Nintendo Japan eShop Now Rejects Foreign Credit Cards And PayPal Accounts

Nintendo's Japan eShop and My Nintendo Store are no longer accepting foreign credit cards and PayPal accounts, a change effective March 25, 2025. This policy shift, announced on January 30, 2025, aims to combat fraudulent activity.

Nintendo's New Policy on Overseas Purchases

Preventing Fraudulent Use

To curb fraudulent use, Nintendo has implemented this new restriction on foreign payment methods. While the specifics of the "fraudulent use" remain unclear, the company urges international customers to utilize Japan-issued credit cards or alternative payment methods. Existing purchases remain unaffected.

The Allure of the Japanese eShop

The Japanese eShop offers several advantages for international gamers, including access to region-exclusive titles and often more favorable pricing due to exchange rates. Popular exclusives include Yo-kai Watch 1 (Switch port), Famicom Wars, Super Robot Wars T, Mother 3, various Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem titles, and numerous retro games. This new policy will limit access to these games for those outside Japan.

Alternative Purchasing Options

While obtaining a Japanese credit card is challenging for non-residents, purchasing Japanese eShop cards from online retailers like Amazon JP and Play-Asia offers a viable alternative. These cards allow users to add funds to their eShop accounts without providing location information.

The upcoming Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025, focusing on the Nintendo Switch 2, may provide further details on this policy change and future plans.