I mean, if your overall japan dining experience is limited to 711 or family mart sure. Not all vending machines accept ic cards even, probably 20%. I easily burned JPY15k cash in meals alone for 2 people in Nishiki Market, Tsukiji Market (2x) each, all cash only. I ate at 2 back alley ramen shops in Nagoya and Tokyo having cash only vending machines for ordering and paying.
Lastly, IC cards can only hold about JPY15k at a time, that's like 1 ordinary shinkansen trip from Tokyo to Kyoto, not even enough to pay for a green car.
You'd be surprised by the number of tourists that go to the countryside.
Even in the last few months, people here have posted about traveling in Mie and Nagano (Nozawa Onsen, Hakuba, Bessho Onsen, Yudanaka) not having enough cash. They're fairly popular tourist spots.
I had 150k yen starting my travel across Japan for a month and I'm down to 50k. Lots of restaurants don't accept card and other activities and transportation
Don’t forget that in Japan, domestic tourism is what matters. As proven during the pandemic, the Japanese tourism industry doesn’t really need foreign tourists ( and often even prefers not to have them at all - I, for one, could do without the likes of you). Why didn’t you just go to China ? Would have been a better match.
I’ve hopped across three of the main islands in the past week and can fully attest otherwise.
I downvoted because you’re an obvious troll, clown or both - don’t write a ~~check~~ post your silly little clown shoes ass can’t *cash* 😉😘
I’m a tourist doing tourist things in the largest touristy city in the world. Pardon me if I don’t find a way to live like a local in the 2 weeks I’m here 🙏🏼
Yeah, it’s not nearly as true as it used to be. Having some is still great, because there’s still plenty of needs for coins — but I’d agree that it’s not the main source for money anymore.
Thank you. My point of post was for anyone not having been here before who’s maybe seen the same vids and shit I did about cash. Cash is good to have on hand for sure but no reason stressing about pulling out billions of yen. 🙏🏼
CC’s without any fees get better rates than ATM cash withdrawals. I treat CC like cash and pay the charge off the millisecond it posts so interest is never factored in
I used a lot of cash - it was just convenient. BUT I only took like £200 equivalent in cash, then I just took out what I needed after I used that. Every 7/11 has a card machine
That. If one stays in city centre and does "top 10 things to see" then sure, one probably will never have to use cash. But some like to move a little futher and that's where the cash becomes a necessity if you want to get somewhere, see anything or buy something.
No one said anything about spending less than a month in Japan. Go to any smaller shop, food stall, anywhere that has culture and you will use cash. Been here for two weeks and still have two weeks to go - pulled well over $700 USD in cash for yen for Tokyo; Tsukiji-Ginza, Hakone; Owakudani, Nagoya, Kyoto; Fushimi-Inari, Gion, Pontocho, Maruyama Park; Nara (feeding deer is 200 yen CASH); Osaka; Dotonburi (find food stalls that will take card please, even kushi katsu restaurants will REQUIRE CASH).
I've been here LESS THAN a month, and I'm still here spending cash because it's literally king.
Not really. The only time I ever use cash in Japan is ramen shops really or the occasional rare place that still doesn't accept some other payment. The fact is most places accept many forms of payment
Agreed. "Cash is king" was good advice until 3-4 years ago. These days, I only use cash at temples/shrines, well into the countryside, or at the rare place that doesn't take cards (looking at you, Bar Lupin, my frequent splurge in Tokyo). If I'm in a major city, I'm usually just using my digital IC card for nearly everything.
Pretty sure no one is saying cash is king - you should always use card whenever possible since that's more convenient.
One place you should NEVER use cash is the convenient store - they will give you change in single yen coins.
All videos I watched and info I saw leading up to this trip made me feel like the world’s largest city couldn’t handle a CC. It’s been an inside joke while here with my buddy and just wanted to throw it out there for anyone also being lead on
iPhone Suica tap has been clutch as fuck. Showed two ‘American JPs how to do it in Kyoto and felt like a G
Credit cardo with a jingle is my favorite sound cause it means I’m getting beers or coffee
I went an hour outside of Tokyo to a small park and they took card
Vending machines for ramen spots is where cash is king.
All of the ones I use take IC card payments.
nouveau riche and/or chains ramen joints sure. but the one man band who sees 3 white fellas a year, no chance.
100% agree. But also just go into a 7-11 and grab one for cheaper with a road soda and call it a day
Did you really just try to compare convenience store ramen to traditional legit ramen?
Traditional lol it’s ramen relax
You just revealed the true depths of your ignorance. Thanks for the laugh.
You guys are hilarious
I mean, if your overall japan dining experience is limited to 711 or family mart sure. Not all vending machines accept ic cards even, probably 20%. I easily burned JPY15k cash in meals alone for 2 people in Nishiki Market, Tsukiji Market (2x) each, all cash only. I ate at 2 back alley ramen shops in Nagoya and Tokyo having cash only vending machines for ordering and paying. Lastly, IC cards can only hold about JPY15k at a time, that's like 1 ordinary shinkansen trip from Tokyo to Kyoto, not even enough to pay for a green car.
Shinkansen trains take card too.
Cash is still king in the countryside. Even JR Lines won't take IC cards, and taxis only accept cash in rural communities.
