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Payment Methods in Japan: A Guide for UK Travellers
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iFAST Global Bank
Japan consistently ranks among the most popular holiday destinations for UK travellers.
Whether you’re munching on delicious street food in Osaka, taking in the sights in Hokkaido, chilling out in Okayama, or soaking up the vibrant city life of Tokyo, there’s something for every kind of traveller.
When it comes to making payments in Japan, travellers have plenty of options. With a diverse payment landscape consisting of Cash, QR codes, and card payment options, ensuring that you have all three is crucial for navigating Japan.
This guide covers the main payment methods available in Japan, along with practical tips to help UK travellers pay more conveniently throughout their trip.
Do You Need Cash in Japan?
The Japanese Yen (JPY) is the official currency of Japan. While cards and QR payments are commonly accepted in Japan, Cash is still dominant, with many transactions, especially in more rural areas, being dominated by physical currency.
Smaller merchants may prefer cash or QR payments, while some may not accept international cards. It is also useful to carry smaller denominations, as vendors may not always have sufficient change for larger notes.
Need extra cash? UK travellers with the iFAST Global Bank’s Multi-Currency Debit Card can withdraw cash instantly at ATMs in Japan without any withdrawal fees*.
*Additional service charges may be imposed by ATM operators.
E-wallets and Mobile QR Payments in Japan
QR payments are becoming more and more popular in Japan, with a range of local and international payment options available.
Popular options include:
Alipay
Paypay
LINE Pay
D Barai
Rakuten pay
Don’t have these apps? iFAST Global Bank customers can use Worldwide Scan & Pay** to make cross-border payments directly from the iFAST GB mobile app at Alipay+ compatible QR merchants and supported national QR networks.
Simply scan the merchant’s QR code and confirm the payment in the app — no physical debit card or separate payment app required.
**Scan & Pay is for cross-currency payments only. Availability of QR payments may vary by country and merchant. T&Cs apply.
Payment with Debit or Credit Cards
Credit and debit cards are convenient payment options across more developed areas in Japan. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, cafés and airports, although smaller local businesses may still prefer cash or QR payments.
Tip: Before travelling, compare the foreign exchange rates, overseas transaction fees and other charges that may apply across your cards. When given the option to pay in GBP, it is also worth checking the exchange rate and any applicable fees before confirming the transaction.
Travellers with iFAST Global Bank’s Multi-Currency Debit Card^ can make payments globally, with competitive real-time exchange rates and acceptance across 200 countries and territories. When spending in Japan, payments can be automatically converted from GBP to JPY.
^Multi-currency debit card is available for UK residents only.
Travel Effortlessly in Japan
A little preparation can make paying in Japan much easier. Consider having some Won on hand, preparing your debit or credit cards for overseas use, and setting up Worldwide Scan & Pay before your trip.
Using a combination of cash, cards and QR payments gives you greater flexibility wherever you are travelling in Japan.
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