JAPAN SUICA TIPS - How To Get and Use JAPAN SUICA CARD on iPhone
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 พ.ค. 2024
- Trying to get a grasp of the Japan Suica Card? Tired of IC Card shortages? This video will give you all the information you need to load the Suica pass on your iphone, and understand the best ways to use your IC card in Japan.
If you’re traveling to Japan soon and thinking about getting a Suica Card, this is the video for you. Get the answers to all of your questions about refunds, connecting your IC Card to your shinkansen tickets, and more.
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RESOURCES I MENTION IN THE VIDEO:
Pasmo Passport Information and Availability:
www.pasmo.co.jp/visitors/en/
Get your Welcome Suica Card (Klook.com):
www.klook.com/en-US/activity/...
SmartEx Website (Shinkansen Tickets):
smart-ex.jp/en/index.php
The #1 Anker Travel Charger:
amzn.to/3SKsDBP
Pocket Change (Exchange loose change for rewards):
www.pocket-change.jp/en/
JR Pass Calculator:
www.japan-guide.com/railpass/
One Good Dream TH-cam Channel (Japan Travel Tips): / @onegooddream
Here's what we'll cover in this video:
00:00 Intro to the Japan IC Card
00:38 Connecting Android Phones to Suica Card
01:06 Benefits of IC Cards for Travel to Japan
02:37 IC Card Zones in Japan
03:35 The Different Types of Suica IC Cards for Traveling to Japan
05:02 IC Cards for Traveling in Japan
05:27 Where to Buy the Welcome Suica Card for Tourists
05:40 Where to Buy the Pasmo Passport Card
06:23 IC Card Comparison Chart
06:56 Children’s Suica Cards and Discounts
08:09 Recharging Your Suica Card
08:57 The Pocket Change Currency Exchange
09:21 Returning Your Suica Card for the Deposit
11:00 How to Use the IC Card
12:13 IC Cards vs JR Pass
13:13 Where You Can Use Your IC Card
13:56 Emptying Out Your Suica Card Balance
14:41 Loading Your IC Card on Your Phone
17:40 Loading Your IC Card on Your Phone with a Visa Card
23:10 Connecting Your IC Card to Your Shinkansen Ticket
25:10 How to Get Discount Shinkansen Tickets
26:03 Outro and Preview to Luggage Video
CONNECT WITH ME:
Official website: voyagesjapan.com
Business: hello@voyagesjapan.com
Questions for Kelly: kelly@voyagesjapan.com
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If you are interested in 1:1 consultancy for your trip to Japan, email me at kelly@voyagesjapan.com
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@VoyagesJapan
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Are you thinking of buying an IC Card, a JR Pass, or both? Still feeling confused about Japan’s transportation cards and passes? Let me know!
Suica と検索して スマートフォンにアプリ入れれば クレジットカードからチャージできます カードは駅の券売機で買えます紛失考えたらアプリのほうがいいです 羽田空港なら東京モノレール
It's just great and comprehensive guide I saw until now.
Thank you! For whatever reason, I never even considered what fees there'd be for withdrawing money at an ATM in Japan. This will save me $5 per withdrawal!
Absolutely!! It makes me so happy to know that these tips are saving travelers money. It was something I didn’t consider on my first trip and I was blown away by how much I could’ve saved just by planning out my ATM trips a little bit better and researching my bank’s fees before I went. I hope you have an awesome trip, Paige. Use that saved money on something memorable in Japan! :)
These are extremely helpful tips. I had a lot of questions about how to get one for my trip in a few weeks. Thank you for doing this.
I’m so glad this was helpful for you. There’s Soooo much info about IC cards and the current availability that I figured this would be relevant and helpful for the community. Really glad it made a difference for you.
Thanks for posting useful information I have been having anxiety on this subject, public transportation .
I totally understand that. There are just so many railways and passes in Japan that it can get be so overwhelming, even to people who are used to big city transportation systems. So I'm really glad this was helpful to sort some things out for you!
The speed with which I opened my note taking app when I saw you uploaded a new video was pretty funny 😂
Hahahaha! Ooooh my that made me smile!!!! 😃
Thank you very much.
You’re very welcome! :)
Love the content! Especially when I need all the information I can get when planning my first trip!
I am planning to go to Tokyo soon with my husband and I don’t know if it’s better to get a JR pass if we plan to go Osaka once or twice.
Hi @JURNS03! Comments like that really make me smile. I’m so glad this was useful information!
My first instinct is to say no to the JR Pass. It just won’t make sense from a monetary perspective. If you and your husband end up deciding to go to a few other places like Nara, Kyoto, Hokkaido, etc. then that might possibly justify the price that you’ll pay. But I think you have some better options that you consider, which could be a great way to save money to spend elsewhere. Here are the 3 things I would look into as alternatives, in order of my own preference:
1. Check the SmartEx website (it’s owned by the company that runs the Shinkansen Bullet Train to Osaka). They usually have discount tickets for train passes to Osaka if you buy them ahead of time. Here’s the website:
smart-ex.jp/en/index.php
2. Check Google Flights for airline prices from Tokyo to Osaka. They can be extremely affordable during certain periods of the year, and oftentimes cheaper than taking the Shinkansen.
3. Check out the Kansai Thru Pass. It’s an unlimited pass that allows you to ride the train throughout the Kansai region (Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, etc.). It included subways, trains, and buses. Here’s the website for that pass:
www.surutto.com/tickets/kansai_thru_english.html
Also, I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to watch the Japan Travel Guide video on the channel yet, but it’s a great resource for first time travelers. I packed in a lot of information, but it’s well organized and a great jumping off point for your planning. Send me a message here anytime! I’m happy to help sort things out for your trip if you need it. Hope this is helpful!
@@VoyagesJapan THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Love all your videos and can’t wait for more! 🥹❤️
@@JURNS03 🙏❤️ It’s my absolute pleasure! Thank you for being so kind and supportive!!
Thank You So much❤❤😊😊
You’re so very welcome!!! ❤️❤️
Most comprehensive and helpful video on IC cards. Worth noting that Pasmo Passport will discontinue August 2024. Thank you for making such high quality videos 🙏
What an awesome comment to lead into the weekend. Thank you Nick! And thank you for that update for the card termination date. Lots and lots of changes going on with the transportation cards!!
