Can you withdraw cash from a travel card?

Yes you can withdraw cash from a travel card in Japan. However, depending on the travel card you can pay an overseas ATM withdrawal fee and international transaction fees when using a debit card overseas. It is more expensive if your travel card is a credit card because you will also pay higher interest on cash advances. Save $15 on a $300 cash withdrawal and choose the correct debit travel card or prepaid card for travel.

What cards are accepted in Japan?

Mastercard, Visa and JCB are the three most common cards accepted in Japan. This includes Mastercard debit, Mastercard credit, Visa debit and Visa credit cards. American Express and Diners cards are rarely accepted because the cost is too high for the merchant.

How much is a travel card in Japan?

Most travel money cards for Japan should be free of charge. On some prepaid travel cards you might have to pay for load, unload and inactivity fees, however if you choose a HSBC Global or Citibank Everyday card you will not have to pay these fees. You will also not have to pay an international transaction fee.

Should I bring cash or card to Japan?

You should bring both card and cash to Japan. Japan relies heavily on cash and cards are needed to pay for big items like accommodation. We advise you to buy Japanese yen before you leave and take a prepaid card like Wise, a card to withdraw money from ATMs like HSBC or Citibank and a credit card as a back up like Bankwest Breeze Platinum.