Credit Card Comparison Overview 2025 | The Best Credit Cards for Your Japan Adventure

Hey there, future Japan explorers! If you're gearing up for an unforgettable trip to the Land of the Rising Sun, you’ll want to get your finances in order. From exchanging currency to maximizing credit card rewards, and figuring out the best payment methods to securing travel insurance, every detail counts when it comes to stretching your travel budget. That’s why Kinnso has put together a fantastic guide featuring the top travel perks from different banks’ credit cards. Think airport lounge access and cashback on your international purchases. Plus, we break down the advantages and disadvantages of various payment options in Japan, so you can spend smart and save big on your Japanese adventure!

Card Highlights:

• Earn 6% Cash Back on Online Purchases
• Get 3% Cash Back on Spending in Japan
• No Annual Fees for Life
• No Fees on Overseas Transactions

Special Welcome Offers

• In the first 60 days, spend HK$8,000 online and receive up to 10% cash back (capped at HK$500)
• During the initial 60 days, earn up to HK$200 cash back on selected categories*
• *Selected categories include: "Octopus Automatic Top-Up" service, rent payments via Rentsmart, Reap, or Keychain Pay platforms, setting up recurring direct debits with merchants, and any purchases on the App Store or Google Play

Exclusive MoneyHero Offer - Get a HK$200 Wellcome Supermarket Voucher + HK$200 Cash Back! Click the link for more details (limited-time offer, check for the latest updates)

Credit Card Features

• Get up to 4% cashback when you shop at local online merchants or designated supermarkets.
• Enjoy 8% cashback on New Taiwan Dollar spending and 3.2% cashback when you spend in Japanese Yen or South Korean Won.
• Earn 2% cashback on all other foreign currency transactions.

• Receive HK$500 cashback when you spend HK$5,800 within the first 3 months.
• Get a HK$100 supermarket cash voucher by applying through the Fubon GO mobile app.

MoneyHero Exclusive Offer -

Submit your reward redemption form within 7 days of your card approval to claim these rewards, with no spending required:

- HK$700 Apple Gift Card / HK$700 Wellcome cash voucher; or
- Delsey Eclipse SE 27" Expandable 4-Wheel Luggage (valued at HK$3,680; color may vary); or
- Sudio Femtio Wireless Speaker (valued at HK$999; color may vary)

(This is a limited-time offer, so keep an eye out for the latest updates)

【Click here to apply】Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card

Credit Card Features

• No annual fee for life
• Enjoy a 5% cashback* when you shop at stores like HKTVmall, Watsons, and ParknShop
• Shop abroad with no foreign transaction fees and earn 0.55% cashback on those purchases
• Take advantage of unlimited, interest-free installments for up to 3 months

*During the promo period, the 5% cashback at selected merchants is capped at HK$3,000, which translates to a spending limit of HK$60,000. This promotion runs until December 31, 2024.
#The 5% cashback includes an extra 3% cashback, capped at HK$300.

Exclusive Welcome Offer
- Spend HK$4,000 within the first month of getting your card, and choose between:
1/ A HK$1,200 cash rebate; or
2/ Two vouchers for Plaza Premium First in Hong Kong

MoneyHero Exclusive Offer - Submit the reward redemption form through our site within 7 days of your card's approval, and get an HK$800 Apple Gift Card / Trip.com voucher / Wellcome supermarket voucher / HKTVmall e-gift voucher without any spending required. Combine this with the credit card welcome offer, and you've got yourself a fantastic deal! (Limited-time offer, so keep an eye out for the latest updates)

Get ready to elevate your travel experience with the Xinyin Motion Credit Card! This card kicks off with a bang, offering up to 10% cashback on both local and international purchases during the welcome period. And if you're shopping online in foreign currency, that cashback can soar to an impressive 16%!

Credit Card Features

• Enjoy up to 6% cashback on your online shopping and dining (monthly cashback cap of HK$200)
• First year, no annual fee

Welcome Offers (Choose one of the following):

• Get 10% cashback on foreign currency transactions for the first three months (up to HK$1,000)
• Spend HK$6,000 in the first three months and earn HK$600 cashback

Exclusive MoneyHero Offer - Submit the prize redemption form within 7 days of card approval through our website, and snag an HK$800 Apple Gift Card / Trip.com cash voucher / Wellcome supermarket gift voucher / HKTVmall electronic shopping voucher without any purchase required. Stack this with the credit card welcome offer for even more perks! (Limited time offer, so keep an eye out for updates)

Credit Card Features

• Get a sweet 2% cashback on everything you buy, whether it's dining, online shopping, or transactions in local and foreign currencies.
• Convenient "QR Code Payment" feature available through the OmyCard mobile app.
• Enjoy a 100 RMB discount on purchases over 1,000 RMB at Sam's Club locations in Shenzhen or Zhuhai.

• Spend HK$9,800 and take home an OTO GoGo Massage Chair 2.0 (VN-05).
• Spend HK$8,500 and choose between a German Treasure WiFi Smart UVC Air Purifier and Humidifying Fan Heater (EFB-426HM-SC) or get HK$500 cashback.
• Full-time students: Spend HK$2,000 to receive HK$200 cashback.
• Benefit from an interest-free and fee-free cash installment plan of up to HK$90,000.

【Click here to apply】Bank of China Chill Card

Credit Card Features

• Enjoy a fantastic 10% cash back when you spend at cinemas, Netflix, UNIQLO, and other select merchants
• Get 5% cash back on all your online and overseas transactions
• No annual fee ever – it's waived for life!

• Spend HK$5,000 within the issuing month and the next two calendar months to get HK$500 cash back

Even though a lot of places in Japan take credit cards, you'll find that some still want the actual card for payments! MoneyHero suggests keeping a physical credit card on you, as not every spot is set up for contactless payments or mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Besides credit cards, Japan has other electronic payment options too, such as Suica or Pasmo, which are accepted at certain merchants for e-wallet payments.