Getting Your IC Card Deposit Back Before You Leave Japan
Quick answer
Take the card to a station ticket office for that card's operator. You get your remaining balance plus the 500 yen deposit back, but a handling fee may apply to the balance. Welcome Suica and most mobile IC cards cannot be refunded this way.
Should I refund my IC card or just spend it down?
A Suica or Pasmo card holds two amounts: a refundable 500 yen deposit and whatever balance you charged onto it. Before you leave Japan you can either spend the balance or take the card to a station office for a refund. Use this quick check to decide.
| Your situation | Best option (as of June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Small balance left (under ~500 yen) | Spend it at a konbini or vending machine; skip the refund line |
| Larger balance, want the deposit back | Refund at a station ticket office for that card’s operator |
| You have a Welcome Suica (red, 28-day) | Spend the balance; it cannot be refunded |
| Suica is on your phone (mobile) | Handle through the app/issuer, not a station window |
The deposit is only on standard plastic Suica and Pasmo cards. Tourist cards like the Welcome Suica do not have a separate refundable deposit, so there is nothing to claim back at a window.
How much money do I actually get back?
A refund returns your deposit in full and your balance minus a handling fee. As of June 2026, the standard figures for a Suica are below. Other operators (Pasmo and the regional IC cards) follow similar rules, but confirm the exact fee with that operator.
| Item | Amount (as of June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Deposit returned | 500 yen, in full |
| Handling fee on balance | Up to 220 yen, taken from the balance |
| Balance returned | Remaining balance after the fee |
| Fee if balance is 0 | None — you just get the 500 yen deposit |
| Fee if balance is below the fee amount | None — the small balance is waived and you get 500 yen |
Worked example: a Suica with a 1,000 yen balance returns roughly 780 yen of balance (1,000 minus the fee) plus the 500 yen deposit, for about 1,280 yen total. A Suica with a 0 yen balance returns the full 500 yen deposit with no fee.
Because the fee eats into small balances, spending a low balance before departure is often the better deal. Refunding makes the most sense when you have a meaningful balance or simply want the deposit back.
Where and how do I get the refund?
Refunds are processed by the card’s operator, not by any station or airport. A Suica is refunded by JR East, a Pasmo by the Pasmo railway companies, and so on. You generally cannot refund one operator’s card at another operator’s window.
- Find the right office. For Suica, go to a JR East ticket office (look for “Midori-no-madoguchi” or a staffed ticket counter). For Pasmo, go to a counter run by a Pasmo member railway or bus operator.
- Bring the physical card. Refunds are done in person at the window; ticket machines do not issue deposit refunds.
- Tell staff you want to return the card. No special form is usually needed for a plastic card.
- Receive your cash. You get the deposit plus the balance, minus the handling fee, in yen.
At Narita and Haneda airports there are JR East ticket offices on the rail side of the terminals, but hours are limited and lines can be long near departure peaks. Do the refund before you reach the airport if you can, or leave plenty of time.
Why can’t I refund every card the same way?
Different card types follow different rules. As of June 2026:
| Card type | Refundable deposit? | How to handle it |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Suica / Pasmo (plastic) | Yes, 500 yen | Station ticket office for that operator |
| Welcome Suica (red, 28-day) | No separate deposit | Spend the balance before departure |
| Regional IC cards (ICOCA, etc.) | Usually yes, but fees vary | Refund at the issuing operator’s window |
| Mobile Suica (in a phone) | Through the app/issuer | Often not refundable in Japan on foreign phones |
If you carry a regional card such as ICOCA from a Kansai trip, refund it with its own operator, ideally before you travel away from that region. Trying to refund it at a Tokyo JR East window may not work.
Quick reference: IC card refunds at a glance
| Topic | Detail (as of June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Deposit returned | 500 yen (standard Suica/Pasmo only) |
| Handling fee | Up to 220 yen, from the balance |
| Where | Ticket office of the card’s own operator |
| Welcome Suica | Cannot be refunded — spend the balance |
| Mobile Suica | Through app/issuer; often not in Japan on foreign phones |
| Best for small balances | Spend it down instead of refunding |
| At the airport | JR East office on the rail side; limited hours |
What mistakes cost travelers time or money?
A few simple errors slow people down at the worst moment. Avoid these:
| Mistake | Result | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Trying to refund a Welcome Suica | No money returned | Spend the balance before leaving |
| Going to the wrong operator’s window | Refund refused | Match the office to your card’s operator |
| Leaving the refund for the airport at peak time | Long line, missed window hours | Refund earlier, or allow extra time |
| Refunding a small balance | Fee eats most of it | Spend small balances at a konbini instead |
| Expecting a station machine to refund the deposit | Cannot be done | Use a staffed ticket office in person |
Rules and fees can change. Check the official JR East Suica page or ask staff at the ticket office if anything is unclear before you hand over your card.
FAQ
How much money do I get back when I refund my Suica?
As of June 2026, you get your full deposit of 500 yen back, plus any remaining balance. A handling fee of up to 220 yen is taken from the balance first. If your balance is below the fee amount, you only receive the 500 yen deposit and no fee is charged. Example: a card with 1,000 yen left returns about 780 yen of balance plus the 500 yen deposit.
Can I refund a Welcome Suica before I leave?
No. As of June 2026, the Welcome Suica (the red tourist card valid 28 days) cannot be refunded and the 500 yen value is not returned, but there is no separate deposit on it. Spend the balance down before you leave, or keep it as a souvenir. Only standard Suica and Pasmo cards carry a refundable 500 yen deposit.
Where do I refund my IC card at the airport?
Refunds are handled by the card's operator, not by the airport itself. At Narita and Haneda, look for a JR East ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi) to refund a Suica, or the relevant railway counter for other cards. Allow extra time, as these offices can be busy and have limited hours.
Can I refund a Suica added to my iPhone or Android phone?
Mobile Suica is handled through the app and your card issuer, not at a station window, and the process differs from plastic cards. As of June 2026, foreign-issued phones often cannot complete a refund inside Japan. Check the official Mobile Suica support page before relying on a refund.
Is it better to refund my card or just spend the balance?
If your balance is small, spending it at a convenience store or vending machine before departure is often simpler and avoids the handling fee. If you have a large balance or want the 500 yen deposit back, a station refund is worth the short wait.