[2026 Edition] Complete PayPay Guide: Registration, eKYC Hacks for Foreigners & 30% Cashback

"If you are using cash in Japan, you might be the only one."

As of 2026, Japan's cashless adoption has improved dramatically, with PayPay always at the center of it. However, for foreigners, PayPay has "two different faces" depending on your status.

• For Travelers: A convenient payment infrastructure where you can use your home wallet without downloading the app.
• For Residents: The hardest app to register for, blocked by phone number verification and the complex "Middle Name Barrier."

This article fully explains how to conquer the "Max 30% Cashback Campaign" starting in February 2026, how travelers can pay via Alipay+, and the tricks for residents to break through the eKYC (identity verification) wall to create an account.

[For Travelers] No App Download Needed! How to Use PayPay via "Alipay+"

The biggest news for tourists (short-term visitors) is that "you do not need to download the Japanese PayPay app."

PayPay is connected to the "Alipay+" and "HIVEX" networks, making the following 19+ types of overseas cashless payment apps usable at Japanese PayPay merchants (Bring Your Own Wallet).

• China: Alipay
• Hong Kong: AlipayHK
• South Korea: Kakao Pay, NAVER Pay, Toss
• Philippines: GCash
• Thailand: TrueMoney
• Malaysia: Touch 'n Go eWallet
• Others: Major wallets from Taiwan, Singapore, Italy, etc.

How to Use (User Scan Method)

If a Japanese small business (restaurant, souvenir shop, etc.) displays a QR code, follow these steps:

1. Open your own country's app (Alipay, GCash, etc.).
2. Scan the store's PayPay QR code.
3. Enter the amount in "Japanese Yen."
4. Show the screen to the clerk to complete the transaction (payment is immediately converted and deducted in your home currency).

Note: At convenience stores (Lawson, 7-Eleven, etc.) that use the "Store Scan Method" (where the clerk scans your phone), some overseas wallets may not be supported. Shops where you scan the QR code yourself are almost guaranteed to work.

[For Residents] Complete PayPay Registration Steps and the "SMS Verification" Wall

For "residents" such as international students or work visa holders, registering for the Japanese PayPay app is essential to fully utilize money transfer functions, bill payments, and point rewards.

However, many people fail at the very first step: the "Japanese Mobile Phone Number (SMS Verification)" wall.

050 Numbers are Not Accepted! You Need "070/080/090"

As of 2026, PayPay's security standards are extremely strict. You cannot register with IP phones (numbers starting with 050) or overseas phone numbers. You must have a SIM card with voice call functionality.

If you "don't have a Japanese number yet" or "only have a data-only SIM," you need to contract a SIM card before registering for PayPay.

Our top recommendation is Rakuten Mobile. Not only do you get a phone number, but it also unlocks "Rakuten Pay"—a competitor to PayPay—and boosts your point earning rate on Rakuten Ichiba.

If you are on a short-term stay (less than 3 months) and find credit card or residence card procedures troublesome, Mobal SIM is the optimal solution as it can be contracted with just a passport.

For a detailed comparison and how to choose between these SIM cards, please refer to the following article.

[2026 Edition] SIM Card Comparison for Foreigners: Airalo vs Sakura Mobile vs Rakuten vs Mobal

The Final Boss: "Identity Verification (eKYC)" and the Middle Name Solution

What awaits you after clearing the phone number hurdle is the final boss: "Identity Verification (eKYC)." Communities like Reddit are full of reports from foreign residents failing the screening due to "middle names" or "spaces in names."

Why Do Applications Fail?

If your Japanese bank account name (Katakana), your Residence Card name (Romaji), and your PayPay registration name differ by "even a single character or a single space," the system judges it as a "mismatch."

2026 Edition: Strategy Methods

1. IC Chip Reading (Mandatory): Since July 2024, scanning the IC chip of your Residence Card with your smartphone has become the standard. The success rate is higher than the photo upload method, so be sure to choose this option.

2. Space Deletion Trick: If your bank account name is "JohnJames" (no space) but your Residence Card is "JOHN JAMES" (with space), please remove the space when entering your name in Katakana on PayPay. This increases the probability that the system will match it with the bank's format.

3. Last Resort "Mail Application": If the AI screening rejects you no matter how many times you try, select "Identity Verification via Mail" from the app. Since humans visually verify these, they are more flexible with complex middle name variations (Time required: approx. 1-2 weeks).

For tips on confirming bank account names and opening accounts, we explain in detail in this article:

[2026 Definitive Guide] Complete Guide to Opening a Japanese Bank Account for Foreigners

User Review★★★★☆4/5

[February 2026] Up to 30% Back! Local Municipality Campaign Strategy

The biggest benefit of using PayPay is the overwhelming point return from the "Support Your Town Project." In February 2026, super-hot campaigns are being held in the following municipalities:

• Makurazaki City, Kagoshima: Max 30% (One-time cap: 6,000 points)
• Shiwa Town, Iwate: Max 20%
• Tobetsu Town, Hokkaido: Max 15% (Short-term focus during the Snow Festival)

Especially for Makurazaki City's "30% return," if you spend 20,000 Yen, you get 6,000 Yen worth of points back. This is on a completely different level compared to credit card reward rates (usually 0.5% - 1.0%).

Strategy Points

1. Beware of Early Termination: Municipal budgets have limits. Campaigns often end before the end of the month, so using them in early February is the golden rule.
2. Payment Method Restrictions: Payments linked to third-party credit cards (Visa/Mastercard, etc.) are not eligible for the campaign. You must charge your "PayPay Balance" before paying.

For a comparison with other payment methods like Rakuten Pay, please see the article below.

[2026 Edition] Japan Mobile Payment Guide: PayPay vs Rakuten Pay, Which Should You Install?

Free Charging and Utilizing the PayPay Ecosystem

Even if you don't have a Japanese bank account, you can use PayPay. You can charge with cash at "Seven Bank ATMs" or "Lawson Bank ATMs" nationwide (no handling fees).

"Exit Strategy" for Accumulated Points

A smart way to use the PayPay points you've earned from campaigns is to invest them in "PayPay Asset Management (NISA)" or use them for daily shopping.

Especially when buying daily necessities or electronics, using Yahoo! Shopping is overwhelmingly better than physical stores. By combining "Days with 5" (5th, 15th, 25th) and "LYP Premium" benefits, your PayPay point return rate increases even further.

Conclusion

PayPay is an essential tool for making life in Japan comfortable, but registering for it requires two keys: a "Phone Number" and "Correct Identity Verification." First, secure a SIM card that allows SMS verification and overcome the eKYC barrier.

The 30% cashback campaign in February 2026 won't wait for you. Start preparing now and enjoy your life in Japan at a great value.