How to Create a Japanese Apple ID and Add a Japan iTunes Gift Card

Want Japanese apps and games, or to pay in yen on the Japanese App Store? You need an Apple Account (also called an Apple ID) with its country or region set to Japan. This guide explains how to create a Japanese Apple ID, or move an existing account to Japan, using Apple's own steps, and then how to add a Japan iTunes gift card to your balance. Every step below was checked against Apple Support in October 2026. Apple updates its menus from time to time, so if something looks different on your device, follow the onscreen prompts or the Apple Support page linked in each section.

Buy a Japan iTunes card

Things to know before you start

• Apple ties your account to where you live. Apple's Media Services Terms say its services are for use in your country or territory of residence (your Home Country), and Apple's terms for Japan gift cards say "Must be 13+ and in Japan." This guide is mainly for people who live in Japan or are moving there. If you live elsewhere, see the FAQ below.
• Japan cards only work on Japan accounts. Apple's terms say gift cards bought in Japan can only be linked to an account in Japan and used for purchases in Japan. A Japanese code will not redeem on a US, UK or other account.
• Age. Apple's terms say you must be at least 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your Home Country) to create an account.
• Email and phone. Have an email address and a phone number you can always access. Apple asks you to verify your email address and confirm your phone number when you create an account.
• Some purchases may still need a card on file. Apple notes that some purchases might require a credit card on file, even if you pay with your Apple Account balance.
• Balance rules. Apple's Japan gift card terms list the term of validity for gift card value as unlimited. The same terms set a maximum balance for Japan accounts, and you can't add funds above that cap, so check them before you top up a large amount.

Option 1: Create a new Japanese Apple ID

A new account leaves your current one untouched. It is also the route Apple suggests if you are moving and don't want to enter a payment method: wait until you are physically in your new country or region, then create a new Apple Account. The steps below follow Apple's guide How to create a new Apple Account.

On iPhone or iPad (App Store)

1. Open the App Store and tap the My Account button.
2. Tap Create New Apple Account. If you don't see this option, Apple says to make sure you are signed out of iCloud.
3. Follow the onscreen steps to enter an email address, create a strong password and set your country or region to Japan.
4. Enter a payment method and billing information, or choose None, then tap Next. Apple notes that you won't be charged until you make a purchase.
5. Confirm your phone number and tap Next. Apple says this can help verify your identity and recover your account if needed.
6. Check your email for a verification email from Apple and verify your email address.

On a Mac

1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
2. Click Sign in in the sidebar.
3. Click Don't Have an Account?, then follow the onscreen steps to enter your birthday, an email address and a strong password, and set your country or region to Japan.
4. Enter a payment method and billing information, or choose None, then click Continue.
5. Confirm your phone number and click Next.
6. Verify your email address using the verification email Apple sends you.

On the web

Go to account.apple.com and click Create Your Apple Account. Follow the onscreen steps to enter an email address and password and set the region to Japan, then add your birthday and a phone number you can always access. Click Continue, then verify your email address and phone number. Apple says that after you verify your email address, you can sign in to your new Apple Account to use iCloud, the App Store and other Apple services.

Option 2: Change your existing Apple Account to Japan

If you have moved to Japan and would rather keep one account, you can change its country or region. Apple's guide Change your Apple Account country or region lists several things to sort out first:

• Spend any remaining Apple Account balance. If your balance is less than the cost of a single item, contact Apple Support to clear it.
• Cancel any subscriptions that block a country or region change, then wait until the end of the subscription period.
• Wait for any memberships, pre-orders, movie rentals or Season Passes to finish, and for any pending refunds from Apple to process.
• Check your Family Sharing status. If you are part of a Family Sharing group, you might not be able to change your country or region.
• Be ready with a payment method, as you might need to enter a valid one for your new country or region.
• Redownload apps, music, movies, TV shows and books you want to keep, as some content might not be available in your new country or region.

Steps on iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings and tap your name.
2. Tap Media & Purchases. You might need to sign in to your Apple Account.
3. Tap Country/Region.
4. Select Japan.
5. Tap Continue, review the Terms & Conditions, then tap Agree.
6. Select a payment method, enter your new payment information and billing address, then tap Done.

