Looking to get maximum value out of your grocery shopping in Japan?
The Seiyu Credit Card, officially issued as the Rakuten Card – Seiyu design, offers seamless earning and redemption of Rakuten Super Points.
Those with long-term strong cardholder protections and flexibility. Here's everything you need to know—step by step.
What is the Seiyu Credit Card?
The Seiyu Credit Card is a specially branded version of the standard Rakuten Card, co-developed with Seiyu Ltd. (a Walmart subsidiary in Japan).
Beginning April 1, 2022, shoppers can earn Rakuten Points on Seiyu purchases and combine them with Rakuten Edy e-money or Rakuten Pay functions.
- Issuer: Rakuten Card Co., Ltd., fully owned by Rakuten Group
- Usage: Accepted at Seiyu, Sunny, Livin, and any Visa-affiliated store in Japan
- Point rewards: 1 point per ¥100 at all merchants; earning rate increases to up to 1.5% when used via Rakuten Pay or Edy at Seiyu
- Additional perks: No annual fee, includes overseas travel and purchase insurance, optional family/ETC cards
How the Card Works
1 point per ¥100 spent anywhere (equivalent to ~1% back). Within Seiyu, up to 1.5% return—1% from card use + additional via Rakuten Pay/Edy.
Points apply to groceries, daily items, and even bills, with no minimum redemption.
Uses possible: ATM withdrawals or Rakuten e-NAVI online transfers—the latter saves ATM fees
If you borrow ¥100,000 and repay it monthly, expect to pay roughly ¥1,479 just in interest in the first month, support.rakuten-card.jp.
Insurance & Protection
Annual fee: none
Included protections are purchase protection, overseas travel insurance, and stolen card compensation.
Application Process
Visit the Rakuten Card website and select the "Seiyu design" card. You must create a Rakuten account if you don't have one.
Fill out personal details: name, address, contact info. Upload the required documents using supportive photos.
Optionally select cash-advance (“cashing”) and revolving repayment options.
Card delivery in 1–2 weeks. Activate through Rakuten e‑NAVI, set PIN, and register for Rakuten Pay or Edy.
In-Store Application
Many Seiyu stores have information booths staffed on weekends.
Staff assist in filling out the application and explaining functions such as cashing and payout options.
Help with translation or confirmation of details, ideal for foreigners or anyone who prefers assistance.
Managing Your Card
Use Rakuten e-NAVI and the app to review transactions, change payment plans, and freeze the card.
Monitor your cash-advance balance and set up automatic revolving or one-time payments.
Earn and track Rakuten Points, then use them via e-NAVI or directly at Seiyu via Rakuten Pay or Edy.
You can apply to pay your monthly bill with points (requires e-NAVI registration)
Fees & Interest — Key Highlights
This card is safe and convenient—just be sure to avoid high-cost borrowing or revolving balances to stay financially healthy.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | ¥0, always |
| Base APR (cashing) | 18.0% (≤¥1M), 15.0% (>¥1M) |
| Revolving APR | ~15% per year (1.25% monthly) |
| Late Payment Penalty | 20% |
| ATM Fees | ¥110 / ¥220 |
Seiyu Credit Card vs. Major Alternatives in Japan
Consider:
| Feature / Card | Seiyu Credit Card (Rakuten) | AEON Card | Seven Card Plus | Rakuten Standard Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Rakuten Card Co., Ltd. | AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd. | Seven Card Service / JCB | Rakuten Card Co., Ltd. |
| Annual Fee | ¥0 (always free) | ¥0 (free with paperless statements) | ¥0 (basic), ¥5,500 (Gold) | ¥0 (always free) |
| Main Usage Partner | Seiyu / Sunny / Livin stores | AEON / MaxValu / Daiei | Ito-Yokado / 7-Eleven / SEIBU | Rakuten Ichiba / convenience stores |
| Point System | 1% Rakuten Points (1.5% with Edy/Pay) | 0.5% WAON Points, up to 2% on AEON Day | 0.5% nanaco Points, 1–2% on 8th/18th | 1%–3% Rakuten Points (varies by use) |
| Extra Discount Days | None (uses boosted points instead) | 5% off on AEON Days (20th & 30th) | 5% off on 8th, 18th, 28th (some stores) | Up to 1,000 bonus pts during campaigns |
| Revolving Credit Interest | ~15% APR (1.25% monthly) | 13.8–14.8% APR | 15% APR | ~15% APR |
| Cash Advance Interest | 15–18% APR | 7.8–18.0% APR | 15–18% APR | 15–18% APR |
| Point Expiration | 12 months (renewed on activity) | 1–2 years depending on WAON usage | ~2 years (nanaco) | 12 months (renewed on activity) |
| Mobile Integration | Rakuten Pay, Edy, Apple Pay | WAON, Apple Pay, AEON Pay | nanaco, Apple Pay, Google Pay | Rakuten Pay, Edy, Apple Pay |
| ETC Card Option | Yes (free) | Yes (free or ¥1,100 if not used) | Yes (Gold: free; Basic: fee may apply) | Yes (free) |
| Ideal For | Frequent Seiyu shoppers, Rakuten users | AEON mall shoppers, families | 7-Eleven users, department store shoppers | Online shoppers, general users |
Seiyu Rakuten Card vs. Other Rakuten Cards
Consider:
| Feature / Card | Seiyu Credit Card | Rakuten Standard Card | Rakuten Gold Card | Rakuten Premium Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | ¥0 | ¥0 | ¥2,200 (tax included) | ¥11,000 (tax included) |
| Main Target | Seiyu / Sunny / Livin shoppers | General users, Rakuten Ichiba fans | Frequent Rakuten Ichiba users | High spenders, frequent travelers |
| Base Point Rate | 1% (1.5% with Rakuten Pay/Edy) | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| Rakuten Ichiba Bonus | +1x (when linked with Rakuten ID) | +2x (Super Point Up Program) | +2x | +4x (SPU) |
| SPU Total (with conditions) | Up to +2x | Up to +3x | Up to +4x | Up to +6x |
| Travel Insurance | Overseas only, up to ¥20M | Overseas only, up to ¥20M | Overseas, up to ¥30M | Overseas & Domestic, up to ¥50M |
| Airport Lounge Access | Not included | Not included | Domestic lounges only | Domestic + 900+ Priority Pass lounges |
| Cash Advance APR | 15–18% APR | 15–18% APR | 15–18% APR | 15–18% APR |
| Revolving APR | ~15% APR (1.25% monthly) | ~15% APR | ~15% APR | ~15% APR |
| Mobile Integration | Rakuten Pay, Edy, Apple Pay | Rakuten Pay, Edy, Apple Pay | Same as Standard | Same as Standard |
| ETC Card | Free | ¥550/year unless used | Free | Free |
Conclusion & Tips
The Seiyu Credit Card is a smart pick for regular shoppers in Japan.
With no yearly fee, strong reward rates (especially at Seiyu), and helpful cardholder protections, it suits those aiming for savings and convenience.
Disclaimer: Offer details, APRs, and services may change. Always verify current terms on the official Rakuten Card site and confirm your eligibility. Especially for foreigners, check the documentation rules and inquire about possible translated support at in-store booths.
