Best travel cards for Japan in the UK

If you’re planning a trip to Japan and wondering how to manage your payments, travel money cards are a great option. They’re safe, convenient, and perfect for spending outside the UK. Plus, they can help you stay on track with your travel budget.

In this guide, we’ll help you find the best travel card for Japan. We’ll compare the features of different cards so you can choose the one that best suits your spending habits and needs. We’ll also provide some general travel tips for Japan.

We’ll also show you an alternative, the Wise debit card. It’s designed for low-cost spending in Japan (and elsewhere), automatically converting your pounds to the local currency at the great mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny, transparent conversion fee*.

Learn more about the Wise debit card 💳

Best travel cards for Japan compared

Let’s compare a few of the best travel cards for Japan and point out their differences:

Sainsbury's Bank Travel Money Card

The Sainsbury’s Bank travel card could be a good choice for a trip to Japan, since it allows users to store up to 15 currencies, including Japanese yen. In case you need to do currency conversion at some point, know that this card uses the Mastercard exchange rate. However, if you’re a Sainsbury’s Nectar member, you can get a better deal.

The card is easily managed through the Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Money app. When it comes to ordering, you can either collect it the same day from a local in-store bureau or have it delivered to your address within 8 days. If you prefer the first option, simply select 'order for collection' on Sainsbury’s website, or choose 'order for delivery' if you want it sent to your address.¹

When you enter Japan and begin spending there, the card will detect your location and automatically selects the appropriate currency. This makes it super easy for you to relax and enjoy your stay without worrying about unfavourable rates.¹

Post Office Travel Money Card

Another good way to secure local currency before travelling to Japan is getting the Post Office Travel Money Card. This contactless prepaid Mastercard is primarily made for use outside the UK and Japanese yen is one of the 22 supported currencies.

Top-ups and money management are very easy through the Post Office app or official website. You can add up to £5,000 at once at any point during your stay in Japan.²

You can order the card in one of three ways: in-branch, on the official website or via the Post Office app. The delivery time for online ordering methods is 2-3 working days, while you’ll receive the card the same day if you apply in person. Just make sure you bring your passport or UK driving licence with you and you’re all set!²

FairFX currency card

You can also store Japanese yen on the FairFX currency card, another option for managing your travel money. This prepaid Mastercard comes with no monthly fees, card issuance fees or foreign transaction costs. In addition to Japanese yen, it allows users to hold funds in 19 other supported currencies.³

Since this is a Mastercard, it’s a reliable spending option. You’ll be able to use it in 190 countries, anywhere Mastercard is accepted.³

You can choose between getting the card in physical form or adding it to your mobile wallet as a digital card. You can order it by clicking 'Create Card' in the Cards section of FairFX’s website. If this is the first time you’re ordering, you'll need to have at least £50 in your balance.⁴

Travelex Travel Money Card

Travelex’s contactless travel card supports 22 major currencies, including Japanese yen. It offers free top-ups, ATM withdrawals and foreign transactions. You can use it at millions of stores and businesses worldwide, but also in the UK, which makes it a convenient option.⁵

This card has different spending and ATM limits. Withdrawals are capped at £500 per day, while you can spend up to £3,000 daily. You can easily top it up in-store, online or through the Travelex Money app, with a minimum load of £50.⁵

You can order the Travelex Travel Money Card online and have it delivered to your address or pick it up in any Travelex store. All you need is to be at least 18 years old and have a government-issued photo ID.⁶

What is a travel card?

A travel card is a payment card that lets you load foreign currencies for use while travelling abroad. It allows both spending and ATM withdrawals. However, don’t confuse it with a travel credit card, which typically doesn’t hold foreign currency but offers different rewards and benefits in exchange for purchases.

The most important benefit of travel money cards is safety. Since you’ll only add a set amount of money to your card, your account funds will be protected in case of theft. And since these cards are made for travelling, their foreign transaction fees can be lower than those of standard debit or credit cards.

Travel tips for Japan

As you prepare for Japan, here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind.

Despite being one of the most technologically advanced countries in Asia and the entire world, Japan is quite traditional when it comes to cash usage. As cash is still widely used in Japan compared to cards, it's a good idea to have some Japanese yen on hand. For any card payments, make sure you preload yen onto your travel money card or use your Wise card for automatic currency conversion.⁷

You’ll easily find ATMs in Japan, but you might not always be able to use them. Many Japanese ATMs only accept cards issued in Japan, so look for a postal or 7-Bank ATM. 7-Bank ATMs are available 24/7, while postal ATMs are only accessible during post office hours. Some other banks and ATM providers also accept international cards, but it’s best to check in advance.⁸

Travelling abroad? Choose the Wise debit card

That wraps up our guide to the best travel card for Japan. Take another look at the options to see if we've helped you find the ideal travel companion.

And if you want another option for spending abroad without worrying about exchange rate markups and hidden fees, the Wise debit card could be a great solution.

Open a Wise account online and you can order the Wise card for a one-time fee of £7. You can use this clever card in 150+ countries, including Japan. It automatically converts your pounds to local currency whenever you spend using the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny, transparent conversion fee* – or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

You also get two free ATM withdrawals for up to 200 GBP (or currency equivalent) each month.

Sign up with Wise for free 💰

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 06-Dec-2024