Can I use my credit card in Japan?

There’s so much to enjoy about Japan, from the bright lights of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto to the onsen baths, rice fields, lakes and mountains beyond. But once you’ve crafted the perfect itinerary, you may still find yourself with questions about how to pay for things.

Depending on where in Japan you are, a credit card might be a convenient and rewarding option.

What you’ll learn:

• American credit cards are generally accepted in the major cities of Japan.
• In most cases, you can use your credit card to buy prepaid, reloadable cards that can be helpful while traveling.
• Capital One doesn’t charge foreign transaction or currency conversion fees when you use your credit card in Japan. View important rates and disclosures.
• Japan is known as a cash-heavy culture, so it’s worth bringing cash too.

Foreign credit cards are generally accepted in major stores, hotels and restaurants across Japan, especially in large cities. Cards linked to payment networks Visa® and Mastercard® are among the most widely accepted. 

But Japan is a largely cash-based society. And that’s especially true for smaller shops and places outside major cities. So it might be worth having some Japanese yen (JPY) with you. For cash in hand before you leave the U.S., the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) suggests trying a bank first. Airport and hotel exchange desks and Japanese ATMs may charge high fees and offer low exchange rates.

If your credit card isn’t an option, you may be able to use it to purchase and reload IC cards instead. Japanese IC cards are used to pay for public transportation and can also be used at shops, restaurants and vending machines. 

While they are handy, IC cards can differ widely in how and where they work. Popular brands include Suica and Pasmo, but you can research which could be best for your needs before you arrive at your destination. 

A credit card may be more secure and easier to carry on your travels. But cash is more common in Japan, so it could be helpful to have both JPY and your credit card on hand.

If you’re in a store and don’t see any indication that you can use your credit card there, it’s still worth asking. Merchants don’t always display the accepted network symbols at checkout. 

Using a credit card abroad can sometimes incur these fees: 

• A foreign transaction fee is a surcharge some card issuers add to credit card purchases made outside of the U.S. It may be about 1%-3% of the transaction cost.
• A currency conversion fee is charged by the credit or debit card payment network or ATM network for converting JPY to American dollars. The conversion lets issuers process payments and add them to a person’s balance. Visa and Mastercard charge a 1% currency conversion fee to card issuers.

Capital One doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees or pass on currency conversion fees to its customers. View important rates and disclosures. Other issuers might.

Dynamic currency conversion is another potential fee. Merchants offer this optional service to convert the price in JPY to U.S. dollars right at the point of purchase. It’s convenient because it helps customers understand how much they’re paying in their home currency. But it typically costs more than any standard exchange rate your credit card issuer might charge.

There are many benefits of using a credit card on your travels in Japan:

• Your credit account may give you access to security and fraud protections. Capital One cards offer features like $0 liability for unauthorized charges¹ and the ability to lock your card² if it’s lost or stolen.
• Eligible purchases you make when using a rewards card will continue to earn rewards. 
• Your credit card issuer might have an app like the Capital One Mobile App³, which helps you stay on top of your spending. You can get proactive alerts about transactions, view recent activity and more.
• Depending on your credit card, it may come with travel insurance. In the event of a problem, you could be reimbursed for things like trip delays, cancellations, lost luggage and more. You can check your card’s benefits guide to see what coverage it offers.

Ready to start planning your trip to Japan? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Credit cards and IC cards can be useful payment options depending on where you are in Japan. If you’re unsure, consider contacting your hotel or checking online for other travelers’ experiences.

Before you leave, check whether your credit card issuer charges foreign transaction fees. Where they apply, fees typically range from about 1%-3% of each transaction. 

Not all cards charge foreign transaction fees. That includes any card from Capital One. View important rates and disclosures.

It’s worth checking to see whether you need to set up a travel notice when you go abroad. Capital One doesn’t require you to share your plans, but other issuers might. 

Travel notice or not, it’s still helpful to make sure your contact information is up to date. That’s in case your bank needs to reach you about suspected fraud.

Japan is a cash-heavy culture, so you’ll definitely want to carry some yen with you on your trip. But if you’re traveling throughout the major cities of Japan, it’s a good idea to bring a credit card too. You may be able to use it to buy reloadable IC cards. And with a Capital One card, you can enjoy benefits like travel protections and the ability to track your spending. And you won’t have to pay foreign transaction or conversion fees. View important rates and disclosures.