Oops! Japan #26 — “Cash Only” Isn’t Just a Joke （「カード使えません」はマジです）Why You Still Need a Wad of Yen in High-Tech Japan


 

Oops! Japan #26 — “Cash Only” Isn’t Just a Joke

（「カード使えません」はマジです）Why You Still Need a Wad of Yen in High-Tech Japan

English:

Japan may be the land of robots, vending machines, and bullet trains… But try paying for ramen with your credit card? You might get a confused smile and a quiet: “Sumimasen… cash only.”

Despite Japan’s futuristic reputation, cash is still king — especially at:

Local ramen joints and izakayas

Smaller temples and shrines

Mom-and-pop souvenir shops

Street markets and older establishments

Even places that look modern might prefer cash or IC cards (like Suica/Pasmo), not international credit cards.

What travelers say:

“I was surprised how many restaurants turned down my card.” “The shrine didn’t accept anything but coins — for both the entrance and the omikuji!”

What to do:

Always carry a decent amount of yen — at least ¥10,000–¥20,000 in cash.

Use ATMs at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, or Japan Post — they’re foreign-card friendly.

Consider loading up a Suica or Pasmo for convenience store purchases and short transit.

Japan is safe, so carrying cash is usually not a concern — but not having it is.


日本語の補足：

「日本＝キャッシュレス先進国」と思っていると、意外な落とし穴があります。

地元のラーメン屋や居酒屋

神社仏閣（お賽銭・おみくじ）

昔ながらの土産店や市場 こうした場所では、**「現金のみ」**が普通です。

クレジットカードが断られることも多く、ICカード（Suica・Pasmo）なら使える場面もありますが、現金を持っておかないと詰むことも。

7-11などのATMを利用すれば、海外カードでも現金が引き出せるので安心です。


Next up:

Oops! Japan #27 — Don’t Sneak Food into Restaurants Why that "tiny snack from the konbini" could get you in unexpected trouble.

次回予告： Oops! Japan #27 — 飲食店で“こっそりお菓子”はNG！ コンビニのスナックを広げたらマナー違反!? 日本の“持ち込み文化”に注意！

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