Best apps to make money in Japan (2026 Guide)

This guide focuses on realistic money-making apps that Japan-based residents can actually use and best freelance apps for skilled side gigs that could turn your casual earnings into a proper business opportunity. It is for general information only rather than financial or legal advice.

Wise

Wise can be useful if you need to move money across borders or manage JPY alongside other currencies for planned exchange transactions (subject to transaction limits) without relying fully on a local bank account. It does not replace Japanese filing or tax payment steps, and you should check current product availability, supported currencies, and document requirements for your region before you act.

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Key takeaways

• Upwork is usually the strongest option for English-speaking freelancers in Japan who want overseas clients and repeat work.
• Fiverr suits people who can package their skills into a clearly defined service, while Coconala is good for Japanese-language listings and consultations.
• CrowdWorks and Lancers are useful freelance platforms for freelance and side work in Japan, but they are easier if you can read and write Japanese with confidence.
• Mercari can help you make extra money selling unused items, but it is more a source of occasional extra cash than a freelance income platform.
• If a platform pays you in USD, GBP, EUR, or another foreign currency, Wise can help you send money abroad with transparent fees, where supported.

Upwork: One of the best apps to make money in Japan for English speakers

Upwork is one of the most established global options for expats in Japan who offer writing, design, development, marketing, or admin support. It works best when you can explain your services clearly and build repeat client relationships.

Who Upwork might suit in Japan

Upwork suits freelancers with a clear skill and decent written English. Beginners can use it, but strong proposals, a focused profile, and patience are important.

A Tokyo copywriter or Osaka designer, for example, can use the platform to work with overseas clients rather than relying only on the Japanese market. One-off projects can be a useful starting point, while repeat clients can provide more consistent work.

Fees, payouts and what to check before signing up

Before you commit, check Upwork’s current freelancer fees, withdrawal methods, and payout limits. Direct to Local Bank is available for JPY withdrawals in Japan, but make sure your bank details are correct and that the name on your withdrawal account matches your verified Upwork name.

Wise can help freelancers in Japan convert currencies at the mid-market rate and send money abroad. Fees vary by route and payment method, exchange rates can fluctuate, and services can differ by region, so check costs and availability first.

If you still need a local setup for furikomi transfers or bills, a Japanese bank account may suit your needs.

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Fiverr: A money-making app for freelancers with a clear skill

Fiverr suits people who can turn a skill into a clearly defined service with a set price. Compared with proposal-led platforms, success depends heavily on how well you package and position your offer, although sellers can also create custom offers.

Who Fiverr might suit in Japan

Fiverr works well for editing, translation, social media content, design, voice work, and technical services. The key is creating a specific offer that buyers can quickly understand and that stands out from competing services.

For Japan-based freelancers, that can be useful if you want to reach overseas buyers rather than relying only on local demand. A translator in Sapporo or a video editor in Fukuoka, for example, can start with one tightly defined service and expand on it later.

Fees, competition and payout checks

Fiverr freelancers generally receive 80% of the purchase amount, including extras and tips, so factor the platform’s cut into your pricing. Depending on the withdrawal method you choose, payout fees or other costs may also apply.

Pricing too low can make small jobs less worthwhile once fees and the time spent communicating with buyers are taken into account. Fiverr also has plenty of competition in popular categories, so a specific service and clear positioning can help.

If you are not sure whether Fiverr is worth it, consider testing one service that you can deliver consistently and that buyers can easily understand. Check Fiverr’s current fees, payout methods, and withdrawal conditions before relying on it as a regular source of income.

CrowdWorks: A Japanese-language app for local freelance work

CrowdWorks is a major Japan-based option for freelancers who are comfortable working partly or fully in Japanese. It can be particularly useful if you want to find domestic clients and work through a platform designed for the Japanese market.

Who CrowdWorks might suit in Japan

CrowdWorks can suit freelancers with working Japanese who want to find Japan-based clients. Opportunities span areas such as writing, translation, administrative tasks, web-related work, research, and design.

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Gary Buswell

Insider Tip

If your spoken Japanese is weaker than your written Japanese, focus on projects with clear written briefs and plenty of asynchronous communication. A Yokohama-based writer, for example, might use CrowdWorks for steady local work alongside larger English-language contracts.

