Nintendo's Japan eShop and My Nintendo Store Ban Foreign Payment Methods

Effective March 25, 2025, Nintendo is prohibiting the use of foreign-issued credit cards and PayPal accounts on its Japanese eShop and My Nintendo Store. This decision, announced on January 30, 2025, via its website and Twitter (X), aims to curb fraudulent activity. While Nintendo cites "fraudulent use" as the reason, specifics remain undisclosed.

This change impacts international customers who previously relied on these payment methods to access Japan-exclusive titles and potentially lower prices. Existing purchases remain unaffected; users can continue playing their downloaded and physical games.

Why Buy From the Japanese eShop?

The Japanese eShop offers exclusive titles unavailable elsewhere, including ports like Yo-kai Watch 1, Famicom Wars, Super Robot Wars T, Mother 3, and various Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem installments, alongside a selection of retro games. Price differences due to exchange rates also attract international buyers. This new policy removes access to these exclusive offerings for many.

Alternative Purchasing Options

Nintendo encourages users to obtain Japanese credit cards, a challenging prospect for non-residents. A viable alternative is purchasing Japanese Nintendo eShop cards from online retailers like Amazon JP and PlayAsia. These cards allow users to add funds to their accounts without providing location details.

The upcoming Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025, focusing on the Nintendo Switch 2, may offer further clarification on this policy and potential future adjustments.