When looking to purchase Bitcoin with cash in Western Japan, customers now have a reliable option. COINHUB Co., Ltd. has launched a bidirectional cryptocurrency ATM at Tennoji MIO, part of a commercial complex adjacent to JR Tennoji Station in Osaka. This marks the company's inaugural machine in Western Japan and allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies for cash, providing a significant advancement in accessibility.
COINHUB signed the contract for this installation on June 18, 2026. Situating the ATM at Tennoji MIO is strategic, given the complex's location directly on top of a major transit hub. This decision signifies a push to normalize crypto transactions, making them as commonplace as purchasing a bento box on the way home from work.
Japan is known for its cash-centric economy, and ATMs like COINHUB's bridge the gap between physical currency and digital assets. This hybrid approach serves a unique purpose that purely digital exchanges cannot, enhancing the crypto experience for everyday users.
COINHUB is rapidly expanding its footprint across Japan, having launched what it refers to as the nation's first Financial Services Agency-regulated crypto ATM network in 2025. The initial phase saw the placement of 25 machines in six major urban areas, and the company, part of One World Holdings, aims to significantly expand its network to a total of 3,000 ATMs. This ambitious goal represents a 120-fold increase, which is a notable target when compared to the United States, a country that hosts around 30,000 crypto ATMs but has over double Japan's population.
The bidirectional capability of COINHUB's ATMs also sets them apart in the market. While many crypto ATMs worldwide only allow for one-way transactions — enabling users to purchase cryptocurrencies but not to sell them — COINHUB's machines facilitate both transactions. A user can insert cash to receive Bitcoin, or alternatively, send Bitcoin and retrieve cash in yen, enhancing the functionality and appeal of these machines.
As Japan was among the first major economies to acknowledge digital assets, officially recognizing Bitcoin as legal property in 2017, the country has faced challenges, including notable incidents like the Mt. Gox exchange hack. Users should remain aware of potential risks associated with crypto ATMs worldwide, including high fees that have been seen with some operators, which can exceed 10%. While COINHUB has not disclosed its fee structure for the new Tennoji MIO machine, transparency will be crucial for building trust with users.
Moreover, there are operational risks linked to ambitious growth targets. Achieving a 120-fold expansion in physical infrastructure presents challenges such as securing retail partnerships, adhering to regulatory requirements across different prefectures, and managing large-scale hardware maintenance. Each of these factors requires careful planning and execution, even with regulatory approval in place.