How to Buy and Use a Waon Electric Money Card

Aeon group stores have a cashless card called Waon for paying in their group supermarkets, as well as participating retail locations and convenience stores like Lawson and Family Mart, etc. There is a list of participating stores at this link. If you regularly shop at any of these stores, it's probably worth it to collect points with a Waon card.

I have trouble finding appropriate change without fumbling and feeling like everyone is waiting for me, so this is super easy. You pay by touching your card over the sensor, the same way an IC card works to pay for public transportation.

I finally decided to start using the Waon card when there was a bonus for signing up to get the My Number card. I got my card right before the deadline and used the 5000 yen sign up bonus after charging 20,000 yen onto the Waon card. The Aeon group added another ten percent (2000 yen) on top of that.

I know I'll shop in one of their stores at least a few times a month, so I will use the balance. (I didn't shop at their stores as often before we moved last year, so I just got the card for the first time.)

In the local Aeon store, there's a big display with a lot of different "hometown" designs you can choose from. The package has the Waon card and instructions in Japanese inside.

The card costs 300 yen and you can buy it at the register or service counter. There are sometimes promotions at new stores and I've seen tables outside with staff encouraging sign ups of this card and their credit cards.

When you buy the Waon card, you'll receive a coupon good for 300 yen off a one time purchase of 2000 yen or more. So the card is essentially free, as it should be.

To add money to the card, you can use one of the charging kiosks in stores (pay by cash or credit card) or at a register. (At the machines there is an option in English if you need it.) Once the card is loaded up with money it makes a funny "bark!" sound every time you use it.

One benefit of using the Waon card is being able to collect points without using an Aeon credit card. Normally one point is earned for each 200 yen you spend. You'll be eligible to earn extra points on their bonus point days and by buying bonus point products. These are easily changed into credit (one yen per point) if you select that option when you charge up the card.