Changing Money in Japan, Best Exchange Rates | ATM, Bank, Airport & Stations
Changing from USD to JPY or another currency is a question I get very often so I thought we’d talk about the options from ATM at the post office and convenient store to banks and exchange booths. Where’s the best rate? #usdjpy #japan
JNTO money exchange site: https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/currency/
31 Comments
What's up for tourist Embassy 😊
Had finish my trip in april just wow how the sakura blooming and the cycling i took when in kyoto. All thanks to update and live stream that you make sir, Thanks. But miss the oportunity to see fuji, maybe next time.
There're very few things you actually need cash for nowadays in the big cities of Japan. Streetfood, smaller and more traditional places like onsen and gardens and most (in)famously recharging the good old plastic IC cards (which is a necessity e.g. for kids who can't use Apple Pay). Anything else works just fine with credit cards but it's important to note that a lot of places might accept credit cards but only in plastic format which is a tad annoying but doable — just make sure to have it with you and at the ready. Contrary to popular believe, a lot of airports in Asia have ATMs which don't add any fees at all, so it's worth looking for those to get a small cash infusion to get the trip going. Important: Always have some backup cash and card at hand. I used to bring Yen to the country until a few years ago but nowadays it's much cheaper and easier to just pick some up at the airport.
I arrived at Haneda yesterday and just for a test I withdrew 10 000 Yen from a 7/11 atm at the airport. I just wanted to make sure it worked and to see the difference from Forex that I used for exchange in Sweden before I left. Looking at the current exchange rate at their page yesterday, the withdrawal from the atm was a little more than 4% more favourable. Good to know for next time.
It's the same in every country. Government regulated institutions will always have the correct rates. Third party institutions will not.
I used to get my money before coming to Japan or go to Citibank ATM's in Shinjuku or Shibuya back in 1999-2002
Keep in mind that an ATM withdrawal using a credit card will be treated as a 'cash advance' transaction, and depending on your card/bank, you may be charged a rather hefty 'interest fee'.
I eagerly watched this entire video, and never got the anwer to what was promised in the title. So what are the rates, and where and when did you compare them?
I can't believe you didn't cover discount ticket shops at all!
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6pm April 17, 2024 Osaka Eki Mae Dai 2 building Access Travel: (sell/buy)
usd 154.15/152.15, eur 163.20/161.20.
Ticket Labo in Dai 3 building was a touch better at:
usd 154.15/152.80 ; eur 163.88/162.00, but their rates for $50 and $100 buying was superb at 153.65!
Thanks for the info, John. So much easier than the old travellers cheques we used to have to exchange, back in the day!
When I was in Kyushu last year all atm withdrawals from 7-11 were fee free and exchange were the best.
Since I always go to Yokohama, I got to the SOGO there at Yokohama St. to exchange money. They are usually only 2-3yen difference from the actual exchange rate you see online or the news with the fees already included.
My recommendation for foreigner exchange in Japan is never exchange Japanese yen at the airport and ATM foreigner exchange kiosk. Because these place charge you very high commission.
Isn't it just better to exchange USD for yen at one's bank stateside and bring yen with you to avoid fees at any Japanese money exchange machines or Japanese bank or post office?
When you mentioned about dishonest people and scammers in Japan both the foreigner and majorly Japanese …I really don't want that happen
7-11 ATMs don’t take any fees. However do not let them convert, use your own credit cards local currency.
I'd also recommend bringing both a debit AND credit card. I made the mistake of bringing only a credit card and it does not have a pin (that I'm aware of?) so when I was prompted to enter a 4 digit pin at a 7-11 ATM in Kyoto I had no idea what to enter and the transaction wouldn't go through. Could've just been a me error, but putting it out there!
