{"id":606,"date":"2026-09-21T01:22:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T01:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/?p=606"},"modified":"2026-10-19T05:10:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T05:10:07","slug":"suica-penguin-new-character-vote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/suica-penguin-new-character-vote\/","title":{"rendered":"Suica Penguin Farewell 2026\u201327: Ueno Fan Event (30 Oct\u20134 Nov), Ekitag Stamp Rally, Last Goods and the 18 Nov New Mascot Reveal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">La <strong>Suica Penguin farewell<\/strong> is now in full swing. JR East\u2019s fan event runs at Ueno Station from <strong>30 October to 4 November 2026<\/strong> (11:00\u201319:30, last day until 18:00), and the new Suica mascot chosen by public vote is due to be revealed on <strong>18 November 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The penguin itself retires on 31 March 2027, after 25 years on the card. This guide covers every farewell event still to come, the Ekitag stamp rally, the Shinjuku illumination gate, where to buy the last penguin goods, what the Suica vote was, and what it all means for the card in your pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"jpj jpj-block jpj-facts\"><div class=\"wrap\"><div class=\"facts\"><div class=\"fact\"><p class=\"value\">30 Oct\u20134 Nov<\/p><p class=\"label\">Ueno Station fan event<\/p><\/div><div class=\"fact\"><p class=\"value\">1 Oct\u201325 Dec<\/p><p class=\"label\">Ekitag stamp rally<\/p><\/div><div class=\"fact\"><p class=\"value\">18 Nov 2026<\/p><p class=\"label\">New mascot reveal<\/p><\/div><div class=\"fact\"><p class=\"value\">31 Mar 2027<\/p><p class=\"label\">Penguin\u2019s last day<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group key-takeaways\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeaways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ueno fan event is in the Grand Concourse outside the JR Central Gate, 30 Oct\u20134 Nov 2026, 11:00\u201319:30 (18:00 on 4 Nov).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The free Ekitag stamp rally runs 1 Oct\u201325 Dec. Three stamps by 23 Oct, 23:59 gets you into the Meet &amp; Greeting lottery at Ueno.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The winning new mascot is due on 18 November 2026, Suica\u2019s 25th anniversary. Its nickname comes later, in March 2027.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Penguin goods are being sold off now: PENSTA shops, the Ueno event and JR East\u2019s online JRE MALL. Penguin-design cards go when stock runs out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Suica Penguin farewell changes the mascot only. Your Suica card keeps working.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the Suica Penguin farewell?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The penguin has been on Suica since the card launched in 2001. JR East is giving it a year-long send-off called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jreast.co.jp\/suica\/penguinyears\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Penguin Years<\/a>, ending when the character \u201cgraduates\u201d at the end of fiscal 2026, which is 31 March 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Suica turns 25 in November 2026, and JR East wants a character for a card that is now a wider payment and everyday-life service, not just a train ticket. The new character takes over in Mobile Suica and other services after the handover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-31-1024x769.jpeg\" alt=\"A Yamanote Line train in Tokyo, where the Suica Penguin has been on the cards since 2001\" class=\"wp-image-610\" style=\"width:600px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-31-1024x769.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-31-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-31-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-31-16x12.jpeg 16w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-31-1536x1153.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-31.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Yamanote Line train in Tokyo, where the Suica Penguin has been on the cards since 2001<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Suica Penguin farewell calendar: every date for 2026\u201327<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All dates are from JR East\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jreast.co.jp\/suica\/penguinyears\/specialevent\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">special event page<\/a> and its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jreast.co.jp\/press\/2026\/20260826_ho01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">26 August 2026 press release<\/a>, checked on 19 October 2026. \u201cPlanned\u201d means JR East has not fixed the details yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Dates<\/th><th>What<\/th><th>Where<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Until 21 Oct 2026<\/td><td>Suica Penguin Fair FINAL (16 shops, limited sweets)<\/td><td>Gransta Tokyo, inside Tokyo Station gates<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1 Oct\u201325 Dec 2026<\/td><td>Ekitag digital stamp rally<\/td><td>Stations and station buildings, via app<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>23 Oct 2026, 23:59<\/td><td>Deadline: 3 stamps for the Meet &amp; Greeting lottery<\/td><td>Ekitag app<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>30 Oct\u20134 Nov 2026<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Fan event: exhibition, photo spot, goods<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>JR Ueno Station, Grand Concourse<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>31 Oct\u20133 Nov 2026<\/td><td>Meet &amp; Greeting sessions (lottery only)<\/td><td>Ueno, photo spot corner<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3 Nov\u20132 Dec 2026<\/td><td>Penguin-wrapped train (one set)<\/td><td>Yamanote Line<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11 Nov 2026\u201314 Feb 2027<\/td><td>Hanamichi Gate at Shinjuku Minami Lumi<\/td><td>Suica Penguin Plaza, Shinjuku<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>18 Nov 2026<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>New mascot announced<\/strong><\/td><td>Online, JR