【2026】Costco Japan Rejects Visa! The Mastercard Trap & Solutions for Foreigners

Imagine this: You are at the Costco checkout, your cart overflowing with groceries and daily necessities. The cashier looks at you and delivers the cold, hard truth:

"I'm sorry, we cannot accept your Visa card."

You feel the icy stares from the long line behind you. You don't have enough cash on hand. Do you run to the nearest ATM? Do you put everything back on the shelves? This isn't a nightmare—it’s the harsh reality many foreigners face when visiting Costco Japan for the first time.

Unlike in North America or Europe, Costco Japan does not accept any credit cards other than the 'Mastercard' brand. Visa, Amex, and JCB are just useless pieces of plastic here.

In this article, we provide a complete guide to the "Payment Traps" residents need to know, the "Membership Walls" where foreigners often fail screening, and "Delivery Survival Skills" for city dwellers without cars, all updated for 2026.

【WARNING】Costco Japan is "Mastercard Only"!

The biggest rule at Costco Japan is the "Mastercard Exclusive Contract." Since 2018, the only credit card brand accepted at all warehouses is Mastercard.

• Visa / JCB / Amex: NOT Accepted
• Discover / Diners: NOT Accepted
• Mastercard: ACCEPTED

Thinking, "I have cash, so I'm fine"? That is where the biggest trap lies.

The Shock of "No Cash" at Gas Stations

Gasoline prices at Costco Japan are typically set 10 to 15 yen cheaper per liter than the surrounding market rates, making it a huge benefit for members. However, you cannot pay with cash at the gas stations.

If you do not have a Mastercard credit card or a pre-charged prepaid card, you cannot even fill up your tank.

Conclusion: The "Rakuten Card (Mastercard)" is the Best Defense for Life in Japan

To solve this problem, you don't need to make the "Costco Global Card" which charges an annual fee. The most recommended card in the international community is the Rakuten Card (No Annual Fee Forever).

The crucial point is to strictly select the "Mastercard" brand when applying. This allows you to handle Costco shopping, gas station refueling, and your daily Amazon or Rakuten shopping all with one single card.

3 Hurdles Foreigners Face with Membership & How to Overcome Them

Once you have your payment method secured, the next step is membership registration. However, strict Japanese bureaucratic procedures stand in your way here as well.

Wall 1: Bank Account First, Credit Card Second

In Japan, setting up a bank account for automatic withdrawal is mandatory for credit cards. The correct order of operations immediately after arriving in Japan is:

1. Get Residence Card
2. Register Address (Juminhyo) at City Hall
3. Open a Bank Account (e.g., Japan Post Bank)
4. Get a Credit Card
5. Register for Costco Membership

If you mess up this order, the procedures will loop, and you won't be able to become a member. If you haven't opened a bank account yet, please refer to the guide below.

Top 3 Bank Accounts Recommended for Foreigners First Arriving in Japan

Wall 2: The Name Mismatch Trap

This is the most common reason foreigners fail credit checks. Japanese financial institutions and credit card companies will not approve you unless the names on your "Residence Card," "Bank Account," and "Application Form" match perfectly.

• Bad Example:
  • Residence Card: SMITH JOHN
  • Application Input: John Smith (Reverse order) or スミス ジョン (Katakana only)
• Good Example:
  • Residence Card: SMITH JOHN
  • Application Input: SMITH JOHN (Same capitalization and order)

Especially when applying for a Rakuten Card, copy the name exactly character-for-character as it appears on your Residence Card. This applies even if you have a middle name. We explain the input method in detail with images in the article below.

【With Images】English Guide! How to Apply for a Rakuten Card & The 'Name Input' Trick

Wall 3: The "1-Year Visa" Issue & Renewal Proof

If your period of stay is less than a year, or if you have little time remaining, you may be refused membership at the Costco counter. If you are currently renewing your visa, make sure to bring the "Processing" (Renewal) stamp or certificate issued by the Immigration Bureau.

How to Get a Residence Certificate & Basics of the My Number Card

Is Delivery Dead? "Survival Skills" for Users Without Cars

The idea that "you can't go to Costco without a car" is becoming a thing of the past. However, you need to be careful about the official delivery service.

Official Delivery Reduced to "Large Appliances" Only

The "General Merchandise Delivery Service" that once existed effectively ended in 2022. Currently, you can only ship select dry goods from the store's delivery counter; refrigerated and frozen foods cannot be shipped.

Alternatives: Use OniGO, Uber Eats, and Wolt

Currently, in urban areas (especially Tokyo and Kanagawa), delivery apps are taking over the delivery of Costco products.

Service	Features	Cost
OniGO	Fastest 20 mins / Limited Area	Delivery fee from ¥330 (Cheap!)
Uber Eats	Nationwide coverage	Product price + approx. 20% markup
Wolt	Stable supply / Many campaigns	Product price + approx. 20% markup

Of particular note is the Japan-based quick commerce service "OniGO." Unlike Uber Eats, the price markup is lower, and if you use the first-time coupon, it can sometimes be cheaper than the transportation cost of going to the store yourself.

User Review★★★★★4.5/5

Are "Non-Member Entry Hacks" Still Usable?

The internet is full of outdated information. The famous trick that "you can enter without membership if you have a prepaid card" is highly restricted as of 2026.

• 1-Day Pass: Cannot be used by anyone who has used Costco before or canceled membership within the past year. Procedures also take time.
• Pharmacy: By law, the dispensing pharmacy is accessible to non-members. However, you cannot enter the grocery area from there.

Rather than feeling stressed every time with petty workarounds, it saves time and money in the long run to get a Rakuten Card (Mastercard) with no annual fee and use the store proudly as a regular member.

Conclusion

Costco Japan is a lifeline that dramatically improves the Quality of Life for foreign residents. However, if you dive in unprepared, you will hit walls with payment and delivery.

The key to success is simple. First, get the "Mastercard Brand Rakuten Card." With this alone, shopping at the store, refueling at the gas station, and earning points on Rakuten Market will all start running smoothly.

Don't let Japan's complex systems defeat you—start your smart and comfortable Costco life today.

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