Currency & Payment
Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Check current rates locally.
Local Currency Overview
Currency type, banknotes, and coin denominations
The currency is the Japanese yen (¥ / JPY). Coins and banknotes are used daily, though cashless payment is spreading fast.
- Currency
- Japanese yen (¥ / JPY)
- Banknotes
- ¥1,000 / ¥2,000 (rare) / ¥5,000 / ¥10,000
- Coins
- ¥1 / ¥5 / ¥10 / ¥50 / ¥100 / ¥500
- Carry some cash: small shops, shrines and rural areas may be cash-only
- New banknote designs were introduced in 2024; older notes remain valid
Currency Exchange Tips
Best places and methods to exchange money
Withdrawing yen from a 7-Eleven or Japan Post ATM usually beats cash exchange counters on rate.
- Best value
- ATM withdrawal (7-Bank / Japan Post) at near-interbank rates
- Airport
- Exchange counters are convenient but rates are less favorable
- Tip
- Withdraw larger amounts fewer times to save on fees
- Notify your bank of travel to avoid card blocks
- Keep some yen from the airport for the first train/taxi
Credit Card Acceptance
Card brand availability and usage tips
Cards are widely accepted in cities, but keep cash for small shops, temples and rural areas.
- Accepted
- Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex at hotels, department stores, chains
- Cash still needed
- Small restaurants, markets, shrines, some rural spots
- Contactless
- Growing, but not universal outside big cities
- Some machines ask for a PIN; know yours
- IC transit cards (Suica/PASMO) double as small-payment cards
ATM Usage
How to withdraw cash and associated fees
7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs reliably accept foreign cards, are 24/7 and multilingual.
- Most reliable
- Seven Bank (7-Eleven) and Japan Post ATMs
- Cards
- Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, UnionPay, Cirrus/Plus
- Hours
- Convenience-store ATMs are 24/7; bank ATMs may have limited hours
- Select the English menu; a per-withdrawal fee may apply
- Also found at airports and large department stores
Mobile & Digital Payments
Digital payment services available locally
QR payments like PayPay are everywhere; some foreign QR wallets (e.g. Alipay) also work via PayPay.
- Leading app
- PayPay — the most-used QR payment in Japan
- Foreign wallets
- Alipay+ partners and some overseas apps accepted at many stores
- Setup
- PayPay needs a Japanese phone number/bank; tourists often rely on cards + IC cards
- Apple Pay / Google Pay work with Suica and many cards
- QR payment is common at convenience stores, chains and even small shops
Tipping Culture
Expected tipping amounts and etiquette
Japan has no tipping culture. Tipping is not expected and can even cause confusion.
- Tipping
- Not expected anywhere — restaurants, taxis, hotels
- Service charge
- Upscale restaurants/hotels may add a service charge to the bill
- Good service is standard and already included in the price
- Leaving coins on the table may be returned to you as forgotten change
Price Guide
Average costs for meals, transport, and accommodation
Rough daily costs: budget travelers ¥5,000–8,000, mid-range ¥12,000–20,000, plus accommodation.
- Meal (casual)
- ¥800–1,500 (ramen, set lunch, convenience store)
- Coffee
- ¥400–600 at a café
- Short train ride
- ¥170–320
- Consumption tax is 10% (8% for food/drinks to take away)
- Convenience stores and set-lunch (teishoku) keep food costs low
Temporary visitors can shop tax-free (10%) at licensed stores. The system changes to "pay first, refund at customs" from Nov 1, 2026.
- Who
- Temporary visitors, with passport shown at purchase
- Minimum
- Generally ¥5,000+ at a tax-free store
- 2026 change
- From Nov 1, 2026: pay full price, get refund after customs inspection at departure
- Keep purchased items sealed/unused as required until you leave
- Always check the latest rule at the store and at japan.travel