Using Self-Service Machines in Japan: Why Some Accept Only Cash
When I first moved to Japan, I assumed that every place labeled “self-service” worked in much the same way. A supermarket self-checkout and a self-service gas station both require customers to operate a machine, so I expected the payment process to be similar too. I thought I would simply follow the instructions on the screen and choose between cash and a credit card. That assumption changed one day at a gas station. I pulled into an empty fueling lane, parked the car, and looked for the credit card option on the screen. Instead, I noticed a small sign that said “Cash Only.” Until then, I had not realized that payment options could vary not only between businesses, but also between individual machines or lanes at the same location. Fortunately, I had enough cash with me that day and was able to fill the tank. Still, the experience changed the way I use self-service machines in Japan. Now, before scanning groceries, starting a washing machine, paying for parking, or fueling the car, I c...