Totally agree. Great video, very clear, well explained and lots of useful info.
@@fishmountain4183 🙏 Thank you so much for appreciating my efforts. It means a lot to me and keeps me going, knowing that I’m helping to make someone’s trip just a little bit easier.
Really Pasmo Passport will discontinue in August 2024. I better to get one before it discontinues. Even thought I have a physical ICOCA card, but I want to get one as the design is so cute. Thanks for the terminate date information.
This was a very informative and helpful video. Thank you! I, myself, am planning a trip to Japan, where I'll be staying in Tokyo for 4 days, then Osaka for 4 days, and then back to Tokyo. While I'm in Osaka, I was planning on making day trips to Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima. I will certainly be getting a Suica card, but would you suggest getting the JR Pass or individual Shinkansen tickets?
Hi Alex, I’m so sorry I missed this comment. I hope it’s not too late to help. I would recommend placing the legs of your trip into a JR Pass calculator first to find out whether the price of the pass is justified. I can’t quite make the determination off first glance because you are going a number of different places that might actually make the pass worth purchasing, especially the small trips you’re making while you’re in Osaka. But I’m not quite sure. Here are links to two pass calculators that you can try:
www.jrpass.com/farecalculator
www.japan-guide.com/railpass/
Once you put the legs of your trip into the calculator and select the days of the pass (7,14, or 21 days), the calculator will tell you if it’s more economical to buy individual tickets or buy the pass. Also, Google “Kansai Thru Pass”. It’s another option to consider that might cover some of the trips that you’re taking in the Kansai region (Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto). That might be a good pass to combine with individual tickets instead of a JR Pass as well. But first things first…start with the JR calculator and go from there. It’s a great (and accurate) resource.
Thank you for the excellent video. I have heard that the Welcome Suica has unlimited travel on the first day. Is the first day the day of purchase or the first day of use?
Hi Susan! I haven't heard that before but let's talk about it. When you say "unlimited travel" do you mean you can ride for free? The reason I'm asking for clarification is because the Welcome Suica is a card that you can load money on for travel. It comes as an empty card and then as you load money on it, you can swipe it and go. But it''s totally dependent on how much money you place on the card.
I wonder if you're thinking of the JR Pass? That's an unlimited pass, but it comes in increments of 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day unlimited passes. And that one does activate after your first use. Please do let me know your thoughts and just a little bit more background on the Welcome Suica information you gave. I'd like to help sort it out!
Thanks very much for Voyages Japan info. Would you please tell me if there is any deposit withholding in the iPhone wallet? If yes, is it better to use a welcome Suica card?
Hi @jcxiang, there is no deposit for the mobile IC card in the Apple Wallet, but just keep in mind that there’s no way to get a refund for the balance in your account for the mobile version of the card. So load it wisely, with only what you know you’re going to use.
Nice video. As far as the VISA workaround, you might not need it anymore. I learned elsewhere that if your iPhone is updated to iOS 17.2, and have a relatively new iPhone, your VISA should work to load the Suica card in your Apple Wallet. I was able to load money onto the Suica in the last couple days with a Chase Visa card (add the Suica to your Apple Wallet from the "+" at the top right of the wallet app. You don't even need to put the app on your phone). It should save you from hunting around for a physical Suica at the airport when you land.
YESSSSS!!! Thank you so much for sharing that tip! I’m so glad there’s a better workaround. I really appreciate you letting everyone know!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INFO!!! this is so nice to know! I got so irritated last year with VISA not working on the suica or pasmo wallet and I really didn't want to stress about it when I go back to Japan next month. trying it out now!
Sadly my iPhone 8 only goes to 16.7.7. I still can’t get it to work when changing region using the SUICA app already on list in the iPhone. Maybe I will have to download load the Japanese SUICA app in App Store. Or maybe im not changing region correctly since there seems to be a couple ways to do it with one asking for an address in the region you’re changing to which I wouldn’t have since in a tourist unless I can use the hotel’s address that I’m staying at
@@inquisitvem6723 I would try doing it through the Suica app in the App Store like it’s done on the video, and then if that doesn’t work, using a VPN will allow you to mask the region on your phone and make it look like you’re in another country. For help on using a VPN on your phone, there are lots of TH-cam videos. I recommend NordVPN as the provider. Let me know if either helps.
@@VoyagesJapanunfortunately this didn’t work. I will try this again once I land in Japan in several weeks. If not I will get a physical SUICA card if possible. If not I will get a Welcome SUICA or use cash.
Hi
I’n coming back to japan after 5 years in June this Year 😊
Is suica card works for Narita express train ?
Also for : all trains from Fuji Station to Yokohama , Osaka , Kyoto , Hiroshima ?
Is it works for shinkansen as well ?
Thsnk You for replaying
Weronika
Hi Weronika! That’s exciting that you’re going back after 5 years! The Suica card can be used on the Narita Express and also all of the other trains you mentioned. It’s basically an electronic cash card. You load your money on the card and swipe it anywhere you see the IC Card logo. You’ll see the swipe stations in pretty much every train station in Japan.
Can you give us recommendations on what ic card that we can use for 7 day from Tokyo 3 days and 4 days osaka thanks 🙏
Hi Rancae! For the IC Cards, any of them will work the same. The difference is in the length of time of the cards. So there are two different “tiers” of IC cards. There’s the full price, regular IC Card, and the Welcome/Visitor IC Cards. They can all be used on transportation, in convenience stores, on vending machines, just the same. The difference is that the Welcome/Visitor cards are only valid for 28 days and you cannot refund the money off of the card once your trip is over. With the regular IC cards, you can get your money back if there is a balance leftover at the end of your trip.
So to answer your question, you can use any of the IC Cards (Passmo, Suica, Welcome Suica, or Passmo Passport). They will all work in Tokyo and Osaka. The bigger thing to be concerned about is which one you are able to get your hands on. I know the Passmo Passport is still available, but it’s important to do your research before your trip to find out which of the other IC Cards are available and where you can buy them when you get there.
Let me know if that all makes sense and if I can clarify further. Happy to help!
Hi again 😊
I have one more question : if suica cards works on Okinawa ?
