dCard Japan docomo
Price on request
- Annual Fee: ¥0/year
- Purchase APR: 18.0% APR
- Key Feature: 1% d points; docomo mobile users earn extra; dCard GOLD ¥11k/yr = 10% mobile bill back
- Reward Type: d Points (1% base; up to 5% for docomo users)
Compare Credit Cards in Japan
Prioritise the longest 0% purchase or balance-transfer period for your use case, and check the representative APR that applies after any promotional period ends.
19 live credit cards offers tracked across 17 Japanese providers, with annual fees from Price on request. Data current as of 23 October 2026 and updated daily from the Giraffy database.
Live offers
19 live offers compared from 17 providers. Updated daily.
Epos Card JP Epos Card
Price on request
- Annual Fee: ¥0/year
- Purchase APR: 18.0% APR
- Key Feature: Instant in-store approval (Marui); Gold upgrade with 0.5→1.5% points; overseas lounge access (Gold)
- Reward Type: Epos Points (0.5%; 1.5% Gold tier)
JCB Card W JP JCB
Price on request
- Annual Fee: ¥0/year (apply under 39; free forever after)
- Purchase APR: 18.0% APR
- Key Feature: 2x points vs standard JCB; Amazon/Starbucks 4-5x; JCB Original Series; JPN domestic dominance
- Reward Type: JCB Oki Doki Points (2% base × 1.5x multiplier)
PayPay Card JP PayPay Card
Price on request
- Annual Fee: ¥0/year
- Purchase APR: 18.0% APR
- Key Feature: PayPay app integration; PayPay STEP: up to 1.5% at PayPay merchants; Yahoo! Shopping 5%
- Reward Type: PayPay Points (1-1.5%)
Rakuten Card JP Rakuten Card
Price on request
- Annual Fee: ¥0/year
- Purchase APR: 18.0% APR
- Key Feature: Rakuten SPU: up to 3-16x points; Japan's #1 card by users; JCB/Visa/Amex/MC
- Reward Type: Rakuten Points (1% base; SPU boosted)
Amex Green Card Japan American Express Japan
Price on request
- Annual Fee: 13,200/year
- Purchase APR: Free month
- Key Feature: Membership Rewards points
- Reward Type: Travel Rewards
JCB CARD W JCB
Price on request
- Annual Fee: Free
- Purchase APR: 15%
- Key Feature: 2x JCB points under 39
- Reward Type: High Rewards
MUFG Card Gold MUFG Card
Price on request
- Annual Fee: 2,200/year
- Purchase APR: 15%
- Key Feature: 0.5% points with bonus
- Reward Type: Basic Rewards
MUFG DC Card Platinum MUFG Bank
Price on request
- Annual Fee: 22,000/year
- Purchase APR: 15%
- Key Feature: 0.5% + premium benefits
- Reward Type: Platinum
Orico Card THE POINT Orico Card
Price on request
- Annual Fee: Free
- Purchase APR: 15%
- Key Feature: 2% points on all spend
- Reward Type: Rewards
Saison Card International Credit Saison
Price on request
- Annual Fee: Free
- Purchase APR: 15%
- Key Feature: Saison Miles rewards
- Reward Type: Rewards
UC Card Visa UC Card
Price on request
- Annual Fee: Free
- Purchase APR: 15%
- Key Feature: UC Points program
- Reward Type: Basic Rewards
ANA Credit Card ANA Credit Card
Price on request
- Annual Fee: ¥2,200
- Purchase APR: 15%
- Key Feature: ANA miles 1pt per ¥200
- Reward Type: Miles
Daiwa House Finance Card Daiwa House Finance Card
Price on request
- Annual Fee: ¥0
- Purchase APR: 15%
- Key Feature: Daiwa House points
- Reward Type: Points
SMBC Card Vpass SMBC Card
Price on request
- Annual Fee: ¥0–¥11,000
- Purchase APR: 15–18%
- Key Feature: Vpass points system
- Reward Type: Points
Toyota Credit Card Toyota Credit Card
Price on request
- Annual Fee: ¥0–¥5,500
- Purchase APR: 15%
- Key Feature: Toyota dealership discount
- Reward Type: Cashback
Amex Gold Card Japan American Express Japan
Price on request
- Annual Fee: 31,900/year
- Purchase APR: Free
- Key Feature: 3x points restaurants + bonus
- Reward Type: Premium Travel
Amazon Mastercard JP Amazon Japan
Price on request
- Annual Fee: ¥0/year
- Purchase APR: 18.0% APR
- Key Feature: 1.5% on Amazon.co.jp (2% with Prime); 1% everywhere else; no foreign FX fee
- Reward Type: Amazon Points (1.5% Amazon; 1% general)
Shinsei Bank Card Shinsei Bank Card
Price on request
- Annual Fee: ¥0
- Purchase APR: 15%
- Key Feature: Shinsei bank cashback
- Reward Type: Cashback
What are credit cards in Japan?
