Cash and cards in Japan

Trip cash planner

Cards, ATMs and currency exchange

Cards

• Credit, debit and prepaid cards of international brands are generally accepted, but some shops don’t display the card symbols they take, so ask before you pay. Cards can’t always be used for short train or subway fares. (JNTO)
• Smartraveller says cash is preferred in many places, cards are becoming more widely used in major cities, and credit cards may not be widely accepted outside major cities and tourist areas. (Smartraveller)
• GOV.UK says you may have difficulty using credit and debit cards issued outside Japan, and that Cirrus, Maestro, Link and Delta cash cards are not widely accepted. (GOV.UK foreign travel advice)
• Suica and Pasmo IC cards can be used on many forms of public transport, at convenience stores and in an increasing number of shops and restaurants, though not everywhere. (JNTO)

ATMs

• Japan Post Bank ATMs (mostly in post offices, some at stations and supermarkets) and Seven Bank ATMs (mainly in 7-Eleven stores) are the ones JNTO points visitors to; Seven Bank offers screens and guidance in 12 languages for cards issued overseas. (JNTO)
• GOV.UK says these machines accept some foreign cards, during business hours. (GOV.UK foreign travel advice)
• ATMs often charge for withdrawals, the charge can depend on the time, not all ATMs are open 24 hours, and some in central areas can run out of cash. (JNTO)
• Some ATMs at banks and convenience stores don’t accept foreign cards, so ask your bank whether your cards will work in Japan. (Smartraveller)

Currency exchange

• You can exchange money into yen on arrival: all major airports have exchange points in their arrivals halls, and foreign currency can usually be exchanged at exchange counters, banks and some hotels. Many bank branches close at 3 p.m. (JNTO)
• A customs declaration is required when entering or leaving Japan with more than 1 million yen in cash, cheques, securities and similar. (JNTO)

Offered your home currency at the till?

If a terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency instead of yen, check what that costs with the dynamic currency conversion checker, or read should I pay in local currency or my home currency?

More for the trip

Japan travel essentials · Tipping in Japan · AUD → JPY · NZD → JPY · USD → JPY · GBP → JPY · EUR → JPY

Questions

What currency should I take to Japan?

Japan uses the yen (JPY). JNTO says you can exchange any currency into yen once you arrive; all major airports have exchange points in their arrivals halls. Smartraveller (Australian Government) JNTO

Can I use my card in Japan?

Often, but not everywhere. JNTO says international card brands are generally accepted, while Smartraveller and GOV.UK warn that cards may not be widely accepted outside major cities and that some cards issued abroad can be hard to use. JNTO recommends carrying some cash. JNTO Smartraveller (Australian Government) GOV.UK foreign travel advice

Which ATMs in Japan take foreign cards?

JNTO lists Japan Post Bank and Seven Bank (7-Eleven) ATMs, plus some Mizuho, MUFG and SMBC branches. Fees and opening hours vary by machine. JNTO

General information, not financial advice. Rates are daily mid-market rates; your bank's rate will differ.

Sources and last checked

• JNTO: Credit cards in Japan, page undated. Checked 18 Oct 2026.
• Smartraveller (Australian Government): Japan, “Money”, updated 25 Aug 2026. Checked 18 Oct 2026.
• GOV.UK foreign travel advice: Japan, entry requirements, updated 28 Aug 2026. Checked 18 Oct 2026.
• JNTO: Currency and currency exchange, page undated. Checked 18 Oct 2026.
• Exchange rates: daily mid-market rates, fetched in your browser when the page loads (European Central Bank reference rates via Frankfurter if that service is unavailable). Rates By Exchange Rate API