The Best Credit Cards in Japan for Unlocking Rewards

Make your wallet work smarter in Japan by choosing the credit card that will gain you the most cash-back point incentives.

Read on for a list of the major credit card companies and their various pros and cons for expats in Japan, and a snapshot of the ideal persona for each option.

Rakuten Card—best for earning extra points

Signup page

According to various surveys of netizens in Japan, the Rakuten card is one of the most used credit cards in Japan. It’s also one of the easiest for foreigners in Japan to receive.

Pros

• 1% cashback points (¥100 = 1 point);

• Points can be used at a vast number of stores throughout Japan

• No annual fees for their regular card

• Contactless checkout payments with Visa touch

• Free travel insurance plan

• Initial credit card limit: ¥700,000 to ¥1,000,000

• Credit card types available: VISA, Mastercard, JCB, American Express

• Additional credit card services: Family card

• During campaign seasons, if you sign up for their credit card and mobile phone plan or bank account at the same time as the credit card, you get a bonus of between ¥5,000 to ¥30,000 cashback points.

Cons

• If you're more of an Amazon shopper, then the Amazon or JCB cards will earn you more points.

• If you want the ETC tie-in (highway card), that will cost you ¥550 per year on the regular card. (The ETC tie-in is free if you're on the Rakuten Gold or Premium card.)

• Anyone who spends more than ¥9,000 per month on Rakuten’s ecommerce site should use the Rakuten Gold card for higher points.

Ideal for: Anyone using one or more of Rakuten's services (phone, bank, utilities, NISA, etc.). The cashback system for purchases made on the Rakuten store increases with the number of Rakuten services you use (up to 12x).

Amazon card—best for Amazon shoppers

Signup page

The Amazon credit card is noted by some in the expat community as an easy-to-obtain credit card. However, be warned: the application process might take a month and a half.

Pros

• No annual fee

• 1% cashback points (¥100 = 1 point)

• 1.5% cashback points when shopping on Amazon; 2% cashback points if you're a Prime Member shopping on Amazon

• 1.5% points if you use your Amazon card at 7-eleven, Lawson, or Family Mart

• Signup campaign points: ¥2,000 to ¥5,000, depending on the campaign season

• Initial credit card limit: Decided on a case-by-case basis

• Credit card types available: Mastercard

• Additional credit card services: ETC tie-in is free

Cons

• Fewer options for where to spend points when compared to Rakuten

• The credit card application process can take up to 6 weeks

• Does not offer VISA or JCB 

Ideal for: Anyone who is a heavy Amazon shopper.

Aeon Card Select—An all-in-one credit and bank card

Sigup up page

The Aeon Card Select is an excellent option for anyone who lives near any of Aeon’s big chain stores and frequently shops there. It’s also an easy card to apply for if you do so in person at a mall counter. 

Pros

• No annual fee

• ¥200 = 2 points at Aeon-affiliated stores (Aeon malls, Max Value, The Big, etc.)

• ¥200 = 2 points on Aeon Card W point days (10th of each month)

• ¥300 off for Aeon Cinema tickets if you reserve online and then pay with your Aeon credit card

• Easy for foreigners to apply to if you apply in person at an Aeon mall when they are doing a signup campaign

• Signup campaign points: ¥6,000 to ¥11,000, depending on the campaign season

• Can get an invite for a free Aeon Gold credit card

• All-in-one: Credit card, debit card, and Waon point card

• Credit card limit: ¥100,000 to ¥1,000,000 per month

• Credit card types available: Visa, Mastercard, JCB

• Additional credit card services: Free ETC card tie-in

Cons

• 0.5% cashback points for shopping at non-affiliated stores; which is less than Rakuten

• No travel insurance connected to the credit card

• Must open a bank account at the same time

• If you don't go to a counter, you'll need to apply via an online form and be familiar with typing in Japanese

Ideal for: Anyone who shops at Aeon frequently or who wants to save Waon points or create an Aeon bank account.

Mitsui Sumitomo (NL)—best card for convenience store users

Signup page

The Mitsui Sumitomo card is touted as a strong option if you’re concerned about security. There’s no number printed on the card, and it uses the one-touch contactless technology for payments.  

Pros

• No annual fee

• 7% percent cashback points at Mcdonald's and participating convenience stores when using contactless payment

• Numberless credit card makes losing the credit card less of a worry

• Can also be connected to Apple Pay for mobile payments

• If you spend more than ¥1,000,000 in a year, you automatically upgrade to a free Mitsui Sumitomo Gold Card

• Signup campaign points: ¥6,000

• Credit card limit: ¥1,000,000

• Credit card types available: Visa, Mastercard

• Additional credit card services: free enrollment in travel insurance

Cons

• 0.5% cashback for regular shopping at non-participating stores

• Must use an app to check statements and confirm personal information

Ideal for: Anyone who frequents convenience stores, McDonald's, Mos Burger, Saizeriya, Gusto, Bamiyan, Coco's, Sukiya, Doutor, Jonathans, Excelsior Caffe, etc.