East<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Late Nov\u2013Dec 2026 (planned)<\/td><td>Penguin greeting tour<\/td><td>Shinkansen stations in the rally<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>30 Nov 2026<\/td><td>LINE riddle campaign and episode contest close<\/td><td>Online<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mar 2027<\/td><td>New nickname revealed, handover ceremony<\/td><td>To be announced<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>31 Mar 2027<\/td><td>Penguin\u2019s last day as Suica character<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Suica Penguin event at Ueno: what\u2019s on, 30 October\u20134 November<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the centrepiece of the Suica Penguin farewell. The \u201cfan thank-you event\u201d fills the <strong>Grand Concourse outside the JR Ueno Station Central Gate<\/strong> for six days, from Friday 30 October to Wednesday 4 November 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hours:<\/strong> 11:00\u201319:30 daily, closing at 18:00 on 4 November<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What\u2019s there:<\/strong> a history exhibition, fans\u2019 episodes, a message corner, a photo spot, Meet &amp; Greeting sessions and a goods corner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Extras:<\/strong> on some days the penguin takes over the giant UENO CANVAS screen, and NewDays and \u201cnomono\u201d shops in the station stock more penguin goods<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tickets:<\/strong> JR East lists no admission ticket. The concourse is outside the gates, so you don\u2019t need a train ticket to walk in<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get a Meet &amp; Greeting slot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The penguin appears in person from 31 October to 3 November, in four 30-minute sessions a day at 11:00, 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00. There are no same-day tickets: places are drawn by lottery, and you can only enter if you have collected <strong>three stamps in the Ekitag rally by 23 October, 23:59<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One entry covers a group of up to five people. Tickets can\u2019t be moved to another day. Arrive 10 minutes early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Japan Pro Tip:<\/strong> 31 October is a Saturday, 1 November a Sunday and 3 November is Culture Day, a public holiday. If you only want the exhibition and the goods, go on Friday 30 October or Monday 2 November, as close to 11:00 as you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ueno Park\u2019s museums and the Ameyoko market are a few minutes\u2019 walk away. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/tokyo-events-november-2026\/\">Tokyo events in November 2026<\/a> guide has what else is on that week.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/suica-penguin-new-character-vote-1.jpg\" alt=\"JR Ueno Station, venue of the Suica Penguin farewell fan event\" class=\"wp-image-2016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/suica-penguin-new-character-vote-1.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/suica-penguin-new-character-vote-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/suica-penguin-new-character-vote-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/suica-penguin-new-character-vote-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/suica-penguin-new-character-vote-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/suica-penguin-new-character-vote-1-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">JR Ueno Station, where the Suica Penguin fan event runs from 30 October to 4 November. Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/ueno-station-with-a-tall-tower-in-the-background-rRrHcYzPths\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Natural Photos<\/a> \/ Unsplash, <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Unsplash License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does the Ekitag Suica Penguin stamp rally work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rally, titled \u201cLooking back on our days with the Suica Penguin\u201d, runs <strong>1 October\u201325 December 2026<\/strong>. It\u2019s free and works through <a href=\"https:\/\/ekitag.virtual-agent.plus\/FAQ\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ekitag<\/a>, JR East\u2019s station stamp app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Download Ekitag (iPhone or Android) and search for \u201cSuica\u306e\u30da\u30f3\u30ae\u30f3\u201d in the app<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go to a stamp spot and tap your phone on the NFC sticker to collect the stamp<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Most spots are outside the gates; you need a ticket or Suica to travel between them<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prize vouchers appear in the app\u2019s Wallet, under My Page<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Stamps<\/th><th>Prize<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>3<\/td><td>Entry to the Meet &amp; Greeting lottery, plus an achievement stamp<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Penguin Years original wallpaper<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10<\/td><td>Original sticker (limited stock)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>20<\/td><td>Original acrylic stand (limited stock)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collect prizes at the <strong>TAKANAWA GATEWAY Travel Service Center<\/strong> at Takanawa Gateway Station (THE LINKPILLAR 1 SOUTH, 1F), 11:00\u201318:00. It\u2019s one prize per person, first come, first served.