💰 This page covers what you need on the ground: card acceptance by neighborhood, IC card setup, konbini ATMs, and day trips. For Japanese ATM networks, currency exchange options, and nationwide tipping norms:
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Order JPY → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Tokyo?
Yes. Tokyo has improved dramatically for card acceptance since COVID, but it is not as cashless as London or Singapore. Plan on carrying ¥10,000–20,000 ($65–130) in cash at all times.
Where You Will Need Cash
Ramen shops with ticket vending machines (many are cash-only). Small izakayas and independent restaurants, especially in Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho. Street food stalls at Tsukiji Outer Market and festival stalls. Temples and shrines (Meiji Shrine is free, but offerings and o-mamori charms are cash). Coin lockers without IC card readers. Vintage shops in Shimokitazawa and Koenji.
Where Cards Work Fine
Department stores in Ginza, Shinjuku, and Shibuya (tax-free with passport). Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) for IC card and contactless tap. Chain restaurants and major hotel dining. Train stations and the metro system via IC card. Museums and major attractions like TeamLab, Tokyo Skytree, and Mori Art Museum.
Paying by Card in Tokyo
Card acceptance varies wildly by neighborhood. Major chains, department stores, convenience stores, and hotels accept Visa and Mastercard reliably. Amex works at hotels and large retailers. The holdouts are small independent restaurants, ramen shops, izakayas, shrines, and traditional businesses.
Ginza
Tokyo's luxury shopping district is fully card-friendly. Department stores (Mitsukoshi, Matsuya, Wako), brand boutiques, and upscale restaurants all accept cards with contactless. Tax-free shopping counters for tourists accept cards too. The only cash situations here are some of the tiny basement-level sushi counters and standing bars.
Shibuya
Shibuya Scramble Square, Shibuya 109, and the surrounding shopping complexes are fully card-friendly. Chain restaurants and cafes accept contactless. The newer restaurants around Miyashita Park take cards. Smaller izakayas on the back streets of Nonbei Yokocho (Drunkard's Alley) are often cash-only. The famous Shibuya Crossing Starbucks takes cards.
Shinjuku
Department stores (Isetan, Takashimaya, Lumine) and electronics shops (Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera) accept cards. The Golden Gai area with its tiny bars is mostly cash-only: these are 6-seat bars where the owner does not want to deal with card machines. Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane/Piss Alley) yakitori stalls are almost all cash. Kabukicho restaurants and entertainment venues are mixed.
Asakusa
The area around Senso-ji temple is tourist-heavy but not fully modern. Souvenir shops along Nakamise-dori mostly accept cards now. Restaurants around Kaminarimon vary: established places take cards, smaller family-run spots are cash-only. Temple admission (when applicable) and o-mikuji (fortune slips) require coins. The rickshaw operators around the temple accept cash only.
Roppongi
The Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown complexes are fully card-friendly. The Mori Art Museum, restaurants, and shops inside these buildings all accept contactless. International restaurants along Gaien-Higashi-dori take cards. Late-night bars and clubs accept cards, though some charge a cover (usually payable by card as well).
Akihabara
Electronics stores are the most card-friendly places in Tokyo. Yodobashi Camera Akiba, Sofmap, and the larger anime/manga shops accept all major cards with tax-free shopping for tourists. Smaller specialty shops, maid cafes, and arcade game centers are more mixed. Arcade machines take ¥100 coins, not cards.
Tsukiji Outer Market
The famous market stalls selling fresh seafood, tamagoyaki, and street food are a cash-heavy experience. Some larger shops accept cards, but the small stalls where you grab food on sticks, oysters, and uni are almost all cash-only. Bring ¥3,000–5,000 for a morning of eating here. The nearby Tsukiji Honganji temple is free to enter.
Shimokitazawa
Tokyo's vintage and indie neighborhood. Second-hand clothing shops are mixed on card acceptance. The live music venues, independent cafes, and curry restaurants that make this area famous are about 50/50 on cards. Cash is safer here. Bonus Road and the market under the train tracks have a bohemian feel and a cash-first culture.
Suica and IC Cards: Your Essential Tokyo Tool
An IC card (Suica or PASMO) is the most important financial tool for your Tokyo trip, more useful than any credit card. It works on every train line, every bus, every convenience store, most vending machines, and thousands of shops. For more on IC cards across Japan, see the Japan guide.
How to Get One
iPhone users: add a Suica card directly to your Apple Wallet. Open Wallet, tap "+", select Transit Card, choose Suica, and load money from your credit card. This is the fastest method and means you never need a physical card. Works immediately upon landing.
Android users: Google Pay supports Suica on phones with FeliCa NFC (most recent Samsung, Pixel, and Sony phones). Check compatibility before your trip.
