When You Need Cash

Overview

For When You Need Cash, check whether cash, cards, or IC cards are accepted. Fees, limits, and card brands differ by shop or ATM. Cashless payment is growing, but cash is still useful at small shops, rural areas, stalls, lockers, temples, shrines, and buses.

Do this first

• Before nights or rural trips, check usable ATMs and hours
• Keep some 1,000-yen notes and coins for machines or buses
• Check accepted payment signs
• Prepare cash for places that need it
• Check fees and limits

What you need

• Cash
• Credit card
• IC card
• Way to check statements

Steps

• Before rural or late-night travel, prepare cash at a station or convenience store
• Check accepted brands at shops or ATMs
• Keep a small amount of cash
• Watch IC card balance
• Save receipts and transaction details
• If an ATM rejects your card, also check overseas-use settings with your card issuer
• Check IC card balance before riding; use fare adjustment machines or staff when short

Cautions

• Even foreign-card ATMs can be limited by your card issuer
• IC card refunds and reissue rules differ by company
• Confirm tax and tax-free rules with official sources
• ATM fees may be charged by both the Japanese ATM operator and your card issuer
• Steps may differ by area or timing. For important decisions, confirm with official sources and local staff.