When You Need Cash
Places where cash can still be helpful, including small shops and rural areas.
Do this first
Check whether your accommodation, restaurant, bus, and attraction accept cards
Save two nearby ATMs that accept foreign-issued cards, such as Seven Bank or Japan Post Bank
Carry some 1,000-yen notes and 100- and 500-yen coins, not only a 10,000-yen note
Useful Japanese phrases
Before paying
現金だけですか。カードは使えますか。
Genkin dake desu ka. Kado wa tsukaemasu ka.
Is it cash only? Can I use a card?
Ask for smaller money
一万円札を小さいお金に替えられますか。
Ichiman-en satsu o chiisai okane ni kaeraremasu ka.
Can you change this 10,000-yen note into smaller money?
Official sources
Useful next guides
Tax-Free Shopping Procedures
Check eligibility, passport presentation, and sealed-bag rules.
Use ATMs with Foreign Cards
Find foreign-card ATMs and check fees and withdrawal limits.
Use IC Cards such as Suica
Suica types, iPhone and Android requirements, top-ups, gates, and low-balance basics.