CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE

Japan is still heavily cash-based, despite increasing credit card acceptance. Always carry cash, especially in rural areas, small shops, and traditional businesses.

Best Way to Get Yen 💳➡️💴

🚫 Avoid Exchanging Money at Home or at Airports

• Poor exchange rates & extra fees

• Japanese ATMs usually offer better rates

✅ Use ATMs in Japan

• ATMs that accept foreign cards are common

• 7-Eleven ATMs are the most traveler-friendly (Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, Plus, etc.)

• Currency exchange machines in tourist areas often have better rates than airport counters

🏦 Bank ATMs (MUFG, SMBC, etc.)

• May work with international cards but often have limited hours, especially outside major cities

📌 Important:
🔹 Check if your bank card has a Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, or Plus logo for compatibility
🔹 Adjust your daily withdrawal limit before traveling
🔹 Japanese ATMs may have a per-withdrawal limit (¥50,000–¥100,000)

Cash is King in Japan 👑💴

💰 Why You Need Cash:

• Many restaurants, markets, and family-run businesses don’t accept cards

• Vending machines mostly take coins & small bills (¥1,000 notes)

💡 Tip: Carry backup cash in USD, EUR, or another major currency for emergencies.

Tipping Culture in Japan

🚫 No Tipping Needed

Tipping is not customary, but you can do if you REALLY want to, but they might refuse.

Cashless Payments in Japan

Japan is gradually adopting cashless payments, but it varies by location:

📱 Apple Pay / Google Pay → Widely accepted
💳 IC Cards (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA) → Used for public transport, convenience stores, vending machines & some restaurants
📲 QR Code Payments (PayPay, LINE Pay, etc.) → Popular among locals but not always tourist-friendly

💡 Tip: Use a travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees to save on costs.

Final Advice: Always Have Backup Payment Options

✔ Carry a second card in case of technical issues or a lost card
✔ Cash remains essential for everyday expenses