Money & Currency
Japan Currency Guide 2025
Japan is still a cash-heavy country. Knowing where to get yen, which ATMs to use, and when to use cash vs card will save you money — and prevent awkward moments at the register.
Currency Basics
Japan's currency is the Japanese Yen (JPY, ¥). Notes: ¥1,000 / ¥5,000 / ¥10,000. Coins: ¥1 / ¥5 / ¥10 / ¥50 / ¥100 / ¥500. Reference rates (approximate — check a live rate before departure):
| Currency | Code | Approx. Rate |
|---|---|---|
| US Dollar | USD | 1 USD ≈ ¥155 |
| Euro | EUR | 1 EUR ≈ ¥168 |
| British Pound | GBP | 1 GBP ≈ ¥196 |
| Australian Dollar | AUD | 1 AUD ≈ ¥100 |
| Canadian Dollar | CAD | 1 CAD ≈ ¥113 |
Rates are approximate. Always verify current rates at xe.com or your bank.
Best Ways to Get Yen
Cost: ¥110–220 fee + ~1.5% foreign card fee
Convenience: Excellent — 24h, nationwide
Best overall. Accepts Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and most foreign debit cards.
Cost: 3–5% spread above mid-market rate
Convenience: Very convenient on arrival
Exchange only ¥10,000–20,000 for first-day transport. Avoid large amounts.
Cost: Near mid-market rate, ~0.5% fee
Convenience: Good — requires pre-setup before trip
Best exchange rate available. Set up at home before departure. Works at most ATMs.
Cost: 1–3% foreign transaction fee (varies by card)
Convenience: Good where accepted
Useful as backup. Many small shops, rural areas, and temples are cash only.
Cost: 1–2% purchase fee + poor exchange rates in Japan
Convenience: Poor — few banks accept them
Not recommended. Very few establishments accept them in 2025.
ATM Guide for Foreign Cards
7-Eleven ATMs (Seven Bank)
- Available 24 hours, 365 days
- Accepts Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, UnionPay
- English / Chinese / Korean interface
- Over 21,000 locations nationwide
- Fee: ¥110–220 per withdrawal
Japan Post ATMs
- Available at all post offices
- Weekdays 9:00–17:00 (some 24h)
- Accepts most international cards
- Good fallback when 7-Eleven is unavailable
- Found even in small rural towns
Tip: Withdraw larger amounts (¥30,000–50,000) at once to minimize fixed ATM fees. Most foreign cards have a per-transaction fee regardless of the amount withdrawn.
Cash vs Card — Where Cash Is Required
Major cities and chain stores increasingly accept cards. But these places almost always require cash:
| Place | Why Cash? |
|---|---|
| Temples & shrines | Entrance fees and offering boxes are always cash only |
| Local izakayas & ramen shops | Small restaurants in residential areas often do not accept cards |
| Taxis | Many taxi drivers prefer cash; card terminals may not work |
| Rural countryside & onsen towns | Card acceptance is rare outside major cities |
| Vending machines | Most vending machines (drinks, noodles, tickets) are cash only |
| Morning markets & street food | Vendors at Tsukiji outer market, Nishiki, etc. rarely take cards |
| Coin lockers at train stations | Most lockers require ¥300–500 in coins |
| Some budget guesthouses | Small family-run minshuku and guesthouses prefer cash payment |
Daily Cash Budget Calculator
Use this as a guide for how much yen to have on hand each day:
Budget Traveler
¥5,000–8,000 / day
Hostel dorm, convenience store meals, free shrines, IC card travel
Mid-Range
¥12,000–20,000 / day
Business hotel, sit-down restaurants, paid attractions, occasional taxi
Luxury
¥35,000+ / day
Ryokan or 4-star hotel, kaiseki dinners, private tours, Shinkansen Green Car
10 Money-Saving Tips for Japan
Load an IC card immediately on arrival
Suica (Tokyo) and ICOCA (Osaka/Kyoto) work on trains, buses, and convenience stores nationwide. Top up with cash at station machines.
Use 7-Eleven ATMs — they are the most reliable
7-Eleven ATMs (Seven Bank) accept almost every international card and display menus in English. Available 24/7 at over 21,000 locations.
Claim tax-free shopping on purchases over ¥5,000
Most department stores and large retailers offer 10% consumption tax refunds for tourists. Show your passport at the tax-free counter.
Avoid airport exchange counters for large amounts
Exchange ¥10,000–20,000 at the airport for your first day, then withdraw from an ATM. The rate difference can cost ¥3,000+ on ¥100,000.
Carry ¥10,000–20,000 cash at all times
Japan remains a cash-heavy society. Rural areas, small restaurants, and many shrines only accept cash.
Check your bank's foreign ATM fees before departure
Some banks charge ¥0 for international withdrawals (Charles Schwab, Starling). Others charge ¥3–5 per transaction. Switching saves real money.
Japan Post ATMs are your backup when 7-Eleven is unavailable
Post offices with ATMs are open during business hours (weekdays 9:00–17:00, shorter on weekends). Accepts international cards.
Split cash into separate locations when traveling
Keep ¥5,000–10,000 in your wallet and ¥20,000+ in your luggage or hotel safe. Losing your wallet is less catastrophic this way.
Eat lunch at restaurants instead of dinner to save 40–50%
Japanese lunch sets (teishoku) offer the same quality food at half the dinner price. A ¥900 lunch set vs ¥2,500 dinner is common.
Use Wise or Revolut for best exchange rates
These cards use the mid-market rate with minimal fees. Set one up before your trip — they can save ¥3,000–8,000 on a two-week trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Japan a cash-only country?
Japan is heavily cash-reliant compared to most developed countries. While major cities and large retailers increasingly accept credit cards, many small restaurants, temples, shrines, rural shops, and local izakayas only accept cash. Always carry ¥10,000–20,000 in yen. Never assume a place accepts cards.
What is the best ATM to use in Japan as a foreigner?
7-Eleven ATMs (operated by Seven Bank) are the best option for foreign travelers. They accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay, and most international debit cards. The interface is available in English, Chinese, Korean, and other languages. They charge a small fixed fee (¥110–220) but the exchange rate is the real mid-market rate.
Should I exchange money before going to Japan?
It's convenient to exchange a small amount ($100–200 USD) before departure so you have cash for transport and tips on arrival. However, the best rates are obtained from ATMs inside Japan (7-Eleven, Japan Post). Avoid airport exchange counters for large amounts — spreads are typically 3–5% above the mid-market rate.
Can I use my credit card in Japan?
Yes, but not everywhere. Major department stores, hotels, convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson), chain restaurants, and tourist shops in big cities accept Visa and Mastercard. American Express acceptance is more limited. In rural areas and at small family restaurants, expect cash only. Always have yen on hand.
How much yen should I bring for a 7-day trip?
Budget traveler: ¥70,000–90,000 (≈$450–580 USD) for 7 days. Mid-range: ¥120,000–180,000 (≈$770–1,160 USD). These cover accommodation, food, transport, and sightseeing. Withdraw cash from ATMs in Japan as needed rather than carrying everything from home.
Is tipping expected in Japan?
No — tipping is not customary in Japan and can even be considered rude. Restaurant bills, taxi fares, and hotel stays are all-inclusive. No tip is expected or required at any service establishment. The price on the menu is the price you pay (plus 10% consumption tax at some places).