Acceptance of Credit Cards in Japan

Question

I know that Japan is primarily a cash society but I've heard that they've become more accepting of credit cards lately. Question is 3 parts:

1. How common is credit card acceptance in major cities?
2. What cards are more accepted?
3. When they are accepted, do they use the stripe or do they use EMV and pin?

Answer 1

1. The credit card acceptance is generally bad compared to other major cities in North America, Europe, South Korea, and Australia. It is slightly worse than in Hong Kong and Singapore, but I don't think it makes a much difference here.

2. As to the brand of cards, the order of prevalence is Visa, MasterCard, JCB/Amex (both in partnership), Diners, and UnionPay. However, the prevalence gap between MasterCard and JCB/Amex is quite large. So if you are concerned, carry either Visa or MasterCard (Visa is more widely used only slightly).

   UnionPay is rarely used here, but with the rise of the number of tourists from China, some department stores started to accept it.

3. More and more stores are making a transition to EMV due to the potential scamming but there are still many places that use the stripe only. I don't know if there are any places that only accept EMV in my experience, so it is unlikely that you get denied by handing in a card without EMV chip.

   Also, most stores don't require you to enter PIN, especially for a small amount of purchase. The threshold is somewhere around 5,000 ~ 10,000 JPY. But it depends on each store, I think.

   Also, if you don't know or forget your PIN, they will kindly accept a signature.

If you are not sure what kind of stores accept it or not, here is a general standard:

• Accept: department stores, large electronic shops (e.g. Yodobashi, Bic Camera), +3 star or above hotels, restaurants that cost 3,000 JPY or above per person, starbucks, leading convenience stores (7-11, Lawson), large supermarkets

• Rarely accept: cheap, chained-cafe (except Starbucks), McDonalds, fast foods, cheap restaurants (mostly not chained), cheap local food shops

• Never accept: small hospitals, a post office, transportation card (e.g. Suica, except those that are issued as a credit card, which foreign travelers should see it near impossible to create as a tourist)

Also, some restaurants and cafes only accept a card if you pay enough, around 2,000 ~ 3,000 JPY.

Answer 2

1. Credit cards are accepted in almost every large shop and restaurants. But you will find that many smaller shops, Mc Donalds and some other fast food chains, sale locations ( e.g. large shop puts up a sale in the subway area ) - all these places do not accept credit cards.

2. Having to make a credit card myself - Visa and Master Card cards are most popular here. But as far as I could see - all cards are accepted. I wouldn't worry about that.

3. In grocery shops and convenience stores they just swipe, all other places uses either a PIN or your signature. They'll ask which you prefer, although very-very often only in Japanese but they'll try to make an effort and explain using hands :)

Japan is NOT a primarily a "cash-society", it's just that it costs a lot of money to make a contract with the credit-card company and every transition will cost ~3% for fees, so smaller businesses just don't want to do it.

Additional tip: keep a 10 000 yen bill with you ( around 100$ ), you will not easily find a place to spend it, because expensive places will have credit-card support and places where you'll need cash won't cost you that much.

Answer 3

1. Card acceptance in major cities is generally good. All department stores (like Yodobashi) will take credit cards and most small shops will take them as well, no issues here. I still suggest keeping cash on you as you could get surprised.
2. I had no issues using my MasterCard, I do not know about the others.
3. In my experience, the stripe is used much more.

Answer 4

Acceptance

Places expects foreigners paying a large amount are more likely to accept credit cards, such as:

1. Ticket office (but not vending machines) in major railway stations, e.g. JR West "Green Window".
2. Convenience stores, e.g. FamilyMart, LAWSON, 7-11.
3. Department stores.
4. Amusement parks, e.g. Universal Studio Japan (USJ in Osaka).
5. Taxis in major cities / urban areas.

However, you still need cash for having ramen, entering parks and temples, riding buses and for a lot of things. Make sure always have a good amount of cash with you. :)

Cards accepted

1. JCB (Japan Credit Bureau)
2. MasterCard
3. VISA
4. American Express

Other cards such as Diners Club and China UnionPay are accepted, but not as widely accepted as the aboves. For instance, ticket office of JR West and bag drop counters of Peach Aviatvion does not accept China UnionPay.

Using credit card in Japan

Usually stripe, some new terminals use EMVs. For some places like convenience stores, no signature is required for purchase under ¥10,000. Yet, I did not find any terminals accepts VISA payWave or MasterCard Contactless.

Answer 5

Good answers already, but just to add my 2 yen:

1. To withdraw money, the best ATMs are at Japan Post offices. Convenience stores ATMs do not always accept withdrawals, Japan Post ATMs always do, according to my experience. Japan Post offices are open less often, though.
2. Some places take a fee for credit card (see my picture below). It is quite rare though.

Wikivoyage has a list of banks and ATMs showing what cards they accept and how much they charge in fees (yes some are free).

Answer 6

I had no major problems with MasterCard for larger purchases in department stores, although lots of smaller places would not accept anything other than cash. Visa only works to get cash at 7-11, I've found no other place that accepts it.