The Low Down on Japanese Currency
| Currency: | Japanese Yen |
| Currency code: | JPY |
| Central Bank: | Bank of Japan |
| Currency symbol: | ¥, 円 (yen) |
| Bank notes: | ¥1000, ¥2000, ¥5000, ¥10,000 |
| Coins: | ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500 |
No other currency in Asia is more heavily traded than the Japanese Yen and it’s the 3rd most traded currency in the world.
The first minted coins in Japan appeared in 708 but by the 19th century Japan was using Spanish Dollars. The Yen (or “round object”) has been used as the central form of currency since the 1870’s.
The most commonly used bills for Japanese Yen are the ¥1,000, ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 notes. The most commonly used coins are the ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500 but you will also sometimes receive ¥1 and ¥5 as change.
Easy Currency Bundle Options for your Trip
 Japan |
|---|
| Japanese yen |
CASH
CARD| Japan |  Singapore |
|---|---|
| Japanase yen | Singapore dollar |
| Japan | Singapore |
|---|---|
| Japanase yen | Singapore dollar |
 Make your Own Mix |
|---|
| Select currencies of your choice* in CASH and/or CARD |
JPY Goes Further with the Travelex Money Card
- Our Travelex Money Card gives you better rates than Cash
- $0 Eftpos Fees
- $0 ATM Fees1
- $0 Online Shopping Fees2
1. Travelex does not charge ATM fees, some operators may charge their own fee or set their own limits. 2. Transacting via some online merchants may incur a surcharge.
What to spend your Yen on:
-
Sushi meal for 2 people with sake
400 Yen
-
Entry to Tokyo Disney
6400 Yen
-
Tourist t-shirt
350 Yen
-
Postcard and a stamp
70 Yen
-
Samurai sword
30,000 Yen
A budget
nights
RecalculateMust-sees in Japan
- Kyoto
- Travel back in time to Japan’s capital for over 1000 years that’s just a few hours from Tokyo by speed train.
- Naoshima
- This island in the Seto Inland Sea is full of amazing architecture, museums, contemporary art and beautiful nature.
- Ōkunoshima
- If you’re not feeling skittish then make a detour to “Rabbit Island” where there’s hundreds of feral rabbits running around.
Good to Know - Japan Money Tips
Monetary customs can change drastically from country to country. Keep these tips and cultural nuances in mind before going to Japan for a smoother time on your holiday.
Japan is a cash-based society. This means some experiences will be cash only. Ensuring you have some cash yen may help you to avoid any tricky situations!
Tipping is not generally accepted in Japan. In most instances, if you try leaving a tip you will have it returned! If you really do want to tip someone (like a tour guide), make sure you put the cash in an envelope before handing it over.
Make sure you have enough cash on you if you are visiting Japan during a public holiday, as some ATMs do close. If they do remain open, handling charges may increase.
In general haggling or bargaining is not accepted in Japan. However there may be some exceptions in markets or specialty stores. The most common form of haggling is asking for a discount if you offer to pay using cash.
