How to Use Points Cards in Japan: The Ultimate Guide

When shopping in Japan, you’ve probably been asked, “Pointo kaado wa omochi desu ka?” If you’re like me, you’ve probably shaken your head, said iie (いいえ), and continued with your payment.

The clerk is asking, “Do you have a point card?” And if you don’t have one, you’re missing out on potential rewards anytime you spend money.

Googling “point cards in Japan” will result in various cards you can sign up for, each with its advantages. But which one of them is the best? Today we’re tackling the fun world of point cards in Japan to answer that question.

What is a point card in Japan?

Common physical point cards that Japanese people use 

A point card in Japan, pronounced as "pointo kaado" (ポイントカード), is part of the Japanese shopping experience where you can earn points and use them for future purchases. Think of it like a cashback system.

For example, you can earn 1 point for every 100 yen. Once you’ve gathered enough points, you can use these points on your next purchase. Many of these point card systems have campaigns where you can earn double or redeem points for a discounted price.

Additionally, many of these point card brands allow you to earn and use points at most any convenience store (conbini), restaurant, bookstore, drugstore, shopping mall, grocery store, and even flight miles. However, the specific businesses where you can use them will depend on the point card itself.

If you are staying in Japan as a resident, then it’s a good idea to get one of the following point cards.

The most common Japanese points cards to have

1. Rakuten point card

Rakuten point card on the app

Rakuten is a huge company in Japan that also offers a point card.

With over 700 stores and counting, there seems to be no limit to earning Rakuten points. The most popular stores include Rakuten, McDonald’s, Sukiya, Yoshinoya, Family Mart, and so much more.

Obtaining a Rakuten Point card is simple. If you want to use their app, you can download it on your phone and register as a new member. Once everything is confirmed, you’re ready to use the app as your point card. 

If you want a physical card, you can go into a Rakuten or partner shop to sign up. 

Overall features:

• Conversion: ¥100 = 1 point 

• Redemption: 1 point = ¥1

• Physical card fee: free

• Point expiration: within 1 year

2. dPoint card

dPoint club’s physical point card

Despite starting in December 2015, dPoints is popular because of the amount of coupons and specials that are being offered. While Docomo is a mobile phone operator, you don't need to be a Docomo user to use this point card.

You can earn and use dPoints in hundreds of stores such as online shopping, drug stores, supermarkets, transportation, restaurants, etc.

There are two ways to sign up: Download the app, sign up, and use the point card on your phone. Or you can pick up a physical d-Point card and sign up at a Docomo shop.

Overall features:

• Conversion: ¥100 = 1 point

• Redemption: 1 point = ¥1 

• Physical card fee: free

• Point expiration: within 2 years

3. Nanaco point card

A physical Nanaco card

You’ve probably seen this cute colorful giraffe if you’ve shopped at 7-Eleven in Japan. This mascot represents the Nanaco card.

The Nanaco card acts as a prepaid cash card that also has a point card system. This card is extremely useful if you shop at Seven&i Group stores such as 7-Eleven or Ito Yokado, a Japanese grocery and department store. But you can also use them at 200 other businesses in entertainment, food, cosmetics, and other sectors. 

Most people apply in a Seven&i Holding store and pay the card fee to get a Nanaco card, but there’s also a mobile version where there is no card fee.

Overall features

• Conversion: ¥100 = 1 point

• Redemption: 1 point = ¥1

• Physical card fee: ¥300

• Point expiration: at the end of March 2 years when points are earned. For example, points earned in November 2023, will expire on March 31, 2025.

4. Ponta point card

Original physical Ponta point card design 

The Ponta card is a point card for all Lawson stores in Japan with additional bonus discounts, but the card can be used at almost 200 other stores such as HotPepper Beauty, Apollo Station, and AU.

It's easy to register and obtain a Ponta card. You download the app, create a new account, and present the barcode to the staff to earn points. If you want a physical card, you can visit Ponta’s partner company to pick up and register the card with your account. 

Overall features:

• Conversion: ¥100 = 1 point

• Redemption: 1 point = ¥1

• Physical card fee: free

• Point expiration: 1 year if the card is not being used. 

