How to Use Wise Card in Japan: Guide for Aussies

Got a trip to Japan coming up? Using your Wise card allows you to hold a balance in JPY to set and manage your budget, cut out surprise fees, and spend conveniently with mid-market rates while you’re there.

This guide walks through how to use a Wise card in Japan, including in store spending, mobile payments and ATM withdrawals.

Can I use Wise in Japan?

Yes. If you have a Wise account issued in Australia, you can use it when travelling to Japan to:

• Spend and withdraw cash using your Wise card
• Convert AUD to Japanese yen (JPY)
• Send money internationally, including to Japan

If you’re planning to travel from Australia to Japan, using your Wise card in Japan for spending is convenient, secure and cuts out foreign transaction fees. As well as using your regular Wise card in Japan you can also get a Wise Young Explorer card for kids ages 6 - 17 to help them budget and spend during your trip.

Can I use the Wise card in Japan?

Yes. The Wise card will work in Japan for spending and withdrawals, and Wise optimizes for cost effective and secure cross border transactions.

Your card will work wherever the network (Visa/Mastercard) is accepted in stores, hotels and restaurants and you can also make Wise ATM withdrawals in Japan when needed - handy for a country where cash is still king.

How to order a Wise card

Not got your card yet? Here’s our easy guide on how to order a Wise card in Australia:

1. Open your Wise account, get verified and add a balance in AUD or another supported top up currency
2. In the Wise app, go to the "Card" tab, and select "Order physical card"
3. Enter your shipping address, set a PIN, and confirm the name on the card
4. Pay the one-time fee of 10 AUD and your card will be dispatched to you

Your card will arrive in the mail in 7 - 14 days and you can also immediately access your card details to make mobile payments with Apple Pay or Google Pay before the physical card arrives.

➡️ Order a Wise card

How you can use the Wise card in Japan

Once you have your Wise account set up you can add a balance in AUD from your bank, using PayID or with your preferred card.

Once you have a balance you can either exchange your dollars to Japanese yen before your trip, or simply leave your money as AUD and use the card’s auto-conversion tools to switch as you transact. In either case you’ll get the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees.

Make Chip and PIN payments

Your card can be used in Japan to make in person Chip and PIN payments which are secure and convenient and allow you to make even high ticket purchases without needing to carry cash.

Not all retailers in Japan take card payments - but they’re commonly available in chain stores, tourist venues, hotels and restaurants, which means cards are still useful for travel purposes.

Add to your digital wallet

Add your Wise physical card to your digital wallet to tap and pay, or use your digital Wise cards - up to 3 cards can be generated and used immediately for free.

Digital cards offer an additional layer of security when spending as you can destroy and replace them instantly if you’re ever concerned they’ve been compromised.

Wise ATM Withdrawals in Japan

With Wise you can make withdrawals up to 400 AUD/month with no fee. A 2.69% fee then applies to any amount in excess of the monthly 400 AUD free withdrawal allowance*.

ATMs are widely available across Japan, including in:

• Convenience stores like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart
• MRT stations
• Banks

Bear in mind that some ATM operators impose their own charges but the Wise in app travel hub lets you see free ATMs close to your location so you can avoid these. Remember also to always pay in local currency so choose Yen in Japan to avoid excess operator fees applying. These charges aren’t levied by Wise, but can creep in if you allow the ATM to charge you in AUD when you’re abroad.

Link to local apps

There are some apps - like Google Maps and translation tools - which you want to take everywhere you go. There are also some neat options which can make your trip to Japan in particular easier which work with the Wise card.

For example, check out GO Taxi¹ for rides, the most popular English ride booking app, or Tabelog² for restaurant bookings. Linking your Wise card to these apps in advance means you can book a car and secure your restaurant table with a card deposit seamlessly once you arrive.

Making online payments with the Wise card

Finally you can also use Wise for payments on websites based in Japan as needed for hotel or attraction bookings for example. This means you can plan your trip easily and know you’re not spending unnecessarily on foreign transaction fees and card charges.

Tips for using your Wise card

Let’s round out with a few final tips for using your Wise card in Japan:

• Fly in style with a discounted airport lounge pass - buy your pass in the Wise app to allow yourself and your travel companions to relax in a lounge before you fly
• Get a Wise Young Explorer card if you’re travelling with kids ages 6 - 17 to help them budget and spend during your trip
• Look out for international ATMs when in Japan - not all ATMs support foreign cards, but those marked as ‘international’ are typically comparable with Aussie debit cards
• Always pay in JPY even if a merchant or ATM offers the option to pay in dollars - paying in AUD costs you more in the end thanks to marked up rates and hidden fees
• Freeze or unfreeze your card in app, adjust spend limits and get instant transaction alerts to stay safe when spending overseas

You can continue to use your Wise card safely, cheaply and conveniently in Japan for spending and withdrawals. Book your hotel and activities online in JPY with no foreign transaction fee, and on arrival tap and pay in stores, make Chip and PIN payments for high price items, and get cash from ATMs whenever you need it. However you like to transact, you get the mid-market exchange rate on secure payments with low, transparent fees.

🚀 Get your Wise card

1. GO Taxi (Apple App Store)
2. Tabelog (Apple App Store)