- Why Rakuten Card is the most foreigner-friendly credit card in Japan
- Step-by-step application process (with English tips)
- How the Rakuten Points system works and how to maximize rewards
- Approval requirements for foreigners and visa holders
- How Rakuten Card compares to other options
If you’re a foreigner living in Japan and you want your first Japanese credit card, Rakuten Card is almost always the right starting point. It has the highest approval rate for foreigners, a solid rewards program, and a genuinely useful ecosystem. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Rakuten Card Is Best for Foreigners
Most Japanese credit cards are extremely difficult for foreigners to get — they require years of credit history in Japan, permanent residency, or a Japanese guarantor. Rakuten Card is different:
- Lower approval bar: Approved with as little as 1 year of residency and a work visa
- No Japanese guarantor required
- English support available (partial)
- No annual fee on the standard card
- Strong points system that works across the entire Rakuten ecosystem
It’s not perfect, but for most foreigners in Japan, it’s the most accessible starting point.
Rakuten Card Plans and Annual Fees
| Card | Annual Fee | Points Rate | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten Card (standard) | ¥0 | 1% | Best entry card |
| Rakuten Gold Card | ¥2,200 | 1–5% | Higher rates at Rakuten services |
| Rakuten Premium Card | ¥11,000 | 1–5% | Priority Pass lounge access |
| Rakuten Black Card | Invitation only | 1–3% | High-limit prestige card |
Recommendation for foreigners: Start with the standard Rakuten Card (no annual fee). Once you’ve established credit history in Japan, consider upgrading to Gold or Premium if you use Rakuten services heavily.
Requirements for Foreigners
To apply for Rakuten Card as a foreigner:
- Visa: Any valid work visa (engineer, instructor, spouse, etc.). Student visa applications are often rejected.
- Residency: At least 6 months in Japan (some report success at 3 months, but 6–12 months is safer)
- Income: Regular income in Japan (part-time income is borderline — full-time employment increases approval odds significantly)
- Address: A fixed Japanese address
- My Number: Required for tax reporting
Permanent residency is not required. Many foreigners on 1–3 year work visas are approved.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Step 1 — Create a Rakuten ID
If you don’t already have a Rakuten account, create one at rakuten.co.jp. You’ll need this to apply.
Step 2 — Go to the Application Page
Visit the Rakuten Card application page. The page is in Japanese, but using Chrome’s auto-translate makes it manageable.
Step 3 — Fill in Your Details
You’ll need:
- Full name (in Roman letters and katakana)
- Date of birth
- Japanese address
- Phone number
- Employment details (company name, type of work, annual income)
- Nationality
- Visa type and expiry date
Step 4 — Identity Verification
Upload a photo of your residence card (在留カード). This is the standard ID document for foreigners in Japan.
Step 5 — Wait for a Decision
Most applicants receive a decision within 1–5 business days. You’ll receive a notification by email (and sometimes post). The card itself arrives within 7–10 business days of approval.
The Rakuten Points System
Rakuten Card earns 1 Rakuten Point per ¥100 spent (1% base rate). Points can be used like cash at:
- Rakuten Ichiba (online shopping)
- Rakuten Travel
- Rakuten Books
- Partner stores (McDonald’s, Lawson, Uniqlo, and many more)
- Rakuten Pay (contactless payment at physical stores)
SPU (Super Point Up Program)
If you’re active in the Rakuten ecosystem, you can earn significantly more than 1%:
| Service Used | Bonus Points |
|---|---|
| Rakuten Card (base) | +1% |
| Rakuten Bank + card payment | +1% |
| Rakuten Mobile | +4% (if subscribed) |
| Rakuten Ichiba purchases | +1% |
| Rakuten Travel stays | +1% |
Heavy Rakuten users can effectively earn 5–10%+ back on Rakuten Ichiba purchases during campaign periods.
Point Expiration
Rakuten Points expire 12 months from the last point activity. Keep your account active (use the card or Rakuten services at least once every 12 months) to prevent expiration.
Using Rakuten Card in Japan
Contactless Payments
Rakuten Card supports Mastercard contactless — tap-to-pay at most Japanese convenience stores, supermarkets, and restaurants. Set up Rakuten Pay on your phone for an additional convenience layer.
International Use
Rakuten Card works abroad — Mastercard is accepted worldwide. Foreign transaction fee: 1.63%. For overseas spending, consider using Wise instead, which offers real exchange rates with no markup.
ATM Cash Advances
Rakuten Card allows cash advances at ATMs (コンビニATM), but this comes with fees and interest. Use it only for emergencies — it’s not a replacement for a debit card.
Rakuten Card vs. Other Options for Foreigners
| Card | Annual Fee | Foreigner Approval | Points | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten Card | ¥0 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Easiest) | 1% base | First card in Japan |
| SMBC Visa | ¥1,375 | ⭐⭐⭐ | 0.5% | SMBC bank customers |
| Epos Card | ¥0 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 0.5% | Shopping at Marui |
| JCB W | ¥0 | ⭐⭐ | 2% | JCB partner stores |
| SBI Olive | ¥0 | ⭐⭐ | 1% | SBI bank customers |
For most foreigners without existing Japanese credit history, Rakuten Card is the clear first choice.
Common Issues Foreigners Face
Application rejected: The most common reasons are short residency (under 6 months), student visa status, irregular income, or address mismatches. If rejected, wait 6 months and reapply after building more stability.
Katakana name required: The application asks for your name in katakana. If you’re unsure of the correct katakana rendering of your name, ask at a convenience store information desk or use an online converter — this is important to get right.
Japanese-only interface: The application and most communications are in Japanese. Chrome’s auto-translate handles most of it, but have a Japanese speaker help with nuanced sections if needed.
Lower credit limit than expected: Foreigners often start with limits of ¥100,000–300,000. This increases over time with good payment history.
Building Credit in Japan
Getting Rakuten Card is step one. To build Japanese credit history:
- Always pay in full — never carry a balance
- Use the card regularly for daily expenses
- After 1–2 years, request a credit limit increase
- After 2–3 years, apply for a second card (many foreigners add Epos or JCB W at this stage)
Pairing Rakuten Card with Other Financial Tools
Rakuten Card works best as part of a complete financial setup:
- Rakuten Bank — pairs with Rakuten Card for extra bonus points on the SPU program. See our bank account guide.
- Wise — for international transfers and holding foreign currencies
- Revolut — for travel and multi-currency spending. See our Revolut Japan guide.
- PayPay — for cashless payment at stores that don’t take cards. Link Rakuten Card to PayPay for rewards stacking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners get a Rakuten Card in Japan? Yes — Rakuten Card has one of the highest approval rates for foreigners among Japanese credit cards. You need a valid work visa, a fixed Japanese address, and at least 6 months of residency. Student visa holders have lower approval odds.
What documents do I need to apply for Rakuten Card? Your residence card (在留カード) is the main document needed. You’ll also need your Japanese address, employment information, and annual income. A My Number card is helpful but not always required at the application stage.
How long does Rakuten Card approval take? Typically 1–5 business days. The physical card arrives 7–10 business days after approval.
What is the credit limit for foreigners on Rakuten Card? Initial limits for foreigners typically range from ¥100,000 to ¥300,000. With 12–24 months of positive payment history, you can request an increase.
Is Rakuten Card worth it for foreigners? Yes — especially if you already shop on Rakuten Ichiba or use other Rakuten services. The 1% base rate is competitive for a no-fee card, and the SPU program makes it excellent for Rakuten-ecosystem users.