Great, great question! You can use the Suica in Okinawa, but their local IC Card is the Okika card. You cannot use the Okika card on the Suica network, though. Also just keep in mind that in Okinawa, you can’t use the Suica card for buses. Here are two great resources with more info:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OKICA
www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/14o8uyn/ic_cards_in_okinawa_travel_tips/
Thank you for this very helpful tips. What will be your suggestion to save some money if my itinerary is something like this, visiting different places within the city.
- 3 days Tokyo
- 3 days Osaka
- 3 days Tokyo
Thanks.
Hi Noel! This one is a bit tricky! I don't know that I would recommend the JR Pass, since you're only going to 2 total places, and you're staying put in those locations for a good amount of time. Since the JR Pass only comes in 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day increments, you would be overpaying with a 14-day pass. I think you're better off just buying an individual Shinkansen ticket to Osaka. You can purchase a discount ticket on the SmartEx website here:
smart-ex.jp/en/index.php
This is the official website for the railway that runs the Shinkansen train in that direction. To get around town in Osaka, you have a lot of different options. There are a lot of different sightseeing passes that include unlimited transportation, as well as unlimited subway and bus passes. Or if you don't think you'll be hopping around too much you can also load an amount on your IC Card and pay for individual trips as you go.
But to sum it up, definitely just a round trip Shinkansen ticket and then possibly an unlimited subway or bus pass in Osaka once you get there, depending on how much moving around town you'll be doing.
@@VoyagesJapan thank you so much :)
@@noelfrancisco5778 My pleasure, Noel! Let me know if you need anything else! :)
Hi again
So many question I have 😂
Do You know Can I pay for Hiroshima shuttle bus to the Hiroshima airport by suica in the bus ?
Or I will have to buy tickets for this bus ?
Thank for replaying
Weronika
Hi Weronika! You can use your Suica card on the Hiroshima bus as well. Here are the official rules for riding the Hiroshima bus, and all of the acceptable cards are listed. Boarding the bus in Japan can be confusing for the first time, but take a look at these instructions so that you’ll be ready for your first time!
www.hirobus.co.jp/sitemap/hiroshima-bus-en/
Can suica or passamo be used for restaurants, retail shops and vending machines? If not what sort of card is the right one. Thanks
Hi there, Suica can be used in some restaurants and retail shops, but definitely not all of them. They’re widely used on vending machines and in convenience stores, and on major train lines. The options you have in the case of restaurants or retail shops where Suica or Passmo cards aren’t accepted are cash and possibly credit cards. But it depends on the establishment and whether they accept foreign credit cards or credit cards at all.
So to answer your question, there is no alternative card to an IC Card (Passmo or Suica). It’s either use cash, an IC Card where accepted, or a credit card where accepted. Cash will be accepted everywhere.
Hi! My husband and I will be arriving at Narita, staying in Tokyo, visiting Mt Fuji, travelling to Kyoto, back to Tokyo, out to Hiroshima and back to Tokyo. Would JR pass be best suited for us?
Hi Sonia! Try placing the legs of your trip in this fare calculator. This will give you an idea of whether the price of the JR Pass would be better than buying individual tickets. I also just started a thread with a community member named Gloria who was asking a similar question, in case you want to search in the comments for that thread.
But the basic gist of it is that the JR Pass is best when you’re going to go to multiple places in a short amount of time. When you’re staying in one place for more than a couple of days, you’re kind of missing out on using the days that are included in the pass. And in those cases, buying individual Shinkansen tickets, or even buying a flight on a budget airline could be a better deal. But start by putting the legs of your trip into the calculator to see how it all shakes out. Then we can discuss other options if it’s not the most economical choice.
m.jrpass.com/farecalculator
Thanks for the video! FYI, here 5:28 you show that we can purchase a Welcome Suica at the vending machines in Narita, but later at 6:14 you say that Welcome Suica will is not available at Narita. Can you kindly confirm if it is or is not available in Narita. Thanks.
Oh no!! Thank you for pointing that out. I am so sorry. I should’ve been clearer. Under normal circumstances you can purchase them from the vending machine but from last report, they’re currently totally sold out at Narita. The Welcome Suica is available at Haneda and the Pasmo Passport is available at Narita. My apologies. The most up to date information is on the chart at 06:23 in the video. I’ll update in the comment section if I find out additional information this weekend about availability. Thank you for helping to clarify for everyone.
@@VoyagesJapan Many thanks for the clarification! Landing in Narita next Tuesday…. Planning on setting up Apple Wallet Suica before the flight, but need a backup plan in case ;-)
@@g.belanger8302 So glad you're planning ahead with a backup. Things change so quickly with transportation in Japan these days so it's great that you're working to make your trip as smooth as possible. Let me know if you need any other info. Happy to help!
@@g.belanger8302
Hi, I am going in 5 days. Can you download IC card your phone? Not apple phone, android us phone? Thanks!
Does the digital Suica card balance expire after 6 or more months of inactivity?
Hi Bethi, the digital Suica balance stays on your card indefinitely. Just be aware that there’s no way to remove/refund an amount after it has been deposited on your card. So be sure you only load the amount you need.
Question: is still possibile to use the SUICA-vending machines to "inscribe" or convert a "blank", regular, physical SUICA (already owned) card into a named (or registered) one?
In other channels/sites they say that the sale of physical SUICA cards has still problems, that they are only sold "in person" to foreigner/tourists only also because of the shortage of chips (but also because the rail Companies want Japanese residents to start using digital version of the IC cards or even credit cards on the upgraded entry points)
Hi @axios at the moment, Suica cards are being sold through the train station offices (where available) and they are limited to one per person. HarbLife (the TH-cam creator) had a video recently about how to purchase one in the station office. In this video he explains the new process and he also explains alternative cards that you can purchase. I hope this helps!
th-cam.com/video/QE79tv8LSAg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=HXqsMiCM7I4g8NDk
Your videos are amazing and super helpful! Since you mentioned it i would like to hear your thoughts or recommendations on my itinerary for 2 weeks in ocktober/november this year. Travelling with gf.
