East Asia

Money, cards and tipping in Japan

Capital: TokyoJapaneseUpdated October 2026

JPYYen

Money in Japan

Mixed: cards and cash Cards and IC cards work at chains, konbini and stations; small eateries, shrines, rural inns and some ticket machines still want cash. US$1 ≈ ¥157.82 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: Not done and can confuse staff. Some restaurants add a 10% service charge, and izakaya often add a small seating charge (otoshi).
ATMs: 7-Eleven, Japan Post and AEON ATMs take foreign cards; ¥100,000 per withdrawal at 7-Eleven; small fee; decline currency conversion.
Paying by phone: Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless cards widely accepted; Suica or PASMO in Apple Wallet; PayPay shops take Alipay+ wallets.
Price level: about 65% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
Tokyo	Mixed: cards and cash	Contactless and Suica work at chains, konbini and stations; small restaurants, shrines and some izakaya still want cash. 7-Eleven ATMs take foreign cards.
Kyoto	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels, department stores and chains. Temples, small eateries, markets and some tea houses are cash-only.
Osaka	Mixed: cards and cash	Contactless and IC cards work in chains, konbini and stations; takoyaki stalls, small izakaya and Shinsekai eateries often want cash.
Hiroshima	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards and IC cards work at chains, stations and hotels; okonomiyaki shops, stalls and some Miyajima shops are cash-only.
Nara	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards and IC cards work at stations and chains; small eateries, temple admission and shops in Naramachi often want cash.
Sapporo	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards and IC cards work at stations, chains and malls; ramen alleys, markets and small bars often want cash.
Okinawa	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels, malls and chains; markets, small eateries on the islands and local buses often want cash.
Hakone	Mostly cash	Cards are fine at big hotels and attractions; ryokan extras, soba shops, small restaurants and bus fares often need cash. Carry some yen.
Fukuoka	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards and IC cards work at stations, chains and malls; yatai, small ramen shops and temples often take cash only.
Kawaguchiko	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work at hotels and bigger restaurants; houtou noodle shops, buses to small stops and souvenir stalls often want cash.
Niseko	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in resort restaurants, lifts and shops in Hirafu; smaller lodges, Kutchan eateries and some buses prefer cash.
Yokohama	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards and IC cards work at stations, chains and malls; Chinatown stalls, small restaurants and shrines often take cash only.
Kanazawa	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work at the station, chains and big hotels; sushi counters, Omicho market stalls, teahouses and small shops often prefer cash.
Takayama	Mostly cash	Cards work at hotels and some shops; morning markets, sake breweries, Hida beef skewer stalls and small restaurants often want cash.
Nagoya	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards and IC cards work at stations, chains and malls; Osu stalls, small noodle shops and temples often take cash only.
Nikko	Mostly cash	Cards work at hotels, major attractions and some restaurants; shrine admission, buses, small shops and yuba restaurants often need cash.
Kamakura	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards and IC cards work at stations and chains; small temples, snack stalls, beach cafés and older shops still want cash.
Kobe	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards and IC cards work widely; some small eateries, izakaya, hot spring houses and shrines still want cash.
Hakuba	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in most resorts and lodges; some small izakaya, ski rental huts and rural shops still need cash.
Ishigaki	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work at hotels and chains; small izakaya, dive shops, farm stands and island ferries often need cash.
Nagasaki	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards and IC cards work at stations and chains; small restaurants, trams (some), shrines and markets still prefer cash.
Shirakawa-go	Mostly cash	Cards work at some shops and cafés, but guesthouses, small stalls and parking often need cash. Bring yen from Takayama or Kanazawa.
Miyakojima	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work at hotels, car rentals and chains; small izakaya, snack stalls and beach shops often need cash.
Hakodate	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards and IC cards work at stations and chains; the morning market, small restaurants and trams (some) still want cash.
Otaru	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in larger shops and sushi restaurants; markets, small cafés and some glass shops still want cash.
Beppu	Mostly cash	Cards work at hotels and some chains; most public baths, small eateries, sand baths and hells entrances want cash.
Matsumoto	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards and IC cards work at stations and chains; small restaurants, craft shops, market stalls and the castle gate may still want cash.
Koyasan	Mostly cash	Cards work at some temples and cafés, but small shops, restaurants and some lodging payments need cash. Bring yen from Osaka.
Furano	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work at hotels, lifts and chains; farm stands, small restaurants and lavender cafés often want cash.
Sendai	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards and IC cards work at stations, malls and chains; small restaurants, izakaya and some shrines still want cash.
Yakushima	Mostly cash	Cards work at some hotels and supermarkets, but guesthouses, small restaurants and shuttle buses often need cash. Bring yen from Kagoshima.
Kagoshima	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards and IC cards work at stations, malls and chains; small restaurants, izakaya and some ferries or onsen still want cash.
Naoshima	Mixed: cards and cash	Museums and larger cafés accept cards; small restaurants, some guesthouses and bike rentals prefer cash. ATMs are limited, so withdraw in Okayama or Takamatsu.
Kumano Kodo	Mostly cash	Many inns, village shops, buses and temples take cash only. Withdraw at 7-Eleven or Japan Post in Tanabe; ATMs are scarce on the trail.
Kinosaki Onsen	Mixed: cards and cash	Ryokan and larger shops take cards; bath passes, small restaurants and shops often want cash. ATMs are at the post office and convenience stores.
Nozawa Onsen	Mixed: cards and cash	Lodges and rental shops take cards; village restaurants, izakaya and some shops want cash. ATMs are at the village post office and convenience store.

Quick answers

Do you tip in Japan?

Not done and can confuse staff. Some restaurants add a 10% service charge, and izakaya often add a small seating charge (otoshi).

Is Japan cashless?

Mixed: cards and cash. Cards and IC cards work at chains, konbini and stations; small eateries, shrines, rural inns and some ticket machines still want cash.

What currency does Japan use?

The Yen (JPY). US$1 ≈ ¥157.82 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.