How do I pay for online bookings in Japan as a cash society?
Japan is still a cash-based society, but online bookings use credit cards. Learn when to use cash, cards, and IC cards during your trip.
Conclusion
Japan may be known as a “cash-based society,” but online bookings are usually paid by credit card.
However, once you arrive, you’ll still need cash for many small purchases — so bring both 💳💴.
General Information
While Japan has a reputation for being high-tech, cash is still widely used, especially for small payments.
An important detail:
👉 Many places don’t accept credit cards but do accept IC cards like Suica or PASMO — this includes vending machines, convenience stores, buses, and even some small shops.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Type of Purchase | Credit Card | IC Card (Suica, PASMO) |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Major chain restaurants | ✅ Yes | ✅ Sometimes |
| Local buses/trains | ❌ Often no | ✅ Yes |
| Ramen shops, small cafés | ❌ Often no | ✅ Sometimes |
| Vending machines | ❌ Mostly no | ✅ Yes |
| Convenience stores | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Souvenir shops | ✅/❌ Depends | ✅ Often yes |
So while you may book online with a credit card, once you're on the ground in Japan, IC cards like Suica can often replace both credit cards and cash for small daily expenses.
Online Payments: What You Can Use
Most online booking platforms (for hotels, tours, activities, transportation, etc.) accept international credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, and AMEX.
✅ Common online bookings in Japan:
- Hotels & guesthouses
- JR Pass or regional rail passes
- Theme park tickets (like Disneyland or USJ)
- Concerts, museums, and cultural experiences
- Airport limousine buses
Many platforms also support:
- Apple Pay / Google Pay (limited)
- PayPal (used on some international-friendly sites)
- Konbini payment (convenience store pay — used by locals)
- Pay-easy or bank transfer (less common for tourists)
My Personal Advice
In Japan, there’s still a strong cultural idea that small things should be paid in cash, and many places don’t want to cover credit card fees.
I’ve seen ramen shops, cafés, and even tourist-friendly temples only accepting cash. Even in Tokyo!
But surprisingly, many of these places do accept IC cards like Suica, even when they don’t accept credit cards.
Also, trains and buses outside major cities often don’t accept credit cards, so having an IC card is extremely helpful for transport and vending machines.
If you're going to the countryside, assume cash is the only option in many shops.
💡 Tip: Bring around ¥10,000–¥20,000 in cash (about $70–$140 USD) at all times, especially outside big cities.
Travel Tips
- Use credit cards for big purchases: Hotels, shopping malls, chain restaurants
- Have cash for small shops, temples, local transport
- ATMs at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Japan Post accept international cards
- Don’t rely only on your card — always carry some cash just in case
- IC cards like Suica or PASMO are accepted at many places where credit cards are not 🚌🧃
- Vending machines
- Convenience stores
- Some restaurants and cafés
- Public transport
- Station lockers
Comments ()