll also receive the ¥500 deposit back.
How long is my Suica card valid?
A Suica card remains valid for ten years from the last date you used it.
Can I refund a Mobile Suica card?
You can if you have a Japanese bank account. You’ll need to complete the withdrawal process in the app. Without an account, you’ll have to spend the balance.
Where else can I get an IC card refund in Japan?
Major JR East stations like Tokyo, Shinjuku, Ueno, and Shibuya have “Midori no Madoguchi” ticket offices that handle refunds (Piqtour).
