Handbook · paying for things · お金

Money: cash, cards and no tipping

Japan pays by card more every year and still runs on cash in many places. Where each works, where to get yen, and why you never leave a tip, from the official tourism offices.

01 · Cash

Carry some, always

  1. A cash society, still

    Train tickets, taxis and most things at the airport take international cards, but JNTO still says carry cash: Japan is very much a cash-based society, and you will need some during your stay.

    JNTO, Currency ↗checked 1 October 2026

  2. Out of town, cash only

    Many places, especially in the countryside, take only cash, even hotels. Check with the inn before you go and bring enough.

    JNTO, Cashless Payments in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

  3. ¥10,000
    The big note is fine

    The largest note is used every day, and nobody will mind you paying with one. The ¥2,000 note is the rare one.

    Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (GO TOKYO), Money ↗checked 1 October 2026

02 · ATMs

Where a foreign card gets yen

JNTO's warning first: ATMs often charge, the fee can depend on the time of day, not all are open 24 hours, and in central areas some run out of cash.

  1. ¥100,000
    Seven Bank, in every 7-Eleven

    Open when the shop is; this is the most it gives you at once.

    Seven Bank, official English page for overseas cards ↗checked 23 September 2026

  2. ¥220
    Japan Post Bank, in post offices

    The fee the bank charges a foreign card.

    Japan Post Bank, International ATM Service ↗checked 23 September 2026

  3. The big banks

    Most major Japanese banks now take international cards at their ATMs, among them Mizuho Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and Mitsui Sumitomo Bank, GO TOKYO says.

    GO TOKYO, Money ↗checked 1 October 2026

  4. Changing money on arrival

    All major airports have exchange counters in the arrivals hall; Narita, Haneda and most big Tokyo neighbourhoods have exchange stations, and your hotel may change money too.

    JNTO, Currency; GO TOKYO, Money ↗checked 1 October 2026

03 · Cards and phones

What the card reader takes

  1. Visa, JCB, Mastercard

    The most widely accepted cards, JNTO says: usually fine at major hotels, department stores and restaurants in the cities. The logos at the door and the till show what a place takes; check ahead for the places you plan to go.

    JNTO, Cashless Payments in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

  2. Your phone wallet, sometimes

    Apple Pay, Google Pay and Alipay sometimes cannot be used in Japan. The apps most often accepted are PayPay, LINE Pay, Rakuten Pay and Merpay, JNTO notes.

    JNTO, Cashless Payments in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

  3. The IC card in shops

    Suica, PASMO and the other transport cards also pay in many shops, including the big convenience-store chains.

    Which card to get

    GO TOKYO, Money ↗checked 1 October 2026

04 · Tipping

Don't

  1. ¥0
    No tips

    Tipping is not practised in Japan; some places add a service charge to the bill instead.

    GO TOKYO, Money ↗checked 1 October 2026

  2. Tax-free shopping

    From 1 November 2026 you pay the tax in the shop and get it back at the airport.

    How the refund works

From the Japan National Tourism Organization, the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau and the banks' own pages. Every line names where it comes from; the newest was checked 1 October 2026.