Where to exchange to yen for the best rate · how much cash to carry (Japan is still cash-heavy) · what IC cards tap-pay for · where credit cards work · withdrawing at 7-Eleven and JP Post ATMs · and tipping — everything about money before you fly to Japan, fully updated for 2026.
Picture this: you're about to pay for a bowl of ramen in a tiny back-street shop, and the staff point to a sign that says "Cash Only" — even though you tapped a card in a department store an hour earlier without a second thought. That's Japan in 2026 in a nutshell: cards and IC cards are accepted far more widely than they used to be, yet it's still genuinely a cash-based society. So we've gathered every money question in one place — where to exchange, how much cash is enough, and exactly what you can pay with — so you don't carry more cash than you need and never get caught short mid-trip.
Honestly, the formula that works best for most visitors is simple: exchange the bulk of your cash before you arrive (or at a good in-city shop), keep an IC card loaded for trains and convenience stores, and save your credit card for the big-ticket items. Do that and your whole trip runs smoothly. Let's take it one topic at a time.
The honest answer depends on what currency you hold. Big global currencies like USD and EUR usually do best at in-city exchange shops in Japan; smaller currencies tend to do better exchanged at home.
If you hold a major currency, dedicated exchange shops near big stations and shopping districts in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto (names like Sakura Exchange, Ninja Exchange, World Currency Shop) often give the best balance of rate and convenience.
If you carry a smaller regional currency (for example Thai baht), exchanging at a good money changer at home is usually as good or better — those currencies fetch weaker rates inside Japan, so converting them there rarely pays off.
Even in 2026, with cards more widely accepted, many of the best meals are in tiny cash-only spots. Getting your cash amount right matters.
The rechargeable tap-to-pay card almost every visitor uses — one card gets you on trains and buses and buys things nationwide, with no fumbling for coins to buy tickets.
Tap and go — no counting coins. You can use it for:
They all work interchangeably across regions — the main difference is who issues them and how you get one:
Card acceptance has grown a lot in Japan, but plenty of places remain cash-only. Knowing which is which helps you carry the right amount of cash.
| Place | Cards? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels · larger ryokan | ✅ Yes | Visa/Mastercard taken almost everywhere; small rural ryokan can be cash |
| Department stores · duty-free | ✅ Yes | Easy to swipe, with tax-free shopping available for tourists |
| Convenience stores (konbini) | ✅ Yes | Cards + IC cards + mobile pay all accepted |
| Chain restaurants · larger cafés | ✅ Yes | Big chains take cards; most sit-down spots do too |
| Small ramen shops / izakayas | ⚠️ Often cash | Many order via a cash ticket-vending machine |
| Markets · street food | ⚠️ Often cash | Small stalls are cash-first — carry coins and small notes |
| Temples · shrines (entry/donations) | ❌ Cash | Donation boxes and entry counters are mostly cash-only |
| Rural guesthouses / small inns | ⚠️ Often cash | Check before booking; carry cash to be safe |
Running low on cash mid-trip is no drama — ATMs that take foreign cards are everywhere, and every one has an English menu.
| ATM | Fee (Japan side) | Why use it |
|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) | ~¥110–220/withdrawal (Mastercard often free) | Easiest to find · 24/7 · English menu · up to ¥100,000 per withdrawal |
| JP Post (post office) | ~¥220/withdrawal | Nationwide, including rural areas · up to ¥50,000 per withdrawal |
| Lawson Bank | ~¥110/withdrawal | Inside Lawson stores · English menu |
| Aeon Bank | ~¥75–220/withdrawal | Inside Aeon malls · fees often on the lower side |
The fees above are the Japan-side ATM charge only — they don't include what your card issuer adds (a foreign-withdrawal fee plus a currency-conversion fee). So withdraw in larger lump sums to spread the per-transaction fee thin rather than making lots of small withdrawals. These figures can change, so always read the fee shown on the screen before you confirm. And if the screen offers to charge you "with conversion" in your home currency, decline it and choose yen for a better rate.
Visa · eSIM · IC Card · JR Pass · power plugs · etiquette — everything to know before you fly.
Open the Travel Guide →Enter your days and travel style to estimate food, accommodation, transport, and cash to bring.
Open the Calculator →Suica/ICOCA vs Taiwan vs Korea — which cards cross borders and which you must buy fresh.
Read the Comparison →Every region and city, visas, budgets, and itineraries for planning a trip to Japan.
Japan Guide →Shibuya · Senso-ji · Shinjuku · Akihabara and more unmissable spots in the capital.
Tokyo Attractions →The full Tokyo overview — where to stay, eat, what to see, itineraries, and how to get around.
Open Tokyo Guide →Open the full Japan travel guide to sort your visa, connectivity, and transport — or run the numbers on your whole trip before you go.