Backpacking Japan: ATMs and Western Debit Cards

Japan is, by and large, a cash based society. Western influence has introduced a few places in Tokyo that take credit cards as a form of payment. These places are usually large scale international hotel chains or very large international restaurants. Every other place you encounter in Japan will be cash, and cash only.

This is a ironic twist, as Japan also happens to be a very expensive place to take a vacation. If you stay for a longer period of time, you will go through a great deal of money, even if you are frugal. Even though Japan is a safe location, every place in the world has thieves and pickpockets. Carrying around a large amount of money, no matter the country, is a dangerous feat, and can result in loss of travel funds, something all travelers fear.

This leaves the question of ATM's: are they available in Japan, are they numerous enough to be worth while, and will they work with your card? The short answer is yes on all accounts. ATMs are present in Japan, though only in larger cities - you will not find them easily in rural areas, if there are any at all.

There are specific ATMs for Westerners to use there cards - these are the ones found at 7/11 stores and postal offices. These ATMs work with a wide array of cards and offer English as one of the language options. These ATMs work with debit cards - they won't work with credit cards, however.

A number of different cards can be used at these locations. The supported card types include Visa, Plus, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, JCB, and some of them work with America Express, though there have been a few occasions where American Express cards don't work correctly. A quick way to tell if your debit card will work is to look for the words Cirrus and Plus on the back. Nearly every card sports one of these two words, and both are supported.

Unlike in the US, not all ATMs are open at all times. he ATMs found at 7/11's are 24-7 devices, but the ATMs found at certain post offices are closed around midnight (12AM).