NTT Docomo's QR payment service launched in 2018, deeply tied to the d POINT loyalty program; roughly 50 million users and about 4.79 million accepting merchants, but only around 3% share of Japan's QR payment market — far behind PayPay.
!Not a bank. d Barai is NTT Docomo's QR payment service, funded by bank cards, the d Card or carrier billing; it is not a bank itself and balances are not covered by Japan's Deposit Insurance Act.
Largely unsuitable for foreigners. You need a Japanese phone number to register a d account, and the app is Japanese-only with limited English support; non-Docomo users can register a free d account, but the barriers are high for foreigners and short-term tourists generally cannot use it. Visitors to Japan should prioritize PayPay.
No mandatory minimum top-up｜Free to register and use; actual cost depends on the funding source (card channels may carry their own terms)
Limits depend on the funding source and account level, as published in Japanese inside the app.
Largely unsuitable for foreigners. You need a Japanese phone number to register a d account, and the app is Japanese-only with limited English support; non-Docomo users can register a free d account, but the barriers are high for foreigners and short-term tourists generally cannot use it. Visitors to Japan should prioritize PayPay.
Local bank account: Usually required — link a Japanese bank card or the d Card (Docomo users can bill to their phone plan). Items typically needed: A Japanese phone number; A d account; A Japanese bank card or the d Card (Docomo users can bill to their plan).
Typically: A Japanese phone number; A d account; A Japanese bank card or the d Card (Docomo users can bill to their plan).
How to sign up: Register a d account in the app → link a funding source (bank card / d Card / carrier billing) (About 15-30 minutes (Japanese interface)). Steps: 1) Download the d Barai app 2) Register a d account with a Japanese number 3) Link a funding source 4) Pay by showing your barcode/QR code or scanning the in-store code Fees: Free to register and use; actual cost depends on the funding source (card channels may carry their own terms)
Limits depend on the funding source and account level, as published in Japanese inside the app.
E-wallet rules change often — always follow the latest instructions in the official app.