How Much Cash Do You Actually Need in Japan?

This is one of the most common questions from first-time Japan visitors: how much cash should I bring? You've probably read conflicting advice — some blogs say Japan is completely cash-only, others claim you can tap your card everywhere. The truth, as usual, is somewhere in the middle.

初めての日本旅行で最もよくある質問のひとつ：現金はいくら持っていくべき？このガイドで実用的な答えをお伝えします。

This guide gives you practical daily budgets, shows you where cash is still commonly needed, and walks you through the easiest ways to get yen once you arrive. Clear numbers you can plan with.

01The myth: “Japan is cash-only”

Let's get this out of the way: Japan is not a cash-only country anymore. That advice was accurate a decade ago, but things have changed significantly since 2023. The government's cashless push, accelerated by COVID, means that credit cards, IC cards, and QR payments are now accepted at the majority of businesses in major cities.

「日本は現金社会」という情報はもう古いです。2023年以降、キャッシュレス決済は大幅に普及しました。ただし、まだ現金が必要な場面はあります。

In Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, you can probably get through 70-80% of your transactions with a credit card or IC card (Suica/Pasmo). Major convenience stores, chain restaurants, department stores, and hotels all take cards without issue.

But here's the catch: you'll still hit situations where cash is the only option, and they tend to happen at the most memorable parts of your trip — the tiny ramen shop with 8 seats, the temple entrance, the street food stall at a local market, the bus in a small town. These moments aren't rare. They happen multiple times per day.

So the real question isn't whether you need cash in Japan. It's how much and where. That's what the rest of this guide answers.

02Where you still need cash

These are the specific situations where you should expect to pay with cash. Not every single one of these places is cash-only, but enough of them are that you shouldn't count on cards.

以下の場面では現金が必要になることが多いです。すべてが現金のみとは限りませんが、カードが使えない可能性が高い場所です。

Small restaurants and ramen shops

That amazing hole-in-the-wall ramen shop with a line out the door? Cash only. Many small, family-run restaurants — especially ramen shops, izakayas, and soba joints — still operate on cash. Some use ticket vending machines at the entrance where you insert bills and coins to order your meal. These machines rarely accept credit cards. A typical ramen bowl costs ¥900-1,200, and a meal at a small izakaya runs ¥2,000-4,000 per person.

Temples and shrines

Almost all temple and shrine entry fees are cash only. This includes major destinations like Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto (¥500), Fushimi Inari (free, but offerings are cash), and Meiji Shrine in Tokyo (free, but the inner garden is ¥500). Expect to pay ¥300-1,000 per temple or shrine with an entry fee. If you're visiting Kyoto, you might hit 4-5 temples in a day — that's ¥2,000-3,000 in cash right there.

Vending machines and coin lockers

Japan's famous vending machines are everywhere — drinks cost ¥120-180 per bottle. Many newer machines accept IC cards, but older ones (especially outside major stations) still only take coins and bills. Coin lockers at train stations cost ¥300-700 depending on size. Some have been upgraded to IC card readers, but many at smaller stations still require coins — specifically ¥100 coins.

Local buses outside Tokyo

City buses in Kyoto, Kamakura, and smaller towns often only accept cash or IC cards — not credit cards. If you don't have an IC card, you'll need exact change. Bus fares are typically ¥200-250 per ride. In Kyoto, you'll likely take several buses per day.

Street food and markets

Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo, Nishiki Market in Kyoto, Kuromon Market in Osaka — these iconic food markets are largely cash-based. Individual stalls selling tamagoyaki (rolled omelet, ¥200), grilled seafood (¥500-1,500), and dango (rice dumplings, ¥300) almost always want cash. Budget ¥2,000-4,000 for a good market grazing session.

Taxis (sometimes)

Most taxis in Tokyo and Osaka now accept credit cards, but not all. Taxis in smaller cities and towns may still be cash-only. A typical taxi ride in Tokyo costs ¥1,000-3,000. If you're taking a late-night taxi back to your hotel, having cash is a good safety net.

03Where cards work fine

The good news is that your biggest expenses — hotel, train tickets, and shopping — are almost always card-friendly. Here's where you can confidently leave the cash in your pocket.

ホテル、電車、ショッピングなど大きな出費はほぼカード対応。以下の場所ではカードで問題ありません。

Hotels and accommodations

All hotels, from budget business hotels to ryokans (traditional inns), accept credit cards. Most hostels do too, though a few very small guesthouses may prefer cash. Your hotel bill is likely your single biggest expense — it's good that you don't need cash for it.

Department stores and electronics shops

Bic Camera, Yodobashi Camera, Don Quijote — all of Japan's major retail chains accept every card under the sun. Department stores like Isetan, Takashimaya, and Daimaru are fully card-equipped. These are also where you'll do tax-free shopping (purchases over ¥5,000), which requires your passport and a card makes the transaction smoother.

Convenience stores

7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart all accept credit cards, IC cards, and various QR payments. Since you'll probably visit a convenience store 2-3 times per day (they're that good in Japan), knowing you can use your card here is reassuring. That said, having a few hundred yen in coins for small purchases keeps lines moving.

Train tickets and IC card recharges

JR ticket offices and most ticket machines accept credit cards. You can also recharge your Suica or Pasmo IC card at station machines with cash or credit. Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets, which cost ¥13,000-15,000 one way from Tokyo to Kyoto, are always purchasable by card.

Chain restaurants and tourist-area dining

National chains like Gyudon shops (Yoshinoya, Matsuya, Sukiya), family restaurants (Gusto, Denny's, Saizeriya), and most restaurants in tourist-heavy areas accept cards. The rule of thumb: if it has an English menu, it probably takes cards.

