Can You Use Credit Cards in Japan?

The Complete Guide for Foreign Travelers

Planning a trip to Japan?

While it’s one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world, Japan’s payment culture may surprise you.

This guide will help you navigate where and how you can use credit cards in Japan — and when cash is still essential.

As of 2023, about 63% of merchants in Japan accept credit cards. That means nearly two out of three shops, restaurants, and services support card payments, especially in urban areas and tourist hubs.

Places where credit cards are commonly accepted:

• Hotels and modern-style ryokan
• Department stores and shopping malls
• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, etc.)
• Chain restaurants and cafés
• Supermarkets and electronics stores
• Train station kiosks and major museums

💡 In urban areas, you can expect smooth card payments at most of these places.

Places where cards may not be accepted:

• Small, family-run restaurants or local shops
• Street vendors and souvenir stalls in tourist areas
• Traditional inns (ryokan) and religious sites (temples/shrines)
• Businesses in rural or remote areas
• Some taxis (though many now support cards)

💡 Acceptance can vary, even within the same category. If in doubt, check for card logos near the entrance or ask before ordering.

Visa and Mastercard are the most universally accepted brands in Japan.
JCB, Japan’s own card network, is accepted almost everywhere domestically.
American Express (AMEX) also works well in many stores, especially because of a partnership with JCB. In fact, many shops that accept JCB will also accept AMEX.

💳 Author’s note: I personally use AMEX as my main card in Japan and have never encountered a store that accepts credit cards but refused AMEX.

Things to note:
・Some small shops may only accept JCB but not AMEX, depending on their payment provider.
・Occasionally, staff might not be aware of the JCB–AMEX partnership and mistakenly decline AMEX — though this is rare.

In most cases, simply showing your card to the cashier is enough — especially in supermarkets or small local shops. You don’t need to say anything in Japanese or English.

Depending on the store and the system used:

Contactless (tap-to-pay) is becoming more common

You may need to sign or enter a PIN

For small purchases, authentication may not be required

I usually rely on my credit card in Japan—for everything from train tickets to cafés. Most places accept cards with no issue.

But even in big cities, it’s surprisingly common to find small shops or local restaurants that only take cash. That’s why I always carry some yen with me—just in case.

A couple of times, I ran into situations where card payments failed unexpectedly.

🔸 At a restaurant
I once ate at a place that had credit card logos on the door. But when I tried to pay, the reader wasn’t working. I had to run to a nearby convenience store ATM to get cash.

🔸 At a shopping mall
Another time, a major mall had a system-wide card outage. Staff announced it over the speakers. Some people couldn’t buy anything. I was lucky to have cash on hand.

Japan is safe, helpful, and convenient — but even with modern systems, card payments can fail for reasons you can’t control.

If you’re prepared with:

• A reliable international card (Visa/Mastercard)
• Knowledge of where to find an ATM (convenience stores, post offices)
• A small backup stash of cash

…you’ll be just fine.