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">JR East\u2019s Penguin Years page lists 30 stamp spots (its August release said 20) at Yamanote Line and Shinkansen stations and station buildings. The live list is in the app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Japan Pro Tip:<\/strong> The sticker and acrylic stand are limited and the rally has been running since 1 October. Ask at the Takanawa Gateway counter whether stock is left before you plan a 20-stamp day around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shinjuku Minami Lumi: the Suica Penguin Hanamichi Gate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shinjuku\u2019s south-side winter illumination runs from <strong>11 November 2026 to 14 February 2027<\/strong>, and this year it is themed around the penguin\u2019s graduation. At Suica Penguin Plaza, beside JR Shinjuku Station\u2019s Shin-Minami Gate, a \u201cHanamichi Gate\u201d makes a flower-lined walkway, a graduation send-off you can walk through and photograph (<a href=\"https:\/\/sp.jorudan.co.jp\/illumi\/news\/jrd_261016_1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jorudan, 16 October 2026<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hours:<\/strong> 18:00\u201324:00 on 11 Nov; 17:00\u201324:00 from 12\u201330 Nov; 16:30\u201324:00 from 1 Dec to 14 Feb (some venues differ)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Also:<\/strong> a penguin photo spot by the \u201cSHINJUKU\u201d letters, and a separate digital stamp rally (11 Nov\u201325 Dec): four stamps earn a Suica Penguin memo pad, first 500 people<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s outdoors in public space. Pair it with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/tokyo-illuminations-2026\/\">Tokyo illuminations 2026<\/a> list, or our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/activites-a-faire-a-shinjuku\/\">things to do in Shinjuku<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to buy the last goods before the Suica Penguin farewell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">JR East\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jreast.co.jp\/suica\/penguinyears\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">25-year goods archive<\/a> is display only, but plenty of new farewell stock is on sale. Much of it is limited and ends when it sells out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>PENSTA shops:<\/strong> ecute Ueno, LUMINE EST Shinjuku, ecute Omiya North and Premy Colomy \/ PENSTA CIAL Sakuragicho. Spend \u00a53,000 or more with Suica and get an umbrella marker while stocks last (\u00a51,500 at the ecute Ueno caf\u00e9 area gets a paper coaster)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ueno fan event:<\/strong> a goods corner on the concourse, 30 Oct\u20134 Nov, plus extra stock at NewDays in the station<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gransta Tokyo:<\/strong> le <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gransta.jp\/news\/info\/suicafair_final\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Suica Penguin Fair FINAL<\/a> ends on <strong>21 October<\/strong>. Limited runs include penguin castella (800) and rice crackers (1,000), and \u00a52,000 paid by Suica at one shop gets a penguin pen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Station onigiri:<\/strong> the penguin sticker onigiri set at Honnoriya (21 shops) and Homareya, \u00a51,480, or \u00a51,280 paid by Suica, until sold out<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Online:<\/strong> the official goods list links to JR East\u2019s JRE MALL, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/shopping.jreast.co.jp\/pages\/suica_graduation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TRAINIART store on JRE MALL<\/a> runs until 31 March 2027<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The card itself is collectable too. JR East will sell penguin-design Suica cards until stock runs out, then switch to plain cards. The Apple Wallet Suica design is also going plain for now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Japan Pro Tip:<\/strong> If you\u2019re flying home, penguin goods count as normal shopping. Spend \u00a55,000 or more before tax at one tax-free shop in a day and you can claim the tax back. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/remboursement-de-limpot-au-japon\/\">Japan tax refund guide<\/a> explains the new rules from 1 November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Suica vote: what it was, and when we get the result<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Suica mascot vote ran from <strong>8 September (15:00) to 23 September 2026, 23:59 JST<\/strong>, on JR East\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jreast.co.jp\/suica-new-character-vote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">official voting site<\/a>. It was one vote per person, open to anyone, anywhere, and the candidate with the most votes becomes the new character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Candidate<\/th><th>Design<\/th><th>The idea behind it<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>A<\/td><td>Orange squirrel with a black line from head to tail<\/td><td>The line is the railway, connecting places and lives<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>B<\/td><td>Purple rabbit with tall, upright ears<\/td><td>A character that listens; purple mixes blue (smooth travel) and red (excitement)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>C<\/td><td>Orange creature carrying a mole in a pouch<\/td><td>Showing a mole the world above ground: going somewhere new<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Demand was high: the site briefly showed a system error when voting opened (AdverTimes). Reaction in Japan has been mixed, with plenty of \u201cgive the penguin back\u201d comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The vote site now says only \u201cvoting closed\u201d, and no results or vote count have been published. The winner is due on <strong>18 November 2026<\/strong>, the anniversary of Suica\u2019s launch, according to Impress Watch and BCN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens after 18 November<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>From November 2026:<\/strong> a public call for the new character\u2019s nickname<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>January 2027:<\/strong> a selection committee reviews the names. Members include screenwriter Kundo Koyama and voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>March 2027:<\/strong> nickname announced and a handover (\u201cbaton touch\u201d) ceremony<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does the Suica Penguin farewell affect your Suica card?