Earn Smart in Your Spare Time!
Point Activities (ポイ活) Beginner’s Guide
Use point sites to save tens of thousands of yen per year!【Latest】
This Article is For
- Expats in Japan who want to save money through point activities
- Beginners who’ve heard of ポイ活 but don’t know where to start
- Anyone looking to earn extra rewards from everyday shopping in Japan
All you need is an email address to get started — completely free!
“I’ve heard of point activities, but where do I start?” “Can I really earn points?” This article thoroughly explains the basics of earning points using point sites!
Table of Contents
- What are Point Activities?
- What are Point Sites?
- Why Can You Earn Points?
- How to Earn Points
- Recommended Point Sites
- Getting Started Guide
- Tips for Efficient Earning
- For Foreigners
- When do points arrive, and what if they don’t?
- Turning points into money: the exchange routes
- Points and tax
- What not to do
- Japanese terms you will see on screen
- Practical details that actually matter
- Things to Watch Out For
- Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — foreigners can use Japanese point sites (Moppy, Hapitas, Powl…) to earn. Earning is the easy part. The catch is cashing out: to receive cash you need a Japanese bank account, and identity verification requires your residence card (在留カード), with your name matching exactly.
So tourists generally can’t cash out to a bank (use gift-card / Amazon payouts instead), and the sites are Japanese-only. See the foreigners section below.
What are Point Activities?
Point activities (ポイ活 / Poi-katsu) is short for “point activities” in Japanese, referring to efficiently earning points in daily life to live more economically.
Specifically:
- Earning points through shopping (Rakuten, PayPay, etc.)
- Using credit card point cashback
- Shopping or applying for services through point sites
- Earning points through surveys or games
This article focuses on point activities using “point sites”. When used well, you can earn points worth tens of thousands of yen per year!
What are Point Sites?
Point sites are services where you earn points by shopping or applying for services through their website.
For example, when shopping at Rakuten Market:
| Method | Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Shop directly at Rakuten | Only Rakuten points |
| Shop via point site | Rakuten points + Point site points (1%, etc.) |
Same shopping, but just by going through a point site, you can double-dip on points!
Why Can You Earn Points? (The Mechanism)
You might think “getting free points sounds suspicious…” But the business model of point sites is very simple and legitimate.
How Point Sites Work
- Companies place ads on point sites (paying advertising fees)
- Users use services through the point site
- Point sites return part of the advertising fee to users as points
In other words, part of the company’s advertising budget is returned to you. Instead of spending money on TV commercials, they’re giving it directly to users.
How to Earn Points
Main ways to earn points on point sites:
① Online Shopping Passthrough
Just route your regular online shopping through point sites! For stacking rewards on top, see Rakuten Shopping Marathon Guide.
| Shop | Reward Rate |
|---|---|
| Rakuten Market | 1.0% |
| Yahoo! Shopping | 1.0% |
| Jalan | 1.0〜2.0% |
| Booking.com | 3.0〜6.0% |
| Furusato Nozei sites | 1.0〜3.0% |
② Credit Card Applications
New credit card applications are classic high-value offers. You can get thousands to over 10,000 points for one card!
| Offer Type | Estimated Points |
|---|---|
| No annual fee cards | 3,000〜8,000pt |
| Gold cards | 5,000〜15,000pt |
| Platinum/Premium | 10,000〜30,000pt |
③ Bank & Brokerage Account Opening
Opening bank or brokerage accounts also has many high-point offers. For opening one as a foreign resident, see MUFG Bank Guide for Foreigners and SMBC + Olive Guide; once a brokerage account is open, NISA for Foreigners in Japan and Tatiaigai Bunbai Guide follow naturally.
| Offer Type | Estimated Points |
|---|---|
| Online bank account | 500〜2,000pt |
| Brokerage account | 2,000〜10,000pt |
| FX account + trading | 5,000〜30,000pt |
④ App Downloads & Games
Download smartphone apps or complete certain conditions in games to earn points.
- App download + launch: 50〜200pt
- Game offers (level achievements, etc.): 500〜5,000pt
- Free membership registration: 100〜500pt
⑤ Surveys & Reviews
Earn gradually through answering surveys or product reviews. Lower per-item value, but easy to do in spare time.
