Money Matters
In Japan, a largely cash-based society, having adequate cash and preparing your payment methods in advance significantly affects the convenience of your trip. While the environment for credit card usage is improving, many places still require cash. Therefore, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with currency exchange methods and ATM usage beforehand.
Japanese Currency
Japan uses the Yen (¥) as its official currency.
There are six types of coins: ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, and ¥500. You'll frequently use coins in Japan, especially for bus fares and vending machines, so it's a good idea to always have enough small change.
Banknotes are issued in four denominations: ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥5,000, and ¥10,000. However, ¥2,000 banknotes are rarely used nowadays, so ¥1,000, ¥5,000, and ¥10,000 bills are primarily in circulation.
Exchanging Yen
You can exchange currency for your trip to Japan either in your home country beforehand or upon arrival in Japan. While currency exchange counters and kiosks are available at Japan's international airports, major train stations, and popular tourist areas, their exchange rates are often unfavorable. It's best to avoid them if you're not in a hurry.
Recently, fintech services like Wise and Revolut have gained attention for currency exchange. These services apply real-time exchange rates, offering advantageous conditions with low fees. They also allow for convenient direct withdrawal of Yen from ATMs in Japan.
Using Credit or Debit Cards
In Japan, major international credit cards such as VISA, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, and UnionPay are accepted. Among these, JCB cards are issued by a Japanese company and are widely accepted, making them convenient to use.
Most merchants allow credit card payments without a separate identity verification process. However, you must sign the back of your card and ensure your signature on the receipt matches the one on the back of your card. It's also a good idea to confirm beforehand that the English name on your card matches the English name on your passport.
In major cities like Osaka, credit card usage is becoming increasingly common, particularly in department stores and large shopping malls. However, many small shops and independent restaurants still only accept cash payments, so it's advisable to have enough cash before visiting them.
Most establishments that accept credit cards also support mobile payment options like Apple Pay. However, some may not have NFC payment terminals, or staff might not be familiar with mobile payments. It's always safer to carry your physical card.
Using ATMs
Given Japan's high reliance on cash, you can easily find ATMs at major airports, train stations, shopping malls, and convenience stores. SEVEN Bank and AEON Bank are particularly known for offering convenient ATM services for foreign travelers.
You can search for SEVEN Bank on Google Maps by typing 'seven eleven' or 'seven bank atm', and AEON Bank by typing 'aeon bank atm'. Note that some AEON Bank locations may only appear in Japanese in search results, so be aware of that.
SEVEN Bank (セブン銀行)
SEVEN Bank ATMs are highly accessible and can be found easily anywhere in Japan. They support various languages, including English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese, making them convenient for foreigners to use.
When withdrawing money, if your PIN is 4 digits, enter the 4 digits and then fill the remaining two digits with '0' to make a total of 6 digits. If you already use a 6-digit PIN, simply enter it as usual.
For detailed instructions, please refer to the official SEVEN Bank website.
AEON Bank (イオン銀行)
AEON Bank ATMs support languages like English, Chinese, and Korean, making them convenient for foreigners. Select the 'International Cards' menu on the main screen to begin the withdrawal process. Similarly, if your PIN is 4 digits, you will need to fill the remaining two digits with '0' to make it a 6-digit entry.
For detailed instructions, please refer to the official AEON Bank website.