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For visitors who don't want to be caught without cash

Will they take my card?

Know which shops in Japan are cash-only — before you walk in.

Japan is more cashless than it used to be, but plenty of small and traditional shops still take cash only. Cash Alert shows you which genres to watch out for, and how much cash to keep ready.

🍎 App Store Coming Soon
The Problem
"Sorry — cash only."
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You finish your meal, reach for your card…
and they only take cash.

Some of the most local, authentic shops in Japan — old-style Chinese diners, street food stalls — almost never take cards. Getting caught without enough cash is stressful and a little embarrassing.

How It Works
Check before you go in.
1
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Browse genres

Shops are grouped by genre — restaurants, street food, and more.

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See the cash risk

Each genre shows how likely it is to be cash-only, with a short explanation.

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Get a cash tip

Practical advice, like keeping a few 1,000-yen bills ready.

Features
Simple, offline, free.
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Genre guide

Shop genres that tend to be cash-only — like 町中華 (old-style Chinese diners) and 屋台 (street stalls).

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Importance levels

See at a glance how likely a genre is to be cash-only, so you can plan ahead.

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Cash tips

A quick, practical tip for each genre so you're never caught short at the register.

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Works offline

All data is built in. No connection needed — handy the moment you land.

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English & 日本語

Use it in English or Japanese.

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Completely free

No subscription. No ads. Just a heads-up before you reach the register.

FAQ
Paying in Japan, explained
Is Japan still a cash-only country?
Card and mobile payments are common in large stores and cities, but many smaller and traditional shops in Japan are still cash-only. It's easy to get caught without cash, so it helps to know which kinds of shops usually don't take cards.
Which shops in Japan are usually cash-only?
Genres that are often cash-only include old-style neighborhood Chinese diners (町中華) and street food stalls (屋台) at festivals and tourist spots. Cash Alert lists these genres with tips so you aren't surprised at the register.
How much cash should I carry in Japan?
Keeping several 1,000-yen bills on hand is a good habit, since many cash-only shops can't break large notes easily. Cash Alert gives a cash tip for each shop genre.
Is Cash Alert Japan free?
Yes. Cash Alert Japan is completely free with no subscription and no ads, and it works offline.
What languages does Cash Alert support?
Cash Alert works in English and Japanese (日本語).
Coming Soon
Get notified at launch

We'll send one email when Cash Alert Japan hits the App Store. That's it.

No spam. One email at launch.