There's no doubting that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we conduct our day-to-day lives, and many of those changes are likely to stick around long after things return to something resembling normal. While Japan is often regarded as a "cash is king" country, many businesses are realizing that customers may be wary about handling cash and receiving change in the current global climate — after all, money is notoriously germy and it's a fact that comes backed up by science.
One company that is making the shift to cashless payments is Afuri Ramen, who have numerous locations across Japan and abroad. Their Harajuku and Roppongi Hills stores started out as trial locations for the rollout, and from May 25th there will be a sequential rollout at the Roppongi Crossing, Nakameguro, Sangenjaya, and Shinjuku Sumitomo Building branches. After that, in early June the rollout should reach the remainder of their Japan-based stores, including the Hanno Metsa Village location.
Along with limiting the potential spread of germs by minimizing the exchange of money, the team at Afuri Ramen believe that cashless operations provide an opportunity for better customer service.
If you're headed to an Afuri Ramen branch, be sure to have a cashless payment option on you. All major credit cards will be accepted (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and JCB), along with electronic money cards like Pasmo and Suica, and QR code payments like Line Pay, Ali Pay, and WeChat Pay.
