Credit cards and mobile payments are much more widely accepted in Japan than they used to be.
Still, there are times when you may need cash, especially at smaller restaurants, local businesses, or certain facilities.
When that happens, convenience store ATMs are one of the easiest options.
ATMs at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson can accept many cards issued outside Japan and let you withdraw Japanese yen.
Here are the main things to know when using convenience store ATMs in Japan.
Quick Answer: Try Seven Bank First
If you’re not sure which ATM to use, Seven Bank ATMs at 7-Eleven are a good place to start.
The reasons are simple:
- They support a wide range of international cards
- You can usually withdraw up to ¥100,000 per transaction
- The ATM screen and receipt are available in 12 languages
- Visa and Mastercard are generally available 24 hours a day
- Seven Bank ATMs can also be found at airports, train stations, and other locations
Seven Bank accepts many cards issued outside Japan, including Visa/PLUS, Mastercard/Maestro/Cirrus, UnionPay, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club.
If you don’t know which ATM to try, Seven Bank is usually the simplest place to start.
However, having a supported card logo does not guarantee that every card will work. Your card issuer or other conditions may prevent a transaction.
We’ll cover what to do if your card doesn’t work later in this article.
7-Eleven vs. FamilyMart vs. Lawson ATMs
Here are the main differences at a glance.
| Convenience Store | ATM | Main International Cards | Withdrawal Limit per Transaction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven | Seven Bank | Visa / Mastercard / JCB / UnionPay / Amex / Discover / Diners and more | Usually ¥100,000 |
| FamilyMart | Famima ATM / E-net / Japan Post Bank | Depends on the ATM | Depends on the ATM |
| Lawson | Lawson Bank | Visa / Mastercard / JCB / UnionPay | ¥50,000 |
7-Eleven / Seven Bank
A simple first choice for most travelers.
- Cards: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and more
- Withdrawal limit: Usually up to ¥100,000 per transaction
- Languages: 12 languages
- Main advantage: The widest range of supported card brands among these options
Seven Bank supports more than just Visa and Mastercard. It also accepts several card brands that may not be supported by other convenience store ATMs.
If you don’t have a particular reason to choose another ATM, Seven Bank is a straightforward place to start.
FamilyMart
Useful, but check which ATM is inside the store.
FamilyMart is a little different because the ATM you find can vary by location.
As of September 2026, you may find:
- Famima ATM: A newer ATM service introduced in partnership with Seven Bank
- E-net: Supports cards including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and UnionPay
- Japan Post Bank ATM: Supports cards including Visa/PLUS, Mastercard/Maestro/Cirrus, JCB, UnionPay, and Discover
Withdrawal limits also depend on the ATM.
For example, E-net generally allows withdrawals of up to ¥100,000 per transaction, while Japan Post Bank ATMs installed in FamilyMart have a ¥50,000 limit for cards issued outside Japan.
FamilyMart began rolling out its new Seven Bank-powered Famima ATMs in June 2026. The rollout is gradual, so different FamilyMart locations may still have different types of ATMs.
At FamilyMart, check the ATM itself rather than assuming the conditions are the same at every store.
Lawson / Lawson Bank
A practical option for major international cards.
- Cards: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and UnionPay
- Withdrawal limit: Up to ¥50,000 per transaction
- Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, and others
- Note: International cards are available at supported Lawson Bank ATMs
The withdrawal limit is lower than Seven Bank’s standard limit, but Lawson Bank is still a practical option if you use one of the major supported cards.
If there’s a Lawson nearby and your card is supported, you can simply try the ATM there first.
How to Withdraw Cash from an ATM in Japan
The process itself is fairly simple.
At a Seven Bank ATM:
- Insert your card
- Select your language
- Select Withdrawal
- Enter your PIN
- Choose the amount you want to withdraw
- Check the information shown on the screen
- Collect your cash and card
International-card-compatible ATMs offer English and other language options, so you don’t need to be able to read Japanese to use them.
However, when using a Visa or Mastercard, you may see a choice between Japanese Yen and Home Currency during the transaction.
Here’s what that means.
Japanese Yen or Home Currency?
When using a Visa or Mastercard at a Seven Bank ATM, you may be given the choice between:
Japanese Yen (JPY)
or
Home Currency
This is related to a service called Dynamic Currency Conversion, or DCC.
In simple terms:
- Japanese Yen: The transaction is made in yen, and the currency conversion is handled later by your card issuer or card network
- Home Currency: The conversion is made at the ATM, and you can see the final amount in your home currency immediately
Choosing Home Currency can feel convenient because you know exactly how much you will be charged in your own currency.
However, the exchange rate and conversion costs offered through DCC may be different from those used by your card issuer.
For this reason, choosing Japanese Yen and letting your card issuer handle the conversion is generally the better default unless you have a specific reason to choose otherwise.
Exchange rates and overseas ATM fees vary by card, so check the information shown on the ATM screen before confirming the transaction.
What If Your Card Doesn’t Work?
Even a supported Visa or Mastercard can sometimes be declined.
If that happens, try the following:
- Try withdrawing a smaller amount
ATMs have limits per transaction. Seven Bank normally allows up to ¥100,000 for international cards, but magnetic-stripe transactions are limited to ¥30,000. - Try another ATM
A card that doesn’t work at Seven Bank may work at E-net, Lawson Bank, Japan Post Bank, or another ATM network. - Check your card’s overseas ATM settings
Your bank or card issuer may restrict international ATM withdrawals. - Contact your card issuer
If your card doesn’t work at several different ATMs, contact your bank or card company to check whether there is a restriction on your card.
If your card doesn’t work at one ATM, it may still work at another convenience store ATM. Try checking whether there is another convenience store nearby.
If You Need Cash in Japan
You don’t need to remember every ATM network or withdrawal limit.
If you’re not sure where to start, try a Seven Bank ATM.
At FamilyMart, check which type of ATM is installed.
If you have a major card such as Visa or Mastercard, Lawson Bank is another practical option.
And if your card doesn’t work at one ATM, try another convenience store before assuming the card won’t work in Japan.
