Interesting, thanks for the follow-up and info about recharging on the phone. I'll try again with the card import, but it definitely failed for me last time I tried, which, to be fair, was a few months ago; sounds like that cc linking requirement has changed.
You need a physical IC card (Suica, Icoca etc) with some balance on it. Follow the instructions in Apple Wallet to import a physical IC card. Then, place your phone camera end down on the IC card. I thought it would be tricky, but when I did it, it was surprisingly easy. Then, as I wrote, I was able to charge it at 7-11s and major JR stations in Japan. Note, when you charge it at machines and 7-11s, you must use cash. Don't ask me why.
Hi Chris- some fine print to your fine print: "if you have a physical Suica or Icoca card, you can import it into your iPhone and you won’t need a credit card" This is not true in my experience, the Suica app still requires linking to a credit card, even if you're just trying to import a physical card you already have; there'd be no way to top it up otherwise. (and it suffers from the same problem with visa cards not being accepted).
Also worth noting, "if you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can use the excellent JR online booking system" is only true if you've purchased the pass through the official website, which I found out the hard way. Here's the response I got to my repeated failures to register on the site:
"We regret to inform you that only customers who purchase on the official Japan Rail Pass website can make reservations for reserved seats online.
sorry, I should say *Apple Wallet* requires linking to a credit card on import, not the Suica app; that doesn't appear to exist any more, at least not in the US app store.
Thank you for the thoughtful comments. Actually, it's quite possible to import a physical IC card. I did it with an Icoca card, which works the same as a Suica. I then charged the digital Icoca card at 7-11s and at certain charging machines at JR stations. So, you can charge your digital IC without a credit card, but you first have to import a physical one. As for adding an IC card, I believe that the issuing company and not the issuing country is the main point. I have spoken with Americans who successfully added digital Suica cards with Amex or MasterCards linked to their Apple Wallets. As for the JR online reservation system, I'm sorry about the confusion. You're right, you must buy the pass from JR online in order to use the reservation system. I'll edit the page. I really appreciate your helpful input. Thanks again, Geoff.
Interesting, thanks for the follow-up and info about recharging on the phone. I'll try again with the card import, but it definitely failed for me last time I tried, which, to be fair, was a few months ago; sounds like that cc linking requirement has changed.
You need a physical IC card (Suica, Icoca etc) with some balance on it. Follow the instructions in Apple Wallet to import a physical IC card. Then, place your phone camera end down on the IC card. I thought it would be tricky, but when I did it, it was surprisingly easy. Then, as I wrote, I was able to charge it at 7-11s and major JR stations in Japan. Note, when you charge it at machines and 7-11s, you must use cash. Don't ask me why.
Hi Chris- some fine print to your fine print: "if you have a physical Suica or Icoca card, you can import it into your iPhone and you won’t need a credit card" This is not true in my experience, the Suica app still requires linking to a credit card, even if you're just trying to import a physical card you already have; there'd be no way to top it up otherwise. (and it suffers from the same problem with visa cards not being accepted).
Also worth noting, "if you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can use the excellent JR online booking system" is only true if you've purchased the pass through the official website, which I found out the hard way. Here's the response I got to my repeated failures to register on the site:
"We regret to inform you that only customers who purchase on the official Japan Rail Pass website can make reservations for reserved seats online.
The official website is as follows.
https://japanrailpass.net"
I'd love to hear if anyone else (esp. with US credit cards) has gotten the digital suica/icoca to work.
sorry, I should say *Apple Wallet* requires linking to a credit card on import, not the Suica app; that doesn't appear to exist any more, at least not in the US app store.
Hi Geoff,
Thank you for the thoughtful comments. Actually, it's quite possible to import a physical IC card. I did it with an Icoca card, which works the same as a Suica. I then charged the digital Icoca card at 7-11s and at certain charging machines at JR stations. So, you can charge your digital IC without a credit card, but you first have to import a physical one. As for adding an IC card, I believe that the issuing company and not the issuing country is the main point. I have spoken with Americans who successfully added digital Suica cards with Amex or MasterCards linked to their Apple Wallets. As for the JR online reservation system, I'm sorry about the confusion. You're right, you must buy the pass from JR online in order to use the reservation system. I'll edit the page. I really appreciate your helpful input. Thanks again, Geoff.