Reading the Stickers by the Register
Shop entrances and registers often display stickers for the payment methods they accept: card brands like VISA, Mastercard, and JCB, a transit IC card mark, e-money marks like iD or QUICPay, and QR codes for services like PayPay.
Transit IC Cards
Transit IC cards such as Suica are often accepted at convenience stores, station kiosks, and many chain restaurants, not just at the ticket gates.
Contactless Payment
More shops now accept contactless (tap) payment, where you simply hold a card or phone against the reader at the register.
QR Code Payment
QR-code payment apps like PayPay are mostly built for domestic use, and QR codes from apps issued overseas often don't work. It's worth checking at the register or looking for signage to see what's accepted.
Cash-Only Shops Are Still Common
Small, independently run shops — ramen counters and food stalls among them — are still often cash-only. See cash-only shops are common for more. Some shops also set a minimum amount or add a small fee for card payments.
Exchanging Money and ATMs
If you're short on cash, convenience store ATMs often accept cards issued overseas. Currency exchange counters at airports and stations are another option.
Coming Prepared
Since acceptance varies from shop to shop, it's worth carrying both cash and a card or e-money option.
Related Foods
For how chains tend to handle payment, see how to use chain restaurants; for a genre where cash-only shops are common, see ramen.