Money & Payments in Kyoto (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

In Japan, you'll use an IC card for local transport and small purchases, and a credit card for big purchases (hotels etc). But you still need some Japanese cash.
As of January 2025, credit cards can be used for payments at any large shopping or dining facility in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and others, but always have cash as backup for small shops and traditional establishments.
In areas with a lot of foreign tourists (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka), workers in the hospitality industry are more accustomed to receiving tips and might even accept them, though this remains unusual and never expected.
Seven Bank ATMs inside 7-Eleven are usually the easiest place to start with a foreign card in Japan. Use Seven Bank at 7-Eleven as your default ATM, choose JPY if the machine asks about currency conversion.
Many storefronts will have a logo indicating whether or not cards are accepted, so look for this logo when entering.

ATM Fees

Exchange Rate Note: It's always recommended to withdraw in the local currency, without a currency conversion. This will mean you get a better rate, as the conversion will be done by your bank or card provider back home.
Bank Charges: Your bank may apply charges for withdrawals abroad, often a percentage of the amount withdrawn (on average 2.5% to 3%) plus a fixed charge per transaction.
Foreign Card Fees: ¥200

Withdrawal Fees

Seven Bank: Some ATMs, such as those of Seven Bank, may be free of charge.
Other Banks: Japanese banks generally charge fees for the use of their ATMs, ranging from 108 to 216 yen per withdrawal.

Ic Cards

Charging: You can charge an IC card at train and subway stations that have IC card charging machines, at most convenience stores, and at 7-11 ATMs in Japan. Note that you must use cash to charge the card.
Overview: In Kyoto, using your Suica card is a convenient and efficient way to travel on most major rail lines. Whether you're heading to the famous Kinkaku-ji or exploring the Arashiyama district, Suica is widely accepted, making your travels hassle-free.
Acceptance: You can use an IC card to make almost any small purchase in Japan (as long as the place has an IC card reader). The Kyoto Municipal Subway also supports Suica, including both the Karasuma Line and the Tozai Line, which run through the heart of the city.
How To Get: If you arrive at Kansai International Airport, you can buy an ordinary Icoca card from a machine at the airport or at Kyoto Station or Osaka Station (among others).

Cash Necessity

In Japan, there are still many places where cash is required, however, in recent years, cashless shopping has become increasingly common. Though credit cards have become commonplace, it is safer to bring cash along with your credit cards when traveling in Japan.

Card Acceptance

Overview: Credit cards can be used for payments at any large shopping or dining facility in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and others as of January 2025. However, popular areas like Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Nara have good card acceptance at tourist-oriented businesses, but traditional establishments often prefer cash.
Accepted Cards: Visa, JCB and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards in Japan. Japan's domestic credit card brand JCB has excellent acceptance rates throughout the country, especially at smaller establishments.
Minimum Purchase Amounts: Some establishments in Japan may impose minimum purchase requirements for credit card transactions, typically around 1,000-3,000 yen. This is more common at smaller restaurants and shops that accept cards but prefer cash for smaller transactions.

Where Cash Only

Individual-owned stores in the suburbs and countryside, and places with entrance fees such as Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, and castles are cash only
Smaller places, such as street food vendors, may still be cash-only
Many private taxis only accept cash

Where Cards Work

Credit cards are accepted for food purchases and for other merchandise at most department stores
Credit cards are accepted at almost all hotels, ryokan (Japanese inns), hostels, and guest houses
Chain restaurants, upscale establishments, and many mid-range places generally accept credit cards
Credit cards are accepted at most souvenir shops located in tourist areas

Tipping Culture

General Rule: There is no tipping culture in Japan. In Japan, it's not common to tip for services such as those provided in bars, cafes, restaurants, taxis, and hotels.
Kyoto Specific: There is no tipping culture in Kyoto. In fact, it is frowned upon as it means you're not treating your server as an equal.
Why No Tipping: In Japan, it's thought that by dining out or drinking at a bar, you are already paying the establishment for good service.
Reactions To Unwanted Tips: Leaving a tip at a restaurant or a taxi driver will often result in them chasing you down to return the money, thinking that you forgot it there.

