Japan Money

My husband and daughter went to Tokyo last year with a Wise card (money transfer company, similar to an international bank account). They used the card most places until they lost the physical card. My husband locked it on the app on his phone, and had a digital card on his phone and just unlocked it to use it, then locked it again. They also went with a small amount of cash and were able to use Wise at ATMs. I think with a combination of cash and card you would be OK. The conversion rates on Wise are good and you can decide when you want to transfer money from your primary account, so you can do it when the rates are favourable.

Lavandula

How much are you planning on spending? I have only been to Tokyo, but can tell you I didn't use any cash at all. I used credit card, with debit card as a backup.

Alternatively, just increase your withdrawal limit. $300 seems very low.

Japan has an extensive Post Office network in big cities and small towns. Almost all of them have ATMs. The machines have an English language button. The daily limit per card is around $500 per card.

You can look for YouTube videos, but I remember the process as being pretty easy.

Hotels, department stores and big restaurants will all take credit cards.

I was in Japan (Kyoto, Tokyo & Yokohama) this past May. 7-11 stores have probably one of the best ATM systems in Japan and that is where I got cash from, using my Fidelity debit card. The processing fee was much less than the 10% converting exchange rate that your bank is quoting. 7-11s are all over Japan and super easy to find. That being said, I didn't really use tons of cash. The hotels that I stayed at accepted credit cards. There are still quite a few other businesses that accept either a credit card or a Suico or Pasmo card. The Suico or Pasmo card can be used on the subways and at convenience stores such as 7-11 and Lawsons.

I highly recommend the YouTube channel "Kensho Quest". The family spends months each year in Japan and their channel is a wealth of really good information.

We could get money from ATM when we are in Tokyo on our own however there is a $300 per day withdrawal limit and $900 each would definitely not be enough cash.

Some places take a card and some are cash only. I used less than $500 in cash on a 3 week trip to Japan. I could have gotten by with less but I took out more than I needed early in the trip and paid many times with cash instead of a card to use all my yen up. Where I needed cash was mostly at small restaurants.

As mentioned above, 7-11s have ATMs and they are everywhere. I find it hard to believe that there would not be anytime while on tour to get cash.

We go to Japan often, have lost count of the number of times we've gone there, and based on our experience, I think you are worrying needlessly about, well, pretty much everything.

We were going to use credit cards but we've read that Japan is really not credit card friendly.

Hogwash. I suggest you consider any further advice from that source as questionable.

Credit cards are widely accepted in Japan. Especially in businesses that cater to tourists. Like anywhere else, you might find the occasional small shop or street food stall that is cash-only, but that will probably be very few places you might need. Sure, you'll want to get some cash for those odd times, but ATMs are widely available. As noted above, the Japanese postal system has post offices everywhere, and most have ATMs, and IME those work just fine with your home-town bank's ATM/Debit card. Just seek out a post office, find the ATM, and pull some cash from your bank account at home. There are also ATMs in the major airport you are probably landing at, although only some of those machines will work with US ATM networks. Look at the symbols on the back of your ATM/Debit card...look for those symbols when you come across a Japanese ATM. Easy, peasey, Japan-esey.

there is a $300 per day withdrawal limit and $900 each would definitely not be enough cash...

You really do not need to (and should not) be walking around Japan with your pockets stuffed with cash. Use credit cards for most things, certainly for hotels and any expensive restaurants. Use cash for things only when you have to - like for an ice cream cone or some fish on a stick at a street vendor. On our many trips to Japan, I don't think we've ever used that much money in cash across 3- or 4-week trips. For three days?! No way.

if we exchange US dollars for yen here in US, bank told us that there would be a 10% converting exchange rate for changing US dollars into yen and also a high rate for converting back any unused yen...

Of course. Never, ever "exchange" money - it's 100% unnecessary and a complete waste of money. Especially so for converting it BACK after your trip. Just pull $100 in Yen from your home bank account once you've landed, use credit cards for everything...you'll probably go home with $90 of your Yen unused.

We are off to Japan again in November. We will bring along some Yen we have from a previous trip, but if we didn't have any, I would not bother getting any before we get there...and we might not bother with cash at all. If that makes you nervous, then just grab that $100 in Yen from an ATM after you get there.

Japan is one of the easiest countries in the world to travel in. You will do just fine. Hope some of that helps allay your concerns.

In speaking with people I know, who have visited Japan, they never had any trouble using their credit cards in hotels, restaurants, etc. Listen to the wise folks on the forum and ignore whoever said Japan was not credit card friendly. (My son just returned from3 weeks there and used his CC all the time.)

You may need some cash.

As stated earlier, get a Suica card. This can be used on public transport and at Konbini--convenience stores like 7-11.

If you have an Apple device, you won't need a physical card and can load a digital Suica card on the phone. This can be topped off with a credit card.

However, if your phone is Android, a digital Suica is not available unless it is a Japanese registered phone. Here you will need a physical Suica card. Physical Suica cards can only be topped off with cash.

