I have to agree that the Apple Wallet transit card feature made everything so easy for us in Japan. If I had to keep looking for a card in my wallet I think I’d be constantly fumbling at the gates. At least my phone is usually already out because of Google maps. I don’t think you need to download the Suica app itself to use the Apple wallet option.
Apologies for my explanation, which was partly inadequate, but it seems that there are two ways to operate Suica on Apple Wallet: issuing a virtual SUICA or migrating from a card-based SUICA. If you choose the former, you can easily operate it using Apple Wallet.
In any case, the Apple Wallet operation is more convenient when considering topping up the balance.
For iPhone users, they should use the travel cards feature in Apple Wallet to add Suica or Passmo. I’m not sure why a traveller would not use this feature unless they wanted the physical card as a souvenir. It’s slicker than the app.
Getting used to using travel cards that way is good for so many cities from Tokyo to Mainland China to Hong Kong to Paris to Toronto to SF.
Thanks for your comment. I agree with you; it is even easier to use an app if you use iOS. One possibility is that travelers are uncomfortable installing unfamiliar apps from foreign countries on their phones.
When I guide many people, I notice that unexpectedly, many of them bring their own IC cards, such as SUICA, which they no longer use from their friends.
In any case, I have recently seen long lines at ticket machines with black displays where you can purchase SUICA cards in cash. Since the machines are labeled with the cardholder's name, it takes longer for each person to buy a ticket, which may be the long lines.
I have to agree that the Apple Wallet transit card feature made everything so easy for us in Japan. If I had to keep looking for a card in my wallet I think I’d be constantly fumbling at the gates. At least my phone is usually already out because of Google maps. I don’t think you need to download the Suica app itself to use the Apple wallet option.
Apologies for my explanation, which was partly inadequate, but it seems that there are two ways to operate Suica on Apple Wallet: issuing a virtual SUICA or migrating from a card-based SUICA. If you choose the former, you can easily operate it using Apple Wallet.
In any case, the Apple Wallet operation is more convenient when considering topping up the balance.
For iPhone users, they should use the travel cards feature in Apple Wallet to add Suica or Passmo. I’m not sure why a traveller would not use this feature unless they wanted the physical card as a souvenir. It’s slicker than the app.
Getting used to using travel cards that way is good for so many cities from Tokyo to Mainland China to Hong Kong to Paris to Toronto to SF.
Thanks for your comment. I agree with you; it is even easier to use an app if you use iOS. One possibility is that travelers are uncomfortable installing unfamiliar apps from foreign countries on their phones.
When I guide many people, I notice that unexpectedly, many of them bring their own IC cards, such as SUICA, which they no longer use from their friends.
In any case, I have recently seen long lines at ticket machines with black displays where you can purchase SUICA cards in cash. Since the machines are labeled with the cardholder's name, it takes longer for each person to buy a ticket, which may be the long lines.