Getting Cash in Japan: Convenience Store ATMs Explained

Learn how to withdraw yen with a foreign card at Seven Bank and Japan Post ATMs, what to expect on screen, and simple tips for avoiding surprises.

Published October 17, 2026 at 9:37 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Seven Bank ATMs in 7-Eleven stores, airports and stations, and Japan Post Bank ATMs, accept many foreign cards for yen withdrawals. Choose English on the screen, and check fees and limits with your own bank before you travel.

Why cash still matters in Japan

Even as phone payments and cards spread, cash remains a practical companion on a Japan trip. Small restaurants, local shrines, rural buses, markets and some clinics often prefer coins and banknotes. That makes finding an ATM that accepts your card one of the first small tasks of any journey. The good news is that Japan has one of the most convenient ATM networks you could ask for, and much of it sits inside the convenience stores you will pass every day.

This guide explains which ATMs welcome foreign cards, what the screens look like, and a few habits that keep things smooth. It also offers a calm way to think about fees and limits, since those depend on your own bank and are best checked before you leave home.

The convenience store ATM network

The star of the show for visitors is Seven Bank, the banking company tied to the 7-Eleven chain. It began operations in April 2001 under the name IY Bank, a reference to its retail partner Ito Yokado, and took the Seven Bank name in October 2005. Its ATMs sit inside 7-Eleven stores across the country, and the bank says there are more than 28,000 at 7-Eleven locations alone, available day or night. You will also find them at international airports, major train stations, department stores, supermarkets and outlet malls.

That coverage is what makes them so useful: in most towns, a 7-Eleven is only a short walk away. Japan Post Bank, the banking arm of the post office, operates another very large network, with ATMs in post offices across the country. Japan's national tourism organization names both Japan Post Bank and Seven Bank ATMs as accepting foreign cards for cash withdrawals. If one does not read your card, the other is often close.

To give a sense of scale, a count from March 2024 put Seven Bank at about 27,000 ATMs nationwide, second only to Japan Post Bank with roughly 31,000. Together these two networks cover cities, small towns and most places in between, which is why running out of cash is rarely a long-term problem for a traveler. Rural areas and small islands can be thinner, so withdrawing a little extra before a countryside stay is a thoughtful habit.

Some other convenience store chains also have ATMs, but acceptance of foreign cards varies. When in doubt, look for an English card logo or choose English on the screen and see whether your card is recognized.

Which cards work

Seven Bank lists the card brands it accepts for foreign-issued cards, including Visa, Plus, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, UnionPay, American Express, JCB, Discover and Diners Club. It adds a sensible reminder that some cards bearing these marks may not be accepted. The same applies to every ATM: acceptance depends on your card and your issuing bank, so it is wise to carry a backup card in case one is declined.

Hours can differ slightly between card brands because of how the networks run their daily maintenance. A published guide from a Japanese airline notes, for example, that Visa cards can be used around the clock at Seven Bank ATMs, while some other brands are unavailable for a few minutes just before and after midnight. If a withdrawal fails late at night, wait a short while and try again, or use a different card.

Before leaving home, tell your bank you are traveling, confirm your card can be used abroad for cash withdrawals, and check your daily limit. Also make sure you know your PIN, since Japanese ATMs expect a numeric PIN rather than a signature.

A calm walk through the process

Using a Japanese ATM is simple once you have seen the steps. Look for the screen language option and select English, or another language from the menu, before you do anything else. Seven Bank screens are available in a dozen languages. Then insert your card, with the magnetic stripe facing down if the machine asks for it, and follow the prompts.

You will be asked to enter your PIN, choose the withdrawal option, and enter the amount in yen. Read each screen before you confirm, since that gives you a moment to check the amount and any charge shown. Take your card, cash and receipt when the machine finishes, since forgetting the card is the most common slip.

One tip from airline travel guides: some ATMs and vending machines do not accept 2,000 yen notes, which are not widely distributed. If you do get one, you may find it easiest to spend it at a shop counter.

Arrival is a popular moment to withdraw yen, and Seven Bank ATMs are available at international airports. Withdrawing at the airport lets you pay for your first train ticket, snack or coin locker straight away. If a particular machine has a queue, a second one is often nearby in the same terminal or at the connected station.

Larger stations and department stores also have ATMs, usually near the main entrances or in basement shopping areas. Opening hours for machines inside buildings may follow the building's hours, so a machine inside a department store may be unavailable late at night. Seven Bank describes its 7-Eleven ATMs as available day or night, which makes them a dependable choice after dinner.

Fees, limits and simple money habits

Withdrawing cash with a foreign card usually involves more than one charge. Seven Bank applies a handling charge, and your own bank or card issuer may add fees or a currency conversion margin. The amounts are not fixed across banks, so check your issuer's terms before you travel. If the ATM offers to convert the amount into your home currency, many travelers choose to be charged in yen instead, since your own bank often gives a better rate, though this is worth confirming with your issuer.

Because each withdrawal may incur a fee, many visitors prefer taking out a moderate amount less often rather than tiny amounts many times, within the limits set by their bank. Keep your cash in more than one place, such as a wallet and a hotel safe, and avoid carrying more than you need. Japan is generally safe, but sensible habits are good wherever you travel.

When you are finished, it is also a good idea to check your phone's banking app, if you have one, to see the transaction go through. That way you will spot any surprises while you are still on your trip.

Quick takeaways

For most visitors, the plan is delightfully simple: find a 7-Eleven or a post office, choose English on the screen, and withdraw yen with a card from a major network. Seven Bank and Japan Post Bank ATMs are named by Japan's tourism organization as accepting foreign cards, and not every card works at every machine, so carry a backup. Check fees and limits with your own bank, and keep a little cash for places that prefer it.

A relaxed attitude goes a long way here. If a machine declines your card, the next convenience store is probably only minutes away, and the staff at the counter are used to friendly visitors in need of directions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ATMs in Japan accept foreign cards?

Japan's tourism organization names Seven Bank and Japan Post Bank ATMs as accepting foreign cards for cash withdrawals. Seven Bank machines are inside 7-Eleven stores, at airports, major stations and shopping centers. Some cards may still be declined, so carry a backup.

Can I use an ATM in Japan in English?

Yes. Seven Bank ATM screens offer a choice of languages, including English, which you pick before you begin. Then insert your card, enter your PIN, choose withdrawal and enter the amount in yen. Take your card, cash and receipt when finished.

Are there fees for withdrawing cash with a foreign card?

Usually yes. Seven Bank applies a handling charge, and your own bank or card issuer may add its own fees or currency charges. The amounts vary by bank, so check your issuer's terms before you travel and ask about daily withdrawal limits.

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