Money in Japan: Cash, Cards, ATMs & Tipping

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Cash vs card

Card and mobile payments are now accepted at most hotels, department stores, chain restaurants, convenience stores and major attractions. But cash is still common at small restaurants, izakaya, market stalls, some temples and shrines, rural buses and smaller ryokan. Carry some cash every day.

Which ATMs work with foreign cards

• 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) ATMs — in virtually every 7-Eleven, with English menus and wide card support.
• Japan Post Bank ATMs — in post offices and some stations.
• Many convenience-store ATMs at Lawson and FamilyMart also accept international cards, as do airport ATMs.

Some bank ATMs only accept Japanese cards. Your home bank may charge foreign-transaction or withdrawal fees, and the ATM operator may charge a fee — check with your bank.

Dynamic currency conversion

If a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, it's usually cheaper to choose to be charged in yen and let your card issuer convert.

Coins and notes

Coins come in ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100 and ¥500; notes in ¥1,000, ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 (the ¥2,000 note exists but is rare). New banknote designs were introduced in 2024; older notes remain valid. A coin purse is very handy.

Tipping

Tipping isn't customary in Japan and can cause confusion. Good service is expected as standard. Some upscale restaurants and hotels add a service charge to the bill. In ryokan, giving an envelope to staff is a traditional but optional gesture — not expected of visitors.

Paying at restaurants

• Many casual places use ticket machines at the entrance — insert money, push the button for your dish, hand the ticket to staff.
• In sit-down restaurants you usually pay at the register by the door rather than at the table.
• Use the small tray at the register to hand over cash or cards.

Tax-free shopping

Visitors can buy eligible goods tax-free at participating stores (look for the "Tax-Free" sign) by presenting a passport. Rules on minimum spend, packaging and procedures have been revised over time and a refund-style system has been announced — check JNTO's page for current rules.