Japan travel tips for first-time visitors

Short videos with Hako the cardboard box, written up and checked against official sources.

Money & safety

Japan Money Tips: 3 Things to Know Before You Shop

Price tags in Japan show the tax-included total, as required since April 2021. Don't pay with a big pile of small coins, since shops can refuse more than 20 of one coin, and keep some cash for small shops and temples.

By Ready in JapanUpdated 3 official sources

Video cover: Japan Money Tips: 3 Things to Know Before You ShopVideo out Oct 9

The 21-second video, with Hako. Follow on YouTube to catch it.

The 3 things to know

  1. The tag already includes tax

    The price on the tag already includes tax. Since April 2021, shops must show the tax-included total.

  2. No pile of small coins

    Don't pay with a big pile of small coins. Shops can refuse more than twenty of one coin. Under the law, coins count as payment only up to 20 pieces of one denomination per payment.

  3. Cards plus some cash

    Cards work in many places, but keep some cash for small shops and temples.

Quick answers

Do I need cash in Japan?

Yes, carry some. Japan reached 58% cashless payments in 2025, but small shops, rural areas, temples and vending machines still need cash or an IC card.

Can I withdraw yen with a foreign card?

Yes, at 7-Eleven ATMs, which accept many foreign cards. Choose yen rather than your home currency on the screen, because the conversion usually costs more.

Do I need a coin purse in Japan?

It helps. Vending machines and coin lockers need coins, and the 5-yen and 50-yen coins have holes.

Read the video transcript

Paying in Japan? Three money tips.

One. The price on the tag already includes tax.

Two. Don't pay with a big pile of small coins. Shops can refuse more than twenty of one coin.

Three. Cards work in many places, but keep some cash for small shops and temples.

Now you're ready to shop.

Sources & how we checked

The tips on this page were checked against these official pages:

  1. gov-online.go.jpGovernment of Japan - Total price display from April 2021
  2. meti.go.jpMETI - 2025 cashless payment ratio (English press release)
  3. japan.travelJNTO - Shopping Q&A
Updated
Video
21 seconds, made by Ready in Japan
Good to know
Rules can vary by place. Follow local signs and staff.

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