Japan customs and money basics for British travellers: meat products, cards and cash machines
By Beyond Points Editorial System · Updated
The short answer: The checked GOV.UK guidance is straightforward: bringing meat products such as sausages, bacon or ham into Japan is illegal unless you have permission from the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service, and you should prepare for a cash-heavy arrival because Japan is described as predominantly cash-based, some foreign-issued cards can be difficult to use, certain cash-card networks are not widely accepted, and some foreign cards work at post offices, 7-Eleven stores and JP Post Bank during business hours.
Sourced statements below link to official guidance. Worked examples are labeled; the remaining planning advice is editorial judgment.
Meat products are the clearest packing risk
Bringing meat products such as sausages, bacon or ham into Japan is illegal unless you have permission from the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service. (UK Government)
Editorial guidance: treat food packing as a binary decision. If meat products are in your bag, either make sure you already have the required permission or leave them behind. That keeps a small packing choice from becoming a problem when you arrive.
Plan for cash first and card success second
GOV.UK describes Japan as still a predominantly cash-based society. Travellers may have difficulty using credit and debit cards issued outside Japan. (UK Government)
Editorial guidance: build redundancy into your arrival payment plan. Bring a cash buffer and at least one backup way to pay, so your first hours do not depend on a single foreign-issued card working on the first try.
| Area | Checked point | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Customs | Permission is required to bring sausages, bacon or ham into Japan. | Policy |
| Money | Japan is described as predominantly cash-based. | General |
| Money | Credit and debit cards issued outside Japan may be difficult to use. | Availability |
| Money | Some foreign cards work at post offices, 7-Eleven stores and JP Post Bank during business hours. | Availability |
Do not rely on the listed cash-card networks alone
Cirrus, Maestro, Link and Delta cash cards are not widely accepted in Japan. (UK Government)
Editorial guidance: if your usual withdrawal card sits on one of these networks, do not make it your only cash-access plan. Pair it with another option before departure rather than discovering the limit when you need money quickly.
Use the named ATM locations as your fallback
Some foreign cards are accepted at cash machines in Japanese post offices, 7-Eleven stores and JP Post Bank during business hours. (UK Government)
Editorial guidance: use the named ATM locations as your first fallback rather than your last resort. If cash access matters on day one, aim to test your card earlier in the day and keep a second plan in case your card is not one of the foreign cards accepted.
When cash makes more sense
Editorial guidance: For this travel-planning question, cash matters more than points because GOV.UK describes Japan as predominantly cash-based and says some foreign-issued cards can be difficult to use.
Your next step
Editorial guidance: Remove meat products unless you have the required permission, and plan for cash plus a fallback if your foreign-issued card does not work.
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Sources and verification
- Entry requirements - Japan travel advice - GOV.UK — UK Government; checked 2026-10-09; re-check by 2026-10-16.
Prepared with AI assistance and checked against the cited sources. Recommendations are editorial judgment. No live price or award availability is implied.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring sausages, bacon or ham into Japan?
Not unless you have permission from the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service; bringing those meat products into Japan is otherwise illegal.
Should I assume cards will work easily in Japan?
No. GOV.UK describes Japan as predominantly cash-based and says travellers may have difficulty using credit and debit cards issued outside Japan.
Are Cirrus, Maestro, Link or Delta cash cards widely accepted?
No. GOV.UK says Cirrus, Maestro, Link and Delta cash cards are not widely accepted in Japan.
Where can some foreign cards work at ATMs?
GOV.UK says some foreign cards are accepted at cash machines in Japanese post offices, 7-Eleven stores and JP Post Bank during business hours.
What is the simplest one-paragraph takeaway?
Do not pack meat products such as sausages, bacon or ham unless you have the required permission, and plan for a cash-based arrival where some foreign cards may be hard to use, certain cash-card networks are not widely accepted, and some foreign cards work at the listed ATMs during business hours.