04Daily cash budget by travel style

Here's how much cash to plan for each day, depending on how you travel. These amounts are per person and cover only cash spending — your hotel and train passes are separate (and go on your card).

旅行スタイル別の1日あたり現金予算（1人分）。ホテルや鉄道パスは別途カード払いを想定。

Important: you don't need to carry your entire 7-day cash supply on day one. Withdraw 2-3 days' worth at a time and top up as needed. There's no reason to walk around Tokyo with ¥100,000 in your pocket.

For a couple traveling mid-range for 7 days, your total cash need is roughly ¥170,000-210,000 (about $1,130-1,400 USD). That sounds like a lot, but remember: you're withdrawing it gradually, not bringing it all from home.

05Best ways to get yen

You have several options for getting Japanese yen. Here they are, ranked from best to worst.

日本円の入手方法を、おすすめ順にご紹介します。

7-Eleven ATMs (best option)

This is the gold standard for foreign visitors. Seven Bank ATMs inside 7-Eleven stores accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, PLUS, and most international debit cards. They have English menus, are available 24 hours in most locations, and there are over 25,000 7-Eleven stores across Japan. The ATM fee is typically ¥110 per transaction, and most banks charge an additional foreign ATM fee of $1-3 on their end.

Japan Post ATMs (great backup)

Japan Post (JP) ATMs at post offices throughout the country also accept most foreign cards. They're especially useful in rural areas where 7-Eleven stores might be less common. Post office hours vary, but main branches in cities are typically open until 7:00 PM on weekdays. Some have 24-hour ATM lobbies.

Airport exchange counters (okay for a small amount)

Exchange counters at Narita and Haneda airports are convenient but typically offer worse rates than ATMs. If you want cash in hand before clearing arrivals, exchanging $100-200 worth is fine. But don't exchange your entire trip budget at the airport — you'll lose money on the spread.

Exchange before you leave home (usually worst rates)

Banks and currency exchange shops in your home country typically offer the worst exchange rates for yen. Unless you're in a country where ATM withdrawals abroad are restricted, skip this option entirely.

A note on exchange rates

As of early 2026, the yen is still relatively weak against the US dollar and euro, making Japan an excellent value destination. ¥10,000 is roughly $66 USD (at around ¥150 per dollar). For European visitors, ¥10,000 is approximately €60. Check the current rate before your trip, but don't obsess over daily fluctuations — the difference on a week's spending is usually negligible.

06The coin problem

Nobody warns you about this, but it will become the most annoying part of your daily cash routine in Japan: coins pile up fast.

誰も教えてくれませんが、日本旅行中に最も困るのが硬貨の蓄積です。6種類の硬貨がポケットにどんどん溜まります。

Japan uses six types of coins:

• ¥1 — tiny aluminum coin (almost worthless, but you'll get them as change)
• ¥5 — brass coin with a hole (considered lucky; toss one at shrines)
• ¥10 — bronze coin (about the size of a US penny)
• ¥50 — nickel coin with a hole
• ¥100 — silver coin (you'll use these the most — vending machines, lockers, buses)
• ¥500 — large, heavy coin worth about $3.30 USD — don't ignore these!

After just a few cash transactions, you'll find your pockets or bag heavy with change. By the end of day one, you might have 20-30 coins rattling around. By day three, you'll be wondering if you can just leave them at the hotel.

How to manage your coins

• Get a coin purse. Seriously. Japanese people carry them for a reason. You can buy a simple one at any convenience store or 100-yen shop for ¥100-300. This is probably the most practical purchase of your entire trip.
• Use coins first. When paying at convenience stores or vending machines, dump your small coins. The cashier won't mind — they're used to it. Hand over your ¥1 and ¥5 coins whenever you can.
• Feed vending machines. Those ¥10 and ¥100 coins are perfect for buying drinks from vending machines. A ¥160 bottle of tea is a great way to unload small change.
• Don't ignore ¥500 coins. It's easy to mentally dismiss coins as "small change," but each ¥500 coin is worth over $3. Ten of them is a nice lunch. Some travelers collect ¥500 coins and are surprised to find ¥5,000-8,000 worth at the end of their trip.
• Self-checkout at convenience stores. Many convenience stores now have self-checkout machines that accept coins. These machines have a coin slot where you can pour in handfuls of change at once — the fastest way to clear out your coin collection.

07What if you run out?

Don't panic. Running out of cash in Japan is not the crisis it would be in some countries. ATMs are everywhere, and finding one is usually a 5-minute walk (or less) in any urban area.

日本で現金が尽きても心配無用。ATMはどこにでもあります。

Your backup options, in order

• 7-Eleven ATMs — available 24/7 in most areas. There are over 21,000 7-Eleven stores in Japan, so you're never far from one in any city. Even in smaller towns, there's usually at least one.
• Japan Post ATMs — post offices are everywhere, including rural areas. Main branches have ATMs that accept international cards. Look for the red "⟨T⟩" postal symbol.
• Major train stations — JR stations, especially larger ones, always have ATMs nearby. Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, Kyoto Station — these all have multiple ATM options in the station building or immediately outside.
• Your hotel front desk — they can't give you cash, but they can point you to the nearest ATM. Many hotels in tourist areas have ATMs in the lobby or within a minute's walk.
• AEON Mall ATMs — if you're near an AEON shopping mall, their ATMs also accept most international cards and often have lower fees.

Worst case scenario

Even if your card gets declined or lost, you have options. Most hotels can arrange a cash advance, and your embassy can assist in emergencies. But honestly, in 15 years of traveling in Japan, the "worst case" is usually just walking two blocks to find a 7-Eleven. Japan is one of the easiest countries in the world to access cash as a foreigner.