Money

Getting a credit card in Japan as a foreigner is possible — but you need to know which cards actually approve foreigners and which ones will waste your time. Here’s the real breakdown. Can Foreigners Get a Japanese Credit Card? Yes. Most major credit cards in Japan accept foreign residents. What they’re looking at: Residence card with valid status Japanese bank account for automatic payments Stable income — employed or self-employed Some cards want to see 1+ year of residence in Japan The key word is residents. If you’re here on a tourist visa, it’s not happening. But if you’re a proper resident, you’ve got options. ...

Nobody loves dealing with taxes. But in Japan, the process is actually pretty painless for most people — especially if you work at a regular company. Here’s everything you need to know. Do Foreigners Have to Pay Tax in Japan? Yes. If you live in Japan and earn money here, you pay Japanese income tax. This applies to everyone regardless of nationality. There’s no getting around it, and you wouldn’t want to — unpaid taxes can wreck a visa renewal or permanent residency application down the line. ...

Japan has a reputation for being expensive. And yeah, Tokyo rent isn’t cheap. But a lot of day-to-day living here is actually very affordable if you know where to look. Here’s how to keep more money in your pocket. 1. Cut Your Phone Bill First This is the single biggest win for most foreigners. A lot of people arrive in Japan and end up on a big carrier plan out of convenience — and pay for it. ...

Sending money home from Japan? You want it to arrive fast, with low fees, and at a decent exchange rate. Whatever you do, don’t use your Japanese bank to do it — I’ll explain why in a moment. Here are the best options in 2025. What Actually Matters When Choosing a Service Low fees — both fixed fees and percentage fees add up Good exchange rate — some services look cheap on fees but quietly give you a terrible rate Transfer speed — same day vs 2–3 days matters if someone’s waiting on the money Supported countries — make sure your home country is covered Best Money Transfer Apps from Japan 1. Wise (formerly TransferWise) — Best Overall Feature Details Fee ~0.5–1.5% of amount Exchange rate Mid-market rate (best available) Speed 1–2 business days Countries Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and 80+ more Wise is the one I recommend to basically everyone. The fees are transparent — you see exactly what you’re paying before you confirm. And they use the real mid-market exchange rate, not some marked-up version the banks use to pocket the difference. ...