71.8% Interested in Multi-functional Payment! Survey on Payment Methods and Awareness for Travel to Korea
Minfor Co., Ltd. conducted a survey on payment methods among Japanese women who traveled to South Korea in the last 5 years. While credit cards and cash remain dominant, over 70% showed high interest in integrated multi-functional payment services.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 12:55 (1h 23m after Collected)
## Press Release Information
Minfor Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, CEO: Takeya Nagata) conducted a survey on payment methods and awareness among 553 Japanese women in their 20s to 60s who have traveled to South Korea within the last 5 years.
### Survey Summary
- Primary payments: Credit cards (40.1%), Cash (33.4%).
- Transportation: Subways are the most used (32.1%).
- Transit payment: Credit cards (30.0%), Cash (27.5%), Transit cards (24.1%).
- WOWPASS: ~45% awareness, but usage is only around 30%.
- Interest in multi-functional payment services: 71.8%.
### Reality of Payment and Transportation in Korea
Credit cards (40.1%) and cash (33.4%) continue to be the mainstays. Newer methods like mobile payments (7.7%) and prepaid cards (4.8%) are emerging but face barriers due to lack of local service understanding or perceived complexity.
### Awareness and Usage of WOWPASS
Regarding awareness, 20.3% knew the details, and 25.0% had heard the name, totaling about 45%. However, current users sit at 16.3%, and those who have used it in the past are at 15.0%, totaling 31.3% for usage experience. Psychological hurdles such as 'difficulty of use' or 'anxiety about issuance/setup on-site' seem to prevent wider adoption.
### Interest in Multi-functional Payment
A significant 71.8% of respondents expressed interest in services that integrate transportation and general payment functions. This indicates a strong latent need for solutions that simplify the current fragmented payment landscape.
### Conclusion
The survey highlights a clear structure: high demand for convenience but low penetration of existing optimal solutions. Bridging this gap through better guidance and visible value is essential for the future travel market in Korea.
Minfor Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, CEO: Takeya Nagata) conducted a survey on payment methods and awareness among 553 Japanese women in their 20s to 60s who have traveled to South Korea within the last 5 years.
### Survey Summary
- Primary payments: Credit cards (40.1%), Cash (33.4%).
- Transportation: Subways are the most used (32.1%).
- Transit payment: Credit cards (30.0%), Cash (27.5%), Transit cards (24.1%).
- WOWPASS: ~45% awareness, but usage is only around 30%.
- Interest in multi-functional payment services: 71.8%.
### Reality of Payment and Transportation in Korea
Credit cards (40.1%) and cash (33.4%) continue to be the mainstays. Newer methods like mobile payments (7.7%) and prepaid cards (4.8%) are emerging but face barriers due to lack of local service understanding or perceived complexity.
### Awareness and Usage of WOWPASS
Regarding awareness, 20.3% knew the details, and 25.0% had heard the name, totaling about 45%. However, current users sit at 16.3%, and those who have used it in the past are at 15.0%, totaling 31.3% for usage experience. Psychological hurdles such as 'difficulty of use' or 'anxiety about issuance/setup on-site' seem to prevent wider adoption.
### Interest in Multi-functional Payment
A significant 71.8% of respondents expressed interest in services that integrate transportation and general payment functions. This indicates a strong latent need for solutions that simplify the current fragmented payment landscape.
### Conclusion
The survey highlights a clear structure: high demand for convenience but low penetration of existing optimal solutions. Bridging this gap through better guidance and visible value is essential for the future travel market in Korea.