PayPay & Rakuten Pay
Everything you need to know about using PayPay and Rakuten Pay in Japan as a foreign visitor in 2026: how to sign up, link your card, pay at stores, and earn points.
Mar 23, 2026·✍️ olablog·⏱ 3 min read
Everything you need to know about using PayPay and Rakuten Pay in Japan as a foreign visitor in 2026: how to sign up, link your card, pay at stores, and earn points.
Why bother with PayPay and Rakuten Pay in Japan?
Japan's cash-only reputation is rapidly becoming a myth. Between 2022 and 2026, mobile payments exploded — and PayPay now commands a 60% share of Japan's QR payment market, accepted at over 60 million locations nationwide. Plenty of hole-in-the-wall ramen joints, street food stalls, and neighborhood shops now prefer PayPay over credit cards — or won't take plastic at all. If you're relying solely on your Visa and some yen in your wallet, you'll hit a wall sooner than you think.
PayPay — How to sign up as a foreign visitor
Download the PayPay app from the App Store or Google Play.
Register with a phone number — a US or UK number works fine; no Japanese SIM required.
Enter the OTP verification code sent to your phone.
Link a payment method — PayPay accepts:
✅ International Visa / Mastercard (most US and UK-issued cards work)
✅ Japanese bank account (if you have one)
✅ Cash top-up at any convenience store
How to pay with PayPay
📱 You scan the store's QR code: Open PayPay → tap "Pay" → scan the store's QR code → enter the amount → confirm.
🔲 The store scans your code: Open PayPay → tap "Receive" → present your QR code to the cashier's scanner.
🏪 Convenience stores: 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart all accept PayPay — handy for those late-night snack runs.
Rakuten Pay — How is it different from PayPay?
| Feature | PayPay | Rakuten Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #1 in Japan | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #2 |
| Rewards | Cashback, lucky draws | Rakuten Points (redeemable on Rakuten Ichiba) |
| Best for | Everything, everywhere | Rakuten online shopping, restaurants |
| Foreign cards | ✅ Most work | ✅ Most work |
| Sign-up | Easy — no email needed | Requires a Rakuten account (email sign-up) |
Smart tips for getting the most out of PayPay
🎰 PayPay Lottery (ペイペイジャンボ): Every payment is a chance to win up to 100% cashback. Keep an eye on the app for active promotions — it's genuinely worth checking before big purchases.
💰 It's more than a wallet: PayPay lets you buy travel insurance, order food delivery, and purchase event tickets — think of it as Japan's answer to an all-in-one super app.
🏪 Top up via Seven Bank ATM: If your overseas card gets declined during setup, head to any 7-Eleven's Seven Bank ATM to load cash directly into your PayPay balance — a lifesaver when other methods fail.
📊 Track your spending: PayPay keeps a full transaction history in-app, making it surprisingly easy to keep tabs on your trip budget without digging through bank statements.
