Money
How to withdraw cash with a foreign card in Japan
Plenty of bank machines simply reject foreign cards. Two reliable ones don't, and both have English menus.
- 1Skip most bank ATMs and head for a 7-Eleven (7 Bank) ATM or a Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ) ATM. These take overseas Visa, Mastercard, and the rest.
- 2Insert your card and choose English from the language options.
- 3Pick withdrawal, enter your PIN, and choose an amount.
- 4Take your cash, card, and receipt.
Heads up. If a machine rejects your card, it's usually not your card — it's an ATM that doesn't do foreign ones. Find a 7-Eleven or post office and try there.
Good to know
- 7-Eleven ATMs are open 24/7 — handy at night when post-office and bank machines are closed.
- Japan is still cash-heavy; carry some even where cards are accepted.