T&T Travel

    MONEY

    💴 Money, Credit Cards & Tipping in Japan

    🙌 Wait…The Japanese Don’t Want Tips?!

    Hallelujah—because we ain’t got it! This trip already costs enough, honey! 😂

    One of the biggest culture shocks in Japan is that tipping is generally not expected.

    You do NOT tip:

    ❌ Restaurant servers

    ❌ Bartenders

    ❌ Taxi drivers

    ❌ Hotel staff

    ❌ Hairdressers or spa staff

    Simply pay the amount on your bill and enjoy your meal!

    In fact, if you leave extra money behind, someone may actually run after you to give it back because they’ll think you forgot it.

    If we have a private guide during one of our tours, they may graciously accept a small thank-you, but it is never expected. If our group decides to tip a guide, we’ll handle that together.

    💵 Yes…You Still Need Japanese Cash

    Japan has become much more credit card friendly over the last several years.

    You’ll be able to use your card at most:

    🏨 Hotels

    🛍️ Department stores

    🚕 Many taxis

    🍣 Larger restaurants

    🏪 Convenience stores

    🎡 Major attractions

    However…

    Many smaller restaurants, local shops, temples, food stalls, markets, family-owned businesses, and some attractions still prefer cash only.

    And remember…

    🇺🇸 U.S. dollars are NOT accepted for everyday purchases.

    You’ll need Japanese Yen (¥).

    💰 Our Recommendation

    For a two-week trip, we recommend arriving with approximately:

    💴 ¥20,000–¥40,000 (about $140–$280 USD, depending on exchange rates)

    That will comfortably cover your first meals, snacks, transportation, and any cash-only purchases until you have time to visit an ATM.

    Over the course of our trip, many travelers may spend the equivalent of $500–$1,000 USD in cash, depending on how much shopping, eating, and souvenir hunting they do—but there’s no need to carry that much all at once.

    ✈️ Should You Exchange Money Before Leaving America?

    You have several good options.

    You can:

    ✅ Exchange a small amount before leaving the U.S.

    ✅ Withdraw yen after arriving in Japan.

    Airport exchange counters are convenient, but they often have less favorable exchange rates and service fees.

    Our recommendation is simple:

    1. Bring a little yen from home.
    2. Use a credit card whenever possible (one with no foreign transaction fees!).
    3. Withdraw more cash from an ATM in Japan only when needed.

    🏧 Best ATMs in Japan

    The easiest places to withdraw money are:

    🏧 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) ATMs

    🏧 Japan Post Bank ATMs

    Both usually:

    ✅ Accept international debit cards

    ✅ Have English menus

    ✅ Are easy to find

    Keep in mind that your bank and the ATM operator may each charge a fee, so it’s usually better to make fewer, larger withdrawals instead of lots of small ones. Exchanging money at atm’s in some tourist areas such as askusa is no go. Airport exchange centers and some ATM’s are options but could be higer as well just check rates always and carefully! Fees/Rates can change by the time of day as well!

    💳 Credit Cards: Amex Is Great…But Bring a Visa Too!

    American Express is accepted at many:

    🏨 Hotels

    🏬 Department stores

    🍣 Chain restaurants

    🏪 Convenience stores

    🚄 Major attractions

    This is partly because American Express partners with JCB, Japan’s major credit card network.

    BUT…

    Do NOT travel with only an American Express card.

    Some smaller businesses either don’t accept Amex—or don’t accept cards at all.

    Credit Cards isolated on white. Vector Illustration. EPS10 opacity

    We recommend bringing:

    ✅ One Visa or Mastercard

    ✅ Your American Express card (if you have one)

    ✅ A debit card for ATM withdrawals

    ✅ One backup credit card stored separately

    🚫 Watch Out for Foreign Transaction Fees

    Before we leave…

    Check every card you plan to bring.

    Some cards charge around 3% on every international purchase.

    If possible, use cards with NO foreign transaction fees.

    💱 Always Choose Japanese Yen

    When paying with a credit card, the payment machine may ask:

    🇺🇸 Pay in U.S. Dollars

    OR

    🇯🇵 Pay in Japanese Yen

    Always choose:

    🇯🇵 Japanese Yen

    Why?

    Because paying in U.S. dollars lets the merchant’s payment processor choose the exchange rate—which is usually worse than what Visa, Mastercard, or Amex would give you.

    Choosing yen almost always saves money.

    📞 Tell Your Bank You’re Traveling

    Some banks no longer require travel notices.

    Others still recommend them.

    Before departure:

    ✔️ Confirm your cards work internationally.

    ✔️ Ask whether a travel notice is needed.

    ✔️ Check foreign transaction fees.

    ✔️ Check international ATM fees.

    ✔️ Make sure your phone number is current.

    ✔️ Turn on fraud alerts.

    ✔️ Save your card company’s international phone number.

    That way your bank doesn’t think somebody stole your card and went on a shopping spree in Tokyo without you. 😂

    🪙 Don’t Ignore Your Coins!

    Japanese coins are real money!

    A single ¥500 coin is worth several U.S. dollars.

    Don’t toss them into the bottom of your purse like American pennies. Use them or loose them you can’t exchange them backwards!

    Bring a small coin pouch because you’ll use coins for:

    🥤 Vending machines

    🚆 Transportation

    🍜 Small restaurants

    🏪 Convenience stores

    ⛩️ Temples & shrines

    🚆 IC Cards Are More Than Train Cards

    We’ll use an IC card (Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA, depending on where we are) for trains and subways.

    GET A WELCOME SUICA NO DEPOSIT- DONT PUT TOO MUCH ON IT NO REFUNDS!

    But they’re useful for much more than transportation!

    You can also use them at many:

    🏪 Convenience stores

    🥤 Vending machines

    🍱 Restaurants

    🧳 Coin lockers

    Some taxis

    They’re incredibly convenient—but they don’t replace carrying cash and a credit card.

    💙 T&T Travel Money Tips

    ⭐ Keep cash in more than one place.

    ⭐ Don’t carry every credit card every day.

    ⭐ Never keep your PIN written beside your debit card.

    ⭐ Use ATMs inside banks, post offices, or convenience stores.

    ⭐ Check your accounts every few days while traveling.

    ⭐ Bring at least one backup payment method.

    ⭐ Leave room in your budget…

    Because Japan is about to test every ounce of self-control you thought you had. 🤣

    Trust me… that Pokémon store, Don Quijote, Nintendo, Uniqlo, and all those cute little shops are going to have us acting brand new.

    💴 The T&T Simple Money Plan

    For the smoothest experience, bring:

    ✅ ¥20,000–¥40,000 in Japanese yen to start

    ✅ A Visa or Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees

    ✅ Your American Express card for rewards and larger purchases

    ✅ A debit card for ATM withdrawals

    ✅ One backup credit card stored separately

    And remember…

    ❌ No tipping.

    ❌ Not too much U.S. dollars.

    ❌ No carrying your entire life savings in your purse.

    Spend smart…

    But don’t forget to enjoy every bite, every temple, every train ride, and yes… every shopping trip. 🇯🇵💕