As previously reported, the “Tokyo Station 100th Anniversary Commemorative Suica,” which has never been used, will expire on March 31.
The card is a specially designed Suica commemorating the 100th anniversary of Tokyo Station, and has been issued multiple times since December 2014, with a total of 4.27 million cards sold and shipped to date; according to JR East, approximately 2.5 million cards remain unused as of the end of March 2024.
Normally, Suica cards expire when they have not been used for 10 years from the date of last use, but if they are used once for train or bus rides or for electronic payment, they are valid for another 10 years from that point.
However, in the case of the Tokyo Station 100th Anniversary Suica, since it is not possible to specify when each individual Suica was issued, the expiration date is uniformly set to March 31, 2026 for all Suica cards that have never been used after purchase. Since the expiration date can be extended by using the Suica once before the expiration date, please check again if you have any commemorative Suica cards stored at home or other places.
Incidentally, Suica (physical card) usage history can be checked immediately on the “JR East App” (Android/iOS version) on your smartphone as well as at ticket vending machines at stations. Go to “More” at the bottom of the home screen > “Transportation IC Card Remaining Balance” and hold the Suica card over the smartphone to display the boarding and charge history.
Although the JR East app can only display up to 20 most recent uses, it is useful to check the last use history of a Suica card that has not been used for a while. And for those who, like this commemorative Suica card, have forgotten whether they used it or not from memory over the years, or have kept it as a collection item but want to keep it in usable condition if they have to, it is safe to use it even once before March 31 anyway.
The remaining charge balance and deposit can be refunded by going to the designated counter to collect the card. Please note that once the card has expired, it cannot be replaced or the remaining charge amount can no longer be transferred.
© Source travel watch