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Money & Cards

Money & Cards

Banking, payments, and financial services to help you manage your money in Japan.

42 published guidesLatest first
EssentialsHousing & Daily LifeMoney & CardsWork & Study

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 [Dec 2026 Update] Is the Rakuten Ecosystem Dead? 5 New Rules to Save ¥30,000/Year After the "Nerf"
December 5, 2025

[Dec 2026 Update] Is the Rakuten Ecosystem Dead? 5 New Rules to Save ¥30,000/Year After the "Nerf"

Money & Cards

Did the October 2025 regulations kill the "Rakuten Ecosystem"? The answer is No. We explain the complex new rules for SPU and Furusato Nozei. Here are the "5 New Iron Rules" for foreign residents to survive the changes and still cut annual living costs by over ¥30,000.

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Best Money Transfer Services from Japan (2026): Wise vs. Banks Fee Comparison
December 5, 2025

Best Money Transfer Services from Japan (2026): Wise vs. Banks Fee Comparison

Money & Cards

Are you losing thousands of yen when sending money home? We compare fees and hidden exchange rate costs between Wise, SBI Remit, and traditional Japanese banks. See our simulation of sending 100,000 JPY to find the cheapest and fastest option for 2025.

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Get ¥20,000 Fast in Japan (2026): TikTok Lite + Rakuten Card Step-by-Step
November 30, 2025

Get ¥20,000 Fast in Japan (2026): TikTok Lite + Rakuten Card Step-by-Step

Money & Cards

[Japan phone number needed / Wi-Fi OFF / 10-day check-in] Detailed strategy to get ¥20,000. Avoid the 3 major traps where 50% fail and get rewards securely.

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[Until Dec 31] How to Do "Furusato Nozei" on Amazon: English Guide & Best Gifts (Rice, Meat, Daily Goods)
November 29, 2025

[Until Dec 31] How to Do "Furusato Nozei" on Amazon: English Guide & Best Gifts (Rice, Meat, Daily Goods)

Money & Cards

Gave up because "Rakuten is too complicated"? With Amazon, you can do Furusato Nozei in 3 minutes using your existing account. This English guide explains how to get rice and meat for effectively ¥2,000.

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【Practical Guide】 How to Apply for a Rakuten Card: English Input Hacks & How to Avoid Rejection
November 28, 2025

【Practical Guide】 How to Apply for a Rakuten Card: English Input Hacks & How to Avoid Rejection

Money & Cards

90% of foreigners who fail the Rakuten Card screening do so because of "Name Input Errors." We explain exactly how to input middle names, avoid residence card mismatches, and the settings you need to get approved.

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[Fee Comparison] Top 4 Money Transfer Services from Japan: Wise, SBI Remit, Revolut, Bank Transfer
November 23, 2025

[Fee Comparison] Top 4 Money Transfer Services from Japan: Wise, SBI Remit, Revolut, Bank Transfer

Money & Cards

Don't lose money on "hidden exchange fees." We simulated sending 100,000 JPY from Japan using Wise, SBI Remit, Revolut, and banks. Based on 2025 data, here is the cheapest and fastest way to send your salary home.

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Choose a credit cardCompare money transferOpen a bank accountStart using PayPayPrepare side-income tax filing

Wise: Money for Everyone

The cheap, fast way to send money abroad and hold 40+ currencies.

Wise: Money for Everyone
Join Wise for Free ↗👉

Financial Super App

Used by 60M+ people. Zero FX fees on card spend

Financial Super App
View Revolut ↗👉

Rakuten Card

No annual fee! Earn points on every purchase

Rakuten Card
View Rakuten Card ↗👉

GTN EPOS Card

Specialized for foreigners! High approval rate and full support

GTN EPOS Card
View GTN EPOS Card ↗👉

TikTok Lite

Earn points just by watching videos!

TikTok Lite
Install Now ↗👉