Switching to the Japanese Apple App Store

Some apps you might want to use are only available in the Japanese App Store, here's how to switch

7/27/20231 min read

Switching to The Japanese App Store for iPhone

You are able to switch back and forth between US and JP app store using this method, the apps you get on either store will remain on your phone when switching stores.

  1. Go to Settings.

  2. Click your account name at the top of the screen.

  3. Select Media & Purchases and click “View Account.”

  4. Click “Country/Region” and select Japan.

  5. Fill out the required information.

    1. Select “None” for payment method.

    2. Enter your name again for “Phonetic Last & First Name”

    3. Use your current address and either a US or JP phone number (Any address will work; it just needs to be an actual JP address).

  6. Return to the App store and it should be switched. The process can be repeated to change back to US app store.

If you have reoccurring payments on your current apple ID in the U.S. App Store, it will not let you switch using this method without first canceling those subscriptions. If just switching to JP App Store for a short time, you can resume those reoccurring payments once switching back to the U.S. side.