How Much Yen Should I Bring to Japan? Advice From A Local
I remember planning my first trip to Japan. It was 2017 and I was moving to Tokyo to teach English. I’m not much of a planner (I thrive on loose itineraries and spontaneity), but money was one logistical detail worth thinking about.
And one of my biggest questions was how much yen should I bring to Japan? And how easy is it to get more after I arrive?
Well, after years of teaching in Japan and numerous solo trips, this is my guide.
As a carefree solo traveler, I usually bring around 20-50,000 yen with me to Japan.
This is often in USD though, which I just convert at a currency exchange counter or machine after arriving at the airport.
Also take note that this amount is NOT how much money you should save for your whole trip. This is the amount of extra cash to bring with you when arriving, since you’ll likely be using a credit card for the majority of your spending.
Put another way, this cash is for your initial train fare and peace of mind in case of an emergency, broken ATMs or cash-only pit spots as you settle in and find your hotel.
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So, How Much Yen Should I Bring to Japan? Here’s A Breakdown
I usually bring around 20-50,000 yen with me to Japan (a few hundred dollars USD).
Whether you’re staying in Japan for 1 week, 2 weeks or more, this should be plenty to start with.
It’s enough to cover an initial train or bus fare and any random cash-only food spots I stop at before settling into a hotel or Airbnb. And there are plenty of international ATMs in the airports and spread throughout the city (if you need more yen).
But if you’re extra cautious, you can honestly bring as much cash as you want. Just keep in mind if you’re bringing more than 1,000,000 yen worth of Japanese currency into or out of Japan, then you’ll need to complete a customs declaration.
Also remember that taxis are pretty dang expensive in Japan — so when you can, opt for trains, buses or walking to save money.
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Should I Bring Extra Yen for Extended Trips?
I usually spend multiple months in Japan at a time. But I still show up with the same amount of cash (around 20-50,000 yen).
So I wouldn’t stress too much if you’re staying for a long time. Again, you can find ATMs easily.
By the way, if you can swing it, I definitely recommend extended trips in Japan. You can see a whole lot more, travel slower and even save money on accommodations by staying in a share house.
Plus, with the weak yen, it’s a lot easier to stay in Japan for pretty cheap.
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What If I’m Moving to Japan? Here’s What to Save
If you’re moving to Japan, it’s recommended to save at least $2-3,000 (not including flights and apartment reservations). This is what my employer recommended when I moved there in 2017 (and again in 2019).
But if I’m being honest with you, I did not have that saved when I moved there. I had significantly less actually — which sort of sucked. I couldn’t enjoy as much as I wanted during my first few weeks in Japan.
So if you can swing it, aim to save a couple thousand at least.
After you move to Japan for work, it can take a month or more before you receive your first paycheck. So you’ll need enough savings to get by before getting a steady income.
But if you’re going through the whole visa process and working with an employer or recruiter, they should give you more information.
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Bringing Yen to Japan (6 key tips)
1. Beware of ATM Limits
In 2024, I stayed at a share house that required a cash deposit after I arrived in Japan. This was a little strange, since most companies accept overseas payments. But it was a cheap place in a nice location, so I rolled the dice.
The share house turned out to be legit, but my cash situation turned out to be an issue.
I figured I would just take out cash at an ATM in Japan before going to my share house (right?). I owed 100,000 yen, but only brought ~10,000 yen with me to Japan. So I need at least another 90,000 yen.
But when I tried to take out this amount (90,000 yen), the ATM wouldn’t let me. It exceeded the daily amount that my bank allowed for.
I could only take out 50,000 yen per day. So I couldn’t afford the deposit on my share house.
Luckily, the share house manager was patient and allowed me to pay the second half the following day. But this situation definitely created some stress!
So, if there’s a chance you’ll need more cash (for example, to pay for a cash-only accommodation), then plan ahead and bring extra. You may run into daily ATM limits.
2. Consider Your Arrival Time
You don’t need to bring yen with you from your home country.
You can just go to a currency exchange counter (in the airport or in the city) and convert your home country’s cash into yen after you arrive.
You can usually find currency exchange counters outside of baggage and immigration. Or (if you want to shop for a cheaper rate), you can find exchange machines and counters in the city too.
But all of this is assuming that those counters are even open.
For example, if your flight is landing in the middle of the night, then currency exchanges, restaurants and other services may not be open at the airport. You’ll be left with vending machines (that only take yen) and comfy chairs to wait for sunrise.
So if you’re hungry or thirsty (or find an expensive cash-only taxi), having yen beforehand will be super useful.
If you’re arriving late, you can get yen at your local bank beforehand.
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3. No Travel Credit Card? Maybe Bring More Cash
If you’re traveling in Japan (or anywhere abroad), you probably won’t want to use cash for everything. It’s less convenient, more risky and more difficult to plan for.
Luckily, there are plenty of credit cards with no foreign transaction fees.
I use the Delta SkyMiles Gold card by American Express. But you can find a list of other great options here.
As an added bonus, you can start collecting and using points for free flights and other perks when you have a good travel credit card!
And if you don’t have a travel credit card, consider reaching out to your bank to see what options you have to save on foreign transaction fees.
4. Put Your Yen On A Suica Card
Suica cards are used to pay for trains (by swiping them at the gate reader) and for payment at stores and restaurants all across Japan. They’re super convenient and definitely recommend grabbing one (plus, they make for a great souvenir).
They’re basically like a Japanese debit card, which you can charge up with yen at any train station ticket machine.
Due to a chip shortage, sales for the original Suica card were suspended for tourists. Visitors could still get the Welcome Suica card though.
BUT, starting on March 1, 2025, sales for the regular Suica card are set to resume — huzzah!
You can learn more about grabbing a Suica card here.
5. Know the Cash ‘Hot Spots’ in Japan
Japan accepts credit cards (or Suica) in most places. Still, in some areas, cash is still king. So knowing about these spots can help you better prepare.
Here are places that still heavily use cash in Japan:
Street vendors
Charging your Suica card
Train station ticket machines
Some taxis may be cash-only
Countryside ryokans and shops
Admission fees for temples and shrines
Cover charges (at local shows, clubs, etc.)
Some small restaurants, shops and izakayas
Some accommodations (if you haven’t paid online)
Japanese vending machines away from train stations and busy areas
6. Always Carry Some Yen On You
Even after settling in, putting cash on my Suica card and making sure my credit cards work fine, I still like to have some physical notes on me.
I like to have at least 10,000 yen cash money on me.
Although most stores and shops take credit cards, there are still spots that do only accept cash (especially as you venture outside of the city center).
For example, paying for train fare, shopping at old vintage shops and eating at local restaurants are often cash-only experiences.
And if for some reason card readers (or your credit cards) don’t work or ATM machines are down, you have cash as a backup.
So when traveling in Japan, always carry some cash with you — just in case.
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Later ✌️
I usually don’t bring more than 20-50,000 yen ($2-300) with me to Japan. There are plenty of international ATMs and credit cards are accepted at most places (especially in Tokyo or Osaka).
Still, bringing some cash with you is a smart move for peace of mind and initial costs that may require cash (like paying for train fare at a ticket machine.
There are also situations where you may need more cash. For example, if your accommodations require cash-only payment after arrival, bring extra cash (since ATMs can have daily limits).
So with that, happy travels and if you feel better bringing more cash, there’s no shame there! Sometimes, it’s better to be safe than sorry (welp, I just sounded like my parents – damnit).
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