Wise Best exchange rate
Wise debit card
45k0.43%-0.65% conversion fee
The best travel card for Japan
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers.
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers. The yen has been weak against the AUD, which is a large part of why Japan is booming with Australian travellers.
Mostly - cards work in cities and tourist areas in Japan, but you still need cash outside them.
5 travel card options for Japan, compared
Revolut No weekday FX fee
Revolut Standard
30k0% FX fee
Compare only
ING Orange Everyday ATM fees rebated
ING Orange Everyday
22k0% FX fee
ubank Spend
ubank Spend account
9k0% FX fee
Macquarie Transaction Account
Macquarie Transaction Account
6k0% FX fee
Prices are indicative, shown in AUD and refreshed from provider APIs where available. Always confirm the final price on the provider's site - it is the price that applies. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes what you pay. Partners are listed before providers who pay us nothing, as our terms set out; sorting by price ignores all of that and orders on the number alone. How we make money.
Compared side by side
| Card | FX fee | ATM | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise Partner | 0.43%-0.65% conversion fee | 2 free withdrawals/month up to $350, then 1.75% | $0 |
| Revolut | 0% on weekdays, up to 1% on weekends | $350/month fee-free, then 2% | $0 |
| ING Orange Everyday | 0% with monthly criteria met | International ATM fees rebated with criteria met | $0 |
| ubank Spend | 0% international transaction fee | No ubank fee; operator fees still apply | $0 |
| Macquarie Transaction Account | 0% foreign transaction fee | No Macquarie fee; operator fees still apply | $0 |
Paying for things in Japan
Can you pay by card in Japan?
Improving fast in cities, but Japan is still more cash-based than Australia. Small restaurants, temples, markets and rural bus fares are often cash-only.
Cash and ATMs in Japan
7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs reliably accept Australian cards. Many bank ATMs don't.
Carry ¥10,000-¥20,000 (roughly AUD $100-$200) at any time.
Do you tip in Japan?
Not customary and can cause confusion or offence. Service is included. Some higher-end restaurants add a 10% service charge.
Worth knowing about paying in Japan
IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA) are the easiest way to pay for transport and convenience stores - you can now add Suica to an Apple Wallet from Australia.
Before you pay for anything in Japan
Pay in Japanese yen or Australian dollars?
The terminal will offer you both. One of them is materially more expensive.
How much cash to take overseas
What Japan needs in cash, next to 35 other destinations.
How to avoid ATM fees overseas
Three fees stack on a withdrawal. Two of them are avoidable outright.
What one Australian dollar buys in Japan
¥110 JPY per AUD
Last recorded rate
These are mid-market rates - the rate banks trade at, published by the European Central Bank. It is not what you will be offered. Expect a card or exchange service to take 0.5% to 5% off it, which is exactly what our travel money comparison is for. Past movement doesn't predict future rates, and none of this is financial advice.
View the numbers as a table
More Japan essentials
Japan visa and entry rules
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Flights to Japan
Search fares from Australia, then sort the rest of the trip.
Japan eSIM plans
Instant data, no physical SIM required.
Japan travel insurance
Medical, cancellation and luggage cover for Australian travellers.
Japan airport transfers
Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared.
Driving in Japan
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
Japan travel essentials
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Things to do in Japan
Attractions, tours and passes worth booking ahead.
Further reading: Travel money for Australians: cards, cash and the fees nobody mentions
How these comparisons are made
Cards are compared on the three fees that actually cost travellers money - the FX margin, ATM fees and account fees - using each issuer's published rates. Jamie has personally spent on travel cards recommended here while overseas. Cash-versus-card guidance is researched per destination rather than copied between pages, because a card strategy that works in Stockholm fails in Osaka. Read the full editorial policy.
Japan money & payments FAQs
How much cash should I take to Japan?
More than you'd expect. Cards are widely accepted in cities, but temples, small restaurants, markets and rural transport are often cash-only. Carry ¥10,000-¥20,000 and withdraw from 7-Eleven or Japan Post ATMs, which reliably accept Australian cards.
Is tap water safe to drink in Japan?
Yes. Tap water is safe and high quality across Japan, so a refillable bottle will save you money.
Planning Japan?
We will send you the Japan guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.