Japan Cash Only — Survival Guide for Tourists (2025)

Japan is one of the most technologically advanced countries on earth. It also has an extraordinary number of businesses that only accept cash.

This is the disconnect that catches nearly every tourist off guard. You arrive expecting contactless payments and digital wallets. Instead, you're standing in front of a ramen shop with a ¥1,200 bill and nothing but a Visa card the owner can't process.

Here's everything you need to know about navigating Japan's cash reality.

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The Cash Reality in Japan

Despite leading the world in robotics and bullet trains, Japan remains stubbornly partial to physical currency. Here's where you'll almost certainly need cash:

Cash-Only (Expect No Card Option)

• Ramen shops — the vast majority, including famous ones
• Izakayas (居酒屋) — traditional Japanese pubs, especially small ones
• Street food vendors — festivals, markets, food stalls
• Temples and shrines — entrance fees, omamori (charms), goshuin (stamp books)
• Small restaurants — family-run places seating under 20 people
• Taxis — many accept IC cards, but cash is still the safest assumption outside Tokyo
• Ryokans — traditional Japanese inns, especially in rural areas
• Coin lockers — at train stations (some now take IC cards, many don't)
• Vending machines — most take IC cards, but older ones are cash-only
• 100-yen shops — Daiso and similar stores in smaller locations

Usually Accept Cards

• Hotel chains (APA, Toyoko Inn, international brands)
• Department stores (Isetan, Takashimaya, Mitsukoshi)
• Large chain restaurants (Yoshinoya, Matsuya, Sukiya)
• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) — cards AND IC cards
• Major train station shops
• Tourist attractions in major cities

The Rule of Thumb

If the establishment has a paper menu and seats fewer than 30 people, assume cash only.

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Where to Get Cash

7-Eleven ATMs (Your Best Friend)

7-Eleven's Seven Bank (セブン銀行) ATMs are the gold standard for foreign tourists:

• Accept: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay, Discover
• Available: 24 hours in most locations
• Language: Full English interface
• Fees: ¥110 per withdrawal (your home bank may add its own fee)
• Limit: Usually ¥50,000–100,000 per transaction
• Locations: Over 21,000 7-Eleven stores across Japan

How to use:

1. Insert card → Select "English"
2. Select "Withdrawal"
3. Enter amount (in yen)
4. Confirm fees
5. Take cash, receipt, and card

Pro tip: Withdraw ¥30,000+ at a time to minimize the per-transaction fee impact.

Japan Post ATMs (ゆうちょ銀行)

The second-best option:

• Accept: Most international cards
• Language: English available
• Hours: Varies — many close at 21:00 or 23:00, unlike 7-Eleven's 24/7 access
• Locations: Inside or near post offices (over 24,000 locations)
• Fees: ¥110 per withdrawal

Lawson ATMs

Newer Lawson convenience stores have ATMs that accept international cards. Coverage is growing but less reliable than 7-Eleven.

ATMs to Avoid

Most Japanese bank ATMs reject foreign cards:

• Mizuho Bank (みずほ銀行)
• MUFG Bank (三菱UFJ銀行)
• SMBC (三井住友銀行)

These machines are designed for domestic cards. Even if they display Visa/MC logos, many will decline foreign-issued cards. Don't waste time — go straight to 7-Eleven.

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How Much Cash to Carry

Daily Budget Guidelines

| Travel Style | Cash Per Day | Weekly Buffer | |-------------|-------------|--------------| | Budget backpacker | ¥8,000–12,000 | ¥70,000 | | Mid-range tourist | ¥15,000–25,000 | ¥140,000 | | Comfortable traveler | ¥25,000–40,000 | ¥210,000 |

The Emergency Reserve Rule

Always keep ¥5,000 in a separate pocket or pouch that you don't touch unless absolutely necessary. This covers:

• Emergency taxi ride
• Meal if you're stuck somewhere without an ATM
• Coin locker at a train station

Coins Matter

Japan uses coins up to ¥500 (about $3.30). Don't discard or ignore your coins — a pocket of ¥100 and ¥500 coins can easily total ¥2,000+. You'll need coins for:

• Temple offerings (¥5 coins are lucky)
• Coin lockers
• Older vending machines
• Laundry machines at hotels

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IC Cards: Your Semi-Cash Solution

IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) bridge the gap between cash and cards. Think of them as rechargeable electronic wallets.

Where IC Cards Work

• All trains (JR, metro, private lines)
• All buses
• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart)
• Vending machines (most)
• Coin lockers (many)
• Some taxis
• Some fast-food restaurants
• Some smaller shops (look for the IC card logo at the register)

How to Get One

• Physical card: Buy at any train station ticket machine — ¥500 deposit + initial charge
• Mobile Suica (iPhone): Settings → Wallet → Add Card → Transit Card → Suica. Works with international Apple ID.
• Mobile Suica (Android): Requires Google Pay setup, may need Japanese Google account

Recharging

• Train station machines: insert card, select amount, pay cash
• Convenience stores: hand card to clerk, say "charge" and the amount
• Mobile: top up via Apple Pay or linked card

Recommended Balance

Keep ¥3,000–5,000 on your IC card at all times. A single subway ride in Tokyo costs ¥170–350, so ¥3,000 covers about 10–15 rides.

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Emergency: No Cash, No Card Accepted

If you're stuck with no cash and no card acceptance:

Option 1: Find the Nearest 7-Eleven

• Google Maps: search "7-Eleven" or "セブンイレブン"
• In Tokyo, there's usually one within 5 minutes' walk
• In rural areas, up to 15–20 minutes

Option 2: Convenience Store Cashback

Some convenience stores allow cashback on IC card transactions. This is limited and inconsistent, but worth asking.

Option 3: Ask Your Hotel

Hotels can sometimes provide a small cash advance against your credit card, or direct you to the nearest working ATM.

Emergency Japanese Phrases

| Situation | Japanese | Pronunciation | English | |-----------|---------|---------------|---------| | Cash only? | 現金だけですか？ | Genkin dake desu ka? | Is it cash only? | | Where is ATM? | ATMはどこですか？ | ATM wa doko desu ka? | Where is an ATM? | | Where is 7-Eleven? | セブンイレブンはどこですか？ | Sebun-irebun wa doko desu ka? | Where is a 7-Eleven? | | Can I use card? | カードは使えますか？ | Kādo wa tsukaemasu ka? | Can I use a card? | | Can I use IC card? | ICカードは使えますか？ | IC kādo wa tsukaemasu ka? | Can I use IC card? |

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Before Your Trip

1. Notify your bank — tell them you'll be in Japan to prevent fraud blocks on ATM withdrawals
2. Check ATM withdrawal limits — some banks cap foreign ATM withdrawals at $300–500/day
3. Get a card with no foreign transaction fees — saves 1–3% on every ATM withdrawal
4. Set up Mobile Suica if you have an iPhone — works from day one without visiting a ticket machine
5. Exchange a small amount of yen at home — ¥10,000–20,000 for airport transport and first meal

Use our Japan Setup Kit for the complete pre-departure preparation checklist, or run the Risk Scanner to check your payment readiness.

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Last updated: February 2025.