⑥ Friend Referrals
Referring friends or family earns you a referral bonus. The referred person usually gets a bonus too, so it’s win-win!
Recommended Point Sites
From numerous point sites, we’ve selected major sites easy for beginners. Sign up through the links below to get referral bonuses!
Moppy
MoppyTop-class in both number of offers and reward rates. The first site everyone should register for. 1P = 1 yen, easy to understand, with around 60+ exchange options (per the official site, August 2026).
- Industry-leading number of offers
- 1 point = 1 yen, easy calculation
- Operated by TSE Prime listed company
Hapitas
HapitasKnown for high online shopping reward rates. Their “Shopping Peace of Mind Guarantee” protects you even if points don’t arrive.
- High shopping offer reward rates
- Shopping guarantee included
- 1 point = 1 yen
Point Income
Point IncomeRich in game and app offers. Member rank system boosts points, daily login bonuses, and other features perfect for steady earners.
- Abundant game & app offers
- Member rank bonuses
- 10pt = 1 yen
Powl
PowlEarn quickly through surveys and mini-games. Easy-to-use app, perfect for point activities in spare time. Rich exchange options are attractive.
- Quick earning through surveys
- User-friendly app
- 10pt = 1 yen
Point Town
Point TownVeteran point site operated by GMO Media. Rich in offers, especially strong in credit card and shopping offers.
- Trust of GMO Group
- Rich credit card & shopping offers
- 1pt = 1 yen
Rakuten Rebates
Rakuten RebatesPoint cashback service operated by Rakuten. Earn Rakuten points at shops outside Rakuten Market! Apple, Uniqlo, GU and many famous shops.
- Earn Rakuten points directly
- Apple, Uniqlo and more famous stores
- Trust of official Rakuten
Point Site Comparison Table
| Site Name | Rate | Signup Bonus | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moppy | 1P = ¥1 | 2,000P | Most Offers |
| Hapitas | 1P = ¥1 | 2,500P | Shopping ◎ |
| Point Income | 10P = ¥1 | 3,000P | Games ◎ |
| Powl | 10P = ¥1 | 1,000P | Survey Focus |
| Point Town | 1P = ¥1 | 2,000P | GMO Operated |
| Rakuten Rebates | Rakuten P Direct | 500P | Rakuten Users ◎ |
Getting Started Guide (5 Steps)
Just need an email address, takes a few minutes. Start with Moppy or Hapitas.
Search for offers you’re interested in or shops you regularly use.
Always access via the point site. Going directly won’t earn you points!
Complete the process normally on the destination site.
Points are credited after approval (instant to several months depending on offer).
Tips for Efficient Earning
Tip ① Compare Across Sites
The same offer can differ by thousands of yen between sites. Register for multiple sites and compare.
Tip ② Target High-Value Offers
Steady earning through shopping is fine, but efficiently completing credit card applications or account openings is recommended.
Tip ③ Use Campaigns
Point sites regularly hold point boost campaigns. Completing offers during these times is more rewarding!
Tip ④ Create a Dedicated Email
You’ll get more emails after signing up, so prepare a dedicated email address. Easy to create with Gmail.
Tip ⑤ Prevent Forgetting to Route
Save point sites in your browser’s favorites/bookmarks to prevent forgetting to route through them.
For foreigners in Japan: earning and (the catch) cashing out
Earning is open to everyone — cashing out is the hurdle
Anyone in Japan can sign up and earn. The friction is the payout. Under Japan’s anti-money-laundering rules, point sites run an identity check (本人確認), and foreign residents (other than special permanent residents) must verify with their residence card. Your registered name must match your residence card — and your bank — exactly; a middle name mismatch can block withdrawals.
The cash-out trap: you need a Japanese bank account
To withdraw points as cash you need a Japanese bank account. Most banks want ~6 months of residency, but Japan Post Bank (Yucho) and SBI Shinsei often accept ~3 months on a valid long-term visa. Tourists on a 90-day visa cannot open a bank account at all — so as a visitor, cash withdrawal is off the table; choose gift-card or Amazon payouts instead.