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-32-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"IC only ticket gates at a Japanese station, one open and one closed\" class=\"wp-image-608\" style=\"width:600px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-32-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-32-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-32-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-32-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-32-16x12.jpeg 16w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-32.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">IC only ticket gates at a Japanese station, one open and one closed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>No.<\/strong> The mascot is branding, not technology. Existing Suica cards, balances, top-ups, refunds and Mobile Suica all keep working, and cards printed with the penguin stay valid after 31 March 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-30-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Ticket and IC charge machines at a Tokyo subway station\" class=\"wp-image-609\" style=\"width:600px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-30-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-30-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-30-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-30-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-30-16x12.jpeg 16w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-30.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ticket and IC charge machines at a Tokyo subway station<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting a Suica as a visitor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jreast.co.jp\/multi\/en\/welcomesuica\/welcomesuica.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Welcome Suica<\/a>, the visitor version, can be used for 28 days from the date of purchase. Welcome Suica Mobile is the app version for iPhone. A standard Suica has no 28-day limit, so it suits longer stays or repeat visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notre <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/ic-card-japan\/\">IC card guide for Japan<\/a> compares Suica, PASMO and Welcome Suica, and how to top up. Landing at Haneda? The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/haneda-layover\/\">Haneda layover guide<\/a> shows where the machines are.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"jpj jpj-block jpj-tips\"><div class=\"wrap\"><div class=\"know\"><p class=\"know-head\">Informez-vous avant de partir<\/p><div class=\"know-grid\"><div><p class=\"kicker kicker-plain\">Collect 3 stamps first<\/p><p>The Meet &amp; Greeting lottery needs 3 Ekitag stamps by 23 Oct, 23:59. No stamps, no entry.<\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"kicker kicker-plain\">Avoid the holidays<\/p><p>31 Oct, 1 Nov and 3 Nov will be busiest at Ueno. Weekday mornings are calmer.<\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"kicker kicker-plain\">Pay with Suica<\/p><p>Many goods campaigns give a bonus only when you pay with Suica or another transit IC card.<\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"kicker kicker-plain\">Check the last day<\/p><p>The Ueno event closes at 18:00 on 4 November, not 19:30.<\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"kicker kicker-plain\">Goods sell out<\/p><p>Limited items end without notice. Ask staff about stock before you queue.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Suica Penguin farewell FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list\">\n<div id=\"faq-d2880ddf\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">When does the Suica Penguin retire?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>At the end of fiscal 2026, which is 31 March 2027. It has been the Suica character since the card launched in 2001.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-13c71326\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">When and where is the Suica Penguin event at Ueno?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>From 30 October to 4 November 2026 in the Grand Concourse outside the JR Ueno Station Central Gate, 11:00 to 19:30, and until 18:00 on the last day.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-694ceb41\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">When will the new Suica mascot be announced?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>The winner of the public vote is due on 18 November 2026, the anniversary of Suica\u2019s launch. Its nickname will be chosen separately and revealed in March 2027.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-4d500784\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">Can I still vote for the new Suica character?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>No. The Suica vote closed on 23 September 2026 at 23:59 Japan time. A public call for the new character\u2019s nickname is planned from November 2026.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-730e349d\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">How do I join the Suica Penguin stamp rally?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>Download the free Ekitag app, search for the Suica Penguin rally and tap the NFC stickers at the stamp spots between 1 October and 25 December 2026. Prizes are collected at Takanawa Gateway Station.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-064511b8\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">Where can I buy Suica Penguin goods?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>At PENSTA shops (ecute Ueno, LUMINE EST Shinjuku, ecute Omiya North, CIAL Sakuragicho), the Ueno fan event, NewDays in Ueno Station and online at JR East\u2019s JRE MALL. Many items are limited.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-6b73939a\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">Will my Suica card stop working?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>No. Only the mascot changes. Cards, balances, top-ups, refunds and Mobile Suica are unaffected, and penguin-design cards stay valid.