Complete PayPay Guide for Foreigners in Japan【2026】
📋 Contents
① What is PayPay?
PayPay is Japan's largest QR-code payment service, run by SoftBank and Yahoo. As of 2026 it has 65+ million users and 5+ million merchant locations — Japan's most widespread cashless payment. Accepted at nearly all convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, and drugstores.
Foreigners can register with just a Japanese phone number. No residence card needed, and you can top up and pay without a credit card.
- PayPay does not require a residence card — you can register with a Japanese phone number, and you can top up and use it even without a credit card.
- Registration is completed with a Japanese mobile phone number (090/080/070) and SMS verification; you cannot register with an overseas phone number.
- Top-ups are supported via bank account, Seven Bank ATM (cash), credit cards issued in Japan, and similar methods, but cards issued overseas cannot be registered.
- Your PayPay balance is limited to domestic payments and transfers within Japan — sending money overseas requires a separate service such as Wise or SBI Remit.
② How to Register (Phone Number Only)
- Install the free PayPay app (supports Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese)
- Tap "Sign up" and enter your Japanese mobile number (090/080/070)
- Enter the 6-digit SMS verification code
- Set a password — done! You can now top up and pay
③ Top-up Methods Available to Foreigners
Having a Japanese bank account or credit card makes topping up easier. If you don't have an account yet, see how foreigners open a bank account in Japan; to compare which banks are easiest to open, see 6 banks for foreigners.
- 🏦 Bank account ○: Yucho, MUFG, Rakuten, SBI Sumishin etc. — instant top-up once linked
- 🏪 Seven Bank ATM ○: cash top-up at 7-Eleven ATMs
- 💳 Japanese credit card ○: Visa/Mastercard/JCB; auto top-up available
- 🌏 Overseas credit card ×: foreign-issued cards cannot be registered per the terms
- 🎁 PayPay gift card ○: buy prepaid gift cards at convenience stores
Linking a "Japanese credit card" lets your balance auto-reload when it runs low. Cards that are easier to get approved are compared in 5 credit cards for foreigners.
④ How to Pay
- Open the app and tap "Pay"
- Choose "barcode" (the clerk scans you) or "scan" (you scan the store's QR and enter the amount)
- Confirm the amount and tap "Pay" — done!
Accepted at: convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, drugstores, clothing stores, gas stations, hospitals, taxis, Amazon, Yahoo! Shopping and more.
⑤ FAQ
A. For basic use (top-up and payments), no residence card is needed. Completing identity verification unlocks money transfers (requires residence card or My Number Card).
A. PayPay balance is limited to domestic payments and transfers. For international remittance, use Wise or SBI Remit.
A. Yes — regular payments earn 0.5–1.5% in points.