General

Japan Travel Money Checklist: Before You Fly

Updated Sep 23, 2026

1 min read

Close-up of a Japanese two thousand yen banknote

Quick answer

Before flying to Japan, confirm your card works abroad, bring a small amount of cash for arrival, know your daily ATM withdrawal limit, and decide whether to set up an IC card in advance. None of this takes long, but sorting it before you fly avoids doing it tired at the airport.

Check your cards before you pack

Passports and boarding passes held in hand

Call or check your banks app for two things: that international transactions are enabled, and what your foreign transaction fee is. Some cards charge nothing extra abroad; others add 2 to 3 percent per purchase, which adds up over a trip. If you are planning to withdraw cash from ATMs, also confirm your daily withdrawal limit, Japanese ATMs often cap out lower per transaction than you might expect, so you may need two withdrawals rather than one.

Decide how much cash to bring

Japan is far more card-friendly than it used to be, but small shops, older restaurants, and some shrines and temples still expect cash. You do not need to arrive with a large amount, enough to cover transport from the airport and a meal is usually sufficient, since ATMs and exchange counters are available once you are in the city.

Tip: Seven Bank ATMs, found inside most 7-Eleven stores nationwide, are widely considered the most reliable for foreign cards and are open 24 hours.

Plan your IC card

An IC card, Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA, covers trains, buses, and convenience store purchases with a single tap, and all three work interchangeably nationwide. If your phone supports Apple Pay or Google Wallet, you can often add one before you land and skip the arrival queue entirely.

SAVE ON YOUR EXCHANGE

Get your free exchange coupon

Show this coupon at any SMART EXCHANGE machine for a better rate than the counter, no sign-up required, and it works alongside whatever card setup you land with.

Get your coupon