To buy tarot cards online without regret, check five things before you order: the card language, the size, the surface finish, what is in the box, and the return and support terms. This guide sets out those checks and the four decks we ship to Japan.
We ship four decks to Japan. For a first deck, Borderless Vintage Tarot Light Edition puts a clear scene on all 78 cards, and Moon Magic is the calm matte alternative.
First deck and calm texture
Two decks to look at first
Borderless Vintage Tarot Cards — Light Edition, 1909 Classic Art
Both have 78 cards, a matte anti-scratch lamination and a printed guidebook.
View this deck
Moon Magic Tarot Cards
Both have 78 cards, a matte anti-scratch lamination and a printed guidebook.
View this deckFive Checks When You Buy Tarot Cards Online in Japan
Online, you cannot hold the cards before you buy. So it helps to know in advance what a product page tells you and what it leaves out, which cuts down the "this is not what I expected" moment when the parcel arrives.
1. The language on the cards
First, check the language printed on the cards. Our decks are made for international buyers, and the text printed on the cards is not Japanese. If you are looking for a Japanese edition with Japanese card names and meanings, please keep this in mind.
The pictures can be read in any language. The language of the guidebook, however, is not stated on the product pages, so it is safer not to assume Japanese explanations. You can look up each meaning in our complete guide to tarot card meanings.
2. The size of the cards
Every one of our decks has cards of about 7 by 12 cm (roughly 2.75 by 4.7 inches). This is a standard size for tarot cards. If you want larger cards or a small mini deck, read the size listing carefully.
3. The surface finish (lamination)
Photos alone rarely show texture, so look at the card thickness and the finish in the listing. All four of our decks have an anti-scratch lamination, which resists scratches. A matte finish reflects little light, while Moonlight has a glossy finish.
Borderless Vintage Tarot Light Edition, Moonlight and Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot use 350 gsm card. Moon Magic is a thick card, but its gsm figure is not stated.
4. What is in the set
Every deck has all 78 cards (22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana), a printed guidebook and a protective box. Because the box and guidebook come as a set, you can start using the deck the day it arrives.
5. Returns and support
Check the terms for returns, exchanges and enquiries on the shop's policy page before you buy. This article cannot promise any specific terms. When you shop online, knowing the contact route and the scope of support in advance is the most reliable reassurance.
If you want the bigger picture of how to choose, our article on recommended tarot cards and how to choose is also useful.
Quick Table of the Decks Available in Japan
Here are the four decks we ship to Japan, set out along the same checks. The table shows differences in finish and artwork, not a ranking.
| Deck | Artwork | Finish and thickness | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borderless Vintage Tarot Light Edition | Pamela Colman Smith's original 1909 illustrations; borderless, with a scene on all 78 cards | Matte anti-scratch lamination, white 350 gsm card | First-deck buyers; readers who like a low-glare surface |
| Moon Magic | Based on the Smith system and redrawn around lunar symbolism; some classic pictures are simplified | Matte anti-scratch lamination, thick card (gsm not stated) | Readers who like the moon as a theme and want a deck that is not too dark |
| Moonlight | Based on the Smith system; gold rainbow foil | Glossy anti-scratch lamination, black 350 gsm card | Readers who like a striking deck whose colour shifts in the light |
| Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot | Pamela Colman Smith's original 1909 illustrations; holographic foil that changes colour as you tilt it | Anti-scratch lamination, 350 gsm card | Readers who want a deck that photographs well and uses the 1909 pictures |
On all four decks, the text on the cards is not Japanese. They are decks built to be read from the pictures.
If appearance leads your choice, compare the two foil decks. Moonlight and Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot both change their look with the way the light falls.
Choosing Among the Four Decks
With the checks in mind, here is a way to choose by what you want from the deck. These are examples of reasoning, not a ranking.
If you want to learn from the pictures, Borderless Vintage Tarot Light Edition is an easy choice: it has a scene on all 78 cards and uses the original 1909 illustrations. It is borderless, so the artwork runs to the edge of each card.
If glare bothers you, choose a matte finish, that is Borderless Vintage Tarot Light Edition or Moon Magic. If you like the mood of the moon, Moon Magic suits you, but keep in mind that some of the classic pictures are simplified.
If appearance comes first, look at the foil decks, Moonlight or Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot. Both change colour as they catch the light, so they photograph well. On all four decks, the text on the cards is not Japanese.
Whichever deck you choose, all 78 cards, a printed guidebook and a protective box come in the same set. The difference lies in the artwork and the finish, so choose the texture that will feel right in your hands when you use the cards every day.
Pretty foil
Two decks whose colour shifts in the light
Moonlight Tarot Cards Gold Rainbow Foil
Both use 350 gsm card with a foil finish and an anti-scratch lamination, and come with a printed guidebook.
View this deck
Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot Cards — 1909 Classic Art
Both use 350 gsm card with a foil finish and an anti-scratch lamination, and come with a printed guidebook.
View this deckHow to Think About Where You Buy
Where you buy also matters. Marketplaces, bookshops, esoteric shops and the maker's own shop are all possible. Their differences are covered in our article on where to buy tarot cards.
Wherever you buy, the product page lists the same kind of information. Check the card count, size, thickness, finish and what is included, and treat anything not written there as unknown. If the guidebook language or the presence of a border is not stated, for example, ask before you order.
If you are undecided on a first deck, a scene on all 78 cards makes it easier to link each picture to a meaning. If you choose by looks, still check how much the artwork shows before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Tarot Cards Online
Can I buy tarot cards in Japanese?
The text printed on our cards is not Japanese, so please keep that in mind if you want a Japanese edition. The pictures can still be read in any language, and you can link each scene to a meaning.
How big are the cards?
Every one of our decks has cards of about 7 by 12 cm (roughly 2.75 by 4.7 inches). This is a standard size for tarot cards.
Which surface finish should I choose?
A matte finish reflects little light and feels calm. A glossy lamination or foil makes the colours look vivid. All four of our decks have an anti-scratch lamination.
What is in the set?
The set has all 78 cards, a printed guidebook and a protective box. You can start using it the day it arrives.
What should I check before buying online?
Check the language on the cards, the size, the thickness, the finish and the contents on the product page. For returns and support, read the shop's policy page before you buy.
Once your checks are done, compare photos and details across all our tarot decks.
A full tarot course in English comes with every deck.
Includes a free full tarot course in English
Includes a free full tarot course in English
