PayPay Now Accepted Across South Korea For Japanese Tourists

Published on September 16, 2025

Beginning late September 2025, PayPay Japan’s top cashless payment app will go live at more than two million stores across South Korea. The move leverages Ant International’s Alipay plus, which connects multiple wallets via a single global payment gateway. This enables PayPay’s seventy million users to check out easily whenever they spot the Alipay plus logo. Targeting travellers head-on, the partnership aims to streamline spending for Japanese visitors to South Korea, a top holiday spot for travellers from Japan. Simplified payments mean tourists can enjoy a smoother, more hassle-free experience while shopping, dining, and sightseeing, boosting South Korea’s appeal even further.

Expanding the Travel Experience with PayPay

South Korea has long been a favoured destination for Japanese tourists. In 2024, over three point two million Japanese visitors made their way to South Korea, marking a significant thirty nine point two percent increase compared to 2023. With PayPay’s new functionality, visitors will now be able to make purchases easily, without the need to exchange currency or use foreign payment systems. Whether in K-beauty stores, local eateries, or cultural hotspots, tourists can enjoy a smooth and integrated shopping experience. This expansion reflects a broader shift toward cashless systems that cater to the growing demand for simplified and efficient travel experiences.

Impact on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea

Tourism plays a crucial role in South Korea’s economy, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). The introduction of PayPay, facilitated by Alipay plus, is expected to further bolster these businesses, enabling them to engage more effectively with Japanese tourists. From modern shopping malls to traditional markets, visitors will find that the integration of PayPay makes it easier to enjoy local products and services without the barriers of foreign payment methods. The ability to use PayPay will drive foot traffic, increase consumer satisfaction, and enhance the overall tourism experience.

Increased Consumer Reach through Alipay+ Network

With PayPay now part of the Alipay plus network, the service expands its reach within South Korea’s payment ecosystem. Alipay plus supports seventeen payment partners, which include e-wallets and bank apps from China, Hong Kong SAR, Southeast Asia, and Italy. This growing adoption across shopping, transportation, and dining touchpoints ensures that tourists can seamlessly use their preferred payment methods across various sectors. As more tourists seek ease of access and comfort, services like PayPay are becoming essential in facilitating cross-border travel and local economic activity.

A Boon for Tourism Economy and Merchants

The collaboration between PayPay and Alipay plus is not just a milestone for digital payments but also a significant step toward supporting South Korea’s tourism economy. By providing Japanese tourists with an easier payment solution, South Korea’s local economy is expected to thrive from increased spending in key sectors. The service will help merchants connect with tourists more effectively, driving tourist spending in duty-free outlets, local shops, and street food stalls.

PayPay’s Global Ambitions and Future Expansion

This move marks an important phase in PayPay’s global expansion strategy. Already well-established in Japan, PayPay’s acceptance in South Korea is a step toward broadening its international presence. Along with South Korea, Alipay plus facilitates partnerships with twenty one digital wallets and bank apps in thirteen countries, offering access to over three million merchants, particularly in the tourism sector. This expansion signals a growing trend in digital wallet adoption, paving the way for even more payment solutions in international travel hubs.

A Seamless Travel Experience for Tourists

Japan’s own PayPay joining the South Korea payments scene is a real game-changer for Japanese visitors. More than two million shops now proudly display the PayPay logo, so travellers can dive into street food alleys or upscale malls knowing every transaction is easy, fast, and secure. The alliance with Alipay plus showcases how future tourism spending will work hybrid payment tools adapting to the way globe-trotters now whistle their way through border less spending. The smooth, no-currency-hidden-fee tap or scan keeps travellers in the moment and a step ahead, which means every sightseeing moment in Seoul or Busan can be even more carefree.