5. V-Point card (formerly T-point)

T-point card on your phone

The T-Point card merged with Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group's V-Point program on April 22, 2024, and the unified system now operates under the V-Point name. If you have an existing T-Card, it continues to work as a V-Point card, no replacement is needed.

V-Points can be earned and used at approximately 160,000 partner stores nationwide, including FamilyMart, Welcia, Tsutaya, ENEOS, Yoshinoya, and Gusto. The merger also significantly expanded the card's financial use cases: V-Points can now be used at Visa merchants worldwide when linked to a Sumitomo Mitsui Card, making it one of the most versatile point systems in Japan.

Overall features:

• Conversion: ¥100 = 1 point (varies by store)

• Redemption: 1 point = ¥1

• Physical card fee: free

• Point expiration: within 1 year of last use

6. WAON POINT card (by AEON)

Physical ​​WAON POINT card

This point card is distributed by AEON, a major corporate group that has stores and malls that have clothing, fashion, restaurants, household goods, and groceries. 

With the WAON POINT card, you can earn and use the points at AEON as well as in other stores such as MaxValu, Mini Stop, My Basket, etc. Whenever you use your WAON card, you will hear a “WAON” sound meaning your payment is complete.

Just know that it is similar to a prepaid cash card where you need to insert money to use it. To apply, you can download and register on the app to start using it. Or you can go to any AEON store to obtain a physical card for 300 yen.

Overall features:

• Conversion: 200 yen = 1 point

• Redemption: 1 point = 1 yen

• Physical card fee:  300 yen

• Point expiration: within 1 year

7. PayPay points

PayPay is Japan's most widely used QR code payment app, and its points system has become one of the country's most popular loyalty programs. Unlike the other cards on this list, PayPay Points are earned primarily through the PayPay payment app rather than a physical or digital loyalty card.

You earn PayPay Points on most purchases made through the app, with the base rate at 0.5% for standard users. However, PayPay regularly runs regional and national campaigns offering 10–20% cashback at participating stores, making it one of the highest-earning programs available for active users. Points can be used like cash for future PayPay purchases.

Overall features:

• Conversion: 0.5% standard (higher during campaigns)

• Redemption: 1 point = ¥1

• App fee: free

• Point expiration: no expiration date

👉Read our guide on PayPay for business transactions here.

Which Japanese point card should I get?

If there is a specific store or restaurant that you frequently shop at, consider using their point card system.

While many people would suggest having two or three different point cards, it will be hard to accumulate points that way. Having one point card will help you track, earn, and use points more easily.

Additionally, many of these point cards have overlapping locations, specifically in restaurants. Just remember to use your points before they expire. Some points have an expiry date depending on the point card system you’re using. 

Poi-katsu and double-dipping: how to get more from your point cards

If you spend any time around Japanese point card enthusiasts, you will eventually hear the word poi-katsu (ポイ活). It combines "point" with "katsu," a suffix used to describe an active pursuit of something, and refers to the practice of actively maximizing point earnings in everyday life. Think of it as treating your points like a second income rather than a pleasant bonus.

Poi-katsu has grown into a genuine subculture in Japan. According to the loyalty point market research firm Yano Research Institute, Japan's loyalty point service market is projected to reach 3.28 trillion yen by 2028.

Social media accounts dedicated entirely to point maximization strategies have hundreds of thousands of followers, and some dedicated practitioners report earning over one million yen worth of points per year through careful planning.

You do not need to go to that extreme to benefit from poi-katsu thinking. Even applying a few basic habits will meaningfully increase what you earn over the course of a year.

Double-dipping (二重取り, niju-dori)

The most accessible poi-katsu technique is called niju-dori, which literally means "taking twice." Most shoppers in Japan either present a point card or pay with a cashless method that earns rewards. The key insight behind niju-dori is that you can do both at the same time and earn points from two separate sources on a single purchase.

Here is how it works in practice at a typical convenience store visit:

Step 1.

Present your point card app before paying. Show your Ponta, dPoint, or V-Point barcode on your phone. The cashier scans it. You earn roughly 0.5% to 1% back in loyalty points just for this step.

Step 2.

Pay with a cashless method linked to its own rewards program. Paying with a credit card or a linked mobile payment app like Rakuten Pay or d Barai earns you an additional 0.5% to 1.5% back on top of step 1.

