If you’re living in Japan, you might have heard of Nanaco, a prepaid electronic money card that can be used in various stores across the country. But what is Nanaco exactly, and how does it work? In this article, we’ll answer all your questions about Nanaco and help you understand why it’s such a popular payment method in Japan.
What is Nanaco?
Nanaco is a prepaid electronic money card issued by Seven & i Holdings, the parent company of Seven-Eleven Japan. The card can be used to make purchases at participating stores, including Seven-Eleven, Ito-Yokado, Sogo, and many more. Nanaco can also be used to make online purchases and pay bills.
Unlike credit cards, Nanaco is a prepaid card, which means you need to load money onto it before you can use it. You can load money onto your Nanaco card at any Seven-Eleven store or through the Nanaco website.
How to Get a Nanaco Card
You can get a Nanaco card by visiting any Seven-Eleven store in Japan. The card is free, but you need to load at least 1,000 yen onto it to activate it. You can also apply for a Nanaco card online, but you’ll need to have a Japanese address and a Japanese phone number to do so.
How to Use Nanaco
Using Nanaco is easy. Simply present your Nanaco card at the checkout and tell the cashier how much you want to pay with Nanaco. The cashier will deduct the amount from your card balance, and you’ll receive a receipt for your purchase.
You can also use Nanaco to make online purchases and pay bills. To do so, you’ll need to register your Nanaco card on the Nanaco website and link it to your account. Once you’ve done that, you can use Nanaco to pay for services like mobile phone bills, internet bills, and more.
Benefits of Using Nanaco
There are several benefits to using Nanaco as a payment method in Japan. First, Nanaco is widely accepted at many stores across the country, making it a convenient way to pay for goods and services. Second, Nanaco is a prepaid card, so you don’t need to worry about overspending or getting into debt. Third, Nanaco offers various rewards and discounts to its users, including cashback and point rewards.
Nanaco Point Rewards
Nanaco offers point rewards to its users whenever they use their Nanaco card to make purchases. You can earn one point for every 200 yen you spend with Nanaco. You can redeem your points for various rewards, including gift certificates, merchandise, and more.
Nanaco Cashback Rewards
In addition to point rewards, Nanaco also offers cashback rewards to its users. Depending on the store and the promotion, you can earn up to 5% cashback on your purchases when you use Nanaco. The cashback is credited back to your Nanaco card balance, so you can use it to make more purchases.
Nanaco Fees
There are some fees associated with using Nanaco. For example, if you withdraw cash from your Nanaco card at an ATM, you’ll be charged a fee of 110 yen per transaction. If you lose your Nanaco card, you’ll need to pay a fee of 500 yen to replace it. Also, if you don’t use your Nanaco card for a certain period of time, you might be charged an inactivity fee of 110 yen per month.
Nanaco Customer Support
If you have any questions or issues related to your Nanaco card, you can contact Nanaco customer support. The customer support is available 24/7, and you can contact them through the Nanaco website or by calling the Nanaco customer support hotline.
Conclusion
Nanaco is a popular electronic money card in Japan that offers a convenient, secure, and rewarding way to pay for goods and services. By understanding how Nanaco works and the benefits it offers, you can make the most of this payment method and enjoy a more convenient shopping experience in Japan.