Useful Articles For Your Time in Japan

Resources From The Expat Experts

japan blog

How to Use Japan Payment Systems: A Step-by-Step Guide

Japan’s payment systems are diverse and evolving rapidly, with cash, digital wallets, and credit cards coexisting to meet different needs. Understanding how to navigate these...

Finding Accommodation in Japan: Tips for Foreign Workers

Finding a place to live in Japan as a foreign worker can feel daunting, especially with cultural differences, language barriers, and unique housing practices. This...

Your Essential Guide to Japanese Work Culture for Foreigners

Adapting to a new workplace in Japan can be both exciting and challenging for foreign workers. Japan’s unique work culture emphasizes respect, teamwork, and dedication...

Asia’s Countries with Good English Speakers

The ability to communicate in English is an essential factor for foreign workers navigating life in Japan. With Japan ranked 92nd in the EF English...

Maximizing Savings with MobalPay with Japanese Payment Apps

Are you a MobalPay user looking to make the most out of your spending in Japan? With so many digital payment options available, choosing the...

Budgeting for Your First Month in Japan

Moving to Japan is an exciting adventure, but managing your budget in the first month can be challenging. With proper planning, you can navigate your...

How Our Japanese Staff Celebrate the New Year: A Typical Day

As we begin a new year, many people in Japan follow time-honoured traditions that bring family and friends together to celebrate. From watching the first...

GaijinPot Expo 2024: Supporting Foreign Residents & Sustainability

Japan’s winter features crisp air, snowy landscapes, and vibrant light displays. Skiing and snowboarding are popular in the north, while hot springs and seasonal foods...

Japan’s Black Friday Sale 2024: A Shopper’s Paradise

The holiday season is fast approaching, bringing one of the most exciting shopping events of the year—Black Friday! Japan has fully embraced this global shopping...

EXPAT EXPO TOKYO 2024: Our Services for Foreigners in Japan and Malawi Coffee Initiative

Autumn in Japan brings a refreshing change, as the intense summer heat fades and many days are marked by clear skies and comfortable, crisp weather...

LINE Pay Services to End in Japan by April 2025

In a significant development, LINE Corporation has announced that it will terminate its LINE Pay services in Japan by the end of April 2025. Here’s...

The Starbucks Japan Mobile App: Your Gateway to Rewards! 

With approximately 1,780 stores scattered across Japan, Starbucks has entrenched itself as the go-to destination for coffee enthusiasts and remote workers alike. Beyond the aromatic...

How to Effortlessly Pay Your TEPCO Electricity Bill with MobalPay: A Complete Guide

    In Tokyo, managing monthly utilities can sometimes feel like navigating through a maze. However, with MobalPay, tasks like paying your TEPCO (Tokyo Electric...

Rakuten Pay vs PayPay: Battle of the Apps

In the ever-evolving landscape of mobile payment apps in Japan, Rakuten Pay and PayPay stand out as two major players. While both have their merits...
MobalPay's Declan Somers and Makoto Yamada at the Social Product Awards

Celebrating Warm Hearts and Bold Innovations: MobalPay at the Social Products Awards 2024

The 26th of March was a big day for social entrepreneurship and charitable endeavors in Japan. The Jiji Tsushin Hall, renowned for hosting significant events...
mobalpay

MobalPay and PayPay: A Supercharged Duo for Expat Life in Japan

In the tech-savvy world of Japan, payment apps like PayPay, LinePay, and Rakuten Pay (R Pay) aren’t just about making payments – they’re your ticket...
Protecting MobalPay

Protecting MobalPay Users: Beware of Kaku Seikyu (Fake Invoice) Scams!

It’s important to stay alert and informed about the risks of ‘Kaku Seikyu’ (fake invoice) scams. These scams can put your finances at risk and...
Convenience Store Cash Top-Ups

NEW: Convenience Store Cash Top-Ups!

We’ve got some news that’s going to make your MobalPay experience MUCH simpler. Introducing Super Simple Convenience Store Top-ups! Navigating Japan’s intricate banking maze as...
Easy Cash Top-Up

Easy Cash Top-Up for Your MobalPay Account

In a digital world, cashless transactions have become the norm. However, we understand that some people still prefer using cash. That’s why we offer a...
mobalpay

3 Ways Paying in Japan is Better With a Real Japanese Phone Number

When living in Japan, payment can be difficult. Language barriers, reliance on cash, and complex banking systems make it challenging, and it can be even...
mobalpay

MobalPay Now Works with Spotify, and Much More!

We’re always on the lookout for ways to make MobalPay even better, and we’re really pleased to announce that we’ve done it again! MobalPay now...
charity

How MobalPay Gives to Charity

If you’ve got a new MobalPay Mastercard, you may well have noticed something that you don’t often see on a payment card: our promise that...
MobalPay

Can I Use MobalPay with Mobile Suica?

If you’re an iPhone user, it’s super easy to get a Mobile Suica card, and top it up using your MobalPay balance. You can set...
tokyo

Using MobalPay Without a Japanese Bank Account

One of the biggest reasons that MobalPay is a great option if you’re new to Japan is that you can get a real prepaid Japanese...
MobalPay card

We Asked an AI Chatbot Why It’s So Difficult for Expats to Get a Payment Card in Japan. The Results are Fascinating!

It can be hard to understand why it’s so difficult for new expats in Japan to get themselves a payment card that they can use...
AU Pay

MobalPay Now Works with AU Pay, Rakuten Pay & d-Barai

Since we launched, it’s been one of the most frequently answered questions from new users – does MobalPay work with payment apps? We’re super happy...
mobalpay questions

MobalPay – Your Questions Answered

Since the launch of MobalPay a few weeks ago, it’s been great to see so many of you using your new MobalPay cards all over...

How to Effortlessly Pay Your TEPCO Electricity Bill with MobalPay: A Complete Guide

In Tokyo, managing monthly utilities can sometimes feel like navigating through a maze. However, with MobalPay, tasks like paying your TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company)...