Last updated: June 23, 2026 · Credit cards compared: 15 · Data source: Official bank product pages
Reviewed by Zia Shahid, Buzdy Banking Editor · Our methodology
? In this guide
Looking for the best credit card in Japan in 2026? We compared 15 credit cards from top banks in Japan to help you find the right one for your needs, income, and lifestyle.
This guide covers fees, interest rates, eligibility, rewards, and key benefits for every option. All data is sourced from official bank product pages and updated as of June 23, 2026. Every option is from a bank regulated by Financial Services Agency.
Quick Comparison: All 15 Credit cards in Japan
Side-by-side comparison of every credit card option in Japan as of June 23, 2026. Tap any name for full details.
| Credit card | Bank | Rate / Eligibility | Top Features | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. AEON Card | AEON Card | — | Internet Banking | View → |
| 2. AEON Card Gold | AEON Card | — | Lounge Access, Internet Banking | View → |
| 3. SAISON CARD Digital | Credit Saison | — | — | View → |
| 4. SAISON CARD Digital | Credit Saison | 15.00% p.a. | — | View → |
| 5. SAISON Gold American Express Card | Credit Saison | 15.00% p.a. | — | View → |
| 6. SAISON PEARL American Express Card | Credit Saison | 15.00% p.a. | — | View → |
| 7. SAISON Platinum American Express Card | Credit Saison | 15.00% p.a. | — | View → |
| 8. JCB Card W | JCB | 1.25% per month | Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wal… | View → |
| 9. JCB Gold Card | JCB | 1.25% per month | Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Lounge Access, … | View → |
| 10. JCB Platinum | JCB | 1.25% per month | Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Lounge Access, … | View → |
| 11. Mizuho Mileage Club ANA Card | Mizuho Bank | 15.00% p.a. | — | View → |
| 12. Mizuho Mileage Club Card | Mizuho Bank | 15.00% p.a. | — | View → |
| 13. Mizuho Mileage Club Card Gold | Mizuho Bank | 14.50% p.a. | — | View → |
| 14. Mizuho Rakuten Card | Mizuho Bank | 15.00% p.a. | — | View → |
| 15. MUFG Card Gold Prestige | MUFG Card | — | Lounge Access, Internet Banking | View → |
Top 15 Credit Cards in Japan (2026)
1. AEON Card
Bank: AEON Card
- Annual Fee: No annual fee
- Rewards: WAON POINT
- Benefits: Internet Banking
The AEON Card is a no-annual-fee credit card from AEON Financial Service in Japan, featuring integrated WAON electronic money, support for Visa/Mastercard/JCB networks, and special discounts at AEON r
2. AEON Card Gold
Bank: AEON Card
- Rewards: WAON POINT (enhanced rate)
- Benefits: Lounge Access, Internet Banking
The AEON Card Gold is the premium tier credit card from AEON Financial Service in Japan, offering enhanced benefits over the standard AEON Card including airport lounge access, higher reward point ear
3. SAISON CARD Digital
Bank: Credit Saison
- Credit Saison's flagship numberless digital card issued in as little as 5 minutes via the Saison Portal app. No annual fee with Eikyufumetsu Points th
Credit Saison's flagship numberless digital card issued in as little as 5 minutes via the Saison Portal app. No annual fee with Eikyufumetsu Points that never expire. Supports Apple Pay and Google Pay
4. SAISON CARD Digital
Bank: Credit Saison
- Annual Fee: Free
- Interest Rate: 15.00% p.a.
- Salary/Eligibility: No
- Rewards: 1 point per ¥1,000 spent (Eikyufumetsu Points, never expire)
- Interest Free Days: Up to 56 days
Credit Saison's flagship numberless digital card issued in as little as 5 minutes via the Saison Portal app. No annual fee with Eikyufumetsu Points that never expire. Supports Apple Pay and Google Pay
5. SAISON Gold American Express Card
Bank: Credit Saison
- Annual Fee: ¥11,000
- Interest Rate: 15.00% p.a.
- Salary/Eligibility: No
- Rewards: 1.5x points on all purchases, never expire
- Interest Free Days: Up to 56 days
A premium Amex card from Credit Saison offering 1.5x points on all purchases, complimentary airport lounge access, up to ¥50M travel insurance, and bonus rewards for annual spend over ¥500,000. Poin
6. SAISON PEARL American Express Card
Bank: Credit Saison
- Annual Fee: ¥1,100 (Free if used once/year)
- Interest Rate: 15.00% p.a.