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources and how we checked<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We checked every Suica Penguin farewell date, time and venue on 19 October 2026 against JR East\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jreast.co.jp\/suica\/penguinyears\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Penguin Years site<\/a>, its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jreast.co.jp\/suica\/penguinyears\/specialevent\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">special event page<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jreast.co.jp\/press\/2026\/20260826_ho01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">press release of 26 August 2026<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jreast.co.jp\/suica-new-character-vote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">official vote site<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gransta.jp\/news\/info\/suicafair_final\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gransta Tokyo<\/a>. The 18 November reveal date comes from JR East\u2019s announcement as reported by Impress Watch, and the Shinjuku Minami Lumi details from the organisers\u2019 release as reported by Jorudan. JR East may change event details, so check its page before you go.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"jpj jpj-block jpj-cta\">    <div class=\"wrap\">\n      <div class=\"cta\">\n        <div>\n          <h2>Planning a trip around the Suica Penguin farewell?<\/h2>\n          <p>Japan Pro can book tours, restaurants and experiences in Tokyo, so you can fit Ueno and Shinjuku into the rest of your days.<\/p>        <\/div>\n        <a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/beta.thejapanpro.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Plan with Japan Pro<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<div class=\"jpj jpj-block\">    <section class=\"section\">\n      <div class=\"wrap\">\n        <div class=\"section-head\">\n          <div><h2>Read next<\/h2><\/div>\n                    <a class=\"more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/\">Tous les articles \u2192<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"rail\">\n                      <a class=\"rail-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/shinkansen-fare-increase-2027\/\">\n              <figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"826\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shinkansen-fare-increase-2027-1-768x826.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Shinkansen fare increase 2027: N700 Tokaido Shinkansen at Tokyo Station\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shinkansen-fare-increase-2027-1-768x826.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shinkansen-fare-increase-2027-1-279x300.jpg 279w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shinkansen-fare-increase-2027-1-952x1024.jpg 952w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shinkansen-fare-increase-2027-1-1428x1536.jpg 1428w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shinkansen-fare-increase-2027-1-11x12.jpg 11w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shinkansen-fare-increase-2027-1.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n              <h3>Shinkansen Fare Increase 2027: New Nozomi and Green Car Prices<\/h3>\n              <p class=\"meta\">12 min read<\/p>\n            <\/a>\n                      <a class=\"rail-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/ic-card-japan\/\">\n              <figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"488\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ic-card-japan-1-768x488.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"IC card Japan: automatic IC ticket gates at a station in Osaka\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ic-card-japan-1-768x488.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ic-card-japan-1-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ic-card-japan-1-1024x651.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ic-card-japan-1-1536x976.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ic-card-japan-1-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ic-card-japan-1.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n              <h3>IC Card Japan Guide 2027: Which One Works Where, and How to Get One (11 Cards Compared)<\/h3>\n              <p class=\"meta\">12 min read<\/p>\n            <\/a>\n                      <a class=\"rail-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/is-jr-pass-worth-it\/\">\n              <figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/is-jr-pass-worth-it-1-768x432.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Shinkansen arriving at Tokyo Station, the starting point for checking whether the JR Pass is worth it\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/is-jr-pass-worth-it-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/is-jr-pass-worth-it-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/is-jr-pass-worth-it-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/is-jr-pass-worth-it-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/is-jr-pass-worth-it-1-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/is-jr-pass-worth-it-1.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n              <h3>Is the JR Pass Worth It in 2026? 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Here is every farewell date: the Ueno fan event (30 Oct\u20134 Nov), the Ekitag stamp rally, the last goods and the 18 November new mascot reveal.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":607,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jpj_city":"","jpj_station":"","jpj_label":"News","jpj_top_pick":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[109],"tags":[360,87,107,72,356,438,476,159,108,477],"class_list":["post-606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transport","tag-events-tickets","tag-japan","tag-news","tag-shinjuku","tag-station-area-guides","tag-suica","tag-suica-penguin","tag-tokyo-events","tag-transport","tag-ueno"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/606","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=606"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/606\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2017,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/606\/revisions\/2017"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/607"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=606"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=606"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=606"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}