The credit card is undoubtedly one of the best friends of the Brazilian consumer, but is the situation similar on the other side of the world, in Japan? Let’s find out.
The Japanese are known, among other characteristics, for their intelligence, technologies, and development.
Of course, when thinking of Japan, its beautiful temples and stories of brave samurais and beautiful geishas also come to mind.
It is a place where modernity and tradition balance in a synergy seen in very few places around the world.
This contrast of the modern with the ancient is also present in the use of money by the Japanese.
In the West, we are very used to using payment methods without using cash, such as credit cards.
Is it the same in Japan, one of the most Westernized countries in Asia?
Table of Contents
Paying bills in Japan: tradition and modernity
As we said, Japan is a land where modernity and tradition come together in a fine balance in various spheres of culture and customs, including regarding the use of money.
The official Japanese currency is the yen, which has been in effect since the 19th century, going through wars, economic crises, environmental disasters, and everything that can shake a country’s currency.
Therefore, for the people, cash, the very paper money, is part of a long tradition and national identity.
This does not mean that there are no other payment methods, of course.
After all, we are talking about a modern country that has the third-largest economy in the world.
Is it allowed to use credit cards in Japan?
Using a credit card in Japan is allowed, but it is not the most accepted form of payment in the country.
At the doors and windows of establishments that accept cards, it is possible to see the flags of the cards each establishment accepts.
The most well-known card flags are also the most common in Japanese establishments.
If you do not have a card and are thinking of going to Japan, look for one with an internationally accepted flag.
Check this information before making your decision.
What is the most accepted payment method in Japan?
In Japan, the most accepted payment method is cash.
Many Japanese establishments have self-service machines, widely used by locals, but also by tourists.
They offer convenient, quick, and cheap meals, but only accept cash, in paper or coin.
Many tourist attractions, such as temples, also only accept cash. No credit cards.
Establishments that accept cards are usually large stores and restaurants with waiter service, which have a larger structure.
Should I bring a credit card to Japan?
If you are already deciding not to bring your credit card on your trip to Japan, calm down, don’t put the cart before the horse.
Just because we said that the Japanese prefer to receive cash, it does not mean that cards do not exist in the country.
Especially if you are in the major centers, credit cards are a widely accepted form of payment.
Not being able to put everything on the card, on one hand, is good for controlling expenses.
The portal easy-to-approve card reminds us that the total bill of the card should not exceed 30% of what one earns.
Beyond that, one may be falling into a financial trap.
On the other hand, the card remains the safest form of payment abroad and in the country itself, as it reduces the chances of theft.
Is it worth using a credit card in Japan?
The main reason to use a credit card in Japan is security.
Carrying a lot of cash while on the street can make you an easy target for thieves and ill-intentioned people.
The biggest disadvantage of using a card abroad, however, is the infamous IOF.
However, now that the price of purchases is converted when the card is used and no longer when the bill is closed, the user is less subject to currency fluctuations.
This allows for greater control over how much one is actually spending on the card and to do the math to see if it is worth using this payment method for a particular purchase.
The most important thing is to remember that the bill always arrives and needs to be paid.
As the easy-to-approve card portal reminds us, you don’t want to tarnish your precious credit history with a debt you can’t pay.
Even if you use your card for occasional purchases, Japan is a destination where it is necessary to carry a reasonable amount of cash.
This does not mean walking the streets of Tokyo with a fanny pack full of cash.
The ideal is, if you have a safe in the hotel, to leave most of the money there and go out only with what is necessary for the day.
Enjoy your trip
Now that you know how payments work in Japan, you can plan your trip more calmly.
In the Land of the Rising Sun, modern customs meet and sometimes even clash with traditions.
The yen has been the official currency of Japan for over two centuries, which makes its cultural strength extremely powerful.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why so many places, from tourist attractions to businesses, in Japan, have not succumbed to modern payment trends predominantly by card.
Of course, this does not mean that the second-largest economy in the world does not accept cards in its territory at all.
It only means that two payment methods coexist in a much greater balance than in other societies, not only Western but also Eastern.
The China, for example, hardly uses cards anymore.
A large part of payments in the Asian giant are made through QR codes and electronic wallets via mobile phones.
Japan maintains its tradition even in the use of cash.
It is another aspect to enjoy on your trip to the other side of the world.
Safe travels!
Leave a Reply