Is Japan cash friendly?

Japan is a cash society, but credit cards and debit cards are accepted in most places in Japanese cities. Establishments such as local restaurants, markets and rural inns (ryokans) are cash-only. In the places where you can use your card, you may have issues if your card doesn't have your name on the front.



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A Few Final Notes and Links While credit cards are become more widely accepted in Japan, cash is still king in Japan. Don't assume that you can use a credit card in small stores, restaurants and accommodations, particularly “mom and pop” places. Always carry sufficient Japanese cash as a backup.

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Cash-based country For years, Japan was primarily a cash economy. People preferred physical banknotes over cashless transactions. In fact, back in 2021 cashless payments were just 15.1% of total transactions and only rising slowly. Comparatively, in the UK this statistic was 27% in the same year.

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For instance, some hotels and other vendors that frequently have non-Japanese customers may accept USD. However, they will set their exchange rates on purchases, which can be unfavorable for travelers. It's typically better to pay in the local currency (JPY) to avoid any additional fees or unfavorable exchange rates.

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Because the number of pick pockets, break-ins, and overall theft is low, people don't feel uncomfortable walking around with tens or even hundreds of thousands of yen (hundreds or thousands of dollars). Even if a wallet is lost, it is most often returned with all the cash still inside.

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You may be surprised at how many places accept cash only, so it's a good idea to bring enough currency or withdraw money when you arrive, especially if traveling with a large group. Most major Japanese banks accept international cards at their ATMs. Post office ATM are another option.

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Bills come in denominations of 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000 yen, and coins come in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 yen. Even though Japan is considered a very safe place for travelers, it is still a good idea to use a money belt or similar travel pouch.

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A Line Pay spokesperson agrees that the pandemic has had an impact. “In general, Japan is still a very cash-based society, relative to other markets, which is why people can still get by with cash with nearly all transactions.

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Overall, a budget traveler can expect to spend around $50 to $100 per day in Japan, while a mid-range traveler can expect to spend around $150 to $250 per day. It's important to plan ahead and research activities and costs to create a budget that works for you.

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