Hi, I’m Taro! 😊 Since the COVID-19 pandemic, digital payments have rapidly gained popularity in Japan. Among these, QR code payments have seen the most significant adoption due to their relatively low implementation cost for businesses.
QR Code Payments: Best Mobile Payment Apps in Japan
QR code payments are now widely accepted across Japan. Some of the most well-known QR payment services include:
- PayPay (SoftBank Group)
- d Payment (Docomo)
- Rakuten Pay
- MerPay (Mercari)
- au PAY
- LINE Pay
Among these, PayPay is by far the most widely used. Even small, family-owned businesses that previously only accepted cash now often support PayPay. This service has also partnered with international e-wallets such as AliPay, Kakao Pay, TrueMoney, OCBC Digital, JKO Pay, MyPB, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, NAVER Pay, Toss, Changi Pay, Tinaba, Mpay, Hipay, GCash, HelloMoney by AUB, and E.SUN Wallet, allowing foreign users to pay at PayPay-accepting stores in Japan using their own local e-wallets.
Additionally, PayPay offers domestic money transfers, making it useful for splitting bills with friends and family. However, a key limitation is that PayPay requires a Japanese phone number for registration, making it difficult for short-term visitors to use.
Electronic Money (E-Money)
Japan also has a strong e-money ecosystem. Some of the most popular e-money services include:
- Suica
- QUICPay
- iD
- nanaco
Suica: The Ultimate Convenience 🚆
Suica is incredibly versatile and can be used for transportation (trains, buses) as well as retail purchases. It operates on a prepaid system, making it accessible to both residents and tourists. Mobile Suica allows users to integrate their Suica card into their smartphones. For foreign visitors, Welcome Suica (a deposit-free, time-limited version) is available in select locations. More details here. Starting March 6, 2025, the Welcome Suica Mobile service is also set to launch. For more details, check out the separate article: Introducing “Welcome Suica Mobile”: A New Era for Seamless Travel in Japan.
QUICPay & iD: Postpaid E-Money 💳
QUICPay and iD are postpaid e-money systems linked to credit cards. For example, American Express in Japan is often associated with QUICPay, meaning that even if a store does not accept Amex directly, you can still pay using QUICPay. This expands the usability of certain credit cards.
Credit Cards in Japan: How to Use Credit Cards for Payments
Japan widely accepts major credit card brands such as:
- VISA
- Mastercard
- JCB
- American Express (Amex)
VISA and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere. Amex works wherever JCB is accepted due to a partnership between the two companies. However, Diners Club is less commonly supported.
Contactless Payments on the Rise
The adoption of tap-to-pay (contactless payments) has significantly increased, making transactions faster and more convenient.
Important Change in 2025: No More Signature Payments
Starting April 2025, Japan will eliminate signature-based credit card transactions. Instead, users will need to enter their PIN codes for verification. If you haven’t set up a PIN for your credit card, make sure to do so before then!
Apple Pay: The Ultimate Convenience 💡
Nowadays, many people in Japan link their credit cards and e-money services to Apple Pay for seamless payments. Since contactless payments are becoming more common, using Apple Pay has never been easier.
My Personal Payment Preferences
Personally, I use Apple Pay (VISA/Mastercard), PayPay, and occasionally Apple Pay’s iD (via MerPay). These cover almost all my payment needs. The only time I face issues is when parking lots or dental clinics accept only cash—then, I have to withdraw money from an ATM. 😅
Hope this guide helps! Happy cashless shopping in Japan! 🇯🇵💳✨