- Salary/Eligibility: No
- Rewards: 1 point per ¥1,000 + 2% via QUICPay
- Interest Free Days: Up to 56 days
An entry-level Amex co-brand from Credit Saison with no annual fee when used at least once per year. Earns Eikyufumetsu Points on every purchase with QUICPay contactless payments earning 2% back. Idea
7. SAISON Platinum American Express Card
Bank: Credit Saison
- Annual Fee: ¥22,000
- Interest Rate: 15.00% p.a.
- Salary/Eligibility: No
- Rewards: 2x points on all purchases, never expire
- Interest Free Days: Up to 56 days
Credit Saison's top-tier Amex card with 2x Eikyufumetsu Points, Priority Pass lounge access worldwide, concierge service, smartphone insurance, golfer insurance, and comprehensive travel coverage up t
8. JCB Card W
Bank: JCB
- Interest Rate: 1.25% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet, Chip/Pin, Supplementary Cards
Popular no-annual-fee card for ages 18-39 earning double Oki Doki points with partner merchant bonuses.
9. JCB Gold Card
Bank: JCB
- Interest Rate: 1.25% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Lounge Access, Dinning Benefits, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet
Premium gold card with airport lounge access, travel insurance, dining benefits, and enhanced Oki Doki point earning.
10. JCB Platinum
Bank: JCB
- Interest Rate: 1.25% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Lounge Access, Dinning Benefits, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet
Invitation-available premium card with Priority Pass, 24-hour concierge, comprehensive travel insurance, and dining privileges.
11. Mizuho Mileage Club ANA Card
Bank: Mizuho Bank
- Annual Fee: Free
- Interest Rate: 15.00% p.a.
- Salary/Eligibility: No
- Rewards: Eikyufumetsu Points convertible to ANA miles
- Interest Free Days: Up to 56 days
A Mizuho x ANA co-branded card that converts Eikyufumetsu Points to ANA miles at a preferential rate (200pts = 700 miles). No annual fee with full Mizuho banking benefits and ANA Mileage Club membersh
12. Mizuho Mileage Club Card
Bank: Mizuho Bank
- Annual Fee: Free
- Interest Rate: 15.00% p.a.
- Salary/Eligibility: No
- Rewards: Eikyufumetsu Points (permanent, never expire)
- Interest Free Days: Up to 56 days
Mizuho Bank's core credit card with no annual fee, combining banking convenience with Eikyufumetsu Points rewards. Includes ATM fee waivers, reduced transfer fees based on usage, and seamless integrat
13. Mizuho Mileage Club Card Gold
Bank: Mizuho Bank
- Annual Fee: ¥11,000
- Interest Rate: 14.50% p.a.
- Salary/Eligibility: No
- Rewards: Enhanced Eikyufumetsu Points earning rate
- Interest Free Days: Up to 56 days
Mizuho's premium Gold card with enhanced banking privileges, airport lounge access, higher travel insurance coverage up to ¥50M, and boosted Eikyufumetsu Points earning. Cardholders enjoy priority cu
14. Mizuho Rakuten Card
Bank: Mizuho Bank
- Annual Fee: Free
- Interest Rate: 15.00% p.a.
- Salary/Eligibility: No
- Rewards: 1% Rakuten Points (3% on Rakuten Ichiba)
- Interest Free Days: Up to 56 days
A co-branded card with Rakuten combining Mizuho banking perks with Rakuten's 1% base point rewards (3% on Rakuten Ichiba). No annual fee with automatic Mizuho Mileage Club membership, free ATM withdra
15. MUFG Card Gold Prestige
Bank: MUFG Card
- Annual Fee: JPY 11,000 (first year free)
- Rewards: Up to 20% cashback at partner stores
- Benefits: Lounge Access, Internet Banking
The MUFG Card Gold Prestige is a gold-tier credit card from Mitsubishi UFJ Nicos in Japan, featuring up to 20% point cashback at partner stores, airport lounge access, and automatic overseas travel in
7 Smart Tips Before You Apply
What banks won't put in their marketing — but every smart applicant should know.
- Compare APR, not just headline rates. The advertised "low interest" is usually a promo. The real cost is the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) after fees, balance transfer charges, and FX markups. A 1.5% monthly rate is actually ~19.6% APR.
- Read the small print on rewards. Banks advertise "5% cashback" but cap it at $20/month. After the cap, you earn 0.5%. Always check the monthly cap, eligible merchants, and minimum spend requirements.
- Know your credit profile before applying. Each rejected application damages your credit score. Use the bank's pre-qualification check (soft pull) before submitting a formal application (hard pull).
- Avoid cash advances at all costs. Cash advance APR is usually 5-10% higher than purchase APR, with no grace period and an upfront fee of 2-5% of the amount. Use only in emergencies.