I'm coming next year and i just exchanged it at my bank in the us to take advantage of the exchange rate now. I basically got 149 yen to the dollar
I did money exchange through my Chase bank last month.I got 70,000 Yen for $496.00.The rate that time was $1.51 per dollar
I've exchanged money at the Discount Train/Event Ticket Stands in Osaka and Tokyo and always found their rates to be excellent. They do ask for your passport and then they confirm what you would be getting in exchange and then they get the YEN and count it out to you. We were walking by a ticket stand in Osaka in 2019 and just asked their rate and I was shocked it was so good. Then this past November, I changed currency at a Discount Ticket Stand in Ameyoko Market.
Many people talk about opening a Wise debit card account for close conversion rates. At 19:00.
Always remind when paying by card and given a choice to pay local currency or the converted rate, always choose local currency.
I never been to Europe, but seen video warnings about ATMs always try to find ways to trick you into choosing their converted rate.
You pretty much don't have to notify the banks anymore when you travel overseas because of the current security technology. I had no problem using Capital One MC. Discover still has the travel schedule notification. Both those banks don't have international fees and aren't premium travel cards.
7/11 shops have accepted foreign cards pre 2014 for withdrawing cash. Family mart have accepted them more recently , last 5 years which is a game changer imo. Previously it was post office or Citibank to exchange money. Total nightmare plus lot of places wouldn't accept visa cos it wasn't Japanese visa, which I never understood. But its a lot better now. I said before that best card to use in Japan is revolut. Can use in ATMs and lots of places accept it and you can pay in ¥.
Paypay is useless for tourists. You can only top the app up from an ATM which defeats the point imo. Unless it's changed but last I was in Japan (a year ago) this was the case.
U need cash for travelling by train. I don't think stations accept foreign cards. Always wise to carry some cash. Apart from Ryokan hotels, a lot of places accept cards now whixh is unbelievable compared to 10 years ago.
Great info. Thanks.
Thank you John for this update! I was going to go with my American Airlines CC but since it's a Mastercard, I know now to also take my Discover ❤ I didn't know Discover was accepted and popular in Japan! Thanks for the info and besides my CC's… it's cash I've already exchanged at my bank in the US! 😊 I'm ready! T-minus 6 months 🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵
I carry an international debt card. I have no issues using it. Most places accept tap and go. When my yen is low, I just exchange electronically as my accounts links to international cards. May you should obtain this card. Speak to your bank. Good luck all
I changed my money here in the Hawaii and don’t even use my card in Japan $2,000 U.S. got 290,00 in yen.
In case you have a European N26 bank account with a debit MasterCard watch out when using it in Japan. When paying with the card a reservation is deducted from your bank account. A day later the real price with the actual exchange rate is deducted from your bank account again. You'll get a refund of the reservation back within 14 days. Last year I've bought a new iPhone in Japan with the card so the price was deducted from my bank account twice. When I was back home in Europe the reservation was refunded to my bank account. Make sure you'll have enough money on your account, because initially you'll be charged twice! I wonder if this works the same with Revolut or other free fintech bank accounts? Never had this in other countries except for Japan.
I personally use 711 ATM Debt card to withdraw cash. ATM charges a 4% fee (147 yen per usd when FX rate is 1 USD =153 yen). 711 ATM machines has better than most local bank atm.
hola…. un tema al llegar al aeropuerto de Haneda…solo te cambian 2000 dolares por persona…..luego en casas de cambio en shinjuku station no nos agarraron los billetes de 100 dolares de cara grande (sin la banda azul..) en kyoto si nos los agarraron en la zona de kyoto station y los de 100 de cara chica no los reciben. las maquinas automaticas que te cambian dolares u otras divisas por yenes dan un cambio malisimo. saludos
In Osaka, different shops offer different rate.
The one near Hankyu line, World Currency Shop offers good rate. Not so with tourist info center and atm machines in supermarkets and hotels. A big difference.
As much as possible, I buy Yen at our local bank. The best rate.
If using credit card, some shops asks if you would like to charge your purchases with your local currency. Right there, you know the exact amount.