Which site cashes out best for foreigners
For bank withdrawals, check the numbers on the site itself before you plan around them. As of August 2026 Hapitas lists a 100pt exchange fee, a 500-point minimum, and three conditions: earning at least 300 points, one ad use judged “valid”, and completed identity verification — with transfers arriving same day to three business days. Both interfaces are Japanese-only, so plan a little translation help for the one-time verification.
When do points arrive, and what if they don’t?
This is where most beginners get stuck, and it is rarely explained well. Points do not appear the moment you click — they pass through three states.
Why rewards get rejected
- Cookies disabled, or private browsing — tracking relies on cookies
- Ad blocker enabled — it blocks the redirect that records your visit
- You passed through another cashback route afterwards — the last click usually wins
- You used an in-app browser (LINE, messaging apps) — cookies often do not carry over; use your normal browser
- Items were already in the cart before you clicked through — some shops require adding them again
- Order cancelled, returned, or left unpaid
- Multiple accounts on one device, or application details that do not match your ID
Turning points into money: the exchange routes
Earning is only half of it. There are three main ways out.
| Route | What to know |
|---|---|
| Cash to a bank account | The most direct. Usually has a fee and/or a minimum amount |
| Gift codes / e-money | Amazon gift codes, Pay services. Often better value than cash, sometimes with bonus campaigns |
| Other points / airline miles | Via a relay service (Dot Money, PeX) into miles and similar. Longer path, sometimes a better rate |
Points and tax
General framework only. For your own situation, follow the tax office or a tax accountant.
- Cashback tied to a purchase is generally treated as a discount on the price, not as income
- Rewards not tied to spending (surveys, account openings, card issuance) may count as temporary income or miscellaneous income
- Salaried workers with more than ¥200,000 of non-salary income in a year may need to file a tax return — the residence tax filing rules can differ
- If the amounts are large, or you also have side income, ask the tax office (free) or a tax accountant
What not to do
- Creating multiple accounts — banned almost everywhere; accounts get frozen and points forfeited
- Applying with false information — card and account applications are financial procedures, not just site rules
- Applying for many credit cards in a short period — the applications stay on your credit record and can get you declined for roughly six months, exactly when you may actually need a card, a lease or a loan
- Buying things you don’t need just for points — a high rate is still money spent
Japanese terms you will see on screen
Point sites are Japanese-only. These ten words cover almost everything you need.
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ポイントを貯める | Earn points — the click-through button; you must start from here |
| 判定中 | Pending — click recorded, waiting for the advertiser |
| 承認・確定 | Approved — the points are yours |
| 否認・却下 | Rejected — conditions not met, or the click was not tracked |
| 成果条件 | Conditions for the reward (read this first) |
| 交換 | Exchange (to cash or gift codes) |
| 最低交換額 | Minimum amount you can exchange |
| 本人確認 | Identity verification (usually before your first exchange) |
| 有効期限 | Point expiry (inactivity can void them) |
| お問い合わせ | Contact form — where you request an investigation |
Practical details that actually matter
These are the things you hit once you keep going. Everything below was checked against official pages in August 2026 — amounts and conditions change, so confirm on the site before you act.
Compare offers across sites
The same offer can be worth thousands of yen more on another site, and opening each site one by one is not practical. Use a cross-site comparison tool — we run one ourselves: pointnavi Guide lets you search an offer name and see the payouts side by side.
Points expire if you leave them
Some shopping simply isn’t covered
If you cannot find a shop, it is often structural rather than your mistake. We aggregated the live offers of nine point sites and found:
- Ordinary Amazon shopping earns nothing. Moppy lists “Amazon.co.jp” but marks it ポイント対象外 (not eligible); Point Town shows 0; Hapitas does not list the main store at all
- But service sign-ups like Audible or Prime Video free trials are eligible — Amazon is not blanket-excluded
- Rakuten Ichiba differs by site: Moppy, Hapitas and Point Town carry the main store; Powl does not
Space out your card applications
Protect the account
- Turn on two-step verification. Moppy supports SMS verification (official help)
- Identity checks may use face verification (Moppy). Never let someone else complete it for you
- Watch for fake sites and apps — enter from your own bookmark, not from a search ad
Wait for exchange bonus periods
Some exchange routes run limited-time bonus rates. If you are not in a hurry, waiting for one is worth it. The rate and the timing differ every time, so check each site’s exchange page and announcements.
