Filipino travelers can now enjoy the convenience of cashless payments in more places in Japan with GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem.
With GCash Global Pay’s expanded coverage, users can scan to pay everywhere in Japan, from metropolitan areas to countryside destinations, thanks to the partnership of Alipay+ with PayPay. This unlocks access to cashless payments at over three million merchants spanning shopping and leisure. Users can enjoy dining out, booking accommodations and tours, souvenir shopping, and availing services, no matter where their trip takes them—all with the digital wallet they can trust.
“As more Filipinos make Japan their top travel destination, GCash is committed to pursuing partnerships that enable them to make the most out of their experience there,” shared Paul Albano, General Manager of GCash International. “GCash users no longer need to worry about the constraints of limited payment options, knowing there’s a readily available and secure payment method they can rely on.”
Since becoming available in Japan in 2023, GCash has sought to empower more users through its affiliation with Alipay+. With the latter’s expanded partnership with Japan’s leading QR payment operator, PayPay, GCash has become part of the country’s mission to promote in-depth tourism. Today, going cashless with GCash goes beyond major city centers like Tokyo and Osaka. Smaller towns and rural charms in Japan are now included, allowing Filipino tourists to enjoy a more immersive experience in the country. The expanded coverage means access to a more diverse set of merchants, too by enabling cashless payments local businesses like izakayas, wagashi shops, guesthouses, and anime merchandise shops.
GCash users heading to Japan can make payments by scanning PayPay QRs and enjoy a seamless and familiar QR scanning experience: Customers can scan the merchant’s PayPay QR or show the merchant the QR code generated by the “Pay abroad with Alipay+” option on the GCash app. After completing their transactions, they may also view their receipts in the local currency and Philippine pesos.
GCash users enjoy benefits such as real-time and low foreign exchange rates, and zero service fees, allowing them to maximize their travel budget. GCash adds to this experience by offering exclusive promos on the GCash app through A+ Rewards. Here, users can avail of exclusive discounts when they pay with Global Pay QR.
Just in time for the holidays, Alipay+, in collaboration with PayPay merchants, will offer an exclusive 10% discount (up to a maximum of JPY 1,000) to GCash users paying via PayPay QRs in Japan from December 20, 2024 to January 10, 2025.
“Through the partnership between Alipay+ and PayPay, we are making a crucial step forward in bridging a gap in global tourism through seamless, cashless payments,” shared Albano. “So whether this holiday season takes our users to Japan’s metropolitan cities or off-the-beaten-path tourist destinations, we at GCash look forward to them unlocking the best travel experience.”
To discover more travel promos, tap “A+ Rewards” on the GCash app and, in the upper left corner, select “Japan” as your destination. To learn more about GCash Global Pay, click here.
