Travel money in Japan (2024)

<h2>What is the local currency in Japan?</h2>The official currency of Japan is the Japanese Yen, which is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market. One Japanese yen is 0.0070GBP as of 22nd January 2020.<h2></h2><h2>History of the Japanese Yen </h2><ul><li>Before 1871, during the Meiji reforms, Japan had many different currencies that were strictly decided by the Shoguns and was mostly coins.</li><li>The Japanese yen was introduced in 1871 under the Meiji government.</li><li>By 1897, Japan adopted the gold exchange standard (they would remove from it in 1931) and the yen was gradually becoming more valuable.</li><li>Today it is one of the most traded currencies in the world.</li></ul><h2>Do I tip in Japan?</h2>Tipping in Japan is not customary. Their culture is one that is firmly rooted in dignity, respect and hard work – therefore good service is considered the standard and has resulted in Japan being labelled as the culture “which always over-delivers.”Some restaurants in Japan would even refuse to accept a tip, a simple thank you for the service and food suffices. There is also no expectation to tip taxi drivers in Japan.There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule; in some cases, the staff that work for tourist companies in Japan are accustomed to receiving a small gratuity.View our<a rel="noopener" href="/travel-money/what-you-need-to-know-about-tipping-on-holiday/" target="_blank">tipping guide</a>for more help on tipping abroad.<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Japan/@32.6943697,129.4193845,5z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x34674e0fd77f192f:0xf54275d47c665244!2sJapan!3b1!8m2!3d36.204824!4d138.252924!3m4!1s0x34674e0fd77f192f:0xf54275d47c665244!8m2!3d36.204824!4d138.252924" target="_blank"><img style="width: 500px; height: 233.66666666666666px;" src="https://media.caxtonfx.com/img/1099643/japan-atlas-map-travel-money.jpg?width=500&height=233.66666666666666" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/da0149e776ec44a890d5b3c0cb805f23" /></a><h2>Using cash in Japan</h2>When travelling, our experts would recommend always bringing a small amount of cash with you on every trip, for initial taxi transfers or hotel deposits etc. A large portion of your Japanese Yen should be put onto a<a rel="noopener" href="/currency-cards/caxton-currency-account/" target="_blank">Caxton multi-currency card</a>, for safe and secure spending.Japan is still mainly a cash society, especially in smaller towns, thus, it’s advisable to bring cash when exploring rural areas. However, in the larger cities and towns most establishments accept credit/debit cards, making a prepaid card still an essential travel companion.Post offices or 7-Eleven ATMs have been frequently mentioned as the best places to withdraw cash in Japan from an international card.Most international banks and money outlets now charge a fee for using ATM machines, as do most card providers. Taking a travel pre-paid card and a credit card is recommended as Caxton do not charge for international ATM use regardless of sum or number of times, (but check with your card provider about charges.)<h2>What happens if I have my wallet stolen whilst in Japan?</h2>Japan is known to be a safe country with friendly and helpful people, but this shouldn’t stop you from being smart whilst you travel. If the majority of your cash is on a<a rel="noopener" href="/currency-cards/caxton-currency-account/" target="_blank">prepaid card</a>, this will be automatically protected. However, in case the worse happens, here are the list of major debit/credit card ‘lost and stolen’ numbers:HSBC/First Direct -+44 1442 422929Natwest -+44 1268 500 813Lloyds -+44 1702 278270Barclays -+442476842099Santander -+44 1908 237 963<h2>What can I do with spare Yen?</h2>Whilst in Japan, you may as well spend any remaining Yen, if only small amount, on some traditional Japanese souvenirs, such as:<ul><li>Yukata</li><li>Matcha flavoured tea/sweets</li><li>Chopsticks</li><li>Traditional craft/ceramic works</li>

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Alternatively, if a Yukata isn’t your style, you can use Caxton’s<a rel="noopener" href="/currency-cards/buy-back-guarantee/" target="_blank">buy back guarantee</a>to get rid of any unused Japanese Yen. By doing this you ensure that if the exchange rate moves against you, you won't lose out.<a rel="noopener" href="/caxton-cards" target="_blank"><img style="width: 500px; height: 125px;" src="https://mediaumbraco.blob.core.windows.net/img/1099354/caxtoncard-promo-banner-02.png?width=500&height=125" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d2ce56b6d4dd46298f0dcafd9c58b9d8" /></a>

FAQs

Is $200 a day enough for Japan? ›

Overall, a budget traveler can expect to spend around $50 to $100 per day in Japan, while a mid-range traveler can expect to spend around $150 to $250 per day. It's important to plan ahead and research activities and costs to create a budget that works for you.

