[PR] The Credit Card That Actually Approved Me as a Foreign Engineer in Japan — Epos Card
This page contains a PR (advertisement). I'm a participant in the Epos Card affiliate program.
──────────────────────
Getting a credit card as a foreigner in Japan is a bigger wall than people expect. I applied to other cards and got rejected — no explanation, just a flat "not approved." It's genuinely discouraging when you're already dealing with everything else that comes with moving to a new country.
The card that actually worked for me was Epos Card.
──────────────────────
Why Epos Card
Epos is issued by Marui, and their in-store staff are used to handling applications from foreign residents. You can apply online, but you can also walk into a Marui store and get help in person — that in-person option is what made the difference for me.
What you need before applying
- A residence card with enough time left on it
- A Japanese address
- A Japanese bank account
- A Japanese phone contract
If any of these are missing, that's usually the real reason an application gets rejected — not nationality. Worth double-checking before you apply.
No annual fee, ever
Epos has zero annual fee, permanently. No spending threshold to keep it free, no first-year-free trick that turns into a charge later.
Points rate
The base rate is 1 point per ¥200 spent (about 0.5% back). It's not the highest rate out there, but Epos also runs "Marui to Maruo no 7-Day Sale" four times a year — 10% off at Marui stores and their online shop — which adds up if you shop there.
One thing that changed (July 2026 update)
Most guides don't mention this: Epos raised its overseas transaction fee from 2.20% to 3.85% starting July 1, 2026. If you plan to use this card a lot while traveling, that's worth factoring in — it's no longer the cheapest option for spending abroad.
──────────────────────
Bottom line
If you're new to Japan and another card already turned you down, Epos — especially applying in person at a Marui counter — is worth trying next.
You can apply through the banner below.
──────────────────────
Information on this page reflects conditions at the time of publishing. Check the official site for current terms.