5 days in Tokyo (suica all the way)
Shinakansen to Nagano
1 week approx. in Nagano with rental car
Nagano to Osaka with shinkansen (need help here.. not sure what is the best trasnport option)
2-3 days in Osaka (using suica)
Shinkansen back to Tokyo, Haneda
We are not going for JR pass or regional passes since we concluded its not worth it. Still, we will have to do three seperate shinkansen trips as it seems, so based on the itinerary, are there any advice, suggestions or even red flags you have? :)
Wow!! It looks like you already have a really solid plan! I don’t see any red flags at all. My only suggestion is to consider unlimited subway passes for the times that you’ll be in a city for a longer period, like Tokyo and Osaka. With the IC Card, you’ll end up paying for each individual subway trip. Since you’ll be there for such a long period, it might be worth buying an unlimited subway pass for the days you’re going to really be hopping around and sightseeing. For the Shinkansen tickets, be sure to check the SmartEx website in the description to get discounts on your tickets, by purchasing early. Your itinerary is really solid. And it’s awesome that you’ll be able to visit three of the prettiest places in the fall, when the leaves have turned!! 🍂
I just realized I didn’t answer your answer about Nagano to Osaka. The Shinkansen is really your best option. The only other option is the bus, but that’s such a long ride that I don’t know that it’s worth the money savings. So you’re good with the Shinkansen. You’re right in deciding against the JR Pass. Definitely not worth the price considering you’re staying in certain places for extended periods. Those would just be wasted days that the JR Pass is running out without being used.
@@VoyagesJapan thanks a lot for your reply! i really appreciate your videos :)
I thought you couldn’t get a physical ic card other than Icoca or passmo? Are the suica’s back? And the passmo?
Hi @GhostlyFilm, the latest is that physical Suicas are still unavailable. There’s a chart in the video about 6 minutes in with the latest availability updates on all of the passes. But the Pasmo, Pasmo Passport, and Welcome Suica are still available. And the ICOCA in Kyoto/Osaka. Thanks for asking!
Is Pasmo Passport accepted widely at convenience stores, like 711, Lawson? I know Sucia, ICOCA card are accepted widely at the convenience stores, but not sure if Pasmo Passport is accepted at the convenience stores. I would like to get Pasmo Passport card as the design is so cute(it will discontinue in August 2024). I mainly use the Pasmo Passport at the convenience stores for water and snack or restaurants as I will get Tokyo 72 hours subway ticket for the transportation. Plus I have a physical ICOCA card already.
Did you mention the digital IC card does not have an expiration date? It will sit there forever, not like a physical IC card for 10 years
Hi @cattychong! Pasmo is just as widely accepted as Suica in Japan. Wherever you see the “IC” icon, you can use your IC card there. And yes, I agree. The Pasmo Passport is definitely a fun collector’s item to pick up! The Digital IC card does not have an expiration date. The money will sit there indefinitely. But just remember not to put too much onto it, since you won’t be able to get a refund on the digital card. Super smart idea to get the subway unlimited pass!! You’ll be happy you decided to go with that instead of paying for each individual trip!
Physical IC card already stopped now. My question is if I have an android us phone, can I get ic card when I arrive in Japan?
Hi @dsuji245, so the issue with Android phones is that in order to load the Suica app, you have to have an Android phone that was purchased in Japan. There’s a specific type of phone. But in the case that you’re able to buy a phone in Japan (maybe just a temporary phone), I found a couple of videos that will help you with loading the app on your Android:
m.th-cam.com/video/4FZSJJb7ggw/w-d-xo.html&pp=ygUUTG9hZCBzdWljYSBvbiBwaG9uZSA%3D
m.th-cam.com/video/NssYsgV5DtA/w-d-xo.html&pp=ygUUTG9hZCBzdWljYSBvbiBwaG9uZSA%3D
Let me know if these help!
How to you actually use the iPhone Suica? Do you have to have the wallet open to the Suica card or just tap your phone even if it is off? FYI, my US based Visa had no problems loading my iPhone Suica and no extra charges so far when loading in the US.
Hi Allen, you can pull it up in your Apple Wallet just like you would any other credit card or debit card that you have loaded in the app. Then when you’re at the gate you just tap/swipe the card (your phone) over the sensor. There are some examples in the video that show a user pulling it up on his phone and tapping it. Check the examples that are a little closer to the end of the video. Hope this helps!
And I’m so glad the Visa issues might be over with. Makes it so much easier for international travelers. Thank you for the update
Can we add funds to the Suica card on our phone by using cash at a machine?
Hi @lazyhusband! Yes, you can load funds on your phone by using cash. The timestamp is 22:40 with an example for how it's done. Super easy!
HI, thanks for this great video. A lot of new information. Our family is planning to have a 4 day Trip to Tokyo. Our Arrival Airport is Narita. From there we have to go our Hotel near Tokyo Station. My Wife have an Android Phone, me I allrdy add and load the Suica Card in my Wallet like you've explained vry well in the video. Our kids are traveling with us 6 and 2 years old. As I understand, Our 2 year old son is traveling for free, but our 6 year old son needs an IC card as well ? Can you give us some tipps, what to next, when we arrived in Narita Airport, and what is the best option ? Thx in advance. Best regards Jens
Hi Jens! I’m glad you asked that question. One adult can bring up to two infants/preschoolers. If there are three or more children in the family, any kids after the first two will need to be accompanied by another adult to ride for free, or pay for a child's ticket (adding that for any other community members might have the same question).
Since your children are 2 and 6 years old, the 2 year old will ride for free and you will just need to purchase a children’s pass for your 6 year old.
To do that, you can go to any train station ticket office and fill out an application form for the pass, since they’re special cards. But just remember that you’ll have to show identification proving your kids ages.
And don’t forget to carry your passport and their passports at all times, just in case you come across a station agent asking for identification. It’s also required by Japan immigration law to carry your passport with you at all times so just keep that in mind as well! :)
Once you get to Narita, it’s best to head to the Pasmo Passport ticket line, since the Welcome Suica is no longer available at Narita (that’s the latest, but things could change). Since you’re probably not purchasing a JR Pass for your trip, the IC Card is going to be perfect for you and your family. If you have a moment, watch the first 4 or 5 minutes of my video called “Japan Travel Guide”. It discusses your options for taking the different types of transportation into the city from Narita airport.
And once you get into the city and you’re all settled in, also consider the unlimited Subway (Tokyo Metro) pass if you think you’re going to be riding the train a lot from place to place over the 4 days. Swiping fares for individual rides with your IC Card could get pretty pricey, whereas the unlimited will last you for each day and it’s pretty inexpensive. Then you can just use your IC card for convenience stores, occasional bus rides, etc. That way you won’t have to carry around as much cash.
