The first time I visited Japan, well over a decade ago at this point, the question wasn’t which credit card to use. It was whether I would be able to use a credit card at all! The answer was often “no.”
Thankfully, credit card acceptance has greatly improved in Japan, to the extent that I probably tap or insert to pay for more than than I do with cash these days. Then, of course, there’s the issue of transportation IC cards (and their digital equivalents), though we’ll talk more about those in a second.
For now, however, I’ll start moving into meat of this article. Namely, the best credit cards for Japan if you’re looking to maximize miles and points earning.
Japan Can Be a Credit Card Points Gold Mine—or a Land Mine
I know a thing or two about earning credit card rewards in Japan, given the amount of time I spend here. Conservatively, I’d say that at least a simple majority of the points I rack up every year come from spending in Japan, be that on dining, Shinkansen tickets or hotel stays. This is not just due to the volume of yen I spend, however—I’m mindful (and maybe even obsessed with) the way I structure my purchases when I’m here.
On the other hand, mindlessly swiping, inserting or tapping your card throughout Japan can leave a lot of rewards on the table—I also know this from personal experience. For years, I paid for basically everything with my Amex Platinum card, which in spite of its solid metal construction is a pretty terrible card to use for everyday spend. Let’s dive into the details of which cards you should use in Japan, however, shall we?
Top Credit Cards for Earning Points in Japan
The Atmos Rewards Visa Summit Card
The good news? The Atmos Rewards Visa Summit Card offers 3x points on all foreign spending, which can increase as high as 3.3x, depending upon your relationship with Bank of America (which issues the card). The (potentially) bad news? Unlike the other cards I’ll be listing here, this is a co-branded airline credit card, with miles that can only be used via the Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards program (which, admittedly, has some very good partners).
The Gold Card by American Express
If you want to earn transferrable points using credit cards in Japan, my first recommendation is the Gold Card by American Express. As is the case in the US, this card earns 4x points on dining in restaurants, which can add up quickly in Japan. AMEX Membership Rewards points are of course one of the most valuable points currencies in the world, and can be transferred to over a dozen travel partners.
The Green Card by American Express
Another way to earn AMEX Membership Rewards in Japan? Use the Green Card By American Express to pay for transit-related expenses, including Shinkansen tickets and recharges of your mobile PASMO or Suica. This card earns 3x points for these and other transit charges, which like the dining from Gold can really add up.
TIP: Although I don’t recommend it for general spending in Japan, the Platinum Card by American Express remains your best bet for purchasing domestic flights within Japan, earning 5x points on them.
Citi Strata Elite Card
Whether you aren’t an Amex person or prefer to earn Citi ThankYou credit card points in Japan, the Citi Strata Elite Card is a fabulous card for travel here. It earns 1.5x points on every purchase you make when in Japan. Plus, if you pre-book your hotels in Japan via the Citi Travel portal, you can earn up up to 12x points—which, even if you only spend $1,000 on your Japanese hotels, is a pretty big chunk of transferrable travel change!
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card isn’t a catch-all card for amazing earnings in Japan. However, since it earns 2x on all travel expenses, and between 3-5x points on prepaid charges through the Chase Travel portal, strategic spenders can rack up a lot of miles in relation to their Japan trip, even if they don’t make most of it on the ground. Notably, I don’t think that the Chase Sapphire Reserve (which has a much higher annual fee) is a materially better option for a Japan trip.
Should You Use Credit Card Points to Book Flights to Japan?
In theory, flights to Japan are the ideal use for miles and points—especially in first and business class. Cash prices for Japan-bound tickets tend to be relatively high, while mileage redemption rates are much more humane given the length of flights. This is an especially sweet spot if you can book JAL or ANA in business (or, especially, first) class, which kicks off your trip to Japan before you’ve even departed your home country.
Of course, thousands of people use (or, at least, try to use) credit card points to book flights to Japan, which makes reward seats (particularly in premium classes) extremely competitive, to say the least. Now, if you’re flexible (and especially if you use a tool like Seats.Aero), you can maximize your chances—you’ll get a seat often, if not always. But I also think a reality check is important to avoid disappointment.
Other FAQ About Using Credit Cards in Japan
Can you pay with a credit card in Japan?
As of 2026, you can now use a credit card to pay for the majority of purchases, at least in big cities and major tourist destinations. With this being said, it’s important to carry some cash, as small merchants and local accommodations are often cash-only establishments.
Which credit cards earn the most points in Japan?
Your best bet for maximizing credit cards points in Japan is a card that earns multiple points for each dollar spent. As of 2026, these include the Atmos Rewards Visa Summit Card (which earns Alaska Airlines Atmos points) and the Citi Strata Elite Card, whose points you can transfer to several airline programs.
How can I earn credit card points during my trip to Japan?
Broadly speaking, there are two strategies for maximizing credit card rewards points. First, use a lucrative card (i.e. one that earns multiple points per dollar) for general spending. Secondly, use cards that generate even higher rewards for certain sorts of spending, such as using your American Express Gold card to earn 4x points at restaurants.
The Bottom Line
Many of the best credit cards for Japan aren’t surprising. Cards such as the Atmos Rewards Summit and Citi Strata Elite, which earn multiple points per dollar spent on every purchase regardless of category, are obviously great catch-all options, though the Gold and Green cards from American Express show their value with bonuses for dining and transit. No matter which card you choose for Japanese, make sure it’s one that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee—this can eat up almost all your miles and points earning. Need personalized help planning your trip to Japan, or deciding which first or business class flight is most attainable for you? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