Fees, language barriers and local fit

Before getting started, check:

• whether the interface, support information, and client communication suit your Japanese level
• how withdrawals work and which bank-account details you need
• how payouts reach your bank account and whether a residence card or My Number Card is needed
• how the fee structure affects the amount you actually receive, particularly on smaller jobs
• what records you need to keep for income, invoices, expenses, and taxes

CrowdWorks can be particularly useful for accessing domestic freelance opportunities, but rates, competition, and project sizes vary considerably, so compare individual jobs carefully rather than assuming that every listing offers good value.

Lancers: A CrowdWorks alternative for Japanese freelance clients

Lancers is another major Japanese freelance marketplace and a useful alternative to CrowdWorks. If you want to find Japan-based clients, comparing the two platforms can help you work out which has the better opportunities for your skills.

Who Lancers might suit in Japan

Lancers can suit both newer and experienced freelancers looking for Japanese client work. Having a clear niche can make it easier to differentiate your services, but the best fit will also depend on the projects available, rates, and how comfortable you are communicating with clients.

Neither CrowdWorks nor Lancers is automatically better for foreigners in Japan. Compare the briefs and the rates you see, the amount of work available in your field, and how comfortable you are using each platform in Japanese.

Fees, competition and what to compare with CrowdWorks

Lancers charges freelancers a platform fee, so factor this into the amount you expect to earn from each project. It also uses a prepayment system in which client funds are paid to the platform before the work is completed, helping reduce the risk of completing a project and not getting paid.

Before setting up profiles on both platforms, compare:

• How many suitable projects you can find in your niche.
• The current identity-verification requirements and whether you have the necessary documents.
• Platform fees and how much you would receive after deductions.
• Payment and withdrawal timing and whether it suits your cash flow.
• Whether you are finding genuinely better-paying opportunities or simply more listings.

Consider testing one platform first before investing significant time in both. If it works well for your niche, you can then use what you have learned to build a stronger profile on the other.

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Coconala: A Japanese skills app for earning extra money

Coconala is a Japanese skills marketplace that can work well if you prefer selling a clearly defined service or consultation rather than relying mainly on project-by-project proposals. It is particularly useful when you can turn your skills into an offer that buyers can quickly understand from the listing.

Who Coconala might suit in Japan

Coconala covers areas such as design, translation, language lessons, business support, consultations, and digital services that can be packaged into a clear offer. If you prefer listing what you sell to regularly sending proposals to clients, this model may suit you.

A bilingual freelancer in Nagoya, for example, might start with one simple translation or consultation offer, test demand, and expand their offering over time. Clear descriptions, realistic delivery times, and responsive communication can help build trust with buyers.

Fees, pricing and trust-building

Coconala charges sellers a platform fee, so factor this into your pricing before deciding whether a job is worthwhile.

Low-priced offers may be less worthwhile once platform fees and the time spent communicating with buyers are taken into account. Consider starting with one service you can deliver consistently, then review your pricing as you gain experience, reviews, and a better sense of demand.

Check the current seller fees, pricing rules, identity requirements, and withdrawal conditions before listing a service, as these can change.

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Mercari: An app to make extra money selling unused items

Mercari is not a freelance client platform, but it can help freelancers make extra money by selling equipment, books, or other belongings they no longer need. Think of it as a way to generate occasional extra cash rather than a replacement for freelance work.

When Mercari makes sense for freelancers

Mercari can be useful when you have unwanted belongings that are worth selling. Old camera equipment, textbooks, electronics, or office supplies, for example, could provide some extra income between freelance projects.

If you have limited time, consider whether listing, packing, and shipping an item is worthwhile compared with spending that time finding new client work. Mercari can provide some additional cash, but selling your own unwanted possessions is different from building a recurring freelance income.

Fees, shipping and record-keeping

Keep these points in mind:

• Seller fees reduce what you keep.
• Shipping and packaging can decide whether a cheap item is worth listing.
• Regular selling should be recorded if it starts to look like taxable business income.
• Stay on the Mercari platform and avoid private payment requests.

Wise services in Japan are subject to limitations. Balance transfers are limited to 1 million JPY and can only be used for planned exchange transactions. Services and features may vary by region — check Wise’s website for current terms and availability.

Useful sources

(accessed 15 August 2026)

• National Tax Agency Japan, for filing basics, income tax rules, and consumption tax guidance.
• e-Tax, for online filing and account access.
• Wise pricing in Japan, if you want to compare cross-border costs and supported features.
• Upwork Help, for live payout and withdrawal details for Japan.
• Fiverr Help Centre, for current payout methods, minimums, and withdrawal rules.