I know that’s a lot to consider. Let me know if that’s helpful at all in clarifying. I’m happy to answer any other questions you might have.
Really appreciate the effort of making this video! I'm travelling to Haneda next week and will be taking Shinkansen to Kyoto right away. Do you think I should get a Welcome Suica with JR line one day pass?
@@user-bz8gp4ck3e That's awesome that you're starting in Kyoto. It's simply magical! So with the JR Pass, it comes in 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day increments. It's more for individuals who are planning to travel to multiple cities throughout Japan. If you're only planning to do Kyoto and then traveling back to Tokyo, then I would definitely suggest an individual Shinkansen ticket instead of a JR Pass.
But first, you'll need to get from Haneda into Tokyo to take the Shinkansen. For that, you can take the Keikyu Limited Express to Shinagawa station (buy an individual ticket for about 410 yen) and that's where you can catch the Bullet Train to Kyoto. There are options for getting to Kyoto from Tokyo in this video on my channel. It's in the first 3 or 4 minutes of the video:
th-cam.com/video/W1NO44Zs2UA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=dy4y6d5YxxgfXrVF
Since you won't need a JR Pass (if you're only doing Kyoto and Tokyo), you can purchase a discount Shinkansen (bullet train) ticket on the SmartEx website that's linked in the description. It's the website for the company that owns the railway. As long as you purchase ahead of time, you'll be able to get a discount. You'll get a QR to use at the train station to print out your Shinkansen ticket.
And finally, for getting around town when you get to Kyoto, you can either purchase a Welcome Suica at Haneda when you get there, or an ICOCA card in Kyoto. Either one will be fine to load money on for buses and individual subway rides in Kyoto and Tokyo. But just keep in mind that both Kyoto and Tokyo offer unlimited bus and subway day passes as well. And that might be a lot cheaper than buying an IC card and paying for each individual subway or bus trip (if you plan on doing a lot of hopping around). I hope this is clear and not too much info at once, but if not, ask away and I'm happy to sort it out with you a little more.
@@VoyagesJapan Thank you a lot for these detailed information. Me and my wife watched your "Japan Travel Guide". Amazing! You give us so much value with your content. Thank You.
Especially the cultural part, what to do or not (about the tip by exsample). We like information like that.
Back to the IC Card topic, I ask to myself, you scan your card by enter the station, it shows the current amount on your card, then you travel to your destination,
depends how far it is, they will deduct the amount from your. How about if the balance on your card isn't enough, have you search for an charger if you have the
physical card before you are able to left the station ?
Today we was searching for Hotel with a strategical good location. At the moment we have one 5min walking distance to the Tokyo Station. For me it was a good
Idea, to reach everything from a centrel spot. But maybe its also a good Idea to choose a Hotel in a district, where you can make something with the kids,
without going with the train or subway. Hmm, we will overthink that ;) Think that we like to see is Senso-ji Temple, Digital Art Museum, Sky Tree, Shinjuku, Shibuya,
Meiji Jingu Shrine and many more, but the time isn't enough ;)
Did do ever use a guide in Japan like you can choose on "GetYourGuide" to make a tour with some background infos about the location? It can be interessting,
but the kids must also be in mood :)) for this kind of planed and timed tour, maybe when our youngest is alittle bit older.
Thanks again for your help. We will subcribe your channel! best regards Jens
I forgot Akihabara as well 😂 omg
We will be spending 5 days in Tokyo. Any suggestions on how much to load on the Suica card to start?
Hi Heather! I hate to answer a question with a question, but how many will be traveling and are you a more adventurous group that will likely want to spend time hopping between different spots in the city, or do you have a set plan on a few spots each day? A more tame itinerary? I think that will help me to give you an idea of what pass to buy and/or how much to put on your IC Card.
@@VoyagesJapan 2 of us will be going to various sites in Tokyo. I’m estimating 3 trips/day. 1 from shinjuku to another area, one from that area to a second site, and then one back to our hotel.
@@heatherkembel1190 hmmm…well you have a couple of options. You could do an unlimited subway card each day which would reduce the amount you would spend on individual trips on an IC card, but I’m not sure if 3 trips/day would necessarily make the subway pass worth it. But it’s worth doing the math on whether the subway pass is a good option. If you end up going with the IC Card instead, I would recommend reducing the amount of times you end up having to recharge it, whether you’re using the mobile Suica or taking out cash from the ATM to charge it. Because there’s a high likelihood that each of those transactions would count as foreign transactions from your bank and accumulate foreign transaction fees. Since the limit on the Suica IC Card at any time is 20,000 yen ($130) I would recommend maxing it out and buying a card with your name on it. That way if you lose it, you can be reimbursed. And at the same time you’ll have enough money on it to possibly last you your whole trip (if you use it primarily train trips, small convenience store purchases, etc.)
Let me know what you think about that and whether you need me to clarify anything. Happy to help!
Oh and hopefully by the time you go on your trip they’ll have the regular IC cards back in stock. Because the Welcome Suica and the mobile Suica cannot be refunded. So if you put a bunch of money on it and end up not using it, you’ll lose that amount. So just keep that in mind. Only the regular IC cards are refundable if you still have a balance on it (for a 200 yen fee).
Should I buy welcome suica or suica card for stsying 2 weeks in Japan ? I will need one for me , 2 for my daughters (17 and 14 years old ), and unfortunatelly my husband has android so he will not use suica in Japan
Buying the Welcome or regular Suica is up to you, but it really comes down to what’s available at the time that you’re traveling. The Welcome Suica seems to be the most readily available, and it does the same thing as the regular Suica, but the difference is that it’s only valid for 28 days and you can’t get a refund from the card once you’ve placed your money on it.
@@VoyagesJapan Thsnk You for this message.
To make sure : it only works for apple iPhone ? For samsung / android from Europe it won’t work ?
@@weronikaniemczyk5233 Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were referring to the electronic Suica for the phone. So here’s how that works:
The Suica for your phone is primarily only available on iPhone and the Welcome Suica is not available on the phone. Only the regular Suica. You can also use the Pasmo or the Icoca card on your iPhone as well. They all work the same.
