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Essentials Money

Money in Japan for Tourists: Cash, Cards, ATMs and Tipping

Quick answer: Money in Japan for tourists comes down to one simple rule: pay by card where you can, and keep some cash for places that don’t take cards. Visa and Mastercard work at most hotels, chains and convenience stores, but small restaurants, shrines, markets and rural shops can still be cash-only.

  • Do you need cash? Yes, some. Japan is card-friendly in cities but not fully cashless.
  • Where to get yen: ATMs at 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post Bank accept many foreign cards.
  • Biggest fee trap: If a card machine or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, check the rate first. Paying in yen (JPY) is usually cheaper.
  • Suica and PASMO: For trains and buses, and at many convenience stores and vending machines.
  • Tipping: Not expected. Some places add a service charge instead.
  • Card declined? Try another card, pay in cash, or withdraw yen at an ATM.

This guide gives the short answer for each topic and links to a detailed guide when you need more.

Payment Methods in Japan at a Glance

Payment methodBest forWatch out for
Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard)Hotels, department stores, chain restaurants, convenience stores, larger shopsSome small or independent places are cash-only. Other card brands may be accepted less widely.
Cash (Japanese yen)Small restaurants, temples and shrines, markets, festival stalls, rural areasKeep ¥1,000 notes and coins for small payments and IC card top-ups.
IC card (Suica, PASMO)Trains, subways, buses, convenience stores, vending machines, coin lockersMaximum balance is ¥20,000. Not a substitute for a card at hotels or for most Shinkansen tickets.
Contactless card or phone walletMany chains and larger stores, and some train and bus gatesAcceptance varies by shop and rail operator. Look for the contactless symbol.
Currency exchange counterExchanging cash you brought from homeRates differ between counters. Airport and hotel rates are often less favorable.

Cash or Card in Japan?

Use both. In big cities, cards cover most hotels, shops and chain restaurants. Still, Tokyo’s official travel guide, GO TOKYO, calls Tokyo “relatively cash-based” and advises visitors to bring cash because some independent shops do not take cards. Outside major cities, cash matters more.

See our guide to cash or card in Japan for when to use each, or read whether you can travel Japan without cash if you want to rely on cards.

How Much Cash Should You Carry?

There is no single right amount. It depends on your travel style. If you mostly stay in big cities and pay by card at hotels and chains, you will need less cash. If you plan to eat at small local restaurants, visit temples and markets, or travel in rural areas, you will need more. Many travelers carry enough for a day or two of small purchases and withdraw more as they go, rather than carrying their whole budget.

For suggested amounts by trip length and destination, see how much cash you need for a Japan trip.

Where to Get Japanese Yen

ATMs for foreign cards

An ATM is the easiest way for most visitors to get yen. Seven Bank ATMs (in 7-Eleven stores) and Japan Post Bank ATMs both support cards issued abroad. Many other ATMs do too, but not all. Limits and fees vary:

  • Seven Bank: up to ¥100,000 per withdrawal with an overseas card. Fees vary by card brand.
  • Japan Post Bank: up to ¥50,000 per withdrawal. A ¥220 fee may apply to certain overseas cards, and opening hours vary by location.
  • Your bank: may add its own foreign ATM fee and currency conversion fee.

Step-by-step: how to withdraw cash from ATMs in Japan.

Currency exchange counters

Cash from home can be exchanged at airport counters, banks and exchange shops in larger cities, and rates differ between counters. An ATM is often cheaper overall, but not always: it depends on your bank’s foreign withdrawal fees. Our currency exchange guide compares the options.

Fees to Watch When Paying

Prices in Japan are generally shown with tax included. Most unexpected costs come from the way you pay:

  • Foreign transaction fees: Set by your card issuer, not the shop.
  • Home-currency conversion (DCC): A terminal or ATM may offer to charge you in your home currency, using its own rate and fees. Paying in yen lets your card issuer convert instead, which is often cheaper. Visa requires the rate and fees to be shown so you can choose.
  • ATM fees: Charged by the ATM operator, your bank, or both. If the fee is a fixed amount per withdrawal, fewer, larger withdrawals mean paying it fewer times. Percentage-based fees do not shrink this way. How much you can take out at once also depends on the ATM’s per-withdrawal limit and your bank’s daily limit, so check your bank’s fee structure before you travel.
  • Service or table charges: Some restaurants and bars add one. It is not a tip.

