Using American credit cards and debit cards in Japan
 

My family will be going to Japan next month. Is there any problem using our American credit and debit cards? We traveled to Europe a couple of years ago and found some problems because our cards did not have the computer chip (?) embedded in it, so could not use in some places.
Thanks!

You can use Amex, Visa and Master card no problem but make sure you better call ahead to your cc company that you will use it in Japan. Also cash is more common in many places.

We used US Amex and Visa cards in Japan with no problem. But if you're craving a card with a chip for Europe, consider the BA Chase Visa. We got two of them because they were offering 100k free miles per card (I think that now it is 50k). We were going to cancel after a year but we love this card for travel because it has the chip. Also there are no foreign transaction fees, and we've gotten several great Business award tickets, including to India (although taxes are hefty).

Crosscheck's post reminds me that we got a Hyatt credit card (from Chase) which has the embedded chip, has no foreign transaction fees and gives you two free nights at a Hyatt worldwide. We'll be using our two free nights at the Hyatt in Kyoto.

Are chip-and-pin cards widely used in Japan? I had the sense that they weren't, but I'm not sure what to expect! For what it's worth, we have a chip-and-pin card from the Andrews Federal Credit Union that we got for trips to Europe. It's a great card, no annual fee or foreign transaction fees (takes weeks to process the application, though, beware). The card worked fine in Italy last fall, but in every case it acted like a chip-and-signature card. Not once was I asked to input my pin! I suspect it's handled like a non-chip-and-pin card by European processing machines simply because it's a US card. But I don't know that for sure.

On my visit a couple of years ago I was able to use my debit cards (not chip-and-pin) to get cash at the ATMs at 7-11 stores, which are plentiful in cities. You can also use the ATMs at post offices. These may be the only places you can use American debit cards, though.

Chip and pin or whatever will work in Japan when used as a credit card. You might have a problem in train stations but that is now clearing up I am told and I have recently used mine in a smaller train station with no problems.

The problem you will have is getting cash from an ATM that will accept your foreign card. Use the Post Office ATMs, 7-11 ATM,s or Citibank ATM's for cash. Most other ATM machines nationwide WILL NOT accept your foreign cards no matter if you called your bank ahead or it has a chip, pin or a bow tie ;)

Aloha!

These 2 links will give you more info:

http://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/en/i...ias_index.html

http://www.sevenbank.co.jp/intlcard/card2.html

Thanks everyone!

I thought I would get some cash through my bank ahead of time just so we would have some on arrival. It seems that is more expensive then just using a credit card or atm (depending on the machine)!

Sometimes I miss the old days when you got cash ahead of time and travelers checks. Then cashed those where you could and didn't worry about where to get the best deal because you didn't have access to so much information like you do now!

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2208.html

According to japan-guide.com 7-Eleven no longer accepts certain non-Japanese ATM cards....and the Post Office also has eliminated a card it used to accept...

They should settle this in a few weeks. Limit at 7-11's is now ¥200,000

http://www.sevenbank.co.jp/support/info2013040501.html

Aloha!