Cash vs card in Japan: what you actually need to know
By Yiyan · Last reviewed: March 2026
Japan consistently surprises first-time visitors: despite being one of the most technologically advanced countries on earth, it remains deeply cash-dependent. Knowing exactly where to get yen, which ATMs reliably accept your card, and when to pull out cash vs a card makes the difference between a smooth trip and an embarrassing moment at a restaurant counter.
Four things to get right before you land
Use 7-Eleven ATMs
7Bank (inside every 7-Eleven) and Japan Post ATMs reliably accept foreign Visa and Mastercard. Skip bank ATMs — they often reject foreign cards.
JPY only — carry cash
Most restaurants, shrines, local shops, and vending machines are cash-only. Don't rely on your card outside major hotels and department stores.
Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card
Load cash at any station or airport machine. Use it on trains, buses, taxis, and convenience stores. Saves queuing for tickets every trip.
Don't tip — ever
Tipping is not a custom in Japan and can be considered rude at traditional restaurants, ryokan, and taxis. Excellent service is simply the standard.
Getting cash: the 7-Eleven ATM guide
The single most reliable way to withdraw yen with a foreign debit or credit card is the 7Bank ATM network inside every 7-Eleven convenience store. There are over 20,000 7-Eleven stores in Japan — you will never be far from one.
7-Eleven (7Bank) ATMs — the reliable choice
- ✓Available 24/7 inside every 7-Eleven convenience store
- ✓English-language interface built in
- ✓Accepts Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, Plus, UnionPay, and most foreign cards
- ✓Fee: ¥110–220 per withdrawal (varies by time of day)
- ✓Withdraw ¥30,000–50,000 at once to minimise fee trips
- ✓Japan Post ATMs (at post offices) are the second-best option — same card support
⚠️ Avoid ATMs at regular Japanese banks (Mizuho, MUFG, Sumitomo) — they commonly reject foreign-issued cards.
ATM fee reality check
7Bank charges ¥110–220 per withdrawal (day rate vs night rate). Your home bank will likely charge an additional international withdrawal fee (typically $3–5 or 1–3%). Withdraw larger amounts — ¥30,000–50,000 at a time — to keep the number of fee-attracting transactions low. Current exchange rate (2026): approximately 1 USD ≈ 145–150 JPY.
IC cards: Suica and Pasmo
An IC card is the single biggest quality-of-life upgrade for any Japan trip. Load it once, tap to pay everywhere — trains, buses, convenience stores, some taxis. No queuing for individual tickets.
What it is
Suica (Tokyo/East Japan) and Pasmo are prepaid IC cards that work on virtually all trains, subways, and buses in Japan. They also work at convenience stores, some taxis, and vending machines.
How to get one
Buy at any JR station ticket machine or airport arrivals hall. You can also load a Suica card directly to your iPhone or Android in the Wallet app before you leave home.
Loading money
Top up with cash at any station machine, or link a compatible credit card through the Suica app. Minimum load is ¥1,000.
Suica vs Pasmo
They are functionally identical for tourists. Either works across Tokyo's entire rail network and most of Japan. If you buy in Tokyo, Suica is the default — just get whichever is available.
iPhone/Android tip: Add Suica to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet before you fly. You can load yen onto it from your home country using a foreign card — meaning you hit arrivals with transit money already loaded.
Want the full picture? Read the IC card guide → Suica vs Pasmo vs ICOCA, Mobile Suica setup on iPhone, deposit rules, and where IC cards don't work.
Credit cards: when they work, when they don't
| Situation | Details |
|---|---|
| Best networks | Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere cards work. Amex is hit-or-miss. JCB works well domestically but foreign-issued JCBs can be declined. |
| Where cards work | Department stores (Isetan, Takashimaya), large chain restaurants, convenience stores (for larger purchases), international hotels, and most tourist-facing shops. |
| Where cards don't work | Local izakaya, ramen shops, most neighbourhood restaurants, shrines, temples, food markets, and taxis outside major cities. |
| Carry backup cash | Even if your card is generally accepted, always have ¥5,000–10,000 in cash as a backup. Card terminals go down and many smaller places are cash-only by choice. |
| Notify your bank | Tell your home bank you're travelling to Japan. Some banks flag Japanese transactions as unusual and freeze your card — the worst time to find out is at an ATM. |
Currency exchange: where to go (and what to skip)
If you do want to exchange physical cash — USD, EUR, GBP — here's how the options stack up:
| Where | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport ATMs (7Bank or Post) | ✅ Best | Withdraw yen on arrival. Bank rate applies, small ATM fee. Most convenient. |
| Money changers (Shinjuku, Akihabara) | ✅ Good | Competitive rates at Travelex alternatives. Good for exchanging leftover USD/EUR. |
| Airport currency exchange counters | ⚠️ Mediocre | Convenience premium baked into the rate. OK in a pinch, not optimal. |
| Hotel exchange desks | ❌ Avoid | Worst rates consistently. Hotels mark up heavily — use only as absolute last resort. |
| Post office exchange | ✅ Reliable | Decent rates at major post offices. English-speaking staff, consistent service. |
Tipping in Japan
Do not tip in Japan. Tipping is not part of the culture and can cause genuine discomfort — particularly at traditional ryokan, high-end restaurants, and with taxi drivers. Staff may chase you down the street to return money they think you left by mistake.
The price you pay includes the service. Japanese hospitality (omotenashi) is built around a standard of care that exists independent of gratuity. Simply saying "oishikatta desu" (it was delicious) or "arigatou gozaimasu" is the right expression of appreciation.
Daily cash budget reference
Figures are per person per day, excluding accommodation costs. Transport not included (use the Budget Estimator for a full breakdown).
| Style | Accommodation | Food | Daily spend | USD approx |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget backpacker | Capsule/hostel dorm | Konbini meals + ramen | ¥3,000–5,000 | ~$20–35/day |
| Mid-range | Business hotel | Sit-down restaurants, some splurges | ¥8,000–15,000 | ~$55–100/day |
| Comfortable | 3–4 star hotel | Mix of casual and nicer dining | ¥15,000–25,000 | ~$100–165/day |
| Luxury | Boutique hotel or ryokan | Omakase, high-end kaiseki | ¥30,000+ | $200+/day |
Recommended
Wise card — spend in yen at the real exchange rate
The Wise multi-currency card converts your home currency to JPY at the mid-market rate with a small transparent fee. Withdraw up to ~£200/month from ATMs fee-free. Useful as a backup to your main card — and for keeping ATM withdrawal fees low.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Japan still a cash-based country?
Yes. Card acceptance has improved since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics push, but the majority of everyday transactions — local restaurants, shrines, markets, vending machines — remain cash-only. Carry at least ¥5,000–10,000 at all times, even if you plan to use a card where possible.
Should I bring USD or EUR to exchange?
Bring a small amount (USD 100–200) as an emergency backup only. In practice most travelers get by fine using ATMs. USD and EUR are widely exchangeable at money changers in major cities — Shinjuku and Akihabara have multiple competitive options.
Related guides & tools
Japan Budget Estimator
Calculate your total trip cost across accommodation, food, transport, and activities — in yen and USD.
Open estimatorJR Rail Pass Calculator
Check whether the 7-day JR Pass pays off for your specific route before you buy.
Calculate now