Best Credit Card in Japan for Foreigners (2026): Rakuten vs EPOS vs Nexus

Quick answer: For most foreign residents in Japan in 2026, the best credit card is the Rakuten Card — no annual fee forever, 1% point return, and a screening process that is fair to foreigners if you avoid the three input traps explained below. If you want a card the same day with in-person help, choose the EPOS Card at a Marui store. If you keep getting rejected, build your Japanese credit history with the deposit-type Nexus Card.

Last updated: 2026-06-11

"I've been in Japan for six months, I have a mobile phone and a bank account, but I've been rejected for a credit card three times. Do I have no credit?"

No, it's likely not your fault. In many cases, the Japanese financial system simply isn't fully optimized for "long foreign names" or the specific format of Residence Cards.

In this article, we will guide you through the "application form traps" (like the middle name issue) that many foreigners stumble upon, and carefully select three credit cards that are actually easy to get approved for.

From the technical tricks to pass the Rakuten Card screening, to the "final weapon" Nexus Card for when you can't get approved anywhere else, this is your complete guide to obtaining the weapon known as "Credit" for your life in Japan.

Which credit card should you choose? (30-second decision)

• First card, wants points and no annual fee → Rakuten Card (watch the 3 input traps below)
• Worried about Japanese forms, or needs a card today → EPOS Card (apply in person at Marui, same-day pickup)
• Already rejected by other cards → Nexus Card (deposit type, builds real credit history)

A credit card usually comes after your SIM card and bank account — see our First Week in Japan Checklist for the full setup order.

Top 3 Credit Cards Easy for Foreigners to Get [Comparison Table]

Let's start with the conclusion. The following three cards are currently the easiest to make and offer the biggest benefits for foreigners living in Japan.

Feature	Rakuten Card	Epos Card	Nexus Card
Rating	★★★★★ (Best)	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆ (Final Option)
Annual Fee	Free Forever	Free Forever	¥1,375 (Tax included)
Approval Difficulty	Medium (Watch for typos)	Low (In-person support)	Very Low (Deposit type)
Issuance Speed	1 week - 10 days	Same day (In-store pickup)	Approx. 2 weeks
Recommended For	All foreign residents	People unsure about Japanese forms	People who keep getting rejected

Verdict: First, try the Rakuten Card for its overwhelming convenience and point rewards. If you are worried about typing in Japanese or need a card immediately, go for the Epos Card. If you have been rejected in the past, the standard route is to build your Japanese credit history with the Nexus Card.

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1. Rakuten Card: The "Strongest" Essential Card

The Rakuten Card is said to have the highest ownership rate among foreigners living in Japan. Why is it so popular? The answer lies in its "ease of approval (if you input correctly)" and "massive point rewards."

Why we recommend it

• No Annual Fee Forever: It costs nothing just to hold onto it.
• 1% Point Return Rate: You get 1 point for every ¥100 spent anywhere. Shopping on Rakuten Market yields 3% or more.
• Sign-up Campaign: You usually get 5,000 points (worth ¥5,000) just for joining and using the card. Depending on the campaign timing, this can go up to 7,000–8,000 points.

Key to Success: 90% of Rejections are "Input Errors"

The Rakuten Card screening process itself is fair to foreigners. However, many people are automatically rejected due to "character limits on the input form" or "bank account name mismatches." If you avoid the "3 Traps" introduced below, your probability of approval will skyrocket.

Note: If you need detailed English instructions and screen explanations, please open the separate article "【Practical】Rakuten Card Application Guide: Tips for English Input and How to Avoid Rejection" in a new tab and follow along.

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The "3 Traps" Where Foreigners Fail Rakuten Screening & How to Fix Them

Our research shows that most foreign rejections are due to "technical errors" rather than "lack of credit." Be sure to observe the following three points.

Trap 1: The Middle Name Problem

Many Japanese systems have character limits (e.g., around 10 full-width characters) for name fields.

• Solution: Basically, you should input exactly as it appears on your Residence Card. However, if it doesn't fit, omit your middle name or call the customer center to request a paper application form. If you force an abbreviation on the web form, it may be rejected due to a mismatch with your ID.

Trap 2: Bank Account Name Mismatch

This is the most common cause. If the "Katakana" name you enter on the card application does not match the "Katakana Name" registered with your bank exactly (down to the existence of a space), it will error out.

• Solution: Select "Set up by mail (Post-application)" when applying. Do not link your bank account via the web. Instead, fill out and return the form included when the card arrives. A human staff member will check it, so the linkage will succeed even with slight variations in spelling.

