How to Pay in Japan

A beautiful nation where modern technology and traditional customs meet, Japan is a popular travel destination for people around the world. As with any place, knowing how and being able to pay for things in Japan is an important part of planning a smooth trip.

The form of currency used in Japan is known as the yen, pronounced ‘en,’ and includes coins of value up to 500 yen and bills of values of 1,000 yen or more. 100 yen is roughly equal to $1. Since Japan is a cash country, most people use cash to pay for things. You can use credit in places — especially large franchises, hotels and tourist destinations — but there are several businesses that only accept cash, so carrying paper money and coins is the best way to be prepared. If you must use a credit card, Visa is best, followed by MasterCard and American Express, and you should make sure to inform your card company or bank about your trip so your card won’t be blocked.

The easiest way to obtain cash in Japan is to bring money with you and purchase yen at a currency exchange desk. You can use a debit card to make withdrawals in Japan, but not all ATMs will accept foreign cards. Japan Post ATMs — which are available all throughout the country — are the best place to withdraw money using a foreign card. Again, be sure your bank knows about your trip so the withdrawal won’t be denied.

Fortunately, Japan is an extremely safe country, so there should be little safety risk associated with carrying cash, even in large amounts.