easiest, painless way to buy Japanese PSN games on an USA console?

[ddp72984]

hello, I am very interested in learning (any or all) the ways to buy Japanese games from the japanese PSN using my american console. I have already created a Japanese account and so far, these are the only ways that I hear of buying content

1. Some credit cards/debit cards/gift cards do work on the Japanese PSN, but the vast majority do not.

2. Find an import store that sells japanese PSN point cards.

3. Find a buddy that lives in Japan and have 'em email the codes to you/find a gamesharing group.

The thing with the point card is that I really, really don't want to be raped (in price) by the local import store (15+ dollars for a 6 dollar card?) I currenly have a VISA debit card, but I have heard that some amerian cards work/don't work with the japanese account (I don't even know where I'd put the info into?) Gamesharing I would have no problem with; it's just that I've rather have my own account just in case something was to go wrong with the system/HDD, that way I can re-load the Japanese account and re-download.

If there is any other method/advice that you guys/gals can give, let me know. Thanks

[silks]

1. The credit card would be a royal pain in the ass because everything is in Japanese. I mean, even if you properly translated everything, you know how finicky credit card stuff is...it probably wouldn't take it anyways. In fact, I'd wager that any credit cards they'd accept probably have to be linked to an address within Japan.

2. Point cards would technically be the easiest, but yeah, you'll probably get raped. You never know, though. I would check eBay, or maybe Amazon Japan? You never know where you might find them.

3. Probably the best way to go, but you can't just make Japanese friends out of thin air. ;-)

[m_d_amore]

HAve CheapyD send you one

[option.iv]

Wasn't there a thread about this long ago. Like sort of a guide. I remember the site gateway-to-japan which sells those psn cards. I believe you can buy these cards from play-asia as well.

I wish PSN used paypal, so they could convert for you.

edit: nevermind the gateway-to-japan store, they seem to be closed.

edit2: ncsx also sells them.
http://www.shopncsx.com/search.aspx?find=playstation+ticket+yen

play-asia:
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-19-71-bm-49-en-15-playstation+network+card+yen.html

[m_d_amore]

i remember a thread recently vouching for a ebay seller but cant recall it exactly try the search