Where can I use ATMs in Japan with a foreign card?

Learn which Japanese ATMs accept overseas cards, how to find them, what the English screens and steps look like, and what to check before you travel.

Published October 20, 2026 at 5:46 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: The most reliable choices are post office ATMs run by Japan Post Bank and the ATMs run by Seven Bank, which are mostly inside convenience stores. Both accept many cards from overseas networks such as Visa, Mastercard, JCB and UnionPay, and both offer English service. Not every card works everywhere, so check your card's network logos and cash withdrawal settings before you leave home.

The two best-known options

Visitors usually rely on two ATM networks. The first is Japan Post Bank, whose ATMs are located mostly in post offices, with some at train stations and supermarkets. The Japan National Tourism Organization notes that English service is available at these machines and that hours vary by machine. The second is Seven Bank, whose machines sit mainly inside convenience stores around the country and also appear in airports, stations and shopping centers.

Seven Bank states that it has over 28,000 ATMs and that overseas cards can be used at them. The Japan National Tourism Organization describes the screens, receipts and voice guidance as available in 12 languages for overseas cards. Between them, the two networks cover post offices, convenience stores, and many stations, airports and shopping centers.

Both operators publish English pages for visitors, so a quick look before you travel shows the cards accepted and the current service hours. Neither network asks you to open an account or to register in advance. You simply use the card you already have, in the same way as at an ATM at home.

Which cards work

Both networks publish lists of accepted card marks. Japan Post Bank lists the following marks for cards issued overseas: Visa, Plus, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, JCB, China UnionPay and Discover. Seven Bank lists Visa (including Plus), Mastercard (including Maestro and Cirrus), UnionPay, American Express, JCB, Discover and Diners Club.

Seven Bank adds that some cards with these marks may not be accepted, and the same caution makes sense for any network. Cards also need a PIN and permission from the issuer to withdraw cash abroad, and some cards do not allow it at all, so ask your bank. Using a debit card tied to your own bank account is usually the most direct method.

Step by step at the machine

Seven Bank describes the steps for a Visa or Mastercard issued abroad. Insert the card and choose your language. Select the withdrawal option, choose the account, enter your PIN, and then choose the amount. After that comes a screen for the billing currency, and finally you take the cash and the receipt.

The Seven Bank page lists limits too: up to 100,000 yen per withdrawal on an overseas card and up to 30,000 yen for magnetic stripe card transactions. If you exceed a limit, lower the amount and try again. Japan Post Bank lists a lower cap of 50,000 yen per single transaction, so a larger sum may need two separate withdrawals.

One screen asks you to choose the currency for billing, which is the conversion choice. Most travelers choose yen and let their own bank convert. At Japan Post Bank, the operator's page does not list the steps, so follow the on-screen English prompts. If you see an error, contact your card issuer. Machines can also be out of service during maintenance.

Hours, locations and finding a machine

Convenience store machines are the easiest to find. Seven Bank says its ATMs are open 365 days a year, and that Visa and Mastercard transactions are available 24 hours, with some other networks available for slightly shorter hours. Look for ATMs near station exits, airports and shopping streets.

Post office ATMs follow different hours. Japan Post Bank lists 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sundays and holidays for its machines at the time of writing, with different hours around the New Year and Golden Week. Hours can differ by machine, so check the notice at the post office or the operator's page.

Who this suits and special cases

Foreign-card ATMs suit almost any visitor, from solo backpackers to families, and they are a useful alternative to exchanging a large sum at home. Older travelers may prefer the English screens and clear voice guidance. People traveling to rural areas should withdraw enough in town, because machines can be far apart.

Bank branches can also help. The Japan National Tourism Organization says some major bank branches allow withdrawals with international cards, while not allowing deposits or transfers. The tourism organization also notes that some central-area ATMs may run out of cash and that airports have machines that may charge fees. Rules differ by card network and by bank.

Airport arrival halls are a handy first stop, since the tourism organization notes that the four major airports have ATMs. Machines in busy tourist areas can be popular at peak times, so there may be a short line, and having a second option nearby helps.

Common mistakes

A common mistake is expecting any ATM to accept a foreign card. Many machines at banks and shops are meant only for local cards, and an overseas card may be refused. Choose the networks above or a machine that shows your card's logo. Another mistake is forgetting your PIN or trying a card that is only meant for payments.

Some travelers withdraw small amounts several times and pay repeated fees. Others accept the currency conversion offer at the machine without checking the rate. Finally, remember to count the cash and take the card back before leaving the machine, so nothing is left behind for the next person in line.

Planning tips and wrap-up

Before leaving home, notify your bank if needed, confirm cash withdrawals are allowed, and check the daily limit set by your issuer. Carry a second card from a different network in case one is declined. On arrival, a first withdrawal at an airport or station machine gives you yen for transport and meals.

Plan machine stops before rural days. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act. If the first machine refuses your card, try the other operator before assuming the card is blocked. A calm second try often works. Keep the receipt from each withdrawal until your statement arrives, so the amount, the exchange rate and any fee can be compared later with what your bank charged. Small notes are also worth asking for if the machine lets you choose, since they are easier to spend at shops and vending machines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ATMs in Japan have English?

Yes. Japan Post Bank ATMs offer English service according to the Japan National Tourism Organization, which also says Seven Bank ATM screens, receipts and voice guidance come in 12 languages, including English, for overseas cards. Follow the on-screen prompts, and if something is unclear, ask the issuing bank or check the operator's English page.

Can you withdraw cash at a post office on weekends?

Often yes, but hours differ. Japan Post Bank lists shorter ATM hours on Sundays and holidays, and some machines in post offices follow the building's opening hours. Check the posted hours at the machine or use a convenience store ATM, which is available more widely.

Is a chip card or PIN required?

Usually a PIN is required. Seven Bank's steps include entering your PIN, and its page says magnetic stripe transactions have lower limits. Ask your card issuer which PIN to use and whether the card supports cash withdrawals abroad, as policies differ.

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