ATMs

A considerable number of automatic teller machines (ATMs) in Japan do not accept credit, debit and ATM cards that are issued outside of Japan.

The most widely available ATMs that do accept foreign cars are postal ATMs found at the over 20,000 post offices in all parts of the country and 7-Bank ATMs found at over 20,000 7-Eleven convenience stores and other locations across Japan. These ATMs allow you to withdraw cash by credit and debit cards issued outside of Japan, including Visa, Plus, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, Union Pay, American Express and JCB cards.

While 7-Bank ATMs are available 24 hours per day around the year, postal ATMs have limited operation hours which decrease proportionally to the importance of the post office. ATMs at large postal offices are open daily but close during the night (typically between 23:00 and 7:00), while the ATMs at smaller offices have even shorter hours and may be unavailable all-day on Sundays or even entire weekends.

In addition, international ATMs can be found at thousands of Family Mart and Lawson convenience stores (but not all of them), international airports, major department stores and Shinsei Bank branches. ATMs by Aeon Bank, found at Aeon malls and selected other locations, also accept cards issued outside of Japan. Japan's major banks are also increasing the number of ATMs that accept international cards, especially in areas frequented by tourists.

In order to use international ATMs, ensure the following at home before leaving for Japan:

• Make sure that your credit or debit card can be used abroad.
• Inquire what fees and daily and/or monthly limits are associated with international withdrawals.
• Remember your card's secret 4-digit PIN.
• Notify your bank that you are going to use your card overseas, because many banks will block a card that is suddenly used abroad, suspecting a fraud.