I use credit cards almost solely for online purchases (Amazon, etc.), unless I'm over in the States. In Japan, small purchases are seldom made by CC, even at places like convenience markets: people use either cash or phone apps (which might be linked to a card, but also often directly to a bank account). The phone app will often be linked to a points program as well, and even cash purchases can be points-paying. At 7-11, where cash purchase are made via a machine, you just scan in your points code before putting in the cash. At the other "konbini," you scan, then hand the clerk the cash.

Smaller shops, mom-and-pop food places, and that sort of business are often cash only. Those places are starting to add phone pay options, but traditional credit cards just aren't used as often in Japan, and those little shops don't seem inclined to add them.