Japanese Vending Machines: How to Use Them, Pay and Choose Drinks Japanese vending machines are easy to use even if you cannot read Japanese. Most machines sell drinks and accept cash, while many also accept transportation IC cards such as Suica, PASMO and ICOCA. To buy a drink, check the price and temperature label, insert … Read more
A Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors Japan’s train system may look complicated, but paying for transportation can be surprisingly simple. Instead of buying a paper ticket every time you travel, you can use a prepaid transportation IC card such as Suica or PASMO. Just tap the card at the ticket gate when you enter a … Read more
A Complete Guide to Cash, Cards, IC Cards and Mobile Payments Japan is often described as a cash-based country. That description is no longer entirely accurate. Credit cards, contactless payments, transportation IC cards and QR-code payments are now widely used, especially in major cities. Japan’s cashless payment ratio reached 58.0% in 2025, with credit cards … Read more
How to Use Self-Checkout Machines in Japan A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Visitors Self-checkout machines are becoming increasingly common in Japan. You may find them at: At first, a Japanese self-checkout machine can look intimidating. The screen may be in Japanese, the machine may ask several questions, and you may not know where to place … Read more
How to Shop at DAISO in Japan Payment Methods, Prices, Self-Checkout & Tips for First-Time Visitors Japan is famous for its convenience, quality, and attention to detail—and few places capture that better than DAISO. DAISO Japan Guide: Prices, Payment, Tax-Free & Tips “You have to go to DAISO.” But once you step inside, you may … Read more