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Money & Costs
Cash, cards and IC cards in a country that is less cashless than you expect — what to carry, and where a card still will not work.
2 guides
Japan's new tax-free system from November 2026: how to get the refund at the airport
How Japan's pay-first, refund-at-departure tax-free system works, from the shop counter to the airport customs check.
6 min read
Money in Japan: Cash, Cards & IC Cards Explained
Japan is more cash-friendly than the US. Here is how to pay, where US cards work, which ATMs to use, the late-2026 tax-free shopping change, and why you do not tip.
5 min read