Japan is no longer a cash-only country, but it is still a cash-sometimes country — and the places that take only cash are often the ones you most want to visit.
Sara Lindqvist/8 March 2026/2 min read
Cards
Hotels, chains, department stores, most city restaurants and all convenience stores accept international cards. Contactless is widespread.
Cash
Small restaurants, market stalls, shrine offerings, some ryokan and rural areas frequently want cash. Carrying a modest reserve removes the problem entirely.
ATMs
Convenience-store and post-office ATMs are the reliable choice for foreign cards, available around the clock in cities. Bank ATMs can be restricted to domestic cards and to business hours.