Many bank ATM's will not accept a foreign debit card in their ATM's. However, the ATM's at 7-11 and I believe most Konbini accept US cards. You will never have to walk more than a couple of minutes to find a Konbini in most cities. Post Offices are not as plentiful.

Smaller shops and restaurants that don't necessarily cater to tourists may only accept cash. But with the convenience of ATM's at Konbini, no need to get a lot at one time.

Also remember to never hand cash directly to the cashier. Always put it in the little tray that will be at the register.

You will love Japan!

A few suggestions. Get a Succia Card. This handy card works for transportation in Tokyo and for payments at many, many locations. You top it up as needed and aren’t stuck with a great deal of cash. I downloaded the card to my Apple wallet and put some money on it before I left for Japan. Then I added amounts as needed.

For cash, simply pop into the nearest 7-11 and use an ATM. You will not need a great deal of cash.

I would put a visit to Team Labs Planet on your list for those extra days in Tokyo. It is a unique experience. Look it up on you tube. It does require advance ticketing.

I'll be taking my 5th trip to Japan in December, spending most of my time in Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka.

The only places that I go that may not accept credit cards are little food stands (like getting Taiyaki), getting drinks at cash only vending machines, some small mom and pop style restaurants, some remote bus routes that are cash only, and shrine offerings.

Since I have a debit card that reimburses ATM charges, and convenience stores with an ATM (7-11, Family Mart, etc.) are on every block, I tend to withdraw only the cash I think I will need for the next few days. Given what I spend my money on above, that's like $10/day.

It has changed a lot over the years. My first trip in 2017 I had to pay cash at a couple of Minshuku (traditional Japanese guest houses), as well as most restaurants. At that time the currency exchange counters at the airports had reasonable rates (they may still) and we brought and exchanged USD there. If you look at online forums, some people still insist you need a lot of cash, but that has certainly not been my recent experience, even for trips to more remote areas of Hokkaido and Tohoku.

I was in Japan in 2008. They were paying for things with their phone way back then. I can't believe you'd need much cash in Tokyo.

I was in Japan a few years ago, and I remember using my credit card a lot, but I also withdrew some cash from ATMs for small vendors that might not accept credit cards.

Also, SUICA is a Japanese prepaid card you can load money onto and use for public transportation, taxis, some convenience stores, and even some vending machines. You can buy a physical card (similar to a gift card) or add it to your phone mobile wallet. It is green/white with a penguin logo.

I remember using cash (mostly coins) for some lockers and a taxi in Kyoto because the online payment system wasn't working properly.

I got a Wise account (mentioned above) AFTER my trip to Japan, so I don't have firsthand experience using it there.

You will have no problems using credit cards in Japan for most things - taxis, hotels, restaurants, convenience stores, train tickets and so on.
Cash in handy as there are some places that are cash only - if you want cattail donuts in Yanaka Ginza or if you want to ride the ferry to Naoshima Island or shop in out of the way areas - but you can easily use an ATM at any 7-11 convenience store and they are all over the place.
I usually go to Japan several times a year and always pick up some cash as I tend to go to less touristed spots where cash is more useful but you could certainly do a trip without it. My only caveat is that if you are at some small local shop (for example, the donut shop in Tokyo's Yanaka Ginza near Nippori Town) and want to make a purchase, show your credit card before you order anything to make sure they will accept it to avoid an awkward situation.

I am in Japan now.

I've used cash exactly once, to buy ice cream from a street vendor. Credit cards are accepted just about everywhere. As has been suggested already, wherever you read that Japan is not credit card friendly should be a source you no longer rely on for information as you prepare for this trip.

I haven’t been to Japan in 50 years, but I don’t remember much cash back then.

I would look at another bank. I got Euro at my bank before my trip last month. Took 2 days and the rate was good, less than I expected

We were in Japan 2 years ago and, as others have said, just withdrew cash (usually the equivalent of $75) at the 7-11 ATM. The 7-11’s in Japan are definitely a cut above what you will find at home. The food is tasty (good egg salad sandwiches) and the stores are easy to find. The food sections in the large Tokyo department stores are wonderful. I still have fond memories of my fruit sandwiches.

I was in Japan in May this year. A lot of good advice so far. Add- have a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees.

I found that the exchange rate was better at the 7-11 ATMs than at a large bank's ATM (I tried that).

As suggested, be sure to try the egg salad and the strawberry sandwiches at the 7-11s. Our group raved about them. Try as many different types of pastries and other delicacies as you can. Well worth sampling.

Slightly off topic but an egg sandwich and a strawberry sandwich are often my first meal in Japan!
I thought this was an entry requirement for Japan ....

Can't beat those convenience stores for value. I was there in the rainy season earlier this year and needed some dry socks - just ran into Family Mart and picked up a pair for the equivalent of a few bucks. Easy peasy.

I asked my friend who goes to Japan 1-2x per year and she said that the idea of Japan not being "credit card friendly" comes from decades ago. It just isn't true today. She cited lots of examples of little transactions she uses her phone (card linked) every day in Japan.