Where and How to Get Yen While Traveling in Japan
Although cash culture is changing in Japan, some services and businesses still don't accept credit card payments. It is highly recommended to carry yen in the case that credit cards, debit, or electric payments are not accepted.
Below is a brief guide on convenient spots to withdraw and exchange yen, including convenience stores, the Japan Post Office, and even Don Quijote. Stay well-funded with enough cash to enjoy travel in Japan.
1. Seven-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson ATMs
Recommended points
Open 24/7, many stores available
Using the ATM at a convenience store like Seven Eleven, Family Mart, or Lawson is the easiest way to get Japanese yen. There are several hundred thousand convenience stores in Japan so one is usually never far from where you are. In addition, many ATMs can be used 24-hours a day. If you need Japanese yen when everything else is closed, it is really helpful to know that you can get cash from down the corner.
If you have credit or debit cards, such as VISA, MasterCard, or American Express, that are accepted at the ATM, you can easily take out Japanese yen. Please note that the withdrawal limit is dependent on your bank, and certain rules and limits may apply.
ATMs at most convenience stores have multilingual support, so operating the machine should be simple. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask an employee.
Accepted Currencies
Only withdraw Japanese yen from ATM
Accepted Cards
VISA, MasterCard, UnionPay, Amex, JCB, DinersClub, Maestro, Cirrus, Discover
Hours
Open 365 days
Locations
In most of the cities and near train stations
2. Japan Post Bank ATMs
Japan Post, a major postal service in Japan, owns a banking service with ATMs that are also convenient for withdrawing cash from international bank accounts. With hundreds of locations throughout Japan in post offices and convenience store, this is another handy option to keep in mind. The color of these machines is usually green. Please note that the current withdrawal limit (as of October 2019) is 50,000 yen per transaction. This amount and the limit of transactions is dependent on your bank.
See the official website for more information on these machines and getting yen.
Accepted Cards
VISA, VISAELECTRON, PLUS, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express, JCB, Unionpay, DISCOVER
Hours
Monday–Saturday: 00:05–23:55
Sundays, public holidays, December 31: 00:05–21:00 (if the following day is a holiday, hours start from 7:00)
January 1–January 3: 7:00–21:00
3. Don Quijote
Picture from Souvenir Shopping At Don Quijote - 5 Reasons To Visit This Discount Store
Don Quijote is a national retailer of food, apparel, and everyday goods with great discounts. Stores are located throughout Japan in bustling sightseeing areas and more residential, rural parts of Japan. Selling everything from green tea Kitkats to Halloween costumes and Japanese cosmetics, this is a one-stop-shop for souvenirs and essentials.
At some stores you can pay in foreign currency, making it a convenient service to use when shopping but don't have time to exchange currency. Your change will be given to you in Japanese yen.
Accepted Currencies
USD, EURO, HKD, TWD, CNY, THB
4. DAIKOKUYA
Recommended points
Good exchange rates
Daikokuya is the store which sells discounted tickets and famous brand-name products. They also offer a currency exchange service. The best reason to use Daikokuya is exchange rates. There are not many Daikokuya stores in Japan. But you will get better exchange rates here than at banks. You also don't need to fill out a form at all, which saves time for doing something else. You can even exchange coins at some of the stores.
Accepted Currencies
USD, EUR, CAD, GPB, RMB, AUD, KRW, TWD, HKD, SGD, THB
*Some stores might not support all of these currencies.
Accepted Cards
Only exchange from cash to cash
Hours
Depends on the store
Locations
Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, Kichijoji, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka, Hiroshima
Official Website
DAIKOKUYA(Japanese)
P R
A must for railway users! Introducing a convenient spot right in the station where you can get your hands on some Japanese yen.
There are seven foreign currency exchange counters and ten ATMs at JR East Japan stations in the greater Tokyo area (as of March 2018).
For more information, please visit this page.
4. Travelex Japan
Recommended points
Many currency options, get mileage points
Travelex is a worldwide foreign exchange company. There are 72 branches in Japan. They offer more than 30 currency options (as of January 2016). You can exchange right at the counter and also at machines.
Accepted Currencies
USD/EUR/CAD/GPB/RMB/AUD/KRW/TWD/HKD/SGD/THB/AED/BRL/CHF/CNY/CZK/DKK/EGP/FJD/HUF/IDR/MXN/MYR/COK/NZD/PHP/PLN/RUB/SAR/SEK/TRY/VND/XPF/ZAR
** Some of the stores might not support all of these currencies.
Accepted Cards
VISA, MasterCard, JCB
Hours
Depends on the store
Locations
Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo station, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka
Official Website
Travelex Japan (English)
6. Currency Exchange Service at Banks
Picture courtesy of SMBC Trust Bank
Recommended points
Get to exchange currency right at the airport, many branches
The major Japanese banks such as Mizuho Bank, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and SMBC Trust Bank, offer a currency exchange service as well.
There are some branches that don't offer a currency exchange service. So please check if the branch has the service or not. Branches in major sightseeing places usually offer this service.
Accepted Currencies
Depends on the bank
Accepted Cards
Depends on the bank
Hours
Depends on the branch
Locations
In most of the major cities, near train stations, at airports
Official Websites
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ (English)
SMBC Trust Bank (English)
Mizuho Bank(English)
