Paying and Shopping in Japan
Credit card use is limited in Japan... you'll need to pay mostly in cash.
Credit card use is limited in Japan... you'll need to pay mostly in cash.
For international Visa cards, you'll need to visit Citibank or Mitsui-Sumitomo Bank branches...
For Mastercard, head to post offices or ATMs with the JP logo.
It's more advantageous to exchange money before you leave. For competitive rates, visit the stock exchange district in Paris around rue Vivienne
What budget should you plan for a holiday in Japan?
Temples & Museums: 300-600 yen. You can estimate 2 or 3 visits per person per day. That's around 1,000 yen/day, or €8
Lunch or dinner at a restaurant costs between 700-1,300 yen, but you can find much cheaper options, around 2,000 yen/day, or €16
Bus transport costs 500 yen per person.
For a good-quality hotel room (equivalent to Ibis/Mercure) €90/night for a single room.
To convert to euros, simply use the Yahoo.fr currency converter...
Frequently asked questions
Credit card use remains limited in Japan, particularly in small shops, restaurants and temples. It is strongly recommended to always have cash on you. Large retailers, hotels and department stores generally accept Visa and Mastercard.
ATMs at convenience stores 7-Eleven (Seven Bank network) and Japan Post Bank offices accept most foreign cards. They're available 24/7 throughout the country and offer an English-language interface.
It's generally advisable to exchange some of your money before departure so you have cash on arrival. In France, exchange offices around rue Vivienne in Paris (stock exchange district) offer competitive rates. On the ground, airports have less favorable rates.
For a standard trip, budget around €8 per day for cultural visits (temples, museums), €16 for restaurant meals, 500 yen for bus transport. Good-quality hotel accommodation (Ibis/Mercure type) costs around €90 per night for a single room.
Suica or Pasmo are rechargeable smart cards (IC cards) used to pay for public transport (subway, bus, train) but also in many shops, convenience stores and vending machines. They're a very practical solution to avoid handling coins.
