Paying in Japan: Currency Exchange, Cards, Mobile Payments and How Much Cash to Bring

Should you exchange yen at home, at the airport, or just withdraw from a Japanese ATM? And once you are there, should you tap a card, use a transit IC card, or carry a stack of cash? This guide covers the most common ways to get yen for travelers leaving from Taiwan, how cards and mobile payments work in practice in Japan, and the fee and exchange-rate details that cost people money. It describes general methods and cautions only and is not personal financial advice; check each bank's official notices for its fees.

How can you get yen? A comparison table

In short: the three most common routes are "exchange at a bank in Taiwan before you leave," "exchange at a Japanese airport," and "withdraw from a Japanese ATM with an overseas card." Each has its own trade-off between convenience and cost.

GO TOKYO says you can exchange money at Narita and Haneda airports, in most areas of central Tokyo and at some hotels^[1], but many travelers from Taiwan still prefer to exchange part of their yen at home first.

Exchanging at a Taiwanese bank: how Bank of Taiwan's online exchange works

Bank of Taiwan's "Online Currency Exchange Easy Buy" lets you order foreign banknotes online and pick them up at a designated branch. According to its website, a yen order has a minimum of 10,000 yen and a maximum of 320,000 yen per transaction, there is no fee for online purchases, and yen and some other currencies get a 0.1% rate discount. You must pay within 2 hours of ordering, or the order is cancelled^[2].

Steps:

1. Open the online exchange page and accept the terms of service.
2. Choose the currency (yen), denominations, amount and pickup branch.
3. Enter your personal details, pickup date and payment method.
4. Pay within the time limit as instructed (online banking transfer, ATM transfer, Taiwan Pay and so on)^[2].
5. Bring photo ID to the branch on the agreed date to collect the cash.

Other banks have similar online exchange or foreign-currency ATM services with different conditions, so compare the options at the bank you already use.

How much cash do you need in Japan? Where is cash only?

In short: big cities in Japan are used to cards, but you still need cash. GO TOKYO describes Tokyo as still "relatively cash-based" and says it is not unusual for locals to carry 20,000 to 30,000 yen in their wallets^[1].

Common situations where cash is required or easier:

• Some small ramen shops and set-meal restaurants with ticket machines accept only cash.
• Offerings, charms and goshuin (temple stamps) at shrines and temples.
• Market stalls, festival stands, small rural shops and buses.
• Coin lockers and vending machines (some accept IC cards).

When preparing cash:

• The 10,000 yen note is the largest denomination and is accepted everywhere; 2,000 yen notes are rare^[1].
• The Bank of Japan has issued new 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000 yen notes since July 3, 2024^[5]. The old notes remain valid, so you don't need to worry about which version you receive.
• Bring a coin purse. Japan has many coin denominations, and getting 1 yen and 5 yen coins in change is common.

Are cards widely accepted in Japan? Credit card basics

In short: chain stores, department stores, drugstores, convenience stores, hotels and larger restaurants generally take cards. GO TOKYO lists American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club and JCB as accepted in many places, though independent small shops may not take cards^[1].

Things to know when paying by card (the fee details below describe cards issued in Taiwan):

1. Pay in yen: when the terminal or staff asks which currency to use, choose yen (JPY). Choosing NT dollars triggers dynamic currency conversion (DCC), which usually gives a worse rate.
2. Foreign transaction fees: most Taiwanese credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee on overseas purchases (commonly around 1.5%, depending on each card's terms). Overseas rewards and fees vary a lot between cards, so just read your own card's terms before you leave; this article does not recommend specific cards.
3. Contactless payment: if your card supports tap-to-pay, many shops in Japan let you tap directly. Some railways also allow tapping a credit card at the gate; check each operator's announcements for the lines that support it.
4. Carry two cards from different networks: for example one Visa or Mastercard and one JCB, so you have a backup if one is declined or lost.
5. Turn on SMS or app notifications: overseas transactions sometimes need an SMS verification code, so your Taiwanese number must be able to receive texts. See how to choose a Japan eSIM for ways to keep your main number active.

How do mobile payments work in Japan? IC cards, Apple Pay and PayPay

In short: for travelers from Taiwan, the most useful "mobile payment" is actually the transit IC card. GO TOKYO explains that transit cards such as Suica and PASMO can be used at many shops and major convenience stores^[1], so one card covers both rides and purchases.

Transit IC cards: the most versatile small-payment tool

• A physical card or one added to your phone (for example in Apple Wallet on an iPhone) both work.
• Most convenience stores, station shops, vending machines and coin lockers accept them.
• Top-ups usually need cash, or a credit card linked to your phone wallet.

For how to buy and set up a transit card, see our Suica guide for iPhone and Android.

Apple Pay and Google Pay

A credit card added to Apple Pay in Taiwan can usually be used at shops in Japan that support contactless payment, depending on whether the card and the shop's terminal support it.

PayPay and other QR code payments

PayPay is a very common QR code payment in Japan, and many small shops display a PayPay sign. However, its sign-up and top-up conditions are aimed mainly at Japanese users, and the rules on whether foreign visitors can use it, and which overseas wallets can scan, change from time to time, so check PayPay's official website. For a short sightseeing trip, credit cards, Apple Pay and an IC card are usually enough, with no special preparation needed.

Withdrawing cash at Japanese ATMs: Seven Bank and Japan Post

In short: when you run low on cash, the Seven Bank ATMs in 7-Eleven and the Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) ATMs at post offices are the most convenient, and both accept many overseas cards.

Before you use an ATM, check these (the first two apply to cards issued in Taiwan):

• Whether your Taiwanese debit card has "overseas withdrawal" enabled and a withdrawal PIN set.
• The cross-border withdrawal fee and exchange margin charged by your Taiwanese issuing bank, which vary by bank.
• Withdrawing cash with a credit card is a "cash advance," which usually carries a fee and interest, so it costs more.
• If the ATM asks whether to charge in your home currency (for example NT dollars), choosing yen is less likely to cost you extra.

Choosing your payment method under the new tax refund system

In short: from November 1, 2026, Japanese duty-free shops switch to charging the tax-inclusive price at the register and refunding consumption tax after departure is confirmed. The Japan Tourism Agency FAQ lists refund methods including bank transfer, credit card refund, app refund and cash at the departure port, depending on the shop^[6].

This means that for large purchases your payment method can affect how you get the refund: people who pay by credit card commonly have it refunded to the same card. Ask the shop about the refund method and any fees when you buy. For the full process, see Japan's new tax refund system in 2026.

Putting your payment kit together

A safe combination for most travelers from Taiwan is: some yen in cash, two credit cards from different networks and one transit IC card, topping up cash at a Seven Bank or Japan Post ATM when needed. Before you leave, check your credit card's overseas settings and whether your debit card's overseas withdrawal is enabled, and in Japan you can switch between methods as the situation requires. For more on the documents and apps to prepare before you go, see our Japan trip checklist; other practical guides are in the trip preparation section.