The total return on a single purchase through niju-dori is typically between 1.5% and 2.5%, compared to the 0% you earn paying with cash alone. Over a full year of daily convenience store and supermarket spending, this adds up to tens of thousands of yen in redeemable rewards without spending any extra money.

Triple-dipping (三重取り, sanju-dori)

Some experienced poi-katsu practitioners go a step further with sanju-dori, earning rewards from three sources simultaneously. A common setup involves:

Presenting a point card app to earn loyalty points, then paying with a QR code app like Rakuten Pay to earn payment app points, then having that QR code app funded by a credit card that also earns its own rewards.

For example, if you charge your Rakuten Pay balance using a Rakuten Card (earning 0.5% back), then pay with Rakuten Pay at a store (earning 1% back), and show your Rakuten Point Card before paying (earning another 1% back), you can earn roughly 2.5% or more on a single transaction. The exact rates and rules for stacking change frequently with campaigns, so it is worth checking the current terms of your chosen apps before relying on a specific combination.

Practical tips for getting started with poi-katsu

The most common mistake is trying to use too many different point systems at once. Points spread across six cards accumulate slowly and expire before you use them. The more effective approach is to pick one point ecosystem that matches your existing habits and focus your spending there.

If you shop regularly at Lawson, Ponta is your anchor card. If you use Docomo for your phone, build around dPoint. If you do a lot of online shopping, Rakuten Points earn across the widest range of partner stores and the SPU multiplier program rewards you for using multiple Rakuten services together.

Once you have chosen your main card, download its app rather than carrying a physical card. App-based barcodes scan faster at the register, never get left at home, and give you instant visibility into your balance and expiration dates.

How do you get a point card in Japan?

There are two ways to get a Japanese point card.

The easiest way is to download the app and register online. Once that is done, you can pull up the barcode to be scanned to earn or use points. While you won’t get a physical card, this method requires little to no Japanese skills.

If you want a physical card, you can go into any store that uses a point system and the staff will help you from there. Don’t worry about the language barrier as many staff will use simple Japanese or basic English to help you fill out the application. 

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular point card in Japan?

Rakuten Points is the most widely used loyalty program in Japan. According to a 2024 survey, approximately 59.3% of Japanese consumers actively use Rakuten Points, making it the dominant point system in the country. Its popularity is driven by the breadth of partner stores, the Rakuten Pay integration, and the SPU (Super Point Up) multiplier program that rewards users who use multiple Rakuten services.

Do point cards in Japan expire?

Yes, most Japanese point cards have expiration rules, though they vary by program. Rakuten regular points expire one year from the last earning date. dPoints expire after two years. Ponta points expire after one year of inactivity. Nanaco points expire at the end of March, two years after they were earned. WAON points expire after one year. PayPay Points are one of the few programs with no expiration date.

Can tourists use point cards in Japan?

Some point cards are accessible to tourists, but many require a Japanese phone number or address to register. Nanaco and WAON can be picked up and loaded with cash at convenience stores or AEON stores without registration, making them the most accessible options for short-term visitors. Rakuten and dPoint registration typically requires a Japanese phone number, which limits their usefulness for tourists on short stays.

Is it worth getting a point card in Japan?

Yes, particularly for residents. The standard earn rate of 1% (¥100 = 1 point, redeemable at ¥1 each) means you are effectively getting 1% back on everything you buy at partner stores. During campaign periods, rates can reach 3–10x, significantly increasing the value. For frequent shoppers at a specific chain — Lawson for Ponta, 7-Eleven for Nanaco, AEON for WAON — a single card can accumulate thousands of yen in redeemable points over a year.

What happened to the T-Point card in Japan?

T-Point merged with Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group's V-Point program on April 22, 2024, and the combined system now operates under the V-Point name. Existing T-Cards continue to function as V-Point cards and do not need to be replaced. The merger expanded the program's usability to approximately 160,000 partner stores and added Visa merchant functionality worldwide.

To conclude

Living in Japan can be expensive, but with point cards everywhere, it's easy to save. Just remember to present your card to be scanned when you’re at the cashier.

Also, remember to check how many points you have every now and then. That way you’ll know how much you’ve earned, which could cover your next grocery bill or a nice meal out.