What is the ATM withdrawal limit in Japan?

Learn the per-transaction limits published by two major ATM operators, why your own bank's daily limit matters too, and what to do when you need more yen.

Published October 20, 2026 at 5:50 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: It depends on the machine and your card. Published per-transaction limits for overseas cards include 100,000 yen at Seven Bank ATMs and 50,000 yen at Japan Post Bank ATMs, with a lower limit for magnetic stripe cards at Seven Bank. Your own bank also sets a daily limit, so check both and confirm current figures with each provider.

Two kinds of limits

A withdrawal can be capped in two places. The first is the ATM operator, which sets a maximum amount per single transaction. The second is your own bank or card issuer, which usually sets a daily or period limit on cash withdrawals. The smaller of the two is what you can actually take out in one go.

This is why two travelers with different cards can get different results from the same machine. The Japan National Tourism Organization's currency page does not list withdrawal limits, so the operators' own pages and your card issuer are the places to check. The issuer limit is outside the operator's control.

Limits are usually described in yen per withdrawal, and requested amounts are typically round figures. If a requested amount is rejected, trying a lower round number is the easiest fix, and if the problem repeats, your card issuer can tell you whether its own limit is the cause.

Seven Bank limits

Seven Bank, whose ATMs are mostly inside convenience stores, publishes limits for overseas cards. Its pages state that each withdrawal on an overseas-issued card is capped at 100,000 yen, and that magnetic stripe card transactions are capped at 30,000 yen. If a request goes over a limit, lowering the amount and trying again is the sensible next step.

Seven Bank's page on usable cards notes that its ATMs are open 365 days a year and that service hours depend on the card brand. Visa and Mastercard transactions are available around the clock, while other networks run slightly shorter hours. Because the limits are stated per withdrawal, a second withdrawal may be possible, subject to your own bank's rules and any daily cap.

Japan Post Bank limits

Japan Post Bank's English page for its international ATM service lists a limit of 50,000 yen per single transaction for overseas cards. The ATMs are mostly in post offices, with some at stations and supermarkets, and the page lists hours of 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday (excluding holidays) and 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sundays and holidays, with different hours possible around New Year and Golden Week.

The page also says certain overseas-issued cards are charged a fee per use and that your card issuer may charge its own fee. Because each withdrawal is capped, taking out 100,000 yen could mean two separate transactions and two fees. Weigh this against the convenience of other machines before deciding where to withdraw.

Costs and the daily limit from your bank

Your bank's daily limit is the one most travelers do not know in advance. It can differ between debit and credit cards, between account types and between banks, and some banks let you change it in an app or by phone before you travel. The operator pages cannot tell you what your limit is, so ask your issuer.

Remember that each withdrawal may carry fees. If you need a large amount, compare the cost of several small withdrawals with other options such as exchanging money at an airport counter. A rough plan before departure, based on your bank's limit and the per-transaction cap, saves effort on arrival.

A useful habit is to write down three numbers before the trip: the operator cap, your daily limit and the fee per withdrawal. With those in hand, you can decide whether one larger withdrawal or a couple of smaller ones fits your plans for the first few days.

Who this affects, and special cases

Visitors making large purchases in cash, paying for a long stay, or buying items that cannot be paid by card may run into the limits first. Families and groups can sometimes split withdrawals across several cards. Solo travelers usually need smaller amounts and may never reach the cap.

Older travelers who prefer to carry a larger cash cushion should not rely on a single machine. Some cards may allow cash advances with a different limit than a debit card, so check the terms. Rules depend on the card type and the bank, not on the traveler's nationality, so check the terms printed on your bank's site or app.

Travelers heading to places where cards are less common, such as small islands or mountain villages, should withdraw their cash in a larger city beforehand. A limit that feels generous at the airport can feel tight when a week of cash-only meals and lodging is ahead.

Common mistakes

A common mistake is arriving without checking the daily limit and then finding that a planned large withdrawal fails. Another is assuming a machine that works for a small amount will also dispense a larger one. If a machine refuses a high amount, a lower request often succeeds.

Travelers also confuse a card error with a limit error, and the fix is different in each case. An incorrect PIN, a card not enabled for international use, or a network that the machine does not support can all produce errors. If the problem repeats, contact your card issuer. Machines may also be unavailable during maintenance, so a different machine is worth a try.

The Japan National Tourism Organization also notes that machines in central areas may run out of cash at times, which is another reason to avoid leaving your cash needs until the last minute. Spreading withdrawals over the first days of a trip, rather than leaving them for the last evening, also leaves time to try another machine or another card if one attempt fails.

What to do if you need more

Start with a second attempt at a lower amount, then try a second transaction if allowed. If the daily limit is the problem, contact your bank to ask whether it can be raised temporarily, and ask whether it can be done from abroad. Another option is to use a second card.

For very large needs, exchange counters at major airports and some banks convert foreign currency, and the Japan National Tourism Organization notes that rates change daily. Many costs can be paid by card, which reduces how much cash you need. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the limit at a convenience store ATM?

Seven Bank lists up to 100,000 yen per withdrawal on an overseas-issued card and 30,000 yen for magnetic stripe card transactions. These figures can change, and your own bank's limit may be lower, so check the provider page and your card terms before relying on the number.

Can you make more than one withdrawal in a day?

Often, yes, up to your bank's daily limit, though each withdrawal may carry a fee. The per-transaction cap only limits a single request. Your issuer may block repeated attempts if it suspects a problem, so contact the bank if a second withdrawal fails.

Does the limit differ between post office and convenience store ATMs?

Yes. Japan Post Bank lists 50,000 yen per transaction for overseas cards, while Seven Bank lists 100,000 yen. Hours and fees also differ. Compare the operators' English pages if you plan to take out a large amount.

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