Japan's largest QR-code wallet with over 60 million registered users, accepted at convenience stores, supermarkets, drugstores, restaurants and some transport — often the only cashless option at small shops that reject cards.
!Not a bank. PayPay is registered under Japan's Payment Services Act as a funds-transfer service provider issuing prepaid payment instruments (e-money). Balances are not bank deposits, are not covered by the Deposit Insurance Corporation of Japan, and must be safeguarded (e.g. in trust) as required by law.
Long-term residents yes, short-stay tourists generally no. Registration requires a Japanese phone number (090/080/070) — overseas numbers do not work — and eKYC requires a residence card, My Number Card or Japanese driving licence. Tourist alternatives: the Hong Kong Octopus app (pay at PayPay merchants in Japan since October 2025), or AlipayHK / Alipay scanning PayPay QR codes via Alipay+.
No mandatory minimum; Seven Bank ATM cash reloads can start from small amounts｜Free to open and top up. QR payments carry no fee; transferring the balance out to a bank account incurs a fee at the official rate.
Without identity verification the monthly usage limit is low (around JPY 30,000); after verification it rises to roughly JPY 500,000 (per official figures). The 24-hour transaction cap is about JPY 1,000,000. Balances are prepaid payment instruments and are not deposit-insured.
Long-term residents yes, short-stay tourists generally no. Registration requires a Japanese phone number (090/080/070) — overseas numbers do not work — and eKYC requires a residence card, My Number Card or Japanese driving licence. Tourist alternatives: the Hong Kong Octopus app (pay at PayPay merchants in Japan since October 2025), or AlipayHK / Alipay scanning PayPay QR codes via Alipay+.
Local bank account: Not required. Items typically needed: A Japanese phone number (090/080/070); Residence card or My Number Card (for identity verification); A smartphone (app supports Japanese/English/Chinese/Korean/Vietnamese); A Japanese bank account, Seven Bank ATM cash, or a Japan-issued credit card for reloads.
Typically: A Japanese phone number (090/080/070); Residence card or My Number Card (for identity verification); A smartphone (app supports Japanese/English/Chinese/Korean/Vietnamese); A Japanese bank account, Seven Bank ATM cash, or a Japan-issued credit card for reloads.
How to sign up: Fully online — register a Japanese number in the app, with optional identity verification (Registration about 5–10 minutes; identity verification usually 1–3 working days). Steps: 1) Download PayPay from the Japan App Store / Google Play 2) Enter your Japanese number, confirm the 4-digit SMS code and set a sign-in method 3) Set your 4-digit payment PIN 4) For transfers and higher limits, photograph both sides of your residence card plus a selfie 5) Reload with cash at 7-Eleven (Seven Bank ATM) or bind a Japanese bank account/card 6) Show your payment code or scan the merchant's QR code Fees: Free to open and top up. QR payments carry no fee; transferring the balance out to a bank account incurs a fee at the official rate.
Without identity verification the monthly usage limit is low (around JPY 30,000); after verification it rises to roughly JPY 500,000 (per official figures). The 24-hour transaction cap is about JPY 1,000,000. Balances are prepaid payment instruments and are not deposit-insured.
E-wallet rules change often — always follow the latest instructions in the official app.