Setting Up Apple Pay and Google Pay in Japan: A How-To Guide

Apple Pay and Google Pay make life in Japan much easier, especially for trains, buses, and everyday shopping. This guide shows you, step by step, how to set them up in Japan, which phones and cards work, and how to avoid common problems.

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Table of Contents

Why use Apple Pay and Google Pay in Japan?

Japan is famous for cash, but in daily life you will see contactless payments everywhere: trains, convenience stores, vending machines, taxis, cafés, and supermarkets.

Setting Up Apple Pay and Google Pay in Japan: A How-To Guide

Modern iPhones and Android phones can act as:

Transit cards like Suica, PASMO, and ICOCA
E-money cards like iD and QUICPay
Contactless credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express – depending on your bank and device)

Once you set up Apple Pay or Google Pay, you can usually travel and shop with just your phone or watch. This is very helpful if you are new to Japan and still learning how to handle cash, ATMs, and local bank cards.

If you are still choosing a bank, you may also want to read our guide to best banks in Japan for foreigners.

How mobile payments work in Japan

Before the step-by-step setup, it helps to understand some basic terms you will see all the time.

FeliCa, iD, QUICPay, Suica – what do these words mean?

Japan uses a contactless technology called FeliCa for many local systems. On top of this, you have several “brands”:

Transit IC cards: Suica, PASMO, ICOCA and others – used for trains, buses, and also in shops.
E-money brands: iD, QUICPay, WAON, nanaco – often linked to a credit or prepaid card.
Contactless credit cards: Visa contactless (Visa Touch), Mastercard contactless (Tap & Go), etc.

At the cashier, you usually say the brand name, not “Apple Pay” or “Google Pay”. For example:

“Suica onegaishimasu” (if you are paying with your Suica in Wallet / Google Wallet)
“QUICPay de” or “iD de” (if your card is set to those brands)

If you want a deeper dive into everyday digital payments, check our article on cashless payment options in Japan.

Apple Pay in Japan – requirements

Supported devices

According to Apple, you can use Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA in Wallet to ride transit and pay in stores with Apple Pay on:

iPhone 8 or later
Apple Watch Series 3 or later

For regular Apple Pay with credit cards (QUICPay/iD, contactless Visa/Mastercard etc.), you can use iPhone 7 and later or Apple Watch Series 2 and later.

Your phone should be running the latest iOS for best support.

Supported cards and payment networks

Apple Pay in Japan supports many local and international cards. In general:

Japanese JCB, Mastercard, and American Express cards work in stores, in apps, and on the web via Apple Pay.
Japanese Visa cards can be used in apps and on the web, and Apple recently dropped its old requirement that Japanese cards must support both EMV and FeliCa, which lets more Visa cards join Apple Pay.
Many Japanese cards use iD or QUICPay as their tap-to-pay brand.

Apple keeps an official list of supported banks and card issuers in each country, updated regularly.

If you are just opening an account, check our how to open a bank account in Japan guide to choose a card that works well with Apple Pay.

Region settings and Apple ID

In the past, some users thought they must change the iPhone region to “Japan” to use Suica. A recent detailed explanation shows that you do not need to change your region to add Suica or other transit cards, as long as your device and account are supported.

In practice:

Make sure your Apple ID is working and the App Store is available.
For Japanese credit cards, you usually need a Japanese billing address.
Travelers can still use many foreign cards, but acceptance may vary by store and card brand.

Google Pay / Google Wallet in Japan – requirements

Google now uses Google Wallet as the core app for contactless payments on Android. In Japan, Wallet can store:

QUICPay and iD cards
Visa Touch and Mastercard Tap & Go
Suica and PASMO (on compatible devices)

Supported Android devices

To use payment cards in Japan with Google Wallet you need:

An Android device with Android 9 or higher, and
A device that supports Osaifu-Keitai (the Japanese FeliCa wallet standard) for e-money, QUICPay, iD, Suica, and PASMO.

Google explains that to use e-money, QUICPay, and iD, your device must support Osaifu-Keitai. Community support threads also note that only devices sold for the Japanese market usually have full Suica/PASMO support.

For watches:

Pixel Watch and Galaxy Watch 6 and later models purchased in Japan can use Suica, PASMO, QUICPay, iD, Visa contactless, and Mastercard contactless with Google Wallet.

Supported cards

Google’s documentation for Japan mentions these categories:

Prepaid, debit, or credit cards via QUICPay or iD
Visa Touch (Visa contactless)
Mastercard Tap & Go

Many of these are Japanese-issued cards from major banks and card companies. Support for foreign cards is more limited, so check with your card issuer and the latest Google Wallet help page for Japan.

If you are also researching mobile services, see our article on cheap mobile plans in Japan for foreigners – some carriers bundle phones that fully support Osaifu-Keitai.

Quick comparison: Apple Pay vs Google Pay in Japan

Here is a simple comparison of how Apple Pay and Google Pay / Wallet work in Japan today.

