Japan
Money in Japan: currency, ATMs, cards and tipping
Japan uses the yen (JPY, ¥). Carry some cash: temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still take only cash, and convenience-store ATMs are the reliable way to withdraw with a foreign card. Cards work in cities, hotels and chain shops. Do not tip; a service charge is not expected.
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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GuideJapan
Key facts
- Currency
- Japanese yen (JPY, ¥); coins ¥1–¥500, notes ¥1,000–¥10,000
- Cash needed?
- Yes, some: temples, small restaurants, some lodging taxes
- Reliable ATM for foreign cards
- Convenience-store ATMs (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart)
- Cards
- Widely accepted in cities, hotels, chains and department stores; less so at small counters
- Tipping
- Not expected and can cause awkwardness; a service charge is not the norm
- Tax-free shopping
- Passport needed at the counter; thresholds apply per store and day
- Typical daily spend
- Budget ¥9,000–14,000; mid-range ¥20,000–35,000; comfort ¥50,000+ (2026 estimate)
By passport, month and cost
Your passport decides how you pay for the trip before you arrive; the month decides what you pay for beds. The table below lines up the three variables that change your money plan: where you are coming from, when you travel, and which spending tier you are on.
| Passport / origin | What changes for money | When to travel | Daily budget (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | No visa for short visits; cards and USD cards work at most ATMs (check) | Mar–May, Oct–Nov for mild weather | Budget ¥9,000–14,000; mid ¥20,000–35,000 |
| UK | No visa for short visits; sterling cards fine, watch non-JPY conversion fees (check) | Avoid Golden Week and Obon if you want quiet | Budget ¥9,000–14,000; mid ¥20,000–35,000 |
| Canada / Australia / NZ | No visa for short visits; your bank's foreign-use fee is the main cost (check) | Cherry blossom and autumn leaves push beds up 30–100% | Budget ¥9,000–14,000; mid ¥20,000–35,000 |
| Ireland | No visa for short visits; same ATM and card rules as the UK (check) | Book beds early for late March and November | Budget ¥9,000–14,000; mid ¥20,000–35,000 |
2026 estimate, per person, sharing a room at mid and comfort. Long Shinkansen legs are extra: Tokyo–Kyoto reserved is about ¥14,000–15,000 one way.
Step by step
Before you fly, tell your bank you are travelling and check its foreign-transaction fee. A card that charges no foreign fee saves more than any exchange trick. Arrive with ¥10,000–20,000 in cash for the first day: airport train, a meal, a taxi if your flight lands late.
At the airport, withdraw from an ATM rather than a bureau de change. Rates at the ATM are set by your bank and are usually better than a counter. Keep the receipt until you have checked your statement.
In the city, use convenience-store ATMs when you need cash. They are the reliable option for foreign cards, and they are everywhere. Bank ATMs in post offices and major branches also work, but smaller bank machines may not accept overseas cards.
Pay by card where you can and keep cash for the small places: a temple entry, a neighbourhood noodle counter, a taxi in a rural town. IC transit cards (Suica, ICOCA) cover trains, buses and many convenience stores; load them with cash at a station machine.
For tax-free shopping, show your passport at the counter. The threshold applies per store and per day, so plan larger purchases together rather than spreading them across shops.
- Tell your bank you are travelling; check the foreign-transaction fee
- Land with ¥10,000–20,000 cash for day one
- Withdraw at a convenience-store ATM, not a bureau de change
- Load an IC card with cash for transit and small shops
- Show your passport at the counter for tax-free shopping
Notes
Tipping is not part of the culture. A restaurant bill is the price; staff are paid to do the job well, and leaving coins can be read as a comment on the service rather than a reward. If you want to thank someone, a small gift or a sincere arigatō gozaimasu does more than cash.
Some higher-end hotels and ryokan add a service charge, and a few restaurants do the same; that is a line on the bill, not a tip you choose. Check the bill before you pay.
Cash is still king in small towns, temples and older shops. Do not leave Tokyo or Kyoto with an empty wallet. Conversely, do not carry huge sums: ¥30,000–50,000 is plenty for a few days, and convenience-store ATMs let you top up.
Coin lockers, vending machines and some shrine offerings take coins. Keep a pocket of ¥100 and ¥500 coins; they disappear fast and are genuinely useful.
If a card is declined, it is usually the terminal, not your account. Try another card or pay cash; do not assume your bank has blocked you until you have tried twice.
- No tipping; the bill is the price
- Service charges appear on some hotel and ryokan bills
- Carry ¥30,000–50,000 for a few days, not more
- Keep ¥100 and ¥500 coins for lockers and vending machines
- If a card fails, try another card or cash before calling your bank
Questions people ask
What currency is used in Japan?
The Japanese yen, written JPY and ¥. Coins run from ¥1 to ¥500 and notes from ¥1,000 to ¥10,000. Prices are shown in yen; your card or ATM converts to your home currency at your bank's rate.
Should I use cash or a card in Japan?
Both. Cards work in cities, hotels, chains and department stores. Carry cash for temples, small restaurants, rural taxis and some lodging taxes. Convenience-store ATMs are the reliable way to withdraw with a foreign card.
How much should I tip in Japan?
Nothing. Tipping is not expected and can cause awkwardness. Some hotels and ryokan add a service charge to the bill; that is not a tip you choose. A spoken thank you is the norm.
Where can I withdraw cash with a foreign card?
Convenience-store ATMs (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) are the most reliable. Post-office and major bank branches usually work too, but smaller bank machines may not accept overseas cards.
Is Japan a cashless country now?
Cities are increasingly cashless, and IC cards and phone payments cover a lot. Small restaurants, temples and some lodging taxes still want cash, so keep a few thousand yen on you.
How much cash should I carry day to day?
About ¥30,000–50,000 covers a few days of small purchases, with cards for hotels and bigger bills. Top up at a convenience-store ATM rather than carrying large sums.
Do I need my passport to shop tax-free?
Yes. Show it at the counter. The tax-free threshold applies per store and per day, so group larger purchases at one shop rather than spreading them out.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check