Using it as a household
Things to Watch Out For
- Accessed the site directly without going through the point site
- Browser cookies are disabled
- Ad blockers are enabled
- Routed through multiple point sites (only last one counts)
- Conditions not met (first-time only but was second time, etc.)
For Safe Use
- Choose major sites with operation track records
- Carefully read offer conditions (qualification, exclusions, etc.)
- Keep personal information input to minimum necessary
- Don’t forget to cancel paid offers within free trial period
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are point activities (ポイ活) in Japan?
A: Point activities (ポイ活 / Poi-katsu) refers to efficiently earning points in daily life to live more economically in Japan. This includes earning points through shopping, using credit card cashback, going through point sites for purchases, and completing surveys or games for rewards.
Q: Are point sites legitimate? How can they give free points?
A: Point sites have a legitimate business model. Companies pay advertising fees to point sites, users access services through these sites, and point sites return part of the advertising fee to users as points. Major sites are operated by listed companies with 10+ years of operation history.
Q: Can foreigners use Japanese point sites?
A: Yes! Anyone living in Japan can use point sites with just an email address. For high-value offers like credit card applications or brokerage account openings, you’ll need a residence card and Japanese bank account.
Q: How much can I earn from point activities per year?
A: When used effectively, you can earn points worth tens of thousands of yen per year. Credit card applications can earn 3,000-30,000 points each, brokerage account openings 2,000-10,000 points. The key is efficiently completing high-value offers.
Q: Why didn’t I receive my points?
A: Common reasons include: accessing the site directly without going through the point site, browser cookies being disabled, ad blockers being enabled, routing through multiple point sites (only the last one counts), or not meeting the offer conditions. Always click through from the point site and disable ad blockers.
Q: How long until points actually arrive?
A: Two stages. A pending record usually appears within minutes to days, but you can only use the points after approval. Shopping typically waits for shipment or the end of the return window; cards until issuance (sometimes first use); accounts until opening is complete. Weeks to months is normal, and every offer page states the expected period — read it before you start.
Q: I met the conditions but nothing was credited. What now?
A: Check the usual causes first: cookies disabled, an ad blocker, an in-app browser, another cashback route clicked afterwards, or items that were already in your cart. If none apply, use the site’s inquiry form to request an investigation. You will normally need the click time, order number and confirmation email, so keep them. Filing deadlines apply, so report it quickly.
Q: Can foreign residents cash out normally?
A: Generally yes, with two things to watch. The bank account name must match the name registered on the site (Japanese banks store it in katakana). And identity verification is usually required before the first exchange; a residence card is normally accepted, but each site sets its own rules.
Q: How much can I realistically earn?
A: Treat the two sources separately. Card and account offers are one-off — you cannot claim the same card twice. Shopping cashback is a small, steady accumulation. It feels fast at the start and then settles down, so it works better as a way to reduce your normal spending than as a side income.
Summary: Live Smart with Point Activities!
Earn from Shopping
Just route your usual shopping
Big from High-Value Offers
Thousands to tens of thousands per card
In Spare Time
Apps and surveys
Exchange for Cash/E-Money
Convert accumulated points
Point sites are a system where only those who know benefit. Without changing your daily life, just adding a little effort, you can earn tens of thousands of yen worth of points per year.
Start by registering with the major sites below and begin point activities from your everyday shopping!
Related reading
Rakuten Card Sign-Up GuideA concrete high-value offer: referral sign-up points and how they stack Credit Card Tsumitate GuideOne step further: buying and selling funds by card to capture the reward Rakuten Shopping Marathon GuidePairs with shopping cashback: how the Marathon multiplier works Furusato Nozei GuideThe other big saving lever: gifts for a net ¥2,000 MUFG Bank Guide for ForeignersAccount-opening offers in practice: MUFG as a foreign resident SMBC + Olive GuideAccount-opening offers in practice: SMBC and Olive NISA for Foreigners in JapanAfter the brokerage account: what NISA is Rakuten Mobile ReferralTelecom offers: the Rakuten Mobile referralNote: Offer content and point amounts may vary by time period