EPOS card—easiest starter credit card

The EPOS card is another easy-to-apply for credit card if you do so in person at a Marui mall counter during a campaign season. It’s often considered a starter card in Japan and is used by many students and homemakers. 

Signup page

Pros

• No annual fee

• 0.5% to 1.25% cashback points per ¥100

• Touted as an easy-to-get Japanese credit card that even students and homemakers can get

• Easy for foreigners to apply for if you apply in person at a Marui mall when they are doing a signup campaign

• If you spend more than ¥500,000 in a year, you get a free invite to the EPOS Gold credit card

• 10% off at Marui during their 4x yearly sales

• Signup campaign points: ¥2,000

• Initial credit card limit: ¥100,000 to ¥300,000

• Credit card types available: Visa

Cons

• Cashback points at non-participating stores is 0.5%

• No travel insurance connected to the credit card

Ideal for: The EPOS card is an easy-to-get starter card for students, homemakers, and those who want an easy path to a Gold credit card.

JCB CARD W—smart choice for spenders

The JCB Card W is the smartest choice for young adults looking to maximize their rewards. This card offers all its benefits if you sign up between the ages of 18 and 39. Plus, you’ll keep all the benefits when you reach that age.

They have a sign-up campaign where you can earn up to 20,000 yen cashback.

Pros

• No annual fee for those under 39; continuous benefits after surpassing the sign-up age

• 1% cash back on all purchases

• Up to 5.5% rewards for partner stores like Amazon, 7-Eleven, and Starbucks

• Up to 10.5% rewards during special campaign seasons.

• Receive real-time spending notification

• Credit Card Types Available: Visa, Mastercard, and JCB

• Additional card services: numberless card option and overseas travel accident insurance

Cons

• Only available for those under 39 years old.

• High cashback for specific stores and during specific times of the year

Ideal for: Those who spend primarily in Japan or travel frequently within Asia, and who can benefit from high cashback rates without worrying about annual fees.

Summary table of the best credit cards in Japan

Here, we summarize the best credit cards for foreigners to apply to.

Foreigner credit card application tips

As a foreigner in Japan, getting rejected for bank accounts and credit cards is common.

But here are some times I’ve picked up and seen while living in Japan.

1. Apply for a credit card in person: Places such as a Marui/Kitte department store or the Aeon mall have staff who will help you with the application process, and you can get the card on the same day.

2. Consider department store and supermarket credit cards: These are often the easiest to obtain. Places like Marui offer the EPOS card, and Aeon Mall offers the Aeon card, which is quite lenient towards applicants.

3. Use your current bank account relationship: if you already have a bank account with SMBC, you can apply for their Mitsui Sumitomo credit card.

4. Initial acceptance to get more cards: Once you have your first credit card and a few months of credit history, you can apply for more cards much more easily.

Frequently asked questions

What are the eligibility requirements for Japanese credit cards?

To be eligible for a Japanese credit card, you must be on a valid non-tourist visa and provide a bank account and valid ID (passport, My Number card, driver's license, residence card, etc.). Some banks may also ask you for your inkan (personal seal) and a tax slip showing your previous year's income.

Which is the easiest credit card for foreigners to get in Japan?

The easiest credit cards for foreigners to get in Japan are the Rakuten credit card and the Amazon credit card for those applying online. For those applying in person at a counter, the Aeon credit card and the EPOS credit card are reputed to be easy to apply for, as the staff will help you enter your middle name in the credit card application.

What are some tips for getting a credit card in Japan?

One of the most-touted tips for getting a credit card in Japan is to apply at a mall counter and fill out a paper-based credit card application. The staff will help you enter your middle name correctly into their system, which is often a sticking point for foreigners applying online. And they will also walk you through all the other information you will need to provide. 

Other tips to keep in mind: Avoid asking for  "キャッシング機能" as this is sometimes a red flag and could prevent you from being issued a credit card. Also, if you fail an application, wait 6 months before applying. This way, records about the failed application won’t be available for the next credit card company to access. 

In closing

The best Japanese credit card is one that aligns with your personal spending habits, lifestyle, and financial goals.

Whether it's the Rakuten Card for those who plan to use the Rakuten ecosystem, the Amazon Card for frequent Amazon shoppers, or the Aeon Card Select for Aeon loyalists, each card has unique benefits tailored to different needs.

Understanding the pros and cons, eligibility requirements, and application tips for each option ensures you will make an informed choice.