Money & Payments in Tokyo (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Keep ¥15,000–20,000 in notes and ¥500 in coins on you for cash-only establishments
Since November 2024, the electronic tax-free system is fully digital. When you spend ¥5,000+ in a single store in a single day and show your passport at the tax-free counter, the 10% tax is removed on the spot
The ¥10,000 threshold for PIN entry often applies, so know your card PIN
IC cards like Suica and PASMO are prepaid contactless cards designed for transit but are also accepted at most convenience stores, many vending machines, some restaurants, and an increasing range of retail outlets
In Tokyo and busy tourist spots like Asakusa and Shinjuku, some cafés and bars have quietly introduced 'tip boxes' beside their cash registers, allowing tourists to leave extra money without causing embarrassment

ATM Access

Exchange Rate Warnings: When a Japanese payment terminal asks whether you want to pay in yen or your home currency, always choose yen. The dynamic currency conversion option, paying in your home currency at the terminal, applies the merchant's exchange rate, which is consistently worse than your bank's rate
Withdrawal Limits: Most foreign bank withdrawals are capped at ¥50,000–¥100,000 per day at Japanese ATMs, even if your home bank allows more

Networks To Avoid

Bank-branded ATMs (Mizuho, Mitsubishi UFJ, SMBC) often reject foreign cards even when they claim to accept them, and their English support is rare

Reliable Networks

7-Eleven (Seven Bank)
Hours
7-Bank ATMs are available 24 hours per day around the year
Availability
7-Bank ATMs are found at over 20,000 7-Eleven convenience stores across Japan
Fees
Visa Network
¥110
Visa cards during business hours; higher outside business hours
Mastercard Maestro
¥0
Zero fee for Mastercard/Maestro network cards
Japan Post Office (Japan Post Bank)
Hours
ATMs in post offices operate 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Monday to Saturday, and only until 9:00pm on Sundays and holidays
Availability
Postal ATMs found at over 20,000 post offices in all parts of the country
Fees
Standard
¥220

Tipping Norms

General Rule: It's not common to tip for services such as those provided in bars, cafes, restaurants, taxis, and hotels
If You Choose To Tip: The best way to tip is to place the money into an envelope, which can then be left behind in hotel rooms to avoid giving the tip to an individual. Or if you have a specific person in mind, you can hold the tip out with both hands
Common Misunderstandings: Leaving money on the table can result in servers chasing you down the street to return it, creating an awkward scene
Cultural Context: Japan's no-tipping custom stems from emphasis on omotenashi (hospitality) and the belief that excellent service should be standard rather than incentivized through additional payment

Rare Exceptions

If you've engaged a private guide or interpreter accustomed to overseas practices, they may accept a tip as a gesture of gratitude, though tipping is not expected and should be done discreetly
For longer intercity trips by private car, tipping the driver can be a kind gesture, though still optional
When you stay at a ryokan (traditional inn), tipping is acceptable

Card Acceptance

Visa Mastercard

Status: Widely accepted but not universal
Details: Contactless Visa or Mastercard are accepted at major chain restaurants, convenience stores, and most mid-range hotels. Tap-to-pay is standard at every chain in 2026. Credit cards can be used for payments at any large shopping or dining facility in major cities like Tokyo.

American Express

Status: Limited acceptance
Details: American Express acceptance is roughly half of Visa's outside of major tourist hotels and Japan-Amex-branded places.

Cash Required For

Clinics and small medical facilities frequently do not accept cards; cash is the safer assumption
Temples and shrines are often cash only
Vending machines are primarily coin-based
Many taxis are still cash only
Smaller shops and family-run stores and restaurants are more likely to not offer credit cards

Banking

Process: Register address at ward office → obtain Residence Card and Juminhyo → apply at bank (online, by mail, or in person depending on bank).
ATM Fees: ¥200
Charged for after-hours or weekend withdrawals at Japan Post Bank and major banks; avoid by withdrawing during business hours.
Residency Requirement: Generally require 6+ months residency to open standard account; some exceptions exist.
Account Setup Timeline: Approval typically 1–2 weeks; card arrives in 5–10 business days or same-day issuance at some branches.

Required Documents

Passport with valid long-term visa (not 90-day tourist visa)
Residence Card (Zairyu Card) from ward office registration
Certificate of residence (Juminhyo) from ward office
My Number if planning international transfers
Optional: personal seal (inkan/hanko) for some banks, not required at foreigner-friendly banks

Foreigner Friendly Banks

SBI Shinsei: English platform, no minimum balance, 7-day English customer service
Japan Post Bank: 24,000+ ATMs nationwide, unmatched convenience, limited English support
SMBC Prestia (formerly Citibank Japan): premium services in English, minimum balance ¥500,000
Sony Bank: online-first, English app support

Alternatives For Shorter Stays

Japan Post Bank: accepts 3+ months if employed
SBI Shinsei Bank: flexible with 6+ months visa remaining; English support
Tokyo Star Bank: non-resident accounts available for certain visa holders (head office only)

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 Tokyo

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Tokyo