Physical card: buy a Welcome Suica at JR East service centers in Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, or major stations like Tokyo, Shinjuku, and Shibuya. No deposit required (unlike regular Suica). Valid for 28 days. Load at any station ticket machine (cash or card) or 7-Eleven ATM.
Where IC Cards Work Beyond Trains
Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) all accept IC card tap payments. Vending machines with the IC card logo (most of them) accept a tap. Coin lockers at major stations accept IC cards. Many restaurants display the Suica/PASMO logo at the entrance, meaning you can pay with a tap. Taxis increasingly accept IC cards alongside regular contactless payments.
ATMs in Tokyo
Head to any 7-Eleven for a Seven Bank ATM. They accept virtually all foreign cards, have English screens, and are open 24 hours. Japan Post Bank, Lawson, and FamilyMart ATMs also work. Skip Japanese bank ATMs (MUFG, Mizuho, SMBC) as they frequently reject foreign cards.
🏦 Need ATM locations by neighborhood, step-by-step withdrawal instructions, airport ATMs, or safety tips? See the Tokyo ATM Guide for the full deep-dive. For Japanese ATM networks and fees nationwide, see the Japan Money Guide.
Paying for Transport in Tokyo
Trains and Metro
Tokyo has multiple overlapping train systems: JR East (including the Yamanote Line), Tokyo Metro (9 lines), Toei Subway (4 lines), and various private railways. All accept Suica/PASMO IC cards. Tap in at entry, tap out at exit, and the correct fare is deducted automatically. A typical ride across central Tokyo costs ¥170–250 ($1.10–1.70). Without an IC card, buy tickets from platform machines (cash or card).
Airport to City
From Narita (NRT): the Narita Express (N'EX) to Tokyo Station takes about 60 minutes and costs ¥3,250. Buy at the JR counter or with your Suica. The cheaper Keisei Skyliner to Ueno takes 36 minutes for ¥2,520. Access Express (also Keisei) is ¥1,270 and takes about 70 minutes. All accept cards at the ticket counter.
From Haneda (HND): the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho takes 13 minutes (¥500, Suica works). Keikyu trains to Shinagawa take 11 minutes (¥300). Both connect to the JR and metro networks. Much easier and cheaper than Narita.
Taxis
Tokyo taxis are clean, safe, and increasingly card-friendly. The meter starts at ¥500 and a ride across central Tokyo runs ¥1,500–4,000 ($10–27). Most taxis now accept credit cards and IC cards, but confirm by checking for card logos on the window before getting in. The GO app (Japan's Uber equivalent) lets you hail and pay by card through the app. Uber also operates in Tokyo but has fewer cars than GO.
Buses
City buses accept Suica/PASMO (tap when boarding or exiting depending on the route). Cash fare is usually ¥210 flat. Tourist buses like the Toei Bus one-day pass (¥500) are a good deal for sightseeing. Buses are less intuitive than trains for visitors, as announcements and route maps are not always in English.
Tipping in Tokyo
Do Not Tip
Japan does not have a tipping culture. Leaving money on the table at a restaurant may confuse your server, and they may chase you down to return it. This applies everywhere: restaurants, taxis, hotels, hair salons, and bars. The price is the price. Some high-end restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill, which is standard and separate from tipping. You do not need to add anything on top.
The one exception: if you stay at a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn) with a dedicated nakai (room attendant), a small gift or ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope is sometimes given, but this is more of a formal gesture than a tip and is entirely optional.
Prices in Tokyo
Tokyo is surprisingly affordable for food compared to its reputation, especially at the casual and mid-range level. Transport, accommodation, and activities are where costs add up.
| Item | Price (JPY) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Vending machine coffee | ¥130 | $0.90 |
| Onigiri (convenience store) | ¥130–200 | $0.90–1.35 |
| Bento box (convenience store) | ¥400–600 | $2.70–4 |
| Coffee (kissaten) | ¥400–600 | $2.70–4 |
| Bowl of ramen | ¥900–1,300 | $6–9 |
| Conveyor belt sushi (full meal) | ¥1,500–3,000 | $10–20 |
| Mid-range omakase sushi | ¥8,000–15,000 | $55–100 |
| Yamanote Line ride | ¥160–200 | $1.10–1.35 |
| 24-hour Metro pass | ¥600 | $4 |
| Taxi (Shinjuku to Roppongi) | ¥1,500–2,500 | $10–17 |
| TeamLab Borderless | ¥3,800 | $26 |
| Tokyo Skytree | ¥2,100–3,100 | $14–21 |
| Gardens and parks | ¥200–500 | $1.35–3.40 |
USD estimates based on approximately ¥150 = $1. Rates fluctuate. Convenience store meals are genuinely good and a perfectly acceptable budget strategy.