Feature	Apple Pay in Japan	Google Pay / Wallet in Japan
Main devices	iPhone 8+ and Apple Watch for Suica/PASMO/ICOCA; iPhone 7+ for card payments	Android phones with Android 9+ and Osaifu-Keitai support; Pixel and Galaxy watches sold in Japan
Transit cards	Suica, PASMO, ICOCA in Wallet	Suica and PASMO in Google Wallet (Japan only)
E-money brands	Suica/PASMO/ICOCA, iD, QUICPay, WAON, nanaco (via supported cards)	Suica, PASMO, QUICPay, iD (on compatible phones/watches)
Contactless credit	JCB, Mastercard, Amex widely; growing support for Visa contactless after Apple relaxed FeliCa rule	Visa Touch and Mastercard Tap & Go supported for certain Japanese issuers
Best use case	Very strong for transit + everyday payments; easy Express Transit for Suica	Very strong if you have a Japan-market Osaifu-Keitai phone or Pixel/Galaxy watch sold in Japan

You can happily live in Japan using either one. Many long-term residents even set up both for flexibility.

How to set up Apple Pay in Japan

1. Prepare your iPhone or Apple Watch

Update to the latest iOS / watchOS.
Sign in with your Apple ID.
Turn on Face ID / Touch ID and a passcode.
Check that Wallet and Apple Pay are available in Settings.

2. Add a credit or debit card to Apple Wallet

Open the Wallet app.
Tap the Add button (+).
Choose Debit or Credit Card.
Scan your physical card or enter the details manually.
Follow any extra steps from your bank (SMS code, app confirmation, etc.).

This will let you use your phone or watch where the terminal shows your card’s logo or the iD/QUICPay logo, depending on how your bank connects to Apple Pay.

3. Add Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA to Apple Wallet

Apple explains that you can add Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA directly in Wallet on supported devices.

Basic steps (Suica example):

Open Wallet and tap Add (+).
Choose Transit Card (or the section that lists Suica, PASMO, ICOCA).
Select Suica.
Choose Create New Card or Transfer from Existing Card.
For a new card, select an initial amount (for example 1,000 or 2,000 yen).
Pay with a card already in Apple Pay, or add a card to fund it.

Guides from JR East and several travel sites confirm that once Suica is in Wallet, you can use it for trains, buses, and many shops across Japan.

You can do the same for PASMO or ICOCA if you live in areas where those are more common.

4. Turn on Express Transit

Express Transit lets you tap in and out of gates without using Face ID or Touch ID.

Open Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay.
Tap Express Transit Card.
Choose your Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA card.

Now you can simply hold the top of your iPhone or your Apple Watch near the ticket gate. No need to wake the device.

5. Using Apple Pay in daily life

At the station:

Just walk up to the gate and tap your iPhone or Apple Watch at the reader.

At shops, cafés, and vending machines:

Tell the staff which brand you want to use:
- “Suica”, “PASMO”, “iD”, or “QUICPay”
Hold the top of your iPhone or the display of your Apple Watch over the reader.

For online purchases and apps, choose Apple Pay at checkout and follow the prompts.

6. Moving your Suica/PASMO/ICOCA to a new iPhone

When you upgrade your phone:

On the new iPhone, open Wallet and tap Add (+).
Tap Previous Cards.
Select your Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA from the list.
Follow the on-screen steps to move the card.

The balance is stored on Apple’s servers, so you can safely move it even if you lost the physical card.

How to set up Google Pay / Google Wallet in Japan

1. Check your Android phone

Make sure your phone:

Runs Android 9 or higher.
Has NFC turned on.
Is Osaifu-Keitai compatible if you want to use Suica, PASMO, QUICPay, or iD.

Phones sold in Japan by major carriers usually have this. Imported phones often do not support Osaifu-Keitai, so they may be limited to simple Visa/Mastercard contactless at best.

2. Install and open Google Wallet

Download Google Wallet from the Play Store if it is not already installed.
Sign in with your Google account.
Add a screen lock (PIN, pattern, or fingerprint).

3. Add a card for QUICPay, iD, or contactless

Google’s help page for Japan lists these card types:

Prepaid, debit, or credit cards for QUICPay or iD
Visa Touch (Visa contactless)
Mastercard Tap & Go

To add one:

In Google Wallet, tap Add to Wallet.
Choose Payment card.
Either scan your physical card or type the information.
Follow your bank’s activation steps.

For QUICPay/iD cards and e-money, Google notes that you need an Android device with Osaifu-Keitai support.

4. Add Suica or PASMO to Google Wallet

On supported devices in Japan, you can add Suica and PASMO directly in Google Wallet:

Open Google Wallet.
Tap Add to Wallet → Transit card or e-money.
Choose Suica or PASMO.
Select Create new card or Transfer from plastic (for some card types).
Choose how much money to add.
Pay with a card already in Wallet or another supported method.

For watches sold in Japan (Pixel Watch, Galaxy Watch 6 and newer), you can also add Suica and PASMO directly on the watch.

