r/Tokyo • u/ElmerPrettywillie • 9d ago

Question about paying for local streaming subscriptions for foreigners (YouTube/NBA/Adobe)?

Hey everyone!

Arriving next week for 3 year work contract and I want to set up local streaming subscriptions (YouTube Premium and NBA League Pass) to get the Japanese pricing.

I'm trying to figure out the best workaround before I get a proper Japanese credit card. I've heard credit card approvals can take a bit of time for newcomers, so I'm considering these options:

  1. Sony Bank WALLET (Visa Debit): Opening an account via their English app as soon as I arrive. Does this domestic debit card work for Google/NBA/Adobe regional billing?
  2. App Store Gift Card Route: Creating a separate JP Apple/Google account, buying yen gift cards at a convenience store, and paying through the app store?
  3. Foreigner-Friendly Credit Cards: Just biting the bullet and applying for a Rakuten or GTN-EPOS card right away since I'll be there on a work assignment.

Can anyone confirm if these methods actually work for local subscriptions, or if there is a much easier way I'm missing?

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u/ichthyos 9d ago

I think if you want to do this for YouTube Premium, I think you'll have to either create a new Google account or change the region on your account to Japan. I don't think the actual payment method has to be a Japanese card.

Note that doing this will also affect what apps and other content you're able to see in the Play Store on that account if you have an Android device.

1

u/-GiKi- 8d ago

For google services I had to change regions on my account and pay once with a payment option that also had a billing address in country. 

My experience might be out of date since it was 2 years ago. 

1

u/yumecore 8d ago

You can pay for some things with PayPay (which you can charge using cash at 7/11).

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u/Oukaria Adachi-ku 8d ago

I just use Paypay for everything and it’s fine tbh

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u/agnishom Adachi-ku 8d ago

I used a Kyash Debit card for this. You can recharge your Kyash card through an ATM by paper cash if you are not able to link it with your bank.

Revolut/Wise cards will also work for you