Reference
Japan Money Glossary
The words that appear on a Japanese bill, a station machine or a shop counter, defined the way a visitor needs them. Each entry links to the guide that explains it properly.
Otoshi お通し
A small appetizer served automatically at izakaya and billed per person, typically ¥300–600. Functionally a seat charge with food attached. Called tsukidashi in western Japan.
Betsu-betsu 別々
Separate checks. Works at many casual restaurants, often refused at busy izakaya because the register tracks the table rather than the seat.
Warikan 割り勘
Splitting the bill among a group. In practice one person pays the whole table and the group settles privately afterwards.
Nomihodai 飲み放題
All-you-can-drink, usually for a fixed period. Almost always billed as one price for the table, so it cannot be split at the register.
Kokorozuke 心付け
A small envelope of money handed to an attendant at a high-end ryokan at the start of a stay. A fading and entirely optional tradition, and the only common exception to Japan's no-tipping rule.
Suica スイカ
A rechargeable IC card used for trains, buses, convenience stores and vending machines. Built into Apple Wallet on iPhone; most Android phones bought outside Japan cannot use the mobile version.
Welcome Suica ウェルカムスイカ
A tourist version of Suica that expires — 28 days for the physical card, 180 days for the mobile version — with the remaining balance not refunded.
Shokkenki 券売機
A meal-ticket vending machine at the entrance of many ramen and rice-bowl shops. Older machines are Japanese-only and cash-only.
Tax-free minimum 免税下限
¥5,000 before tax, in one store, on the same day. Unchanged under the refund system starting 1 November 2026.
Refund system (2026) リファンド方式
From 1 November 2026, tax-free shoppers in Japan pay the full price in store and claim the consumption tax back after customs confirmation when leaving the country.
Reduced tax rate 軽減税率
The 8% consumption tax rate that applies to food and non-alcoholic beverages, against the 10% standard rate. Alcohol is always 10%.
Dynamic currency conversion 自国通貨建て決済
The option to be charged in your home currency instead of yen. The merchant's payment provider sets the rate with a margin built in, so the correct answer is always yen.
3-D Secure 本人認証サービス
The bank verification step Japan requires for online card payments. The most common reason a foreign card fails on Japanese booking sites while working fine in shops.
Pocket Change ポケットチェンジ
Airport and store kiosks that convert leftover Japanese cash, including coins, into digital money such as gift cards or e-money.
International tourist tax 国際観光旅客税
A departure tax collected inside your airfare. It rose from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 for departures from 1 July 2026.