How to Withdraw Cash at a 7-Eleven ATM in Japan

Why Convenience Store ATMs?

Japan still relies heavily on cash. Many small restaurants, ramen shops, market stalls, and temples are cash-only. While cashless payments are growing, you’ll want ¥10,000-¥20,000 in your wallet at all times.

Bank ATMs in Japan are often inside bank branches with limited hours and rarely accept foreign cards. Convenience store ATMs solve both problems: they’re open around the clock and are designed to work with international cards.

Best ATMs for Foreign Cards

7-Eleven (Seven Bank) — Best Overall

Seven Bank operates ATMs inside nearly all 7-Eleven stores. With approximately 27,000 machines nationwide, you’re rarely more than a 5-minute walk from one in any city.

• Hours: 24 hours (some locations close briefly at midnight for maintenance — 0:00-0:10)
• Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Thai, and more
• Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, Plus, JCB, UnionPay, Discover, Diners Club, American Express
• Fee: ¥110 per transaction
• Denomination: Dispenses ¥1,000 and ¥10,000 notes

Japan Post Bank (Yucho) — In Post Offices and FamilyMart

Japan Post Bank ATMs are found in post offices and inside many FamilyMart convenience stores. About 32,000 ATMs total.

• Hours: Varies. Post office ATMs close at 21:00 or 23:00. FamilyMart ATMs available until 23:00 in most locations.
• Languages: English, Chinese, Korean
• Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, Plus, JCB, UnionPay, Discover
• Fee: ¥220 per transaction

Lawson Bank — In Lawson Stores

Lawson Bank ATMs are available in most Lawson convenience stores.

• Hours: 24 hours in most locations
• Languages: English, Chinese, Korean
• Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay, Discover, Diners Club
• Fee: ¥220 per transaction

AEON Bank — In AEON Malls and My Basket

Found in AEON shopping malls and some Mini Stop stores.

• Hours: Varies by location, typically until 21:00-23:00
• Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay
• Fee: ¥220 per transaction

Step-by-Step: Withdrawing Cash at a 7-Eleven ATM

Step 1: Find a 7-Eleven

Look for the green, orange, and red 7-Eleven sign. In Tokyo, there’s one on almost every major block. Google Maps search for “7-Eleven” shows nearby locations.

Step 2: Locate the ATM

The ATM is usually near the entrance or in a corner of the store. Look for the large “Seven Bank ATM” sign. The machine is distinct from the store’s payment terminal.

[Photo angle: the Seven Bank ATM inside a 7-Eleven store, a tall silver-and-white machine with a color touchscreen]

Step 3: Select Language

Touch the screen to wake it up. The home screen shows language options. Tap “English” (or your preferred language).

Step 4: Select “Withdrawal”

Tap “Withdrawal” (引き出し). Some machines show “Cash Advance” for credit cards — either option works for getting cash.

Step 5: Insert Your Card

Insert your card into the card slot — chip end first, facing up. The machine will read your card.

Step 6: Enter Your PIN

Type your 4-digit PIN on the keypad. If your PIN is 6 digits, the machine will prompt for 6 digits. Press the green button to confirm.

Step 7: Select the Amount

Choose from preset amounts (¥10,000, ¥30,000, ¥50,000, ¥100,000) or tap “Other Amount” to enter a custom amount. The maximum is ¥100,000 per transaction.

Tip: Withdraw ¥30,000-¥50,000 at a time to reduce how often you pay the per-transaction fee.

Step 8: Confirm and Collect

Confirm the amount and fee on screen. The machine dispenses your cash, returns your card, and prints a receipt. Grab everything — don’t leave your card behind.

The whole process takes about 90 seconds.

Fee Breakdown

You’ll encounter up to three types of fees:

Fee Type	Amount	Who Charges It
ATM operator fee	¥110 (Seven Bank), ¥220 (others)	The ATM company
International withdrawal fee	$2-5 (varies)	Your home bank
Currency conversion markup	1-3% on exchange rate	Your home bank/card network

To minimize fees:

• Use Seven Bank (lowest ATM fee at ¥110)
• Withdraw larger amounts less frequently
• Check if your home bank has a fee-free international ATM partner
• Cards like Wise, Revolut, and Charles Schwab debit offer low or zero international ATM fees

Withdrawal Limits

Limit Type	Amount
Per transaction (Seven Bank)	¥100,000
Per transaction (Japan Post)	¥50,000
Daily limit	Set by your home bank (typically $500-$1,000 equivalent)

If you need more than ¥100,000, do multiple transactions. Some banks allow you to temporarily raise your daily limit through their app or by calling ahead.

Troubleshooting

My card was rejected

This is the most common issue. Try these solutions:

1. Call your bank before traveling. Notify them you’ll be in Japan. Some banks block international transactions by default.
2. Try a different ATM network. If Seven Bank rejects it, try Japan Post Bank or Lawson Bank.
3. Check your PIN. Japan ATMs sometimes only accept 4-digit PINs. If yours is longer, try your bank’s 4-digit version.
4. Check your daily limit. You may have hit your bank’s daily withdrawal cap.
5. Try a credit card cash advance instead of a debit withdrawal. Different processing networks may work differently.
6. Ensure your card has international withdrawal enabled. Some banks require you to activate this feature in their app.

The ATM is out of cash

Rare but possible late at night. Try a different 7-Eleven nearby — they’re everywhere.

The ATM kept my card

Stay calm. The machine displays an error with a phone number. Contact Seven Bank’s English support line: 0120-313-127 (toll-free, 24/7). You’ll likely need to visit a Seven Bank service center with your passport to retrieve it.

I need small bills

Seven Bank ATMs dispense ¥1,000 and ¥10,000 notes. If you need change, buy something small at the convenience store counter (a drink or snack) and pay with a ¥10,000 note — they’ll give you change without issue.

I can’t find a 7-Eleven

In rural areas, 7-Elevens may be sparse. Japan Post Bank ATMs (inside post offices) are the best alternative — post offices exist in even the smallest towns. FamilyMart stores also carry Japan Post Bank ATMs in many locations.

Important Notes

• New banknotes: Japan issued new banknote designs in July 2024 (¥1,000, ¥5,000, ¥10,000). Both old and new notes are in circulation and accepted everywhere.
• Coins: ATMs do not dispense coins. For coins, get change at a store.
• Apple Pay / Google Pay: These cannot be used at ATMs. You need a physical card.
• Japan Rail Pass purchase: If buying a JR Pass at a station counter, you’ll need a credit card or cash — not an ATM withdrawal per se, but have your physical card ready.

For more on payment options in Japan, see our payment methods guide.