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How much money is enough to travel in Japan? ›

Japan travel cost

10,000 per day, while a mid-range traveller may spend around Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000 per day. Luxury travellers can expect to spend upwards of Rs.

Is 10,000 yen a day enough in Japan? ›

Even if your family members are covering the costs of your accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, transportation, and entry to any sightseeing or entertainment, ten thousand yen will not go far. It's around US$85–90, so think of what you could buy with that.

Is $1000 dollars enough for two weeks in Japan? ›

In conclusion, while $1000 dollars may not be enough to fully explore all of Japan's attractions, it's still possible to have a budget-friendly trip. By carefully planning transportation, opting for affordable accommodations, and trying local street food, you can make the most of your budget.

Is $100 a day enough for Japan? ›

It's possible to sleep in a comfortable hotel, eat good food, see fantastic sights and generally have a great time in Kyoto for as little as a hundred US dollars a day.

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Is $5000 enough for a week in Japan? ›

Yes, $5,000 is generally sufficient for a comfortable trip, including airfare, accommodation, meals, and activities. Is Japan very expensive to travel? Many think traveling to Japan is expensive, but costs vary. Affordable options for where to stay, eating out, and transportation adjust to different budgets.

Does USD go far in Japan? ›

Tokyo, Japan's largest city, can be surprisingly inexpensive for American tourists. For example, a visit to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, where you can see Japan's iconic cherry blossoms, costs just $3.38. 1 USD equates to 148 JPY.

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Is $1000 dollars enough to visit Japan? ›

It might be possible, but you won't be able to experience Japan to the fullest on that budget. If you just get some food from konbinis for $10 max per day, you'll have a good amount leftover, but if you plan on going from, for example, Tokyo to Osaka by Shinkansen, that will eat into your budget quickly.

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Should I bring US cash to Japan? ›

You may be surprised at how many places accept cash only, so it's a good idea to bring enough currency or withdraw money when you arrive, especially if traveling with a large group. Most major Japanese banks accept international cards at their ATMs. Post office ATM are another option.

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How much cash should I bring to Japan per day? ›

Sample daily budgets

	Single Traveler	Two Travelers
Low Budget	4,500 - 7,800 yen	9,000 - 15,600 yen
Medium Budget	7,800 - 18,500 yen	15,600 - 28,000 yen
High Budget	over 18,500 yen	over 28,000 yen

Sep 18, 2023

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Is 5000 usd a lot in Japan? ›

Is $5000 enough for a trip to Japan for one person? It's more than enough, though of course it depends on what you plan to do and how long you intend to stay. Your flight and lodging are the most potentially costly items.

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Is 5000 yen a lot of money? ›

5,000 yen – Comparable to an American $50 bill, this may be the one you use to pay for dinner and drinks at a well-known restaurant or izakaya. 10,000 yen – Essentially a $100 bill. Present this bill when paying for the whole family to eat.

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How much money would a 2 week trip to Japan cost? ›

You can expect to pay about $320 per day for an all-inclusive trip to Japan, so the average price for an 14-day trip would be $4500 with flights included.

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Is 20000 yen a day enough? ›

Otherwise, if you have 20,000 Yen per person per day to spend, you have a very healthy budget to eat some fine meals. Even if the 20,000 Yen is a 2-person budget, for normal sightseeing, dining, and intra-city transport, you should still be very comfortable.

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Is 100K yen enough for a week in Japan? ›

100K should last for every day expenses. Not enough though if that is for accommodation also. And yes peak tourist season means prices go up for hotels.

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How much should I expect to spend per day in Japan? ›

According to some, a low daily budget for Japanese travel is about $26.00 to $69.00 USD, a mid-range daily budget is about $69.00 to $140.00 USD, and a high daily budget is anything above this.

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How much spending money do you need per day in Japan? ›

Budget Travellers

With about ¥6,500 to ¥8,000 per day, you're set to explore Japan's vibrant culture and scenery. This will cover your basics like comfy hostel dorms, cooking some of your own meals (maybe try your hand at making sushi?), and visiting those amazing free temples and gardens.

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How much should you spend a day in Japan? ›

You should plan to spend around $122 (¥18,714) per day on your vacation in Japan. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average for one day: $30 (¥4,568) on meals.

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How much does it cost to eat in Japan per day? ›

2) 4,000 yen per day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at fairly modest places. About 700 yen for morning; about 1,200 yen for lunch meal; the rest might be for dinner set meal. 3) 3,000 yen per day for entrance fees of museums and historic temples plus expenses for small souvenirs like local snacks and post cards.

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