Reference: For checking account names or if you don't have an account yet, see "【2026 Edition】Complete Guide to Opening a Japanese Bank Account for Foreigners".

Trap 3: Setting a Cash Advance Limit

If you enter a monetary amount in the "Cashing Limit" (Cash Advance) field on the application form, the screening becomes very strict.

• Solution: Be sure to set it to "0 Yen (Do not use)". This is a golden rule.

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2. Epos Card: If Japanese Scares You, Go to the "Store"

For those worried about completing everything online, or who want a card immediately, the Epos Card is ideal.

Go to Marui for In-Person Support

The Epos Card is issued by the department store "Marui". If you go to the "Epos Card Center" in the store, staff will support your application using a tablet. They will scan your Residence Card and assist with input, helping you avoid the risk of rejection due to Japanese typing errors.

The Epos Card Option

User Review★★★★★4.5/5

After getting rejected by Rakuten online, I went to Marui in Shibuya and made an Epos Card. The staff was kind, and I received the card that very same day.

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3. Nexus Card: The "Savior" for Serial Rejections

Rejected by Rakuten and Epos...? The "Last Resort" in such cases is the Nexus Card.

What is a Deposit-Type Credit Card?

Nexus Card is a type of card where you deposit a "guarantee" beforehand. For example, if you deposit ¥50,000, a card with a ¥50,000 limit is issued.

• Why you can get it: Since the deposit acts as collateral, there is no risk of default for the card company. Therefore, the approval rate is nearly 100% (excluding anti-social forces, etc.).

"Credit Building" Strategy

The biggest advantage of using the Nexus Card is that, unlike a debit card, your "Credit History" is recorded in Japan's CIC (Credit Information Center).

1. Get a Nexus Card.
2. Pay your smartphone bills, etc., every month and use it cleanly for 6 months.
3. A "good track record" is recorded with Japanese credit agencies.
4. Use that record as leverage to apply for a Rakuten Card again after half a year.

This is the most reliable "Credit Building" strategy for foreigners who are struggling with screening to gain trust.

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Verdict: Which Credit Card Should You Choose?

• Choose Rakuten Card if: You want the best all-around first card — no annual fee, 1% points — and can follow the "Cash Advance ¥0 + post-application account setup" rules. (Recommended)
• Choose EPOS Card if: You want same-day issuance with staff helping you input everything correctly at a Marui store.
• Choose Nexus Card if: You have been rejected elsewhere and want to build a clean Japanese credit history with a deposit-type card.

FAQ: Credit Cards for Foreigners in Japan

Can a foreigner get a credit card in Japan?

Yes. The screening process at major issuers like Rakuten Card is fair to foreigners — most rejections are caused by technical input errors (name character limits, Katakana mismatches with your bank account) rather than lack of credit. Deposit-type cards like Nexus Card are available even after repeated rejections.

Which credit card is easiest for foreigners to get approved for?

The Nexus Card has the lowest approval barrier because it is deposit-based — your deposit becomes your limit, so approval is nearly guaranteed. Among regular cards, the EPOS Card is the easiest in practice because Marui store staff help you complete the application in person.

Can I get a credit card with less than 1 year left on my visa?

It is very difficult. Many card companies will not approve you if your remaining period of stay is short. It is safer to apply after renewing your visa and receiving your new Residence Card.

Should I wait 6 months after being rejected?

It depends on the reason. If you were rejected due to annual income or delinquency, wait 6 months for the credit inquiry record to disappear. If the cause was an input error or bank account mismatch, you may pass immediately by applying for a different card (like EPOS or Nexus).

Can international students get a Japanese credit card?

Yes — and it is often easier than expected. Apply with your occupation as "Student" rather than "Part-time job." Card companies view students as future prime customers supported by parents, so you can often pass the screening even with an income of ¥0.

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Conclusion

A credit card is a "Proof of Trust" from Japanese society. Having one makes paying for smartphones in installments, online shopping, and renting apartments much smoother.

First, try applying for the Rakuten Card, which offers the biggest benefits, using the "Cash Advance 0 Yen & Post-Application Account Setup" techniques introduced in this article. If that still doesn't work, don't hesitate to start building your track record with the Nexus Card.

Next Step:

1. Check if your Residence Card has more than 3 months of validity remaining.
2. Check the current campaign points for the Rakuten Card using the button below.
3. If you are unsure about the detailed input procedure, open the 【Practical】Rakuten Card Application Guide in a separate tab and follow along.