Travel Money in Japan
Cash Culture, Cards, ATMs & What to Budget
Understanding how money works in Japan — and the cultural expectations around paying — will make your trip smoother from day one. Japan is safe, highly organised, and still more cash-friendly than many travellers expect, so a little preparation goes a long way.
The Currency
Japan’s national currency is the Japanese Yen.
You’ll see it written as:
JPY
¥
JP¥
It’s pronounced “en” (not “yen” in Japanese pronunciation).
A Simple AUD Rule of Thumb
Exchange rates change daily, but for quick mental maths, many travellers find it easiest to think:
¥100 ≈ about $1 AUD (rough guide)
¥1,000 ≈ about $10 AUD
¥10,000 ≈ about $100 AUD
This won’t be exact — but it’s very useful while shopping or budgeting on the go, just move the decimal point 2 numbers to the left.
Recognising Coins & Notes
Because Japan is still quite cash-oriented, you’ll likely carry more cash than you would at home — so it helps to recognise what you’re holding.
Coins
You’ll commonly use:
¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500
Most coins have large Arabic numerals that are easy to recognise. The exception is the ¥5 coin, which:
Is brass-coloured
Has a hole in the centre
Often doesn’t show an Arabic numeral (it uses the Japanese character 五)
Why ¥5 Is Special
¥5 is pronounced “go-en”, which sounds like the word for “good connections / good fortune”. For this reason, many people choose a ¥5 coin when making an offering at a shrine or temple.
If you’d like to take part in this tradition, keep a few ¥5 coins handy.
Notes
Japanese banknotes are very easy to identify — they include large Arabic numerals.
You’ll typically see:
¥1,000
¥2,000 (less common, but still valid)
¥5,000
¥10,000
Japan’s Cash Culture
Japan is still more cash-based than Australia, especially once you leave major city centres or enter smaller, family-run businesses.
The good news:
Japan is very safe
Theft is rare
It’s normal for locals to carry a surprising amount of cash
You may even notice people reserving café seats by leaving a bag or item at the table — this is common and generally safe in Japan.
Cards Are More Common Now (But Not Everywhere)
Card acceptance has improved significantly, especially since 2020, but travellers should still expect:
Some restaurants and shops to be cash-only
Ticket machines and vending machines to require cash
Some card terminals to require chip insert, not tap
Also worth noting: while tap payments exist, they don’t work as universally as they do in Australia. Carry a physical bank card, not only a digital wallet.
Paying with Cash: The Tray System
In Japan, when paying with cash you’ll often place money into a small tray on the counter instead of handing it directly to the cashier.
This is normal and polite. It:
Keeps the exchange clear and tidy
Avoids awkward fumbling with coins
Helps staff confirm the amount easily
Simply place your notes/coins on the tray and wait for your change to be returned the same way.
Keep Your Notes Flat
Because Japan uses:
Vending machines
Ticket machines
Self-service payment machines
…it’s important to keep yen notes flat and uncrumpled, so they feed into machines properly.
We recommend travelling with a wallet or pouch that allows you to store notes without folding them tightly.
How Much Spending Money Will You Need?
Japan compares fairly closely to Australia for general travel costs. Two common exceptions:
Casual meals and convenience store food can feel cheaper than Australia
Accommodation can be good value if you’re happy with compact room sizes
As a general guide (excluding major pre-booked activities and accommodation), many travellers are comfortable budgeting roughly:
~$80 AUD per person, per day for food
~$50 AUD per person, per day for snacks, small admissions, souvenirs, and incidental spending
These are general figures only — your ideal budget depends on your travel style, shopping habits, and whether you prefer premium dining or casual eateries. As part of our Travel Consultancy Service, we can estimate far more accurately based on your itinerary and preferences.
The Best Approach: Use Both Cash and Card
Japan works best with a mix of both.
Why You Still Need Cash
Cash is commonly needed for:
Ticket machines at stations
Smaller eateries and bars
Vending machines
Arcades, gachapon, market stalls
Some local buses and rural services
ATMs: The Tourist Lifeline
If you underestimate cash, don’t worry — it’s very easy to withdraw more.
7-Eleven ATMs are one of the most reliable options for international cards, and you’ll find them everywhere, including many rural areas.
How Much Cash Should You Bring Initially?
A simple strategy we recommend:
Calculate your expected food + spending money
Split that into thirds
Bring one third in yen cash
Keep the other two thirds accessible via card/travel money card, and withdraw as needed
This gives you cash for day one while keeping most funds safer and more flexible.
Exchanging Money: Before vs After You Arrive
Exchanging Before You Travel (Recommended)
Pros:
You land with yen ready for immediate needs
You can buy an IC card or airport essentials without delay
You can compare exchange rates calmly ahead of time
Easier to budget and plan
Cons:
You’re carrying extra cash while travelling to the airport
Exchanging in Japan
Pros:
You may find competitive rates (sometimes even at the airport)
Plenty of exchange options in major hubs
Cons:
Exchange counters may be closed depending on arrival time
It adds another task when you’re tired after a long flight
Both options are valid — choose what feels easiest and safest for you.
Travel Money Cards vs Credit Cards
There’s no single best option — it depends on how you prefer to travel.
Travel Money Cards
Pros:
Lock in a rate when it suits you
Helps with budgeting (pre-loaded amount)
Some have low or no fees for spending/withdrawals
Cons:
Can be difficult to reload overseas if your bank requires SMS verification to your Australian number
Some car rentals and hotels may not accept them for deposits/holds
Credit Cards
Pros:
Convenient and widely accepted in major areas
You don’t need to pre-convert funds
Some cards include travel benefits (insurance, fraud protection, points)
Cons:
Foreign transaction fees may apply
Exchange rate varies day-to-day
Easier to overspend if you’re not tracking spending
Best Practice for Most Travellers
We usually recommend carrying:
A credit card (for hotels, deposits, flexibility)
A backup card (stored separately)
Cash for daily spending
That combination keeps you covered in almost every scenario.
