Small shops, family-run inns, and local restaurants in rural Japan are far more likely to be cash-only than their city counterparts.
What tends to be cash-only
Family-run inns, small restaurants, and local shops in rural areas are noticeably more likely to be cash-only than similar businesses in major cities.
ATMs outside town centers
ATMs can be sparse outside town centers, so it is worth topping up cash whenever you pass a reliable one rather than assuming another will be nearby.
Tip: Post office ATMs are generally reliable even in smaller towns and are a good first option for foreign cards.
Planning ahead
Carrying more cash than you would in a major city is a sensible habit for rural travel, since options are simply less dense.
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