- Set up direct debit for the full balance. Paying only the minimum (often 5% of balance) means interest accrues on the rest. A balance of $1,000 paid at minimum costs ~$1,400 in interest over 5 years.
- Use foreign-fee-free cards abroad. Standard cards charge 2-3% on every foreign transaction plus FX markup. Travel cards charge 0%. On a $3,000 holiday, that's $90 saved.
- Watch the annual fee waiver conditions. Many premium cards waive fees in year 1 only or require a minimum annual spend (e.g. $5,000) to keep the waiver. Set a reminder before renewal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The five most expensive errors people make with credit cards:
- Applying for too many cards at once. Each application is a hard credit pull. 3+ pulls in 6 months drops your score 30-50 points. Space out applications by at least 90 days.
- Only paying the minimum. If you have $5,000 balance at 24% APR and pay only the minimum (5%), you'll pay $1,500+ in interest before clearing the debt. Always pay in full when possible.
- Ignoring the fine print on welcome bonuses. "Get $200 cashback!" usually requires spending $3,000 in 90 days. Read the qualifying spend, the eligible categories, and the payout timeline.
- Not using benefits you've already paid for. If you pay a $400 annual fee for a card with airport lounge access, lost-baggage insurance, and concierge — use them. Most users don't claim 80% of what they paid for.
- Treating credit cards as free money. They're high-cost short-term loans. The minimum payment cycle is designed to keep you indebted for 7-10 years on average.
How to Choose the Right Credit card in Japan
- Annual fees — compare across banks, some offer zero fee for the first year
- Interest rates — lower rates save money if you carry a balance
- Rewards and benefits — match to your spending habits
- Eligibility — salary and documentation requirements vary by bank
- Digital access — mobile app, internet banking, contactless payments
- Customer support — 24/7 helpline, branch network, dispute resolution time
- Regulation — all products listed are from banks regulated by Financial Services Agency
Frequently Asked Questions: Credit cards in Japan
What is the best credit card in Japan for 2026?
The best credit card depends on your priorities — income level, spending habits, and eligibility. Use the comparison table above to filter by rate, benefits, and bank. For premium benefits with worldwide acceptance, look at Platinum tier cards. For low income requirements, classic tier cards offer easier eligibility. Compare all 15 options on this page.
What credit score do I need for a credit card in Japan?
Most banks in Japan require a clean credit history with no defaults in the last 5 years. Premium products typically require higher monthly income. Each bank publishes its own minimum on the product page.
Can I apply online for a credit card in Japan?
Yes, most major banks in Japan now offer fully online applications. Tap "View" on any credit card above to start the application process directly with the bank.
What documents do I need?
Standard documents: valid government ID, tax identification number, proof of address (utility bill or rental agreement), latest 3 months of payslips (for salaried applicants) or 6 months of bank statements (self-employed), and a recent passport-size photograph. Exact requirements vary by bank.
Are these credit cards regulated and safe?
Yes — all 15 options listed are from banks regulated by Financial Services Agency. Consumer disputes can be escalated to the regulator if a bank does not resolve the issue.
What are the typical fees in Japan?
Fees vary by tier and bank: classic cards typically ¥ 0–1,500/year, gold ¥ 1,500–3,000, platinum ¥ 3,000–10,000. Many banks waive the first year. Always check the product page for the exact fee schedule.
Can I get a credit card if I am self-employed in Japan?
Yes. Self-employed applicants typically need: business registration, latest tax returns, 6 months of bank statements, and audited financials (for higher tiers). Approval rates are lower than for salaried applicants but several banks specifically cater to small business owners.
What happens if I default on payments?
Missed payments trigger late fees (typically ¥ 500–2,000), a credit-score drop, and a higher interest rate going forward. After 90 days of non-payment, the account goes to collections and is reported to credit bureaus. Contact your bank BEFORE missing a payment if you have trouble — most banks offer hardship plans.
Related Guides for Japan
- All banks in Japan
- Bank branches across Japan
- Credit Cards In Japan 2026
- Personal Loans In Japan 2026
- Savings Accounts In Japan 2026
- Japan EMI calculator
- Japan savings calculator
How We Compare
Our editorial team reviews each product based on annual fees, interest rates, rewards programs, eligibility requirements, and verified bank disclosures. We update this comparison regularly to reflect the latest offers. Data is sourced from official bank websites and verified where regulatory filings are publicly available.
Buzdy compares products from 555 banks across 51 countries. We are not affiliated with any single bank — our rankings are based on objective criteria outlined in our methodology.
Disclosure: Buzdy may earn a referral commission when you apply through links on our site. Commissions never influence rankings. Read our full editorial standards.
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