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Japan used to be famously cash-only. It’s modernized fast, but there are still quirks worth knowing so you’re never caught out. Here’s how money works for visitors — cash, cards, IC cards, and budgeting.
Cash vs cards in 2026
Cards and mobile payments now work at most hotels, chains, department stores, and convenience stores. But you’ll still hit cash-only spots: small restaurants, older shops, shrines and temples, some markets, and rural areas. Always carry some yen.
Getting cash
- 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs reliably accept foreign cards, 24/7, with English menus. They’re everywhere.
- Bank ATMs can be pickier and keep limited hours; stick with konbini ATMs.
- Withdraw as you go rather than carrying lots of cash from home.
IC cards & mobile payments
Load a Suica or Pasmo for trains and quick konbini purchases — you can even add one to your phone. Apple Pay and Google Pay work in many places, but don’t rely on them alone.
Tax-free shopping
Tourists can shop tax-free above a spend threshold at participating stores — bring your passport. It’s a real saving on electronics, cosmetics, and gifts. See our drugstore and gift guides for what to buy.
Tipping & etiquette
No tipping — service is included and tips can cause confusion. Hand money over on the small tray at the register rather than into the cashier’s hand.
Rough daily budget
- Budget: hostels, konbini and cheap eats, lots of walking — very doable.
- Mid-range: business hotels, restaurant meals, the odd taxi and paid attraction.
- Splurge: ryokan with kaiseki, fine dining, private tours.
Trains are often the biggest single cost — run the numbers in our JR Pass guide, and don’t forget an eSIM. New here? Start with first-timer tips.
Realistic daily cash needs
- Carrying JPY 5,000-10,000 in cash covers most cash-only situations (small restaurants, temple entry fees, rural shops) for a typical day without needing a mid-day ATM run.
- Konbini ATMs (7-Eleven especially) reliably accept foreign cards with a modest flat withdrawal fee, usually cheaper overall than exchanging large sums of cash at an airport counter before you leave home.
- IC cards typically require a minimum top-up of JPY 1,000-3,000 at a time via station machines, so topping up periodically as you go is simpler than trying to load a large amount upfront.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying only on mobile payment apps — while increasingly common in cities, many smaller shops, temples, and rural spots still don’t accept Apple Pay or Google Pay; cash remains the reliable fallback everywhere.
- Trying a random bank ATM assuming it accepts foreign cards — many Japanese bank-branded ATMs restrict foreign card use or keep limited hours; sticking to konbini and post office ATMs avoids this entirely.
- Handing cash directly into a cashier’s hand — most registers have a small tray specifically for this; placing money there rather than hand-to-hand is the expected, polite norm.
Currency exchange strategy
Exchanging a small amount of cash before departure (enough for the first day or two) and then relying on konbini ATM withdrawals for the rest of the trip generally beats either extreme — exchanging a huge sum upfront at a poor rate, or arriving with no cash at all and hoping every stop takes cards.
Setting a daily cash routine
A simple habit — checking your cash total each morning before heading out and topping up at a konbini ATM if you’re running low — avoids the awkward situation of reaching a cash-only restaurant or shrine with an empty wallet late in the day, which is a genuinely common first-timer experience.