Get the Best Exchange Rate for Your Money in Japan

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  Yes, you can use credit cards or your phone to pay at most places in Japan! So don’t worry too much when people say “Japan is a cash-only country.” While it’s true that some small shops still don’t accept cards or digital payments, they’re becoming fewer and fewer as things modernize.

But be careful!
I’ve seen a few tourists stuck in tricky situations where they couldn’t withdraw money from an ATM or their payment app suddenly didn’t work.

That’s why I always recommend bringing some cash with you—just in case. And honestly, this goes for traveling anywhere abroad, not just Japan. 👽

Where and When to Exchange Money?

So, you’ve landed in Japan and want to exchange your dollars or euros into yen. But where? When? Will you lose a lot on the exchange rate?

🔹 A good move is to exchange just enough cash at the airport to get by for the first few days. Most airports have currency exchange counters where you can easily swap your money.

Now let’s say you’ve been having an amazing time in Japan, using your yen here and there in little shops that only accept cash—and suddenly you’re down to your last ¥1,000! 😨

What now?

Going back to the airport isn’t ideal—it’s usually far from the city and not worth the round trip. ❌

Better Option: Go to a Bank

Most major banks in Japan have branches that offer currency exchange. Here are a few to search for on Google Maps:

  • Mizuho Bank

  • SMBC (Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation)

  • Japan Post Bank

  • MUFG Bank

  • Resona Bank

A Japanese bank called Resona, seen from the street

A Japanese bank called MUFG, seen from the street

⚠️ Just a heads-up: Some bank branches close as early as 3 PM, and the exchange rate is usually similar to what you’d get at the airport.


The Best Option (Highly Recommended!)

Go to a Discount Ticket Shop!

In English, they’re called "Discount Ticket Shops" and in Japanese, they’re known as 金券ショップ (Kinken Shops).

These are small stores where locals buy things like concert tickets, theme park passes, and other vouchers at a discount. But here’s the secret: many of them also exchange foreign currency at excellent rates!

How to Find One?

They're usually located near major train stations or in big city shopping areas.

But here’s an easy trick:

  1. Copy this Japanese word: 金券ショップ

  2. Open Google Maps

  3. Paste it in the search bar

Thanks to GPS magic, you’ll see nearby shops pop up where you can exchange your money—often at a better rate than banks or airports.

Exterior of a ticket discount shop in Japan, often found near train stations


Exterior of a ticket discount shop in Japan, often found near train stations

Exterior of a ticket discount shop in Japan, often found near train stations


Exterior of a ticket discount shop in Japan, often found near train stations

Many of these stores even have signs that say "Money Exchange" in English, so they’re not too hard to spot.


I hope this helps you out if you ever find yourself in a tight spot—or just want to save a few yen here and there!
Save this post and stay tuned—I'll be sharing more Japan travel tips you won’t find in the usual tourist guides.

Safe travels! ✈️

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