Steps on a Mac or on the web

On a Mac, open the Apple Music or Apple TV app, choose Account Settings from the Account menu in the menu bar, click Country/Region, select Japan, click Continue, agree to the Terms & Conditions, then enter your payment information and billing address and click Done. On the web, sign in at account.apple.com, select Personal Information, then Country/Region, and follow the onscreen instructions.

Apple says you might need to enter a valid payment method for your new country or region when you switch. If you don't want to, Apple's advice is to wait until you are physically in Japan and create a new Apple Account instead (Option 1).

If your device is set to Japanese

If your iPhone, iPad or Mac uses Japanese, Apple's Japanese support pages use these labels for the buttons in this guide:

• Create New Apple Account: 「Apple Accountを新規作成」
• None (payment method): 「なし」
• Media & Purchases: 「メディアと購入」
• Country/Region: 「国または地域名」
• Redeem Code: 「コードを使う」
• Enter Code Manually: 「手動でコードを入力」

When can you choose None as the payment method?

Apple's account creation steps include a None option when you create a new account in the App Store on iPhone or iPad, on a Mac, or in the Apple Music or Apple TV app on a Windows PC. Apple's region change steps don't mention None; they say you might need to enter a valid payment method for your new country or region. On an existing account, Apple's guide to removing a payment method says that if you have subscriptions like iCloud+, have an unpaid balance, or are a Family Sharing organizer and use purchase sharing, you must keep at least one payment method on file. For Japan, Apple's list of accepted payment methods includes Apple Account balance from redeeming a gift card.

How to add a Japan iTunes gift card to your account

Sign in to the App Store with your Japan account first, then have the 16-digit code from your email ready. These steps follow Apple's guide Redeem your Apple Gift Card, App Store Card, or App Store & iTunes Gift Card.

On iPhone or iPad

1. Open the App Store and tap your photo, initials or the My Account button. You might be asked to sign in to your Apple Account.
2. Tap Redeem Code.
3. Apple shows a Use Camera option first. Your code arrives by email, so tap Enter Code Manually and type it in.
4. Tap Redeem.

On a Mac

1. Open the App Store and click your name in the sidebar, or click Sign In and sign in with your Japan account.
2. Click Redeem Code.
3. Click Enter Code Manually, type the code and follow the instructions on screen.

On a Windows PC, open the Apple Music or Apple TV app, click your name at the bottom of the sidebar, then click Redeem. You might need to sign in to your Apple Account first. Follow the instructions on screen, then click Redeem.

FAQ

Can I create a Japanese Apple ID if I live outside Japan?

Apple's terms say that creating an account for a country makes it your Home Country and that its services are for use in your country or territory of residence, and the Japan gift card terms say "Must be 13+ and in Japan." We don't recommend any workaround that breaks Apple's terms, so please read them and decide whether a Japan account is right for you.

Will a Japan iTunes gift card work on my US or UK Apple Account?

No. Apple says gift cards can't be redeemed outside the country or region of purchase, so a Japanese code only works on an account set to Japan.

Do I need a credit card for a Japan App Store account?

Not to create one. Apple offers a None option when you create a new account in the App Store, on a Mac or on a Windows PC. Some purchases might still need a credit card on file, even when you pay with your balance.

My code won't redeem. What should I check?

Check that you are signed in with your Japan account and typed the code correctly. Apple notes that some characters look alike, such as B and 8, O and 0, or S and 5. If the code shows as already redeemed, Apple suggests signing out of the App Store on all your devices and signing back in, which refreshes your balance. Still stuck? Contact us with your order number.

Can I switch my account back to my old country later?

The same Country/Region steps apply, and so does Apple's checklist: spend your remaining balance, including any yen from a Japan gift card, and clear blocking subscriptions before you switch.

Once your Japan App Store account is ready, you can top it up with our Japan iTunes and App Store gift cards. Codes are delivered by email, with instant email delivery for verified customers. First orders need a one-time account verification. Gaming on other platforms too? See our Japan Nintendo eShop cards and Japan PSN cards.

Buy a Japan iTunes card