Go Cashless in Japan!【Foreigner’s Guide】to PayPay, LINE Pay & More

While cash is still used, Japan is rapidly moving towards a cashless society.

Using a payment app on your smartphone is not only convenient but also rewards you with points.

But can foreigners use these Japanese “Pay” apps? The answer is a resounding YES!

This guide will show you the best apps for foreigners and how to set them up, step-by-step.

Table of Contents

Convenience: No more fumbling for coins. Just scan and go!
Points & Rewards: Earn points on every purchase, which can be used for discounts later.
Hygiene: A touch-free way to pay.
Widely Accepted: Usable at most convenience stores, supermarkets, drugstores, restaurants, and more.

The most important factor for foreigners is how easy it is to register and add money.

Based on this, we highly recommend these two apps.

PayPay is the most popular payment app in Japan, accepted almost everywhere.

If you can only choose one app, this is it.

What you need to register:

How to add money (Charge):

The easiest way for foreigners is to use a Seven Bank ATM (found in any 7-Eleven) to charge your account with cash.

Source: diamond-rm.net

If you already use the messaging app “LINE,” then LINE Pay is a great secondary option.

What you need to register:

A LINE account (which should already be verified with your Japanese phone number).

How to add money (Charge):

Just like PayPay, you can easily charge your account with cash at a Seven Bank ATM.

Source: appllio.com

Let’s walk through the process using PayPay as an example.

Download the PayPay app from the App Store or Google Play.
Open the app and enter your Japanese phone number.
You will receive an SMS with a verification code. Enter the code to complete your registration.

This is the key step for most foreigners!

On the ATM screen, select “Smartphone Transactions.”
In your PayPay app, tap “Charge,” then select “Seven Bank ATM.”
A QR code will appear on the ATM screen. Scan it with your PayPay app.
The ATM will prompt you to insert cash. Insert the bills you want to charge.
Confirm the amount, and the money will be instantly added to your PayPay balance!

Source: sevenbank.co.jp

There are two main ways to pay:

Method A: Show Your Barcode

In the PayPay app, tap the “Pay” button.
Your unique barcode and QR code will be displayed.
Show this screen to the cashier. They will scan it, and you’ll hear the famous “PayPay!” sound.

Method B: Scan the Store’s QR Code

Tap “Scan” in the app.
Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code displayed at the checkout counter.
Enter the total amount, show the confirmation screen to the cashier, and tap “Pay.”

To go cashless in Japan, the easiest and most reliable path is:

Get a Japanese phone number → Download PayPay → Charge with cash at a Seven Bank ATM.

With this, your shopping experience in Japan will become much smarter and more enjoyable.

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