The mobile wallet from Mercari, Japan’s biggest second-hand marketplace. It supports iD and code payments in-store and links seamlessly with your Mercari sales proceeds.
!Not a bank. Merpay operates as a funds-transfer service and e-money under Japan’s Payment Services Act; balances are not deposits; wallet balances are e-money / stored value, NOT deposits, and are outside deposit-insurance protection. Funds are safeguarded in segregated / trust accounts under the applicable rules, not covered by any deposit guarantee scheme.
Limited. You need a Japanese mobile number and a Mercari account; identity verification uses a residence card (zairyū card) and requires a Japanese address. Short-stay visitors without a residence card generally cannot register.
No mandatory minimum; an initial top-up of JPY 1,000–5,000 is typical｜Payments are free; withdrawals to a bank account cost JPY 200 each (sometimes waived in campaigns); cash top-ups at convenience stores are free.
Limits scale with verification tier; unverified accounts have very low balance caps (tens of thousands of yen), raised after verification. Check the app. Balances are not deposits and are not deposit-insured.
Limited. You need a Japanese mobile number and a Mercari account; identity verification uses a residence card (zairyū card) and requires a Japanese address. Short-stay visitors without a residence card generally cannot register.
Local bank account: Usually required — you link a Japanese bank account or a Japan-issued card; cash top-ups at convenience stores are also available. Items typically needed: A Japanese mobile number; Residence card (foreigners) or a Japanese driver’s licence; A Japanese bank account or Japan-issued card; A Japanese address.
Typically: A Japanese mobile number; Residence card (foreigners) or a Japanese driver’s licence; A Japanese bank account or Japan-issued card; A Japanese address.
How to sign up: Fully online — register with a Japanese number and verify with a residence card (About 10–20 minutes; verification usually same-day to two working days). Steps: 1) Download the Mercari app and create an account 2) Open the Merpay section to activate the wallet 3) Verify your Japanese mobile number by SMS 4) Upload your residence card or licence for identity verification 5) Link a bank account or top up with cash at a convenience store, then pay Fees: Payments are free; withdrawals to a bank account cost JPY 200 each (sometimes waived in campaigns); cash top-ups at convenience stores are free.
Limits scale with verification tier; unverified accounts have very low balance caps (tens of thousands of yen), raised after verification. Check the app. Balances are not deposits and are not deposit-insured.
E-wallet rules change often — always follow the latest instructions in the official app.