5. Paying in stores and on transit with Google Pay

On trains and buses:

Hold the back of your phone (or your watch) to the ticket gate reader, just like a plastic IC card.

In shops, cafés, and vending machines:

Tell the staff which method you want to use: “Suica”, “PASMO”, “QUICPay”, or “iD”.
Unlock your phone and hold it over the reader until you feel a vibration or see confirmation.

For web and in-app purchases, select Google Pay or your stored card at checkout and follow the instructions.

Everyday tips for using Apple Pay and Google Pay in Japan

Where can you use them?

Based on current information, you can generally use mobile payments at:

Train, subway, and bus networks that accept Suica/PASMO/ICOCA
Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, etc.)
Supermarkets and drugstores
Vending machines that show Suica/PASMO or e-money logos
Chain cafés and fast-food restaurants
Many taxis in large cities

In more rural areas, some small shops still prefer cash, so it is smart to carry a little cash as backup. For general budgeting help, see our cost of living in Japan for international students article.

Keep your main transit card in one device

Transit cards like Suica and PASMO can usually be active on only one device at a time. If you move them to a new phone or watch, they disappear from the old one.

Choose one main device (for example your iPhone) for Express Transit to avoid confusion at the gates.

Battery and low power tips

On iPhone, Suica/PASMO/ICOCA in Express Transit mode can work for a short time even when the battery is almost empty.
On Android, you usually need some battery left to power NFC and Osaifu-Keitai.

Still, it is safer to charge your phone before long trips or carry a small power bank.

Common problems and how to fix them

“My phone is from overseas and I cannot add Suica or PASMO on Google Wallet”

Google Wallet community answers explain that only devices sold in Japan usually support the full Osaifu-Keitai feature set needed for Suica and PASMO. Some non-Japanese Pixel models are technically capable but blocked in software.

If your imported Android phone does not show Suica or PASMO in Wallet:

You can still often use Visa or Mastercard contactless (if supported), but
You may need to buy a cheap Japanese Android phone or a Japanese-market watch to enjoy full transit integration.

“My Visa card works in apps but not for tap-to-pay on Apple Pay”

Historically, many Japanese Visa cards were limited to in-app and online Apple Pay, not contactless in stores. Apple has now dropped its strict FeliCa requirement and issuers are slowly enabling more Visa cards for contactless Apple Pay in Japan.

If your Visa card does not work for tap payments:

Check your bank’s information page about Apple Pay.
Consider using a Mastercard, JCB, or Amex card instead for store payments, or a Suica/PASMO balance funded via Apple Pay.

“My Suica balance disappeared when I changed iPhones”

Normally, your Suica (or PASMO/ICOCA) balance is linked to your Apple ID and can be restored when you transfer cards using Previous Cards in Wallet.

If you skipped this step:

Log into the same Apple ID on your new iPhone.
Open Wallet → Add (+) → Previous Cards and see if your transit cards are listed.
If you still do not see them, contact JR East or the relevant transit company with your card details.

“The terminal did not read my phone”

Try these troubleshooting steps:

Make sure NFC is turned on (Android).
Hold the correct part of the phone over the reader (top of iPhone, back of many Android phones).
Check that the right card is set as default or as Express Transit (for Apple Pay).

If problems continue, ask staff which brands they support. Some terminals only accept certain combinations (for example, Suica and iD but not Visa contactless).

Frequently asked questions

Is Apple Pay or Google Pay better in Japan?

Both work very well if you have the right device:

Apple Pay is excellent for Suica/PASMO/ICOCA + iD/QUICPay, especially on iPhone and Apple Watch.
Google Wallet is great if you own a Japan-market Android phone or Pixel/Galaxy watch sold in Japan, with full Suica/PASMO, QUICPay, and iD support.

Choose based on which phone you already use and whether it supports Osaifu-Keitai.

Can tourists use Apple Pay and Google Pay for trains in Japan?

Yes, if your device and region are supported:

Many tourists now use digital Suica in Apple Wallet for all their train rides.
For Google Wallet, a Japan-market phone is usually needed for Suica/PASMO, so many tourists rely on Apple Pay or a physical IC card instead.

Do I still need a Japanese bank account?

You can set up Apple Pay or Google Pay with some foreign cards, but:

Having a Japanese bank card makes it much easier to top up transit cards and use all features.
Some services and online shops prefer local cards.

For everyday life, it is usually worth opening a Japanese account. See our step-by-step how to open a bank account in Japan and sending money from Japan overseas guides.

Final advice

Setting up Apple Pay and Google Pay in Japan may feel a little technical at first, because of terms like Suica, PASMO, iD, QUICPay, and Osaifu-Keitai. But once you complete the first setup, your daily life becomes much smoother:

No more hunting for ticket machines.
Faster checkout at convenience stores and supermarkets.
Less cash to carry, and easy digital records of your spending.

Take it one step at a time, keep this guide open while you set things up, and soon your phone or watch will be your main wallet in Japan.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.

✅ Before You Go: Japan Essentials Checklist

Did you sort out the basics? Make sure you're ready for your new life in Japan.