Day Trips from Tokyo
Kamakura (1 hour from Shinjuku or Tokyo Station)
JR trains or Odakyu Line reach Kamakura easily. Suica works on all trains. The Great Buddha (Kotoku-in) charges ¥300 entry (cash or sometimes IC card). Restaurants along Komachi-dori accept cards at larger establishments but many small shops and food stalls are cash-only. The Enoden tram along the coast accepts Suica. Bring ¥3,000–5,000 in cash for the day.
Nikko (2 hours from Asakusa)
Tobu Railway runs from Asakusa station. Buy tickets at the Tobu counter with a card or use a Nikko Pass (available for purchase with card). Toshogu Shrine entry is ¥1,300 (cash at the ticket window). Restaurants in the town are mixed on card acceptance. The Kegon Falls viewing platform charges ¥570 for the elevator (cash). Bring ¥5,000+ in cash for a comfortable day.
Hakone (90 minutes from Shinjuku)
The Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku is the most scenic approach (¥2,330, bookable with card). The Hakone Free Pass (¥6,100, purchasable with card at Odakyu counter) covers the circular route of trains, cable cars, ropeways, and pirate ships around Lake Ashi. Hot spring (onsen) day visits at ryokans cost ¥1,500–3,000 and are often cash-only. Bring cash for onsen visits and small souvenir shops.
Yokohama (30 minutes from Shibuya)
Suica works on all trains to Yokohama. Chinatown restaurants mostly accept cards. The Cup Noodles Museum (¥500 entry) accepts cards. Minato Mirai shopping district is fully card-friendly. The Ramen Museum in Shin-Yokohama charges ¥380 entry (cash or IC card), and individual ramen shops inside use ticket machines (mostly cash). The closest major city to Tokyo and the easiest day trip.
Tokyo Quick Reference
A quick reference for how much cash to carry depending on your plans.
| Activity | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginza shopping | ✅ Everywhere | Not needed | Tax-free shopping with passport |
| Golden Gai / Omoide Yokocho | ❌ Rarely | ¥5,000–10,000 | Tiny bars, almost all cash-only |
| Tsukiji Outer Market | ❌ Some stalls | ¥3,000–5,000 | Street food stalls are cash |
| Shibuya / Roppongi | ✅ Most places | ¥3,000 backup | Chain restaurants and malls take cards |
| Temples & shrines | ❌ No | Coins for offerings | ¥5 coin for offerings, ¥100–300 for o-mikuji |
| Convenience stores | ✅ IC card or card | Not needed | Suica tap works everywhere |
| Kamakura day trip | ✅ Trains only | ¥3,000–5,000 | Shops and temples mostly cash |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash in Tokyo?
Yes, more than you might expect. Tokyo has modernized rapidly but many small restaurants, ramen shops, izakayas, shrines, and traditional businesses remain cash-only. Department stores, chain restaurants, convenience stores, and hotels accept cards. Carry at least ¥10,000–20,000 on you at all times as backup.
What is a Suica card and do I need one?
Suica is a rechargeable IC card used for trains, buses, and contactless payments at convenience stores, vending machines, and many shops. You can get a Welcome Suica at Narita or Haneda airport, or add a virtual Suica to your iPhone or Apple Watch wallet. It is the single most useful thing to set up on your first day in Tokyo.
Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay in Tokyo?
Apple Pay works widely through the Suica/PASMO integration on iPhone. You can add a Suica card to your Apple Wallet and tap to pay on trains and at stores that accept IC cards. Google Pay supports Suica on Android phones with FeliCa NFC chips. Regular contactless Visa/Mastercard payments (without IC card) work at major retailers and convenience stores but not on trains.
Where can I find ATMs that accept foreign cards?
Any 7-Eleven has a Seven Bank ATM with English screens that accepts foreign cards 24 hours. Japan Post Bank, Lawson, and FamilyMart ATMs also work. The Tokyo ATM Guide has locations by neighborhood, step-by-step instructions, and airport ATM details.
Should I tip in Tokyo?
No. Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and can cause confusion or even offense. This applies to restaurants, taxis, hotels, and all other services. The price on the menu is the price you pay (plus tax). Some high-end restaurants include a 10% service charge, which is different from a tip and is non-negotiable.
How do I pay for Tokyo trains and metro?
The easiest way is a Suica or PASMO IC card. Tap in at the entry gate and tap out at your destination. The correct fare is deducted automatically. You can also buy individual tickets from machines at every station, but this is slower. IC cards work on JR lines, Tokyo Metro, Toei lines, and most buses.
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it for Tokyo?
Not for Tokyo alone. The JR Pass covers JR lines within Tokyo (Yamanote Line, Chuo Line) but not Tokyo Metro or Toei subway lines, which you will use constantly. The JR Pass is worth it if you are also traveling to Kyoto, Osaka, or other cities by shinkansen. For Tokyo-only trips, a Suica card with pay-as-you-go is cheaper and more flexible.
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