Hong Kong Travelers To Japan Might Soon Pay with Octopus App

Hongkongers will soon enjoy greater convenience when traveling to Japan, as the Octopus payment system is set to expand there by the third quarter of 2025, according to reports by the SCMP. Octopus Holdings is currently negotiating with major Japanese e-payment platforms to enable the use of its mobile app for seamless transactions in Japan. This initiative follows successful integrations in Thailand and South Korea through partnerships with PromptPay and ZeroPay, respectively.

How it works
The planned service will allow users to scan QR codes at Japanese merchants using the Octopus mobile app. Payments will be automatically converted to Hong Kong dollars and deducted from users’ Octopus accounts, eliminating the need for currency exchange. The company aims to collaborate with platforms offering wide merchant acceptance to ensure a smooth experience for Hong Kong tourists.

Japan remains a top destination for Hongkongers, with 2.68 million visitors from Hong Kong recorded in 2024, making up 7.2% of total arrivals. This expansion aligns with Octopus Holdings’ strategy to enhance cross-border payment solutions and cater to its extensive user base, as nearly every Hongkonger owns an Octopus card, and half actively use the mobile app.
If discussions progress as planned, Hongkongers could start using their Octopus app in Japan by Q3 2025, marking another milestone in the company’s overseas expansion efforts.