Credit Card Guide - May's Japan Money Room

High Cashback Cards, Amazon, Card Campaigns, Credit Cards

【Amazon Prime Mastercard】 Guide｜Up to 12,000 Points for New Cardmembers

May | ⏱ 2026-06-17 | Leave a Comment

Key Takeaways：The Amazon Prime Mastercard hands new Prime members up to 12,000 points (8,000 sign-up + 4,000 first use) with no annual fee ever, plus 2% back at Amazon and up to 7% at convenience stores. Apply by July 13 and make your first purchase by July 31 to grab both bonuses — and since it issues in about 5 minutes, you can have it ready to stack with Prime Day deals. Just remember the sign-up amount varies by account, so check your own application page before you apply. If you shop on Amazon in Japan, the Amazon Prime Mastercard is a card worth having. Apply now and use it once, and you can earn up to 12,000 points in total (8,000 sign-up + 4,000 first use, both limited-time points). There’s no enrollment or annual fee, ever, Prime members get 2% back at Amazon, and up to 7% at convenience […]

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AMEX Gold for Foreigners in Japan: Can You Get It?

May | ⏱ 2026-03-30 🔄 2026-07-07 | Leave a Comment

Key takeaways: The AMEX Gold Preferred costs ¥39,600/year (~$265 USD) with 2 free family cards. Earn 3x points at partner merchants (Amazon, Yahoo!, etc.) and 4x on AMEX Travel, with points that never expire and convert 1:1 to ANA miles. Spend ¥2 million/year to unlock a free hotel night at Marriott, Hyatt, and other top brands. Dining perks include 20% back at Starbucks and a buy-one-get-one-free deal at 250+ upscale restaurants through the Shotaibiyori program. Airport lounge access for you plus one guest, Priority Pass (2 visits/year), and overseas travel insurance up to ¥100 million. Apply through a referral link to earn 130,000 points instead of 100,000 — that’s 30,000 extra points just for using a different sign-up link. Even if you cancel after one year, you’ll come out ahead by roughly ¥90,000, which is why this card is known in Japan as a “churnable gold card.” AMEX Gold Preferred

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【JCB Card】Complete Guide | J-POINT Revolution, Card Comparison & Money-Saving Tips in Japan | Latest

May | ⏱ 2026-03-27 🔄 2026-07-07 | Leave a Comment

Key Takeaways:JCB cards in Japan just got a major shake-up with the J-POINT Revolution, merging Oki Doki points into the broader J-POINT ecosystem for easier earning and redemption. This guide breaks down which JCB card actually fits your lifestyle — from no-annual-fee options to premium travel cards — with honest comparisons and real money-saving tactics. If you’re navigating Japan’s card landscape as a resident or long-term visitor, this is worth bookmarking. 🔄 J-POINT Reward Revolution JCB Card Complete Guide Japan’s only international card brand — issued directly by JCBUp to 10% back at McDonald’s/Gusto × 2% at Amazon × No annual fee forever J-POINT Revolution: Oki Doki points fully upgraded to J-POINT in Jan 2026 — earn from every ¥200, up to 10% back at McDonald’s and more JCB Card W: Ages 18–39 only, no annual fee forever, 1.0% base cashback, even higher at Amazon/Starbucks/7-Eleven MyJCB Pay: Use J-POINT directly

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【JCB Card】Complete Guide | J-POINT Revolution, Card Comparison & Money-Saving Tips in Japan | Latest Read More

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【Mitsubishi UFJ Card】Complete Guide｜7% at Partner Stores・Up to 20% Back・Raku-Pay Trick・MUFG Ecosystem【Latest】

May | ⏱ 2026-03-24 🔄 2026-07-08 | Leave a Comment

Key Takeaways:The Mitsubishi UFJ Card punches well above its no-annual-fee class by offering 7% back at key partner stores and up to 20% cashback during campaigns. Stack it with the Raku-Pay trick and MUFG ecosystem tools to squeeze out serious rewards on everyday spending. If you’re already in the Mitsubishi UFJ banking world, this card is a no-brainer. Mitsubishi UFJ Card Complete GuideFree Forever × Up to 20% Back at Partner Stores Specs, cashback tips, Raku-Pay trick, SMBC comparison & MUFG ecosystem — all in one place 📌 Updated: March 2026 The Mitsubishi UFJ Card (三菱UFJカード) is a bank-issued credit card from Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS, part of Japan’s largest financial group MUFG. After massive upgrades in 2024–2025, it now stands alongside the SMBC Card (NL) as one of Japan’s two premier free-forever, high-cashback bank cards. This guide covers everything: basic specs, the points system, partner stores, how to use points

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【Mitsubishi UFJ Card】Complete Guide｜7% at Partner Stores・Up to 20% Back・Raku-Pay Trick・MUFG Ecosystem【Latest】 Read More

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【ONE BANK】 (formerly B/43) Complete Guide – Latest｜ AI Budgeting App + Visa Prepaid Card in Japan

May | ⏱ 2026-03-06 🔄 2026-07-07 | Leave a Comment

Key Takeaways:ONE BANK (formerly B/43) is a Visa prepaid card + AI budgeting app combo that auto-tracks every purchase in real-time — no manual entry needed. The March 2025 rebrand added an AI assistant called Wan-Ban that actually learns your habits and nudges you to save. If you’re trying to get your household budget under control in Japan, this is one of the most practical tools out there. Formerly B/43 → Rebranded March 2025 ONE BANK Complete Guide AI Budgeting × Visa Prepaid Card × Utility PaymentsThe all-in-one financial tool for household budget management in Japan What is ONE BANK? ONE BANK (formerly B/43) is an AI budgeting app combined with a Visa prepaid card, operated by SmartBank, Inc. Simply load your monthly budget onto the prepaid card and spend — all transactions are reflected in the app in real-time, automatically creating your expense tracker with zero manual entry. Rebranded

