Japan Money Guide: Cash, Cards, ATMs, and Currency Exchange

Money in Japan works differently from most countries tourists visit. Japan is significantly more cash-dependent than the US, Europe, or Australia, and being unprepared for this is one of the most common mistakes first-time visitors make.

I have seen it happen: travelers arrive having barely brought any cash, assuming they can card-pay their way through the trip, and then find themselves unable to pay at a neighborhood ramen shop, a taxi, a traditional inn, or half the shrines they visit. It is a fixable problem, but only if you sort it out before you land.

This guide covers everything you need to know about money in Japan: how much cash to carry, which ATMs work reliably with foreign cards, IC cards and what they do, credit card acceptance, and whether apps like Wise and Revolut are worth using.

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Is Japan Really That Cash-Heavy?

Yes, though the situation has improved meaningfully since 2023. The pandemic accelerated digital payment adoption, and you will find contactless card acceptance in many more places than five years ago.

However, “many more” still does not mean “most.” Here is a realistic breakdown of where cash is still expected:

Cash-only or cash-preferred:

– Most ramen shops, small noodle restaurants, and local izakayas

– Traditional ryokan (Japanese inns)

– Many shrines and temples (entry fees and prayer items)

– Local taxis (though large-city taxis increasingly accept cards)

– Some vending machines (though IC card acceptance is growing)

– Local festivals and street food stalls

– Smaller shops and markets outside major tourist areas

Cards widely accepted:

– Major chain restaurants (McDonald’s, Yoshinoya, major sushi chains)

– Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart)

– Department stores and major shopping malls

– Large hotels

– Electronics retailers (Yodobashi, BIC Camera)

– JR ticket machines (for Shinkansen bookings)

– Most tourist attractions

The rule of thumb I use: if it is a chain with multiple locations, cards are probably fine. If it is an independent local business, assume cash and be pleasantly surprised when they have a card reader.

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How Much Cash to Carry

I recommend arriving with 30,000-50,000 JPY ($200-330 USD) in cash for the first few days. Here is why:

– You may not find an ATM immediately after arriving

– Your first day often involves small cash purchases (transport, food, tips for luggage delivery)

– Having a buffer prevents the stress of hunting for an ATM when you are tired and hungry

For ongoing daily use, I keep 10,000-20,000 JPY ($66-132 USD) in my wallet at any time and replenish at 7-Eleven ATMs as needed.

Realistic daily cash spending:

Travel Style	Estimated Cash per Day
Budget traveler (hostels, convenience store meals)	3,000-6,000 JPY ($20-40 USD)
Mid-range traveler (mix of restaurants, some activities)	6,000-12,000 JPY ($40-80 USD)
Comfort traveler (sit-down meals, taxis, premium experiences)	12,000-25,000 JPY ($80-165 USD)

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Best ATMs in Japan for Foreign Cards

Not all Japanese ATMs accept international cards. The ones that do reliably:

7-Eleven ATMs (Best Option)

These are my top recommendation. 7-Eleven ATMs (operated by Seven Bank) accept virtually every international Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Cirrus, and Plus card. The ATM interface has full English support and is straightforward to use.

7-Eleven stores are everywhere in Japan – there are around 21,000 locations nationwide. In major cities, you will rarely be more than a 10-minute walk from one.

Fees: Seven Bank charges a transaction fee of 110-220 JPY ($0.73-1.46 USD) per withdrawal, depending on time of day. Your home bank may charge additional foreign transaction fees.

Japan Post ATMs

Post office ATMs also accept most international cards and have English interfaces. Hours are more limited (post office hours, typically 9am-5pm weekdays), but in towns without a 7-Eleven, these are your best option.

Lawson ATMs (Second Best)

Lawson convenience stores use ATMs operated by Lawson Bank, which also accept most international cards. Slightly less universal acceptance than Seven Bank but available at most Lawson locations.

ATMs to Avoid

Regular Japanese bank ATMs (MUFG, Sumitomo, Mizuho) often do not accept international cards or have English interfaces. Do not rely on these.

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Currency Exchange: Airport vs City vs ATM

There are three main ways to get JPY:

1. ATM Withdrawal in Japan (Recommended)

Withdraw JPY from a 7-Eleven or Japan Post ATM using a no-foreign-transaction-fee card or a Wise/Revolut card. You get the mid-market exchange rate, pay a small ATM fee, and avoid the terrible rates at exchange counters.

Best for: Most travelers. Set up a Wise account before you travel for the best rates.

2. Airport Exchange Counter (Avoid)

The exchange desks at Narita, Haneda, and Kansai airports offer convenience at a significant cost. Typical rates are 3-5% worse than mid-market, plus they often charge service fees.

Avoid unless absolutely necessary. If you need cash on arrival, exchange the minimum (10,000-15,000 JPY) at the airport and get the rest from ATMs.

3. City Exchange Shops (Sometimes Good)

In tourist areas of Tokyo and Osaka, you will find dedicated currency exchange shops (look for “両替” signs). Some of these, especially the ones in Shinjuku and Akihabara, offer competitive rates. Worth checking if you have a large amount to exchange.

