Using Credit Cards and ATMs in Japan

A lot of older information about traveling in Japan will tell you that credit cards are hard to use here. While it’s true that a few small businesses and supermarkets work on a cash basis, most of the shops tourists visit will accept Visa and Mastercard. Credit cards other than Visa and Mastercard are mush less used here so it might be best not to count on being able to use credit cards on other systems.

You may be asked “Ikkatsu barai?” or “One time?” or something like that when you pay. With Japanese credit cards you usually have the option to choose between “ikkatsu barai”, which would require you to pay off the charge at the end of the month, or “bukatsu barai” which would make the charge go onto the credit card balance to be paid monthly. Most credit cards from the U.S. and Canada default to the monthly option no matter how you answer the cashier.

American bank accounts have become much more convenient in recent years. There were days in Japan when it was much harder to access foreign bank accounts from Japan. Nowadays there are several places that offer people the chance to withdraw money from a U.S. bank account:

• Most Post Office ATMs
• ATMs in 7-11 Convenience Stores
• Other “Seven Bank” ATMs run by 7-11 Japan’s parent company

There may be other ATMs that can be used to withdraw money from U.S. bank accounts, however the three above can be found all over Japan. I have done this personally and have not incurred any exuberant charges, but please contact your bank in the United States if you are unsure.

You can use your ATM Visa Debit card the same way you would in the U.S. as long as it has a Visa or Mastercard mark on it.

That being said, please try to do what will give you the best rate for your home currency versus the yen.