Credit cards in Japan are revolving or single-payment charge products issued mainly by dedicated card companies and banks. Japan is unusual in that the domestic JCB network sits alongside Visa and Mastercard, and much everyday spending still flows through cards linked to points ecosystems and QR-pay apps. Most cardholders pay their statement in full each month (ikkatsu barai), using revolving credit sparingly.
How the Japanese market works
Cards are dominated by points-and-ecosystem players. Rakuten Card, PayPay Card and docomo's dcard tie spending to huge loyalty programmes and mobile-payment apps, while JCB and MUFG Card issue proprietary and co-branded products. Epos Card is popular for its retail tie-ups and no-fee entry tier, and American Express Japan targets premium travel and rewards. Banks such as MUFG Bank issue cards bundled with accounts, and QR services like PayPay have blurred the line between card and wallet.
Benefits
Rich points ecosystems — Rakuten, PayPay and d-points reward everyday spend with points redeemable across shopping, mobile and travel.
Wide domestic acceptance — JCB acceptance is near-universal in Japan, and dual-network cards work overseas too.
Bundled perks — travel accident insurance, shopping protection and airport lounge access on higher tiers add practical value.
How to choose
Match the card to the ecosystem you already use: Rakuten shoppers gain most from Rakuten Card, PayPay users from PayPay Card, and docomo mobile customers from dcard. Compare the annual fee (many entry cards are free for life), the base points rate and bonus categories, foreign-transaction handling if you travel, and included insurance. If you ever revolve a balance, check the revolving interest rate closely, as it is far higher than the near-zero cost of paying in full.
Leading providers in Japan
Rakuten Card and PayPay Card lead on points and app integration, docomo's dcard rewards mobile loyalty, and JCB anchors the domestic network with strong travel benefits. MUFG Card and MUFG Bank cards suit banking customers, Epos Card offers an easy fee-free entry with retail perks, and American Express Japan serves the premium rewards and travel segment.
What it costs
Many entry cards carry no annual fee, while gold and platinum tiers range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of yen a year. Paying the statement in full each month costs nothing in interest. Revolving balances (ribo barai), however, attract high annual interest — often around 15% to 18% — so revolving should be avoided unless necessary. Cash advances carry similarly steep rates plus fees.
Protections and regulation
Card issuers operate under the Installment Sales Act and are supervised in conjunction with the Financial Services Agency (FSA); credit information is shared through designated credit bureaus. Cardholders benefit from unauthorised-use liability protection and, for instalment purchases, statutory dispute rights. Networks apply chargeback and fraud-monitoring safeguards on both domestic and international transactions.
Common questions
Is JCB accepted abroad? Acceptance is strongest across Asia and at travel merchants; carrying a Visa or Mastercard alongside is wise for wider global coverage.
Should I use revolving payment? Only when unavoidable — paying in full each month keeps borrowing free, whereas ribo interest compounds quickly.
Credit Cards in Japan — FAQ
What credit score do I need to get approved for a credit card in Japan?
Minimum score requirements vary by card and issuer. In Japan, scores are reported by your national credit bureau. Premium rewards and travel cards typically require a good-to-excellent score, while secured or entry-level cards are available with lower or no credit history. Checking eligibility with a soft search won't affect your score.
Which credit card in Japan has no foreign transaction fee?
Giraffy tracks 19 credit cards across 17 banks in Japan. Use the 'No Foreign Fees' filter on the card detail to find cards that don't charge for overseas spending — useful if you travel or shop in foreign currencies online.
How do balance transfers work, and are they worth it?
A balance transfer moves your existing credit card debt to a new card, often at 0% interest for an introductory period. You typically pay a one-off transfer fee (1–3%). If you can repay the balance before the 0% period ends, you save on interest — check the revert rate carefully.
What is a rewards or cashback credit card?
Rewards cards earn points, miles, or cashback on every purchase. Cashback is the simplest — a percentage of spending returned as cash. Points and miles can be worth more if redeemed for flights or hotels, but require more active management. Annual fees are often offset if you spend above a certain threshold.
Can I get a credit card with no annual fee?
Yes — several cards tracked by Giraffy in Japan charge no annual fee. They typically offer fewer perks than premium cards, but are the most cost-effective choice if you pay your balance in full each month and want a card purely for convenience or building credit history.
How does credit card interest work?
If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay zero interest. Interest only applies to carried balances, cash advances, or missed payments. The representative APR shown on each card covers all standard purchase interest — compare APRs when choosing a card you might not always pay off in full.
What is the difference between a credit limit and an available balance?
Your credit limit is the maximum you're allowed to borrow at any time. Your available balance is what's left after deducting current transactions. Staying well below your limit — ideally under 30% — helps maintain a healthy credit utilisation ratio, which is a key factor in your credit score.