But when it comes to Android phones, the only way you can load a Suica card on an Android phone is if it’s an Android phone that was created and purchased in Japan. There’s apparently some sort of chip or configuration that is only in Japan-produced Android phones. There are a couple of videos I’ve posted in the comment section here for others who were asking about the Android issue as well.
So in summary, you can load any of the IC Cards, including the Suica card on your iPhone at any time. You can even do it now, even if you’re not in Japan. But with an Android phone it’s much trickier and you might be better off just buying a physical IC Card when you get to Japan. Let me know if that answers your question. If not, I can do my best to clarify.
We going to Tōkyō for 5 days then fly to Osaka then back to Tokyo which card is good for us?
Hi Madeline, I’m so sorry I missed this comment. I think your best choices are going to be between the IC Card and an unlimited subway pass in Tokyo and Osaka. The reason I say that is because paying for each individual train ride with an IC card will add up pretty quickly, whereas buying an unlimited pass that will give you unlimited subway rides each day you purchase one, would be much more economical. Let me know if that makes sense. Osaka also has unlimited passes which is super convenient.
Then, if you were to buy an IC card, you could just use that for loading cash on it to use in convenience stores, at ATMs, etc. and that way you won’t have to swipe your debit card or credit card each time, possibly incurring foreign transaction fees.
@@VoyagesJapan Thk u so very much. Very informative
Does the Passmo passport card have to have a minimum amount of credit to be able to start making a trip? The other day, I wanted to use it and it told me the balance was low. You know exactly what the limit is so that it does not warn you that you have to put money
Hmmm…that’s interesting. I’ve never known it to have a minimum for using it, other than the amount that it’s going to take to make a trip. But I’ll make an assumption and you can correct me if I’m wrong…
Since the fare is deducted from your card once you arrive at your destination and exit the station, I’m wondering if the balance that you had on your card before entering through the ticket gates was too low to cover any destination on the map that you might possibly be going to. So maybe that’s the reason they restricted your entry at all? To avoid the possibility of getting to the end of your ride and not having enough money on your card to exit the station? Did you have enough on your card to complete a full ride?
@@VoyagesJapan Hi, thanks for the answer. Yes , i had 400-500 yen, to be exact, i think it was 420 yen and the trip were less than 240. The problem with this card is that they not refund the money and the mínimum to add is 1000 yen, so i don't know if this is made on purpose to keep the money of the visitors even if You make the exact calculations of your tríps to optimize the credit in your card.
@@bizcochodulce Oh wow! That’s really good information to know. I’ve truly never had that experience, but it’s so good to notify other travelers that that might be the case. Thank you for bringing that up. Super helpful.
Does the SUICA card work on the airport limousine bus? If it does, do I just need to stand in line at the Haneda bus going to the area of my hotel and swipe it when I get on the bus right? Or do still need to buy a physical bus ticket?
Hi @inquisitvem, great news! The Airport Bus does accept Suica. Here's some additional information about how it works.
www.limousinebus.co.jp/guide/en/ic_card/
From what I can tell from reading a few articles, you tell the ticketing staff at the airport where you're headed and then the ticket machine accepts IC cards. On the website there's a PDF that has a map of the stops for the Airport Bus. So you'll just have to find a stop that's closest to the location of your hotel. The staff at the Airport Bus counter should be able to help you to find out which stop is the right one for the bus you need to catch.
@@VoyagesJapan thank you!
It was great to use the limousine bus. Only $7 each time. I will suggest this to anyone that reserving a seat is the way to do it. I didn’t and was fortunate that I went early in the morning to catch my flight back to the states, thus still seats left. Play it safe and reserve a seat in advance which I will do next time.
@@inquisitvem6723 Did you have to make a lot of intermittent stops before your destination? About how long did it take you from the airport to where you were going in the city?
@@VoyagesJapan it made like 3 stops…took about 35 min to airport. It took around 45 min to my hotel across from Toyocho station. The bus stop was one block away.
Hi We are travelling to Japan in May. We are going to Osaka and Kyoto for four days and will stay in Tokyo for 6 days. We are flying to Haneda and leaving Tokyo from Narita. is worth getting the JR pass, do we need both JR Pass and Suica? Thank you.
Hi Gloria, the best way to figure out if you’ll need a JR Pass (to see if it’s a good economical choice) is to use a JR Pass Calculator. I have one linked in the description of the Japan Travel Guide video but I’ll find it and link it here. That way you’ll be able to tell if you’re better off buying individual tickets. From what I can tell though from first glance at your itinerary, buying a JR Pass might be a little bit of a waste. The reason I say that is the pass is activated the first day you start using it. So if you’re going to be in Osaka and Kyoto for 4 days and then Tokyo for 6 days, then the pass will be sitting unused for all of the days in between. The benefit with a JR Pass comes in when you’re doing a lot of city-hopping. Before the price hike in October 2023, it was worth it to buy one even if you weren’t city-hopping a lot. But now I strongly recommend to use the JR Pass calculator before making the purchase. Remember that you can always buy individual Shinkansen tickets, and at a discount, on the SmartEx website. It’s owned by the JR East company and it services stops in the direction that you’re headed. The link for the SmartEx website is in the description of this video.
Let me know if you need me to clarify anything or if you have any additional questions. Happy to help!
@@VoyagesJapan thank you for your quick response, really appreciate it. I made a mistake when I booked our flight. Too excited :) I should probably booked it Seattle to Osaka then Tokyo back to Seattle but too late now. So our itenerary now is we stay in Haneda the night we arrive japan, then early next morning, we go to Osaka for 4 days, then back to Tokyo for the rest of our vacation. We are flying out of Narita. Technically, we will only use the JR pass when we go to Osaka/Kyoto and back to Tokyo. Is that a waste? Thanks again.
@@GloriaFansler-gc5jd I’m not going to make any definitive answers for you because I don’t want to steer you wrong, but I would deeeeefinitely be sure to put the legs of your trip in the calculator. Here are links to two of them:
m.jrpass.com/farecalculator
www.japan-guide.com/railpass/
But to buy a 7-day unlimited pass and only use it for one trip really won’t be getting your money’s worth at all. After you use the calculator, look up the train cost for an individual Shinkansen ticket. You can use SmartEx or you can even put it in Google. Also, don’t forget there are plenty of budget airlines with very cheap prices. Check out Google Flights as well.
