Nintendo's Japan eShop and My Nintendo Store Now Reject Foreign Payment Methods
Effective March 25, 2025, Nintendo will cease accepting foreign credit cards and PayPal accounts on its Japanese eShop and My Nintendo Store. This change, announced on January 30, 2025, via website and Twitter (X), aims to curb fraudulent activity. While Nintendo hasn't detailed the specifics of this fraud prevention, the policy change affects only future purchases; existing digital and physical games remain accessible.
This new restriction impacts international consumers who utilize the Japanese eShop for several reasons: access to region-exclusive titles and often lower prices due to favorable exchange rates.
Benefits of the Japanese eShop (Now Restricted)
The Japanese eShop hosts a library of exclusive games unavailable elsewhere, including titles like Yo-kai Watch 1 (Switch port), Famicom Wars, Super Robot Wars T, Mother 3, and various exclusive entries in the Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem franchises, along with numerous retro titles. This new policy directly limits access to this unique selection for international players.
Alternative Purchasing Options for International Customers
Nintendo recommends obtaining a Japanese credit card, a challenging prospect for non-residents. A more readily available alternative is purchasing Japanese eShop gift cards from online retailers such as Amazon JP and PlayAsia. These cards allow users to add funds to their eShop accounts without providing location information.
Future Updates and the Nintendo Direct
The upcoming Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025, focusing on the Nintendo Switch 2, may offer further clarification on this policy and potential future changes. Until then, international fans will need to adapt their purchasing strategies to continue accessing the Japanese eShop's unique offerings.
