Prepaid credit cards are a convenient and secure option for people who want to control their spending without going into debt. In Japan, prepaid credit cards are a popular option for tourists and foreigners who want to shop without the need to open a bank account in the country. In this article, we will explore what prepaid credit cards are in Japan, how they work, and what options are available.
Prepaid credit cards in Japan can be used to make purchases anywhere that accepts credit cards, including stores, restaurants, hotels, and online shopping sites. They can also be used to withdraw cash from ATMs throughout the country.
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Table of Contents
How do prepaid credit cards work in Japan?
Prepaid credit cards in Japan are credit cards that allow users to make purchases without having to pay in cash or use a traditional credit card.
They are similar to debit cards, but instead of withdrawing funds from a bank account, the user deposits a certain amount of money onto the card and uses that money to make purchases.
Prepaid credit cards in Japan work in a simple way. First, the user buys the prepaid card at a store or online. Then, they deposit a certain amount of money onto the card, which can vary depending on the card and the store where it was purchased.
After that, the user can use the card like a traditional credit card to make purchases at physical or online stores. A virtual card can also be issued or added to the wallet of their smartphone.
The Best Prepaid Cards in Japan
It is worth mentioning that traditional VISA, Mastercard, and JCB can be issued in a prepaid form by official websites, representatives, or partners. As they are card brands, we will not elaborate on these brands, but they are the most recommended.
Suica Card and Pasmo
Let’s start by talking about two cards that, although not exactly prepaid credit cards, are similar and very popular in the country. Their advantages are even greater.
Suica Card and Pasmo Card are cards used to pay for public transportation throughout Japan or in specific locations. The cards are rechargeable and can be used on trains, buses, subways, and taxis.
The initial cost of the Suica card is ¥2,000, of which ¥500 is for the card deposit and the remaining ¥1,500 is credit that can be used immediately. There is a refund fee of ¥220 for deposit refunds.
Both Pasmo and Suica are accepted in many establishments and convenience stores throughout Japan. Although it is not an official credit card, it has as many advantages and popularity as one.
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Rakuten Prepaid Card
Rakuten Prepaid Card is a prepaid credit card issued by Rakuten, one of the largest e-commerce companies in Japan and an internationally famous online store.
The card is rechargeable and can be used for purchases at Rakuten’s online stores and other stores that accept Rakuten cards. The issuance fee is ¥300, and a monthly fee of ¥100 is charged after the first month of use.
Seven Bank Prepaid Card and Nanaco
The prepaid credit card from Seven Bank is issued by the Japanese bank of the famous convenience store franchise Seven Eleven in Japan and globally.
The card can be purchased at Seven Eleven stores and can be used anywhere that accepts credit cards. The initial cost of the card is ¥1,000, and there is a monthly maintenance fee of ¥100.
Seven Bank ATMs are found in Seven Eleven stores, allowing you to withdraw money from any bank account from any country, whether debit or credit.
In addition to the Seven Card, the company also issues another card called Nanaco that can be used at Seven and partner stores. The card can be recharged at Seven Eleven stores or online.
ISETAN Card
The prepaid credit card from Isetan is a convenient option for customers who frequent the store and want to control their spending. The card can be used at all Isetan stores across the country, as well as at affiliated and partner stores.
The initial cost of the card is ¥1,000, and a monthly maintenance fee of ¥100 is charged after the first month of use. Users can recharge their cards at any Isetan store or online.
Isetan is known for offering a luxurious and high-quality shopping experience. The store is frequented by customers looking for high-quality brands and exclusive products.
Gift Cards and Amazon
Large online retail stores like Amazon offer prepaid cards and also the famous Gift Cards that work the same way, but can be purchased as gifts and their function is generally for online use.
There are many stores that have their own gift card and can be used both physically and online. The Gift Card is widely used in games, web services, and also as a balance to spend in specific stores.
There is not much difference between using a Gift Card and paying in cash. The advantages lie in getting some promotion with a discount or splitting the gift card payment.
Sites to create Prepaid Cards
Wondering where to create these prepaid cards online? To finish, we will leave a list of prepaid card sites in Japan, with direct links for detailed information about each card.
- Rakuten Card (Rakuten): https://www.rakuten-card.co.jp/
- Seven Bank Prepaid Card (Seven Bank): https://www.sevenbank.co.jp/creditcard/prepaid/index2.html
- WAON Card (AEON): https://www.aeon.co.jp/waon/index.html
- Edy Card (BitWallet):
- nanaco Card (Seven & i Holdings):
- WebMoney (WebMoney Japan): https://www.webmoney.jp/
- Docomo Prepaid Card (NTT Docomo):
- Osaifu-Keitai (Mobile Suica): https://www.mobilesuica.com/
- Kappa Prepaid Card (Kappa Create):
- UCC Prepaid Card (Ueshima Coffee Co.):
- AEON Credit Service (AEON):
- ePOS Card (ePOS Card Japan):
- Saison Card Prepaid (Credit Saison):
- TSUTAYA Prepaid Card (TSUTAYA):
- Circle K Sunkus Prepaid Card (Circle K Sunkus):
- Mufgcard Prepaid Card (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group):
- Yahoo! JAPAN Prepaid Card (Yahoo! JAPAN): https://card.yahoo.co.jp/cpn/
- Lawson Ticket (Lawson):
- Amazon Japan Gift Card (Amazon Japan):
- Tsunagu Japan Gift Card (Tsunagu Japan):
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