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Credit Card Points Optimizer

クレジットカード比較

💳 Earn ¥20,000 - ¥100,000+ in points per year with the right card!

Most foreigners don't know which cards they can get. We'll help you find the best one.

Find Your Best Card

Some cards require PR or long residence history

💡 Yamada Hack: Stack Your Points!

Use Rakuten Card + Rakuten Mobile + Rakuten Bank together for up to 5x points at Rakuten Ichiba. That's ¥5,000 back on every ¥100,000 spent!

  • • Rakuten Card: +2x base
  • • Rakuten Mobile: +1x bonus
  • • Rakuten Bank: +0.5x bonus
  • • 0/5 Day (5のつく日): +2x bonus

Tips for Foreigners Applying

Have a Japanese phone number (not IP phone)
Use your address exactly as on Residence Card
Have a Japanese bank account ready
Work visa holders: wait 6+ months at current job
Student visa: try Rakuten or Epos first
Apply for one card at a time (multiple applications = rejection)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Can foreigners get credit cards in Japan?

✅ Yes! Cards like Rakuten, Amazon, and Epos are known for approving foreigners. Having a stable job and 6+ months residence helps.

❓ Which card is easiest to get?

✅ Rakuten Card and Epos Card are the most foreigner-friendly. Epos can even give instant approval at Marui stores.

❓ Do I need PR to get a credit card?

✅ No! Many cards accept work visa holders. PR makes it easier to get premium cards, but is not required for basic cards.

❓ How do points work?

✅ Most cards give 1% back (1 point per ¥100). Points can be used for shopping, converted to miles, or as statement credit.

❓ What if I get rejected?

✅ Wait 6 months before applying again. Don't apply for multiple cards at once. Try Rakuten or Epos as first card.

❓ Is 1% good?

✅ Yes! 1% is standard in Japan. Spending ¥100,000/month = ¥12,000/year in free points.

Important Notes

  • • Always pay your full balance - interest rates are high (15%+)
  • • Credit history matters - start with one card, build history
  • • Card benefits and rates may change - check official sites
  • • Some cards require Japanese reading ability for application

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, foreigners with a valid residence card and a stable income source can obtain Japanese credit cards, though approval standards vary widely by card issuer. Rakuten Card consistently has the highest approval rate for foreigners and does not require long residency history. Other foreigner-friendly options include the Epos Card (Marui department store) which has same-day approval at their counters, and the Amazon Mastercard which focuses on online shopping behavior rather than residential history.
Core requirements for credit card approval in Japan are: a valid Japanese phone number, a Japanese bank account, a residence card with remaining validity, and a verifiable income source such as employment. Some cards require at least 6 months of continuous Japan residency. Permanent residents and spouse visa holders have significantly higher approval rates than those on work visas, and self-employed applicants face stricter income scrutiny than company employees.
Rakuten Card is the better all-around credit card for most foreigners in Japan because it earns 1% points on all purchases with no annual fee and has the highest approval rate among mainstream Japanese credit cards. The Amazon Mastercard earns 1.5% cashback on Amazon purchases but only 1% elsewhere, making it more specialized. For someone who shops heavily on Amazon, combining both cards is ideal, but if you can only get one, Rakuten Card offers better general utility and easier approval.
Start with the easiest-to-obtain credit card in Japan — typically Rakuten Card or Epos Card — and use it for small regular purchases like convenience store shopping or utility payments. Pay the full balance every month by automatic payment to establish a clean repayment history. After 6 to 12 months of consistent on-time payments, your Japan credit history will be sufficient to apply for premium cards with better rewards or higher credit limits.
The top options for cashback and points credit cards in Japan with no annual fee are: Rakuten Card at 1% everywhere with multiplied rates at Rakuten Group services, the Amazon Mastercard at 1.5% on Amazon Japan purchases, and JCB Card W which earns 1% base points doubled to 2% at JCB partner merchants. For higher rewards with an annual fee, the Rakuten Premium Card at 1% plus lounge access competes well. Use this credit card optimizer to compare total annual value based on your actual spending patterns.

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