That being said, I would say you should bring enough cash so that you have at least 10,000 yen of spending money per day. This will be enough to cover any transportation fees and cash-only establishments you visit, provided you also have your debit/credit card to cover the rest of your expenses (e.g. accommodation).

While 2023 has passed, reflecting on that period shows that Japan was in the midst of a significant shift toward digital payments, though it remained a cash-heavy society. For a typical traveler in the post-pandemic era, it was recommended to carry at least ¥5,000 to ¥10,000 (roughly $35 to $70) in cash per day. While major department stores, hotels, and chain restaurants in cities like Tokyo and Osaka accepted credit cards, cash was (and still is in 2026) essential for smaller "mom-and-pop" shops, traditional ramen stalls, temples, shrines, and many local buses. Additionally, loading a physical IC card like Suica or Pasmo at station kiosks usually required physical yen notes. For a week-long trip, starting with ¥50,000 in hand was a safe bet to avoid the hassle of finding a 7-Eleven ATM immediately upon landing. Even today, having a stash of 1,000-yen notes is considered "traveler's etiquette" in Japan, as many small ticket machines and vending machines do not accept large bills or credit cards.