Japan used to be famous as a cash country. That has changed a lot: today more than half of consumer payments are cashless, and cards work in most hotels, chains and convenience stores. But cash is still essential in small restaurants, temples, markets and the countryside. During my three years in Tokyo I watched this shift happen, and this guide explains how to handle money in Japan as a visitor: cash, cards, ATMs and mobile payments.
Money in Japan: The Short Answer
- Bring a card that works abroad without high fees (Visa, Mastercard, JCB; Amex is accepted less often).
- Carry some cash for small shops, temples, markets, food stalls and ticket machines.
- Withdraw cash at 7-Eleven ATMs, which accept most foreign cards and are open 24 hours.
- Always choose to pay in yen, not in your home currency.
- Do not tip.
Cash or Card?
| Where | Cards accepted? |
|---|---|
| Hotels, department stores, chain restaurants | almost always |
| Convenience stores and supermarkets | yes, plus IC cards |
| Trains and subways | IC cards; contactless credit cards on many non-JR lines |
| Small restaurants, izakaya, ramen shops | often cash only; some ramen ticket machines take cash only |
| Temples, shrines, offering boxes | cash |
| Markets, festivals, street food | mostly cash |
| Rural areas, small ryokan, taxis outside cities | varies; bring cash |
A good rule: carry enough cash for a day, for example ¥10,000 to ¥20,000, and use cards for bigger payments.
Which Cards Work in Japan?
- Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.
- JCB, a Japanese card network, is accepted almost everywhere.
- American Express works at most hotels and chains but less often at small shops.
- Travel cards like Wise or Revolut work well at ATMs and for contactless payments; check your app’s free withdrawal allowance.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay work at many shops and on some railways.
ATMs in Japan
| ATM | Foreign cards | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) | Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, UnionPay, Maestro, Cirrus and more | 24 hours, English menu, in every 7-Eleven |
| Japan Post Bank | most international cards | at post offices; hours can be limited |
| FamilyMart and Lawson ATMs | many foreign cards | availability varies by card |
| Normal Japanese bank ATMs | often not | avoid unless they show international card logos |
- Expect an ATM fee of a few hundred yen at most, plus any fee from your home bank.
- Withdrawal limits per transaction are often between ¥50,000 and ¥100,000.
- When the ATM offers to convert into your home currency, decline it and choose yen. The exchange rate is better.
Exchanging Money
You can exchange cash at airports, banks and exchange shops, but the rates usually include a margin of a few percent. In most cases, withdrawing yen from an ATM with a good travel card is cheaper than exchanging cash at home or at the airport. If you bring cash, larger exchange shops in city centres usually offer better rates than the airport.
IC Cards and Mobile Payments
- IC cards like Suica and PASMO pay for trains, buses, convenience stores, vending machines and lockers. See my Suica and IC card guide.
- Contactless credit cards can be used to ride many subways and private railways directly at the gate.
- PayPay, Japan’s popular QR payment app, normally needs a Japanese phone number. Visitors with some Asian wallets (like Alipay or Kakao Pay) can pay at PayPay shops, but most European visitors cannot.
Tax-Free Shopping
Visitors can shop tax-free (saving 10%) when they spend at least ¥5,000 in one store on one day and show their passport. Japan uses a refund system: you pay the full price, customs checks your goods at the airport before you check in your bags, and you get the tax back afterwards, so keep your passport, receipts and purchases together. Details are in my guide to how much a trip to Japan costs.
Tipping and Other Money Customs
- Tipping is not customary and can cause confusion; just say thank you (more in my tipping in Japan guide).
- Put money on the small tray at the cashier rather than handing it over directly.
- Many izakaya charge a small table charge with a starter called otoshi; it is normal.
- Keep a coin purse: you will collect many ¥100 and ¥10 coins, useful for lockers and vending machines.
For more on local customs, read my Japan etiquette guide and the konbini guide.
Tickets you can prepay before your trip:
Frequently Asked Questions About Money in Japan
Is Japan still a cash society?
Less than before. More than half of consumer payments are now cashless, but cash is still needed in small restaurants, temples, markets and rural areas.
How much cash should I carry in Japan?
Around ¥10,000 to ¥20,000 per day is plenty for most travellers, with cards for larger payments.
Which ATMs accept foreign cards in Japan?
7-Eleven ATMs are the most reliable, open 24 hours with English menus. Japan Post ATMs and many FamilyMart and Lawson ATMs also work.
Should I exchange money before going to Japan?
Not necessarily. A small amount for arrival is fine, but withdrawing yen from an ATM with a low-fee travel card is usually cheaper.
Can I use my credit card everywhere in Japan?
In most hotels, chains and convenience stores, yes. In small local places, temples and markets, often not.
Is American Express accepted in Japan?
At most hotels and big chains, yes, but less often at small shops. Bring a Visa or Mastercard as backup.
Can tourists use PayPay?
PayPay usually requires a Japanese phone number. Visitors with some Asian wallets can pay at PayPay merchants, but most European visitors cannot use it.
Should I pay in yen or my home currency?
Always choose yen. Paying in your home currency means the shop or ATM sets the exchange rate, which is usually worse.
Final Thoughts
Money in Japan is easy once you know the rules: a good travel card, a 7-Eleven ATM nearby, an IC card for small payments and some cash in your pocket. That combination covers almost every situation.
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