Best for: Travelers carrying foreign cash (especially USD or EUR) who want to exchange it in bulk.

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IC Cards: Suica and PASMO

An IC card is one of the most useful things in Japan that many first-time visitors do not fully understand until they leave. Think of it as a rechargeable prepaid card that you tap on train and bus readers to pay for transit – but also works for purchases at convenience stores, vending machines, and some restaurants.

Suica vs PASMO: Is There a Difference?

For tourists: no meaningful difference. Both are accepted at essentially all train and transit systems across Japan. Suica is issued by JR East; PASMO is issued by Tokyo Metro and other private railways. You can use either anywhere.

My recommendation: Get a Suica. Why? You can add it to Apple Wallet or Google Pay on your smartphone before you arrive and top it up digitally without finding a ticket machine.

Setting Up a Mobile Suica

On iPhone:

1. Open the Wallet app
1. Tap the “+” button
1. Select “Transit Card”
1. Choose Suica
1. Link a credit/debit card to top up

On Android:

1. Download the Suica app
1. Register and link a payment method

You can top up in increments of 1,000 JPY ($6.60 USD) using a credit card.

Physical IC Cards

If you prefer a physical card or have an older phone, get an IC card at any major JR station ticket machine. The initial issue requires a 500 JPY ($3.30 USD) deposit (refunded when you return the card). Load 2,000-5,000 JPY ($13-33 USD) to start.

How Much to Keep on Your IC Card

I keep 3,000-5,000 JPY on my Suica at any time. A typical train ride within Tokyo costs 170-350 JPY ($1.13-2.30 USD). A full day of transit might use 500-1,500 JPY ($3.30-10 USD).

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Credit Cards in Japan

Cards That Work Well

Visa and Mastercard have the best acceptance. American Express is accepted at international hotels, upscale restaurants, and department stores, but not as universally as Visa/Mastercard.

The most important feature for Japan travel: no foreign transaction fees. A typical foreign transaction fee is 2-3% of each purchase. On a 200,000 JPY ($1,320 USD) trip, that is 4,000-6,000 JPY ($26-40 USD) in unnecessary fees.

Good cards for Japan travel:

– Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve (US)

– Capital One Venture/Quicksilver (US)

– Barclaycard (UK)

– Any Wise or Revolut card

Contactless Payment

Japanese merchants increasingly accept contactless payment (tap to pay). NFC-enabled Visa/Mastercard contactless, Apple Pay, and Google Pay all work at terminals with the NFC symbol. This is particularly common at chain restaurants and convenience stores.

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Wise and Revolut in Japan

Both Wise and Revolut offer debit cards that use mid-market exchange rates with low or no transaction fees. For Japan specifically, these are excellent options.

Wise

Wise (formerly Transferwise) converts currencies at the mid-market rate plus a small transparent fee (typically 0.4-1% for JPY). Their debit card works at Japanese ATMs including 7-Eleven. You can hold JPY in your Wise account if you want to lock in an exchange rate before your trip.

Recommended for: Most international travelers. Set it up, load some funds, and use it for ATM withdrawals and card payments.

Revolut

Revolut offers fee-free currency exchange up to a monthly limit (plan-dependent), then a 0.5-2% fee above that. The Revolut card works at Japanese ATMs with the same limits applied.

Recommended for: Frequent travelers who already have it. If you are getting a new card specifically for Japan, Wise is slightly more straightforward.

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Practical Money Tips

Get a mix of denominations: When withdrawing, the ATM typically gives you 10,000 JPY notes. Ask for mixed denominations if possible, or break a 10,000 JPY note at a convenience store by buying a small item. Smaller shops sometimes struggle to change large notes.

Keep coins: Japanese coins (1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 JPY) are used constantly. The 500 JPY coin ($3.30 USD) is essentially a $5 bill equivalent and very useful. Do not dismiss your coin change as worthless.

Do not exchange at hotels: Hotel currency exchange rates are typically as bad as airport rates. Use ATMs.

Emergency cash: If your main card stops working (fraud flag, technical issue), having a backup card or some emergency cash separate from your main wallet is good practice. I keep a spare 10,000 JPY note in my phone case.

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Japan Money: Quick Reference

Situation	Best Option
Need cash immediately	7-Eleven ATM with Wise/Revolut card
Airport arrival, need small cash	Exchange 15,000 JPY at airport, get rest from ATM
Paying for transit	Mobile Suica or physical IC card
Restaurant payment	Cash (safe universal option)
Convenience store	IC card or contactless card
Shopping at major chains	Contactless card or cash
Emergency cash in rural area	Japan Post ATM

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Budget Reality Check

Understanding money logistics is one thing; understanding what things cost is another. For a full breakdown of typical daily costs in Japan, the Japan 1-week cost breakdown is the best starting point.

For everything you need before the trip – eSIM, apps, JR Pass – the Japan travel checklist covers the full pre-trip preparation.

Related reading:

– Japan 1-week cost breakdown

– Japan travel checklist

– Best eSIM for Japan

– Japan train guide for beginners