Exceptions

Private Guides: If you've engaged a private guide or interpreter accustomed to overseas practices, they may accept a tip as a gesture of gratitude. It's worth noting that tipping is not expected and should be done discreetly, even in these cases.
High End Ryokan: If you're staying at a high-class ryokan, you might want to tip your room attendant, by placing crisp, clean bills (¥3,000–¥5,000) in a white envelope on the table of your room at the beginning of your stay.
How To Tip If Desired: If you do decide to offer a gratuity, it is customary to put it in an envelope.

ATM Access Foreign Cards

Best Locations: The two most reliable places where you can find an ATM that accepts foreign cards are 7-Eleven convenience stores (Seven Bank) and Japan Post Offices (Japan Post Bank).

Seven Bank

Accepted Cards: You can use the following cards at Seven Bank ATMs: VISA, PLUS, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, China UnionPay, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club (as of February 2019).
Description: ATMs at 7-Eleven stores are particularly useful: as a rule, they are open 24/7 (business hours may vary depending on the store).

Japan Post Bank

Accepted Cards: You can generally use the following cards at Japan Post Bank ATMs: VISA, VISA ELECTRON, PLUS, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express, JCB, China UnionPay, and Discover (as of April 2021).
Description: ATMs are usually open the same hours as the post office itself (9am to 5pm weekdays only), so don't count on getting cash after hours from them. However, the central post office in each city will usually have ATMs that are open almost 24 hours a day. Kyoto Central Post Office ATM hours: 12.05am-11.55pm Mon-Sat 12.05am-9pm Sun and holidays.

Banking

Overview: Foreigners can open bank accounts in Japan but must meet specific residency requirements. The process has tightened in 2025-2026 due to Know Your Customer (KYC) regulatory changes, with particular emphasis on My Number identification and documentation verification.
Practical Tips: Prepare all documents before visiting a branch. Language—many branches are Japanese-only; choose foreigner-oriented banks with English support. Personal seal (hanko): most foreigner-friendly banks don't require one; those that do will accept a signature instead in many cases.
Regulatory Notes: Japanese banks tightened KYC procedures through 2025-2026 in response to phone fraud and money-mule scams. Incomplete documentation now more likely to result in rejection. Walking into a branch without proper paperwork is riskier than in previous years.

Eligibility

Required Status: Must be a registered resident with a valid Residence Card (not available to tourists). Must complete address registration (juminhyo) at local city hall within 14 days of arrival.
Residency Duration: Major banks typically require 6+ months of remaining visa validity. Japan Post Bank and some online banks are more flexible, accepting applications with as little as 3 months remaining.

Required Documents

Residence Card (zairyū card)
Passport
Proof of address registration (juminhyo/residence certificate)
Japanese phone number (postpaid SIM preferred; prepaid SIMs often rejected)
My Number Card (optional but recommended to speed verification)

Foreigner Friendly Options

Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行)
Advantages
Most accessible for newcomers; no strict 6-month residency requirement; application forms available in 14 languages; 24,000+ ATMs nationwide (inside post offices); no hanko (personal seal) required; accepts signature instead. No monthly fees.
Requirements
Must be resident under Income Tax or Foreign Exchange Acts; must have 1+ year remaining on visa. More flexible than major banks for recent arrivals.
Account Access
Receive bankbook immediately at counter; cash card within 1-2 weeks. Can deposit/withdraw same day.
SBI Shinsei Bank
Fees
No minimum balance requirement.
Advantages
Full English app and website; most banking tasks can be done without visiting branch; accepts applications with 6+ months remaining visa; no hanko required; English customer service 7 days a week; 7-Eleven ATMs nationwide.
Requirements
Residence card, Japanese address, Japanese phone number.
SMBC Prestia (formerly Citibank Japan)
Fees
Higher minimum balance (typically ¥500,000 to avoid ¥2,200 monthly maintenance fee); fewer branch locations.
Advantages
Full English telephone support; targets international professionals; supports multi-currency accounts (17 foreign currencies); useful for frequent international transfers.
Requirements
Residence card, Japanese address.
Online banks (Rakuten, SBI Sumishin Net Bank)
Advantages
Online/app-only; no hanko required; competitive features; some have English interfaces.
Requirements
Japanese phone number and address; some require reading Japanese documents for certain services.
Note
Sony Bank suspended new English-language account applications as of June 2025.

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Kyoto

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Kyoto