Money, Cards & Payments in Japan
Cash, IC cards, ATMs and tax-free shopping — how paying for things actually works in Japan.
Which ATMs in Japan Accept Foreign Cards? The Two That Always Work
Most Japanese bank ATMs reject overseas cards. The two networks that always work, where to find them, what they will and will not do, and how to avoid getting stuck without cash.
Do I Need Cash in Japan? An Honest Answer From a Tokyo Guide Who Still Carries a Coin Purse
Yes, a little. Cards cover most of Tokyo; cash is for small restaurants, shrines, markets and old machines. Plus the ATMs that take foreign cards.
How Do You Use Suica on an iPhone in Japan? The Setup, Start to Finish
Add Suica to Apple Wallet before you land, tap through the gates without unlocking, and top up when you run low — the setup, the traps, and what Android users have to do instead.
Tax-Free Shopping in Japan After November 2026: Pay Full Price, Get It Back at the Airport
From 1 November 2026, Japan stops removing tax at the till. You pay full price, show your purchases at the airport, and get the tax back. What changed and what to do.
Welcome Suica: The Card That's Different From "Suica on Your iPhone"
Welcome Suica is JR East's deposit-free IC card for short-term visitors, valid for 28 days, with no refund of the balance. The Mobile app version lasts 180 days on iPhone.