Karinoya Learning Room

Daily Life Lessons · Shopping

Point Cards

Goal of this lesson

Understand how point cards and apps work, decide for yourself whether to get one, and check the expiration date and how your personal information is handled before using them.

Explanation

Many stores offer point cards (ポイントカード) or membership apps that let you earn points based on how much you spend. You can use your points for discounts and other benefits on later purchases. Some points can be used only at one store, while shared points (共通ポイント) can be used at many stores. Getting one is up to you.

When registering as a member, you may be asked to enter your name, date of birth, and other details. Before registering, check how your personal information will be used (the privacy policy). Points often have an expiration date, and stores may change their rules. Check the expiration date and how to use your points in the terms of use or store notices.

Read in Easy Japanese (yasashii nihongo)

店で 買い物を すると、ポイントが たまる カードや アプリが あります。

- たまった ポイントで、次の 買い物が 安く なります。 - 1つの 店だけで 使える ものと、いろいろな 店で 使える ものが あります。 - 作らなくても 大丈夫です。

気をつけること - 名前や 誕生日を 書くことが あります。何に 使うかを 確認しましょう。 - ポイントには 期限（きげん）が あることが 多いです。

Check quiz

Q1

Do you have to get a point card?

  1. Yes, always
  2. It is up to you
  3. Foreign residents cannot get one
  4. You must pay to get one
AnswerB. It is up to you

You can decide for yourself whether to get one.

Q2

What can you mainly use your points for?

  1. Discounts and other benefits on your next purchase
  2. Paying taxes
  3. Renewing your residence card
  4. Depositing in a bank
AnswerA. Discounts and other benefits on your next purchase

In many cases, you can use them for discounts and other benefits on your next purchase. How to use them depends on the store's rules.

Q3

What should you check before registering as a member?

  1. The staff member's name
  2. How many phone numbers the store has
  3. How your personal information will be used
  4. How many registers there are
AnswerC. How your personal information will be used

Check the privacy policy to see what your name and other personal information will be used for.

Q4

Where do you check when your points expire?

  1. The weather forecast
  2. The station timetable
  3. The garbage calendar
  4. The terms of use or store notices
AnswerD. The terms of use or store notices

You can check the expiration date and how to use them in the terms of use, the app, store notices, and so on.

Q5

What are points that can be used at many different stores called?

  1. Shared points
  2. Use-by date
  3. Plastic shopping bag
  4. Numbered ticket
AnswerA. Shared points

Points that can be used at multiple stores are called shared points (共通ポイント).

Frequently asked questions

Q. What if I lose my card?

A. Contact the store or the company that issued it. If you registered as a member, you may be able to transfer your points. What they can do differs by store.

Q. Can I use a smartphone app instead?

A. Many points can be used with an app instead of a card. Show the barcode in the app at the register.

Q. What if I don't get a notice that my points are expiring?

A. You will not necessarily get a notice. Check your balance and expiration date yourself from time to time.

Practice: answer the questions on this page

This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.

Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28

This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original