@@VoyagesJapan Thank you very much. You have a good one. Take care. I will let you know what i find out :)
@@GloriaFansler-gc5jd Yes, please do!! I’d love to help as much as I can. I know it’s super super confusing with all the different passes and it’s so hard to find solid information online for what each of them mean and which ones are the best options for which trips. The information is so scattered. So anything I can do to help clarify, I’m here. Please don’t hesitate to ask. If I can answer it, I’m more than happy to lead you to the resources or websites that can. Just let me know, Gloria!
I'm in the early stages of planning a trip to Japan next year. With the near 70% increase in the cost of a JR card in all its guises, I can't see how it would be useful or cost effective to me. I travel slowly, a few days here, a couple days there, a few ferries, and then maybe a week walking on the Nakasendo ETC. Every time I look at the issue, just buying a ticket for the Green Car looks like a much better option.
As for an IC card? Well, from what I can work out, 90% of buses and ferries ETC don't accept it. They want cash! How the does an IC card help those traveling outside of the big metros?
Great, great question, Mark! In a case like yours, where a lot of the traveling will be done outside of the metro area, and in a more concentrated radius within those towns/cities, an IC Card isn't quite as impactful. The convenience of an IC card in a major city like Tokyo is that you can use it on vending machines, in convenience stores, at some restaurants, on trains, buses, etc. And it keeps you from having to carry as much cash around.
However, when you get outside of the metro areas, the IC definitely takes a backseat to cash. Places like Kyoto still use the IC card pretty widely, but it sounds like you'll be going a little further out. I think your calculations are spot on. If you think you'll want it for a better way of consolidating your purchases outside of using cash, and reducing the number of individual purchases you'll make on your credit or debit card when absolutely necessary to use, then I'd say it wouldn't hurt to have an IC Card and load a little bit of money on it. But if you think it will be more of a hassle than helpful, you might be better off with your plan of teetering towards cash instead.
@@VoyagesJapan Ta 🙂
This is the itinerary.
4 nights Tokyo
1 night Hakone/Mt.Fuji
1 Izu Penisula
3 nights Kyoto
1 night Hiroshima
3 nights Osaka
Can you tell me what the best option is for IC card, JR pass, individual tickets, etc. and do you have a recommendation for mobile Wi-Fi vs. eSIM? Two adults with a young adult, we each have iPhones, and the young adult may want good streaming Wi-Fi.
Hi Anne! From first glance I was thinking that a 14-day JR Pass would probably be your best main transportation card, but with the recent price hike, it's important to calculate the cost of the trip before leaping into purchasing the passes. Here's a calculator that I would recommend using. It's super easy. You just put in the separate legs of your trip and it will tell you if the price of the JR Pass is worth it. In the case that it's more expensive than buying individual tickets, you can purchase the Shinkansen tickets online. But first things first, take a look at the calculator and then go from there. Best case scenario, the JR Pass is the more cost effective purchase and we can go from there! Here's the calculator:
www.japan-guide.com/railpass/
For the IC card, I think you'll get the most use out of it on your trips to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, where the IC Card is more widely accepted. This will allow you to load money on and swipe at convenience stores, riding the bus, etc. Just be aware that each of those cities also offer unlimited bus and subway passes as well, so if you're going to be doing a lot of "tourist hopping", an unlimited pass might save you money over buying individual tickets or loading money on an IC card for each trip you take. It's up to you which way you'd like to go.
For WiFi, I recommend Japan Wireless. They have awesome reviews (Google them online) and they've also offered the community a 10% off discount. This is the website:
www.japan-wireless.com/?via=voyages
(Use code JWVJ)
The main reason for using a SIM card would be if you think you'll make a lot of international calls back home.You can also get a data plan with a SIM card, but I usually just stick to wiFi and WhatsApp and use text for communication. Let me know if this helps, and once you have an answer on JR Pass vs no-Pass, we can move forward with how to purchase your individual tickets.
Can we use the Suica card on our Iphones without data/SIM card? We will arrive at Narita airport so no chance getting a welcome Suica on arrival? The Pasmo Passport works in Tokyo and Osaka but does it also work in Kyoto?
Hi @finnjensen, you can use the Suica card on your phone without the Japanese SIM card/data card. You can use the card that you currently have in your phone. As a matter of fact, you can try it at home now and add funds. But if I’m correct, I think you might be asking if you will need to have a Japanese data/SIM card while you’re there in order to use Apple Pay.
If that’s the question you’re asking, the answer is that you don’t necessarily need a SIM card. You’ll simply need a way to connect to WiFi or the internet. And that could also be a Pocket Wifi portable router. If you need more info on how to get one, there’s a section on it in my “Japan Travel Guide” video that should help to sort it out it.
As far as getting a Welcome Suica on arrival at Narita, the transportation updates have been happening pretty frequently so I would just keep an eye on Japan-guide.com or the Suica/Welcome Suica website for updates (it will be the first top pop up on Google for the term “Welcome Suica availability.”
And the Pasmo Passport works in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto as well. Same functions as the Welcome Suica, but the entry level price is 1500 yen (which is yours to spend and it gets loaded on the card with purchase), whereas the entry threshold for the Welcome Suica is 1000 yen. Other than that, everything else is the same. So if the stock levels are still high at the time that you’re traveling to Japan, the Pasmo Passport might be a great alternative for the Welcome Suica for you.
I tried to follow your instructions to use Suica app, it went well until the last name and first name, I tried to enter my English name Jim Si first name and last name, but it didn’t take it. I don’t know how to enter in Japanese. What is the solution?
Hi there, the easiest way to enter it in Japanese is to use Google Translate (just Google it and you’ll find the free application). Use the mobile app or the desktop version and you can translate your name there and copy and paste it in. You’re likely going to need to use Google Translate while in Japan, so this is the perfect way to get familiar with how it works. Let me know if this helps.
@@VoyagesJapan could you help me to get Jim as first name and Si as last name in Katakana please?
@@jimsi2989 ジム・S
@@VoyagesJapan it works! Thank you very much
@@jimsi2989 You’re welcome!
