Money in Japan: cash, cards and daily costs

Handling money in Japan has become much easier in recent years. Credit cards and mobile payments are accepted in most hotels, chain restaurants, department stores and stations, yet cash still matters in small restaurants, temples, markets and the countryside. A mix of card and yen works best.

Cash or card?

Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards, followed by JCB, American Express and UnionPay. Contactless payment is spreading quickly. Cash remains common for small purchases, shrine offerings, coin lockers in some stations, and rural guesthouses. Carrying ¥10,000 to ¥20,000 in cash per day of sightseeing is a comfortable margin.

ATMs that accept foreign cards

The easiest ATMs for foreign cards are in 7-Eleven stores (Seven Bank) and Japan Post offices, followed by Lawson, FamilyMart and some airport machines. Most offer English menus and operate long hours, often around the clock in convenience stores. Your bank may charge a fee per withdrawal, so fewer, larger withdrawals are cheaper.

IC cards and mobile payment

Rechargeable IC cards such as Suica, PASMO and ICOCA pay for trains, buses, vending machines and many shops. They can be loaded with cash at stations and, for mobile versions, with a card. Mobile Suica works on iPhone and many Android phones. See the trains and IC cards guide.

Tipping and service charges

Tipping is not part of the culture and is usually declined. Some higher-end restaurants and hotels add a service charge of 10 to 15%, and many izakaya add a small table charge (otoshi) with an appetiser.

Consumption tax and tax-free shopping

Prices include a 10% consumption tax, or 8% for food and drink taken away. From 1 November 2026, tax-free shopping for visitors works as a refund after customs confirms the export. Details are in the customs and tax-free guide.

Practical tips for money in Japan

Tell your bank about the trip to avoid blocked cards.
Keep two cards on different networks, stored separately.
Choose to pay in yen when a terminal offers a conversion: it is usually cheaper.
Keep coins for lockers, buses and vending machines.

How much to budget per day

Daily spending varies widely with travel style. A careful budget traveler can manage on around ¥10,000 a day outside accommodation, while a mid-range visitor spends ¥15,000 to ¥25,000 on food, local transport, sights and small purchases. Long-distance trains and hotels come on top. The trip budget guide breaks these figures down.

Exchanging before departure or on arrival

Exchanging a small amount at home covers the airport train and the first meal, but rates are usually better from ATMs in Japan. Airport exchange counters are convenient for arrivals late at night. Avoid exchanging large sums in advance: cards and ATMs make it unnecessary.

Lost or blocked cards

Keep your bank's emergency number saved offline. If a card is blocked, convenience store ATMs let you test another card immediately. In case of theft, report it at the nearest police box (koban), which provides a report number for insurers and banks.

Guides in this section

Trip budgetDaily budgets, hotel and food prices.Yen & paymentsBanknotes, coins and how to pay.

Official source: Japan National Tourism Organization

Frequently asked questions

Is Japan still a cash society?

Less than before. Cards work in most city businesses, but cash is still useful for small restaurants, temples and rural areas.

How much money in Japan should a traveler carry in cash?

Around ¥10,000 to ¥20,000 per day of sightseeing, topped up from convenience store ATMs as needed.

Can euros or dollars be used in Japan?

No. Payments are made in yen. Currency can be exchanged at airports, banks and exchange counters, but ATMs often give better rates.