15. 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 and can even be considered rude

• Great service is already included in the price

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