Money in Japan for Tourists: Card Declined, Cash, ATMs (2026)
Short answer: carry some yen as a backup, and withdraw it at a Seven Bank ATM (7-Eleven) or a Japan Post Bank ATM — both take foreign Visa, Mastercard, JCB and UnionPay cards. Seven Bank is open 24 hours for Visa and Mastercard; a Welcome Suica can be topped up only with cash and its balance is never refunded.
1. Using your home card in Japan
| Brand | What the official sources say |
|---|---|
| Visa, Mastercard, JCB | JNTO: "the most widely accepted credit cards in Japan". Usually accepted at major hotels, department stores, large shopping centers and city restaurants. |
| American Express, Diners, Discover, UnionPay | JNTO says international-brand credit, debit and prepaid cards are "generally accepted", but does not list these among the most widely accepted. Bring a Visa, Mastercard or JCB as backup. (Exact acceptance rates: not officially confirmed.) |
- Many places, especially rural areas, may accept only cash — even hotels (JNTO). Keep some yen.
- Card fares: usable for Narita Express and shinkansen, but not always for short train/subway rides (JNTO).
- Shops may not show card logos — ask the staff (JNTO).
- Tell your card issuer about your trip and know your PIN before you leave (Visa).
2. Foreign transaction fees and "pay in your currency?"
When a shop terminal or ATM asks "pay in your home currency or JPY?", choose JPY (yen). Visa says the conversion offered by merchants "usually includes a markup"; to avoid it, decline and pay in local currency — your card's own network rate is then used. Visa requires the screen to show both amounts, the rate and any fees; if not, or if you feel pressured, Visa recommends declining.
Separately, your own bank may add a foreign transaction fee on every purchase or withdrawal abroad. The amount depends entirely on your card — check your card terms before you fly. (We did not compare specific cards' fees: not officially confirmed.)
3. ATMs (details below)
JNTO points visitors to Japan Post Bank and Seven Bank ATMs for cash. Hours, brands and limits from the banks' own pages are in the table further down.
Card trouble is common — and rising
In the Japan Tourism Agency's latest survey of 4,110 visitors leaving Japan (Nov 2025–Jan 2026), 10.7% said using a credit or debit card was a problem, and that share has risen each year since FY2023. Restaurants were the most common place it happened (32%). So plan for a card not working sometimes.
ATMs that accept foreign cards
| Seven Bank (7-Eleven, airports, stations) | Japan Post Bank (post offices, some FamilyMart) | |
|---|---|---|
| Card brands | Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, American Express, JCB, Discover, Diners Club | Visa, PLUS, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, JCB, UnionPay, Discover |
| Hours | 365 days. Visa/Mastercard 00:00–24:00; JCB, UnionPay, Discover 00:10–23:50; Amex 00:05–23:50; Diners 00:05–23:55 | Post office ATMs: Mon–Sat 7:00–23:00, Sun/holidays 7:00–21:00. Compact ATMs in FamilyMart etc.: 0:05–23:55. Hours vary by location and holidays. |
| Limit per withdrawal | ¥100,000 (magnetic-stripe cards ¥30,000) | ¥50,000 |
| ATM fee | "Varies by card brand" (amount not stated on the official page) | ¥220 per use may apply for some foreign cards |
| Languages | English and 10+ others | — |
Both banks: your own card issuer may charge extra fees. Some cards with these logos are still refused — ask your card issuer. Japan Post Bank ATMs don't show balances for foreign cards.
At the ATM: home currency or yen?
Seven Bank ATMs may ask you to pick the billing currency (Dynamic Currency Conversion, Visa/Mastercard only). Home currency fixes the amount at the ATM; yen means your card company converts it later. Visa's advice: choose yen to avoid the conversion markup (see section 2).
If your card is declined
- Pay with yen cash instead, then withdraw more at a 7-Eleven or post office ATM.
- If the ATM rejects your PIN, Seven Bank says to contact your card issuer.
- Try a different card brand: ATM hours and acceptance differ by brand (table above).
Welcome Suica: the visitor transit card
- Pay fares, convenience stores, vending machines and coin lockers by tapping. No deposit.
- Sold at Narita and Haneda (T3) airport stations and JR East Travel Service Centers (Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno, more) in ¥1,000–¥10,000 amounts.
- Valid 28 days including the purchase day.
- Top up with yen cash only (max balance ¥20,000) — at ticket machines or Seven Bank ATMs. A credit card can't be used to top up.
- No refunds of the balance. Spend it before you fly home.
- You can't pay part in Suica and part in cash.
Not confirmed by an official source, so left out: which shops are cash-only, exact Seven Bank fee amounts, currency-exchange rates, Welcome Suica Mobile app details, other banks' ATMs.
Quick answers
Where can I withdraw yen with a foreign card in Japan?
Seven Bank ATMs (in 7-Eleven stores, airports and stations) and Japan Post Bank ATMs (post offices, some FamilyMart stores) accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay, Discover and more, per their official pages. Some cards with these marks may still be refused.
Are Seven Bank ATMs open 24 hours?
For Visa and Mastercard, Seven Bank lists 00:00–24:00, 365 days. JCB, UnionPay and Discover: 00:10–23:50; American Express: 00:05–23:50; Diners Club: 00:05–23:55.
Should I choose my home currency or yen at the ATM?
Choose yen (JPY). Visa says the home-currency conversion offered by merchants and ATMs usually includes a markup, and recommends paying in local currency.
Can I get my Welcome Suica balance refunded?
No. JR East says no refunds are available regardless of remaining balance. It is valid 28 days and can only be topped up with yen cash, not a credit card.
Related: eSIM vs Pocket WiFi · Departure day · Tax refund: cash or card?
Shopping tax-free? Estimate your tax refund (free calculator).
Official sources
Checked November 4, 2026 (JST). Fees, hours and plans can change; confirm on the official pages.
- JNTO — Cashless payments in Japan (official): www.japan.travel
- JNTO — Credit cards in Japan (official): www.japan.travel
- Visa — What you should know about Dynamic Currency Conversion (official): www.visa.com
- Visa — Travel tips: pay in local currency (official): www.visa.com
- Japan Tourism Agency — FY2025 survey of foreign visitors (official, Japanese): www.mlit.go.jp
- Seven Bank — Overseas cards usable at ATMs, service hours (official): www.sevenbank.co.jp
- Seven Bank — How to withdraw cash with a foreign card (official): www.sevenbank.co.jp
- Japan Post Bank — International ATM Service (official): www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp
- JR East — Welcome Suica (official): www.jreast.co.jp
- JR East — Welcome Suica: purchase, top up, refunds (official): www.jreast.co.jp
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