I downloaded the Suica app and added 6,000 yen to have it ready to use next month on my 10 day visit to Japan. My question is regarding reloading Suica card and the variances in charge fees. I know that in order to get cash (yen) it can be done at ATM’s in the many Konbini stores, but do you know how much is typically charged for international credit card, ATM fee, and bank fees? Visa or MC better? Or if I use APPLE Wallet is it charged a percentage for every time I swipe the card? Which in your experience is more cost effective. Thank You
Excellent questions, David!! In the “Japan Money Tips” video on my channel there’s a chart with accurate International bank fees for the major US banks. I’ll scan through and give you the timestamp. But it’s definitely worth taking a screenshot, or even watching the whole video if you’re traveling soon and looking to save on fees. Credit card fees are a little different than foreign ATM fees. But the advice that I give in the Japan Money Tips video, and the one I stand by, is that if you have a decent amount of time before your trip, really really consider applying for a card with a bank that has zero to low International/foreign transaction fees. Charles Schwab offers a rebate on their foreign transaction fees and I believe Fidelity is a favorite for travelers as well. But definitely do your research on what fees your bank and credit card companies are going to charge you. They add up quiiiiiick! Wise and Revolut are also FinTech companies worth looking into since they specialize in currency exchanges, but I’m not quite sure how competitive their fees are. Worth taking a look.
Re: the Apple Wallet transaction question, that’s the exact thing I posed to viewers in this video. It’s a fascinating topic, and I am assuming the fees will depend on what network you’re on. Because no matter what, it’s a transaction. But I wonder if the bank considers it foreign or domestic, though. And if it’s a foreign transaction, would having a VPN on your phone help to “mask” the IP address, essentially putting you on a domestic network. I’ll ask around and read some blogs to get some thoughts from other travelers.
Hi David, the bank rates are at 03:19 on this video (the Japan Money Tips video):
th-cam.com/video/VhC43wiFSOg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=L2TR2wgoS0GrRSxG
@@VoyagesJapan
Thank you very much!! Prepping for a Japan “bucket list” trip has been both daunting and exciting. This aspect however had me with many question marks circling my grey matter.
Thank you again for a quick response too!
What about Android phone?
Hi Lelong, the only way to load the Suica card on an Android phone is if you have an Android phone that was purchased in Japan. It's called an “osaifu-keitai” eligible phone, which essentially means a smartphone purchased in Japan. If you do have an Android that's from Japan, this is a video that will help you to load the Suica on your phone:
th-cam.com/video/NssYsgV5DtA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=7HoVMr8hHS8MGNi9
Otherwise, the only other option would be a physical Welcome IC card (Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport), since the Suica and Pasmo are sold out.
iPhone works
Thank you for the update!
Suica is also the Japanese word for watermelon which you can see in the top right of the card.
😎 I love little facts like that!! Thank you for that one!
Thanks for having subtitles, yet again!
I got the SUICA on my Apple Pay wallet back in January but my partner can’t get our credit card to work on theirs. That’s our only card without foreign transaction fees so we’ve been contemplating doing the SUICA app method or getting a tourist card at Haneda airport for months now. We don’t wanna waste the semiconductor chips on a tourist card that expires in a month despite the cute designs.😂
I’m also contemplating paper tickets so that we can have a little scrapbook for the memories but there’s like a ¥1-¥5 discount if you use IC. So many options! Hopefully the regular SUICA will be available by fall so we can just return it at the end of our trip.
Leslie!! Always a pleasure!!
Is your partner's card on the MasterCard/MAESTRO network or the Visa network? International Visas have notoriously been an issue with Japan credit card systems and I'm wondering if that has anything to do with the issue? And with the mobile Suica, the only thing I haven't gotten to the bottom of is whether or not domestic banks charge foreign transaction fees for loading your IC Card with Apple Pay (since it is considered a transaction). That's something to look into and if I can figure it out, I'll definitely update you.
And re: physical IC cards, the beauty of the visitor cards is that you don't have to go through the hassle of returning them, but I understand what you mean about them only being valid for a short period of time. But they are pretty cute to keep for a memento!
For the paper tickets, it's definitely worth purchasing at least one just for the scrapbook memories. When my parents came to visit we bought a JR Pass and some individual tickets as well and my mom kept them in a lock box at my parents house. Unfortunately she passed in 2020, so when I came across the tickets a few months ago it brought back a flood of wonderful memories (and tears, of course). It's so worth it to commemorate such a special trip with anyone you care about! Just a thought :)
Let me know what you two end up doing, pass-wise. I'm hoping they have it all sorted out by fall too.
@@VoyagesJapan Yeah, our credit card is a VISA Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP). What’s weird is that I was able to get it to work through Apple Pay to get my SUICA but not my partner’s. Oh well 🤷🏻♀️ Not too big of a deal since it’ll give me an excuse to buy a lanyard for a physical card. I was worried about the CSP credit card being charged as a cash advance but after loading ¥1,000 and having it process, it counted as a “shopping” transaction! No idea about debit cards though.
With the amount of shopping we’re going to do, we’re definitely going to have a lot of souvenirs. Haha.
My condolences about your mother. I’m glad you are able to remember some good memories with those paper tickets.
Thank you for making these videos and replying to so many comments! Stay healthy and happy!
@@Vi3t1997TMBY hahaha! I can’t wait to see you and your partner post a shopping haul video on TH-cam when you get back!!
And if you decide to give the VISA a try again, there’s a fix that’s in the video, around the end. You have to load it through the Suica app instead of Apple Wallet. Thank you for the condolences 💛 and it’s always great to hear from you! :)
I learned elsewhere that if you update to iOS 17.2, and have a relatively new iPhone, your VISA Chase should work. I was able to load money onto the Suica in the last couple days with a Chase Visa card (add the Suica to your Apple Wallet from the "+" at the top right of the wallet app. You don't need to put the app on your phone)
I just read that the Welcome SUICA card via mobile app will be available to foreign smartphones in 2025
That’s excellent news!! That was so disappointing for non-iPhone users.
It’s a shame you can only store digital IC cards on iPhone, but not on android
I agree with you. You can store them on Android, but only if you have an Android phone that was manufactured in Japan.
Side note: I think the audio is somehow doubled? I'm wearing headphones and it's very easy to hear this way. Unless my headphones are busted, but I hope someone else hears it too lol
Yeah I was so bummed. I couldn't figure out why the audio was distorted when I uploaded the video to TH-cam. I'll have to figure out what's going on for the next video for sure. Apologies for that. But I guess the good news is you're not the only one who hears it! :)