A few items I wanted to add on the usage of cards in Japan.

Depending on how large the purchase is (even for small purchases) depending on the store, the store clerk will usually ask (in Japanese) how many payments you would like to make (this is because for Japanese cards there is often times an option to make a 1 time payment, or other type of payment options), with a foreign issued card I think only 1 time payment option only works. You can answer with "1 kai" or just point with your finger gesturing the number 1. Other times the staff might just go ahead and enter it as 1 time payment option default. I remember being confused the first time the staff asked me this, so just be aware that's what they are probably asking you if you gave them a card to pay.

If you have a chip & pin card, they will take the card and put it into the scanner *you don't need to do it yourself, then they will ask you to input your 4 digit pin number (ansho bango 暗証番号). Some machines the cards will pop out after the authorization, other machines the staff will take it out of the reader and then hand you back the card.

Other places don't have readers so they just slide your card and you sign the receipt. Some places do not require you to sign the reciept unless the total cost is over a certain amount (eg convience stores).