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【JRE CARD】Complete Guide | 3.5% Cashback at Station Buildings + Suica Commuter Pass

May | ⏱ 2026-02-27 🔄 2026-07-08 | Leave a Comment

Key Takeaways:JRE CARD is a ¥524/year credit card built for JR East commuters — you get 3.5% back at station shops like atre and LUMINE, 5% on Shinkansen eTickets, and Suica built right in. Pair it with JRE BANK and you can score up to 40% off Shinkansen fares. If you shop or commute through JR East stations regularly, this card basically pays for itself. 🚃 JR East View Card JRE CARD Complete Guide 3.5% Rewards at Station Buildings × Suica × Commuter PassThe best credit card for JR East commuters in Japan 📖 This guide is for you if… You regularly shop at atre, ecute, LUMINE and other JR station buildings You commute with Suica and want a combined credit card + commuter pass You want to maximize JRE POINT earnings and redemptions You’re comparing View Card options and unsure which to choose You want to unlock JRE BANK

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【Revolut】Complete Guide to Revolut in Japan: Sign Up, Save Money & Travel Smart

May | ⏱ 2026-02-27 🔄 2026-07-06 | Leave a Comment

Key Takeaways:Revolut is a global digital finance app that lets you exchange currencies, pay abroad, and send money internationally at a fraction of what traditional banks charge. The free Standard plan covers most users’ needs — no foreign transaction fees, ¥300,000/month in free currency exchange, and a Visa debit card that works worldwide. If you travel frequently or shop on international sites, this is one of the most practical financial tools available in Japan. Complete Guide to Revolut in Japan: Sign Up, Save Money & Travel Smart Revolut is a UK-based digital finance app used by over 70 million people worldwide. Since launching in Japan in 2020, it has become an essential tool for anyone who travels abroad, shops on international websites, or sends money overseas. With a single app, you can exchange currencies, send money internationally, pay with a Visa debit card, and withdraw local currency from ATMs around

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【IDARE】: 2% Annual Return Prepaid Card Strategy & Tips

May | ⏱ 2026-01-22 🔄 2026-07-07 | Leave a Comment

Key Takeaways:IDARE is a free Visa prepaid card in Japan that pays 2% annual return on your balance — 100x better than a typical Japanese bank account. It also charges zero foreign transaction fees, making it a serious contender for both everyday spending and international purchases. If you’re looking for a card that actually grows your money while you spend, IDARE is worth a hard look. 2% annual return on your balance, 0% foreign transaction fees—IDARE is redefining Japan’s prepaid card market. This Visa prepaid card operated by Japanese fintech company Fivot perfectly combines “savings” and “payments,” earning the #20 spot in Nikkei Trendy’s 2026 hit predictions. This comprehensive guide covers everything from basics to advanced strategies for using IDARE, point optimization, and hidden tips. What is IDARE? Why Should You Care? IDARE is a “prepaid card that earns money”—your card balance receives a 2% annual return, which is 100

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SMBC Card NL for Foreigners in Japan: Can You Get It?

May | ⏱ 2026-01-17 🔄 2026-07-07 | Leave a Comment

Key Takeaways:SMBC Card NL is a permanently free, numberless credit card that pays up to 20% cashback at convenience stores and major chains when you tap to pay. Stack a point site bonus (up to ¥15,000) on top of the official welcome campaign and you’re looking at ¥36,600+ in total value just for signing up. Foreigners living in Japan can apply too — and the card number shows up in the app within 10 seconds. 🎯 Earn up to ¥15,000 via Point Sites + Official Bonus 💳 SMBC Card NL Complete Guide Free Annual Fee Forever ・ Up to 20% Cashback at Convenience Stores ・ Instant Issuance in 10 Seconds 🎯 This Guide Is Perfect For Those who want a permanently free high-value credit card People who frequently shop at convenience stores, McDonald’s, Starbucks, etc. Smart consumers who want to earn extra rewards through point sites Those using or planning

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Rakuten Card Ribo Points Trick: A Foreigner’s Safe Guide

May | ⏱ 2026-01-10 🔄 2026-07-06 | Leave a Comment

Key Takeaways:Rakuten Card runs a biweekly ‘Ato-Ribo’ campaign where you can score 2,000–4,000 points just by temporarily converting purchases to revolving payments. The trick: repay immediately after enrolling so you pay virtually zero interest, turning a ‘scary’ ribo into a nearly free point harvest. Spend ¥70,000 (Rakuten Cash charges work great), repay fast, and pocket ~4,000 points with almost no cost. 💳 Rakuten Card “Ato-Ribo” Campaign Guide Earn 2,000-4,000 Rakuten Points with Almost Zero Interest! Rakuten Card runs a monthly “Ato-Ribo” (後からリボ払い) campaign where you can earn 2,000-4,000 Rakuten points simply by converting purchases to revolving payments. With the method explained in this guide, you can earn these points while paying almost zero interest! 📅 Current Campaign (January 2026) Campaign Period: January 9 (Fri) – January 22 (Thu), 2026 Requirement Reward Effective Rate Ato-Ribo ¥40,000+ 2,000 points 5.0% Ato-Ribo ¥70,000+ 4,000 points 5.71% ⚠️ You must set “Ribo Payment Course”

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