Are ATMs in Japan open 24 hours?

Find out which Japanese ATMs run around the clock, which keep fixed hours, and how timing can change fees, so cash is never a surprise.

Published October 20, 2026 at 5:52 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Many convenience-store ATMs that accept foreign cards are available around the clock, although short maintenance breaks can occur. Post office and bank ATMs usually keep fixed hours that are shorter on Sundays and holidays, and fees may apply outside daytime hours. Hours vary by machine and operator, so check the official page or the sign on the machine.

Short answer: it depends on who runs the machine

Japan has several kinds of ATMs, and their hours differ. Machines operated by convenience-store networks are the ones most travelers use at night, because the stores themselves are open all day and all night. One convenience-store ATM operator states on its English page for overseas cards that withdrawals with Visa and Mastercard are permitted from 00:00 to 24:00, with exceptions for system maintenance.

Post offices and banks work differently. Japan Post Bank lists separate hours for its post office and branch machines, and those hours end in the evening. Bank-branch machines inside lobbies often shut when the building does, and a few close at the same time as the branch. A machine in an airport or station may follow the facility's hours instead.

So the practical answer is yes for many convenience-store machines and no for most post office and bank machines. Hours are not identical everywhere, even within one operator, so the screen or sticker on the machine is the final word.

How to find a machine that is open

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) names Japan Post Bank machines (mostly in post offices) and a large convenience-store ATM network as options for international cards, and also says that not all ATMs run 24 hours. For late hours, the convenience-store option is the sensible starting point, as those stores are found near most stations and in neighborhoods across the country.

A map app on a phone can search for "ATM" or for a convenience-store ATM near the current location. Machines usually show their service hours on a sign near the entrance or on the screen. If the screen shows a message that service is unavailable, a nearby alternative is usually within a short walk.

Inside the store, look for the ATM near the entrance or toward the back. Tap the language button to switch to English and other languages, then insert the card. If the store looks closed or the machine shows a maintenance notice, try the next convenience store down the street, since each store's machine is separate.

Post office and bank ATM hours in more detail

Japan Post Bank's English page for international ATM service lists the following pattern for machines at Japan Post Bank branches and post offices: roughly 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sundays, holidays and around the New Year. The page also states that hours may differ at year-end, New Year and Golden Week, and may vary by machine.

The same page describes compact machines located in some convenience stores, which it lists as running from about 12:05 a.m. to 11:55 p.m. daily (with a later start on some days). These figures come from the operator's page and can be revised, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise and check the current page.

Banks vary more. Many bank branches close at 3 p.m., according to JNTO's currency page, which refers to counters that exchange foreign currency. ATMs on those premises may stay open longer, but a bank machine inside a branch building can lock after the building does. Standalone machines in the street or at a station are more likely to run late.

Fees, limits and timing

JNTO notes that ATM service fees may be charged when withdrawing money, depending on the hour or day. That means a machine that works at night may still add a charge compared with daytime use. Japan Post Bank also notes a usage fee of 220 yen per use for certain foreign cards on its international service, and the card issuer may add its own charges.

Amounts are capped per withdrawal. An operator page for overseas cards mentions a cap of 100,000 yen per withdrawal, and Japan Post Bank mentions 50,000 yen per transaction. If more cash is needed, making two withdrawals on different machines is possible, though the issuer's daily limit still applies.

Timing also matters around holidays. Machines may run out of cash before a long weekend, and JNTO notes that central-area machines may run out of cash. Withdrawing a day early before a holiday period such as Golden Week or the New Year is a simple precaution, since fees, hours and cash levels can all change.

Who should plan around ATM hours

Travelers landing late at night are one group worth thinking about. Airports have ATMs, and exchange counters in arrival halls, but late arrivals at smaller airports may find counters closed. A withdrawal from a convenience-store machine in the city can fill the gap, as long as the card is accepted.

Visitors staying in rural areas, small islands or mountain towns should note that the nearest 24-hour machine may be far away, and that some small post offices have limited hours. Withdrawing enough cash in a larger town before heading out is a sensible habit, especially for places where cards are less common.

Families, older travelers and anyone with mobility needs may prefer to withdraw during the day, when the machine area is busy and staff are nearby if help is needed. Solo travelers using machines late at night can pick well-lit stores with other customers.

Hours traps to avoid

A common mistake is assuming that all ATMs mirror the store they sit in. A bank machine in a department store follows the store's closing time. Another is relying on one machine type, such as a post office, and finding it closed on a Sunday evening.

Another frequent misunderstanding is that a 24-hour ATM never goes down. The operator page cited here notes that service may be unavailable during system maintenance, which is usually short and can occur at night. A second machine nearby is a fast fix.

Some travelers also forget that a withdrawal near midnight may be recorded on the next day by the card issuer, which can affect daily limits. Checking limits with the issuer in advance avoids surprises. Finally, assuming every machine takes every card is a trap, since some are domestic only.

Practical steps for finding cash at any hour

On the first day, withdraw a moderate amount at the airport or at a convenience store, then top up as needed. Keep a second card as a backup, and keep some cash for places that do not accept cards. Japan Travel by JNTO describes Japan as very much a cash-based society, although cards are accepted widely.

Before a late-night or holiday plan, check the operator's English page for the latest service hours. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act.

If a machine is closed, move to the nearest convenience store rather than waiting. Looking for the international card marks and the English language button saves time. With these habits, cash is usually easy to find at any hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ATMs in Japan work on Sundays and holidays?

Many do, but with shorter hours at post offices and banks. Japan Post Bank lists earlier closing times on Sundays and holidays than on weekdays. Convenience-store ATMs are generally available every day. Around New Year and Golden Week, hours may change, so check the operator page.

Is it safe to use an ATM late at night in Japan?

Japan is widely regarded as a safe destination, but normal precautions still apply. Choose a convenience-store machine in a lit area, shield the keypad, and take the card and cash before leaving. If anything seems wrong, step away and use another machine.

Can visitors withdraw cash at the airport at any hour?

Airports have ATMs and exchange points, and JNTO says all major airports have exchange points in their arrival halls. Hours depend on the airport and the facility, so late arrivals should confirm in advance or plan to withdraw in the city.

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