Full breakdown: hidden fees when paying in Japan.

Suica, PASMO and Everyday Payments

Suica and PASMO are mainly for trains, subways and buses, but they also work at many convenience stores, vending machines, coin lockers and station shops.

  • iPhone users can add Suica or PASMO to Apple Wallet or use the Welcome Suica Mobile app. Most Android phones bought outside Japan cannot, so plan on a physical card.
  • Visitor versions have no deposit, but each one is valid for a limited time, and any balance left after that is not refunded:
    • Welcome Suica card (short-term version): 28 days, counting the purchase day as day one
    • TOURIST PASMO card: 28 days from the date of purchase
    • Welcome Suica Mobile (iPhone app): 180 days from issue
  • Physical cards are mostly topped up with cash, so keep some ¥1,000 notes. Top-up options differ by card type.

Some railways and buses also accept contactless credit cards at certain gates, but coverage depends on the operator. For card types, where to buy and how to top up, read how to use Suica and PASMO in Japan.

Tipping in Japan

Tipping is not part of everyday life in Japan. At restaurants, taxis and hotels, you simply pay the bill, and staff may try to return extra money. Some places add a service charge instead. Private guides and international tour companies may have their own customs, so ask in advance. Our guide to tipping in Japan covers the details.

What to Do When Your Card Doesn’t Work

  1. Ask whether the shop accepts cards, and which brands. Some places are cash-only, and some accept only certain brands.
  2. Try a different card, or another payment method such as contactless or an IC card.
  3. Check your banking app for a fraud alert or a block on overseas use. Contact your card issuer if needed.
  4. Pay in cash, or withdraw yen at a Seven Bank or Japan Post Bank ATM.

A second card from a different brand, plus a little cash, prevents most problems. More fixes: credit card not working in Japan.

Tax-Free Shopping: New Rules from November 1, 2026

For purchases made on or after November 1, 2026, shops charge the full tax-inclusive price, and the consumption tax is refunded after a customs check when you leave Japan. According to the Japan Tourism Agency:

  • Purchases must total at least ¥5,000 (excluding tax) per store per day.
  • You must complete the procedure within 90 days of purchase, with your passport and all of your tax-free goods.
  • Do it before you check in your luggage. Checked bags cannot be brought back for the inspection.

The refund is paid by the tax-free shop or by a refund service provider the shop has appointed, not by customs. When and how you receive the money can differ from shop to shop, so ask the store how its refund works when you buy. Purchases made up to October 31, 2026 follow the previous system.

Explore Our Money Guides

Choose the guide that matches what you need to do next.

Getting cash

Paying day to day

Avoiding problems and extra costs

FAQ

Can I use Visa and Mastercard in Japan?

Yes, widely in cities. Smaller independent places may be cash-only, so carry some yen too.

Should I exchange money before I travel to Japan?

It is not essential. Major airports such as Narita and Haneda have ATMs and exchange counters. A small amount of yen can still help if you arrive late or your card has problems.

Can I pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay in Japan?

Often, yes, at larger stores that accept contactless payments, but it depends on your card issuer and the shop’s terminal. Some foreign cards are declined for Suica and PASMO top-ups in Apple Pay, so keep a backup.

Final Practical Tips

  • Before you fly, check your card’s foreign fees and make sure overseas use is enabled.
  • Bring two cards from different brands, and withdraw some yen at the airport.
  • Keep ¥1,000 notes and coins for small shops, buses and IC card top-ups.
  • Choose yen when a machine asks which currency to charge, unless you have compared the rates.
  • On departure day, keep tax-free purchases with you until the customs check is done.

Still planning your routes? Our guide to getting around Japan for first-time visitors explains how trains, IC cards and passes fit together.

Sources

All sources below were checked on October 15, 2026.

Last updated: October 15, 2026. Payment acceptance, ATM fees and limits change often, and they differ by card issuer, ATM and shop. Check the official sources before you travel. Japan Travel Essentials does not recommend specific financial products.

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Japan Travel Essentials

Takeo is based in Japan and creates practical travel guides for international visitors. He shares local insights on transportation, internet access, money, etiquette, and everyday travel in Japan to help first-time visitors enjoy a smoother and more comfortable trip.

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