日本NipponPlan
  1. Wooden and bamboo facades of dwellings with sudare in a cobbled street of Gion, perspective effect with vanishing point, Kyoto, Japan
  2. Yatai
  3. Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku Tower

Practical

Cash, cards or both: what to carry in Japan

Updated Oct 10, 20265 min read

Many shops in Japan still prefer cash, and some take only cash. Learn when to carry yen, when a card works, and how to find a restaurant that takes cards.

Carry some cash and one card. Japan accepts more card payments every year, but many small shops, food stalls and shrines still prefer cash. Some accept only cash. Cards work well in large stores, hotels, train machines and chain shops. The best plan is to carry both, and to check the payment sign before you order or buy.

Where cash is still common

Expect cash at:

  • Small family-run restaurants and cafes, especially in older streets
  • Food stalls and yatai (open-air food carts)
  • Shrines and temples for entry fees, charms and small offerings
  • Local markets and some small shops
A small street in Gion, Kyoto, lined with traditional wooden shops
Small shops in older streets often prefer cash

Food stalls are a good example. Many yatai and small counters take only cash, and they move fast. Have small notes and coins ready so you can pay quickly.

Food stalls on a street in Fukuoka, where cash is often the easiest way to pay
Food stalls often prefer cash, so keep some with you

Where a card works well

Cards and IC cards work in:

  • Chain stores and convenience stores
  • Department stores and large shopping centres
  • Train and subway ticket machines (cash and card are often both accepted)
  • Most hotels and larger hotels
  • Some taxis and many vending machines

Convenience stores also take IC cards at the register. This is often the fastest way to pay for a small item. See the IC card guide for how to set one up.

Shops along a street in Osaka, where some places take cards and some do not
Check the sign at each shop, because card use varies

Restaurants: find the cards before you go

For food, use Tabelog. It is the local restaurant guide, and many listings show payment methods. Search for the area you will visit, then read the payment line on the restaurant page before you go. Do not rely only on what you see from the street.

If a shop does not show a payment sign, ask before you order. Say "Can I pay by card?" in English. Staff often answer by pointing at the sign or the machine.

Withdrawing cash

Convenience store ATMs and Japan Post Bank ATMs accept many foreign cards. Look for the sign that shows your card network. Your own bank may charge a fee for each withdrawal, and the ATM may add its own fee. Take out a sum that lasts a few days, not the whole trip, so you do not carry a large amount.

Check first: Ask your bank about foreign ATM fees and daily limits before you fly. Check the ATM network sign at the machine.

Keep cash safe

  • Keep cash in a wallet or pouch, not loose in a bag.
  • Use a coin purse for coins. Japan uses coins a lot.
  • Do not show a large amount in public.

A simple plan

  1. Before you land, carry enough cash for the first day.
  2. Use a card for hotels, large shops and train machines.
  3. Look for the payment sign before you order at a small place.
  4. Top up your cash at a convenience store ATM when you run low.

Coins and small notes

Coins are used often in Japan. Shops give change in coins, and vending machines and some ticket machines need coins or small notes. Large notes can be hard to use in small places. Visit a convenience store or a station shop early in your trip, and buy a small item with a large note. You then get coins back, and you learn the coin sizes.

Do not expect tipping. Restaurants and taxis do not add a tip to your bill, and staff may be surprised if you try to leave one. Pay the amount shown, and say thank you.

Before you land

Before you leave the airport, do three things:

  • Check how much cash you carry, and keep the rest in a safe place.
  • Find the nearest convenience store ATM on your phone map.
  • Note which card your hotel accepts. Ask at check-in if you are not sure.

Keeping these steps simple helps you avoid a stressful first meal.

What to do next

Use the planner to see which cities and areas on your route are busy and which have many small shops. Check the Kyoto and Osaka guides for places where cash is common.

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