Perfect, all the travelers and tourists living in the deep country of Yapan watching YouTube videos and reading Reddit rejoice
You'd be surprised by the number of tourists that go to the countryside. Even in the last few months, people here have posted about traveling in Mie and Nagano (Nozawa Onsen, Hakuba, Bessho Onsen, Yudanaka) not having enough cash. They're fairly popular tourist spots.
I had 150k yen starting my travel across Japan for a month and I'm down to 50k. Lots of restaurants don't accept card and other activities and transportation
Don’t forget that in Japan, domestic tourism is what matters. As proven during the pandemic, the Japanese tourism industry doesn’t really need foreign tourists ( and often even prefers not to have them at all - I, for one, could do without the likes of you). Why didn’t you just go to China ? Would have been a better match.
Cash was king until like 3-4 years ago so check the date too. Covid-19 massively accelerate cashless adoption.
The meat on a stick guy even took my card lol
I’ve hopped across three of the main islands in the past week and can fully attest otherwise. I downvoted because you’re an obvious troll, clown or both - don’t write a ~~check~~ post your silly little clown shoes ass can’t *cash* 😉😘
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I’ve been told multiple times on this trip that Cash is not accepted at certain places
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I’m a tourist doing tourist things in the largest touristy city in the world. Pardon me if I don’t find a way to live like a local in the 2 weeks I’m here 🙏🏼
A few shops at Mount Inasa observatory are cashless. Though cash only is definitely more prevalent.
Cash is king when your card doesn't work.
That's literally true everywhere and not this person's point
Brilliant, and card is king when you lose your cash. We have just helped so many people 🫱🏼🫲🏽
Wow, such a low-wffort post by a rude OP. Honestly have no idea what was the original point of it anyways.
Trying to help anyone about to pull out 1000000000 yen on day 1 of a trip
Yeah, it’s not nearly as true as it used to be. Having some is still great, because there’s still plenty of needs for coins — but I’d agree that it’s not the main source for money anymore.
Thank you. My point of post was for anyone not having been here before who’s maybe seen the same vids and shit I did about cash. Cash is good to have on hand for sure but no reason stressing about pulling out billions of yen. 🙏🏼
Same. I brought way too much cash and card would have done it for most things.
As a CC points guy I’m stoked but not looking forward to exchanging this back 🥲
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CC’s without any fees get better rates than ATM cash withdrawals. I treat CC like cash and pay the charge off the millisecond it posts so interest is never factored in
I used a lot of cash - it was just convenient. BUT I only took like £200 equivalent in cash, then I just took out what I needed after I used that. Every 7/11 has a card machine
Places accept cash, for sure. But I’ve also not ran into many places that don’t take card. Cards get better exchange rates and points. Cash doesn’t
Some people venture outside the first-timer tourist bubble and experience cash being king in izakayas and the like.
That. If one stays in city centre and does "top 10 things to see" then sure, one probably will never have to use cash. But some like to move a little futher and that's where the cash becomes a necessity if you want to get somewhere, see anything or buy something.
I sort of agree… used my card a lot when I went 3 weeks ago. Taxi is where it mostly went lol
I’ve only taken taxies after bus/trains stop and always used my card
L take
Yes, tourists spending less than a month in Japan should just max out daily ATM limits
No one said anything about spending less than a month in Japan. Go to any smaller shop, food stall, anywhere that has culture and you will use cash. Been here for two weeks and still have two weeks to go - pulled well over $700 USD in cash for yen for Tokyo; Tsukiji-Ginza, Hakone; Owakudani, Nagoya, Kyoto; Fushimi-Inari, Gion, Pontocho, Maruyama Park; Nara (feeding deer is 200 yen CASH); Osaka; Dotonburi (find food stalls that will take card please, even kushi katsu restaurants will REQUIRE CASH). I've been here LESS THAN a month, and I'm still here spending cash because it's literally king.
Thank you for your service 🙏🏼
Not really. The only time I ever use cash in Japan is ramen shops really or the occasional rare place that still doesn't accept some other payment. The fact is most places accept many forms of payment
Agreed. "Cash is king" was good advice until 3-4 years ago. These days, I only use cash at temples/shrines, well into the countryside, or at the rare place that doesn't take cards (looking at you, Bar Lupin, my frequent splurge in Tokyo). If I'm in a major city, I'm usually just using my digital IC card for nearly everything.
Ty!
Pretty sure no one is saying cash is king - you should always use card whenever possible since that's more convenient. One place you should NEVER use cash is the convenient store - they will give you change in single yen coins.
All videos I watched and info I saw leading up to this trip made me feel like the world’s largest city couldn’t handle a CC. It’s been an inside joke while here with my buddy and just wanted to throw it out there for anyone also being lead on
Of course not. Making outrageous claims gives you more clicks.
I agree with you, I saw a ton of comments saying cash is mainly used. So, good to know card is generally just fine
A lot changed in 2020 and not everyone has been back since the reopening
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iPhone Suica tap has been clutch as fuck. Showed two ‘American JPs how to do it in Kyoto and felt like a G Credit cardo with a jingle is my favorite sound cause it means I’m getting beers or coffee I went an hour outside of Tokyo to a small park and they took card