Wondering how to pay for metro and bus rides in Japan - cash only, or do cards work too?
Just back from a 2-week Japan trip. I’d say 80 percent of hostels accepted my Maybank Bank debit card or my Revolut Mastercard. But I had an issue at a hostel in Kanazawa that was cash only, and I had to rush to a Japan Post Bank ATM. Also, some smaller hostels add a 3 percent fee for card payments. Best advice, check their payment policy when booking and carry some yen in case their card terminal fails or they prefer cash.
Osaka was the only place I saw a “Visa touch” logo at one of the newer ticket gates on the Metro Midosuji Line. I tried with my Commerzbank Mastercard and it was hit or miss. Worked once, then failed twice after. So even though some systems are testing contactless, it’s not consistent. I’d stick with an ICOCA or Suica. For buses, especially in Nara and Hiroshima, they still rely on coins or the IC card tap. Cards from abroad just don’t work yet in most cases.
Used my Wise debit card to withdraw cash from a 7-Eleven ATM and loaded up a Pasmo card at Shibuya Station. That Pasmo worked on every metro line I tried in Tokyo and Yokohama. Tried tapping my Revolut card directly on the metro gates just to check, didn’t work. Even in 2025, Japan’s transport system isn’t very foreign card-friendly. Just stick to IC cards and cash, and you’ll have no problems.
Just did Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo. I used an ICOCA card that I bought at Kansai Airport works just like Suica but it’s based in the Kansai region. Couldn’t use my Scotiabank Visa card on buses or metro gates. You absolutely need one of those transport IC cards, or cash. Some city buses still require exact change too, especially in Kyoto. My advice: get an IC card and load it up with yen. Credit cards work in stores and restaurants but not on transport.
In Tokyo, I mostly used my Suica card which you can get at JR East stations. Super convenient works on metros, JR lines, and buses. I topped it up with cash at a kiosk, but I saw some machines let you use international credit cards now too. I tried using my HDFC credit card directly at the metro gate, didn’t work. So for public transport, don’t expect Visa or Mastercard tap-to-pay like in Singapore. Best to buy a Suica or Pasmo.