hong Kong residents traveling to Japan are navigating evolving payment options,with a growing debate over the practicality of using octopus PayPay versus Japanese-issued Suica credit cards. Recent online discussions highlight multiple avenues for utilizing Octopus PayPay to support Hong Kong businesses while in Japan, but concerns are surfacing regarding potential limitations and the convenience offered by Suica.
The discussion gained traction as Japan continues to be a popular destination for Hong Kong tourists; in 2023, visitors from Hong Kong comprised 7.2% of all foreign tourists in Japan, making it the fourth largest source of visitors. This influx of travelers underscores the importance of seamless payment solutions. While Octopus PayPay offers options to support Hong Kong-affiliated establishments, some users report difficulties and are opting for the widespread acceptance and ease of use of Suica cards, particularly for transportation and smaller purchases. The choice impacts both traveler convenience and the flow of economic support between Hong Kong and Japan.
Octopus PayPay, a collaboration between Hong Kong’s Octopus Cards limited and PayPay Corporation of Japan, allows users to link their Octopus cards to the PayPay app for mobile payments in Japan. Netizens are sharing methods to leverage this system to indirectly support Hong Kong-based businesses that may have a presence or partnerships within Japan.
However, reports indicate that Suica and other Japanese-issued contactless payment cards remain the most readily accepted and efficient option for many transactions throughout Japan. This disparity has prompted some travelers to prioritize suica for daily expenses, despite a desire to support Hong Kong entities.
