Japanese Currency
What is the currency in Japan?
The currency in Japan is the Japanese yen. Each yen is divided into 100 sen.
When you’re buying currency for Japan, look out for the currency code JPY. And once you’re in Japan, you’ll see the symbol ¥ used to show prices.
You’ll find Japanese banknotes in denominations of 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10000 - although the 2000 JPY note is seldom used.
Japanese coins come in 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen.
Use the Wise Japanese yen card to spend in Japanese currency.
The Wise Japanese yen travel money card lets you top up in your local currency, and switch to yen to spend when you’re in Japan. You’ll get the best rate for spending in Japanese yen - and can also hold and spend 40+ other currencies with the same card.
Get your Wise travel money card online for free, to send and spend money around the world at the mid-market exchange rate.
Simply top up your card and convert to the currency you need in real time using the Wise app.
You’ll always get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden costs, and you’ll avoid foreign transaction fees while withdrawing from ATMs abroad, paying in restaurants and shops, and buying your accommodation and flights.
Tips for exchanging currency in Japan.
- The mid-market rate is the true exchange rate - with no sneaky hidden fees. Use an online currency converter before your trip to get a feel for what your money is worth and make sure you get a fair rate when you buy your travel money. Convert GBP to JPY >
Familiarise yourself with the mid-market rate before your trip.
- Being offered to pay in your own currency at an ATM is a sneaky trick and causes many travellers to pay more than they need to. Always choose to pay in the local currency - in this case, yen - to cut your costs and get the best rates available.
Choose to be charged in Japan currency when withdrawing from ATMs.
- Withdraw money, pay for meals in restaurants or spend in shops in Japanese yen, all at the mid-market exchange rate with the Wise debit card. Get your travel money card >
Use the Wise debit card to spend in Japan without rip-off fees.
Spending money in Japan.
Paying by credit or debit card in Japan
You'll be able to use your credit or debit card for larger purchases in the cities.
However, cash is preferred for smaller payments, and it's often the only way you can pay for tickets at tourist sites, or for a taxi ride.
ATMs in Japan
Not all Japanese ATMs can accept foreign issued cards. If you're travelling, watch out for cashpoints at Post Offices and 7Eleven stores which can typically be used with international credit and debit cards.
To get the best deal when spending on card or withdrawing money in Japan, don’t forget to use the Wise travel money card to avoid sneaky exchange rate markups and excessive fees.
Japanese currency services.
Convert GBP to Japanese yen
Use our currency converter to see how much your money is worth in Japanese yen and familiarise yourself with the mid-market rate before your trip.
Send money to Japan
Need to send GBP to Japan? Use Wise for fast, low-cost, and secure online money transfers from the United Kingdom to Japan.
See the best Japanese yen exchange rates
Compare live Japanese yen exchange rates and see how much you could save with Wise.
Other helpful currency guides.
Other helpful currency guides.
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Peruvian currency | |||
Japanese currency FAQs.
Get your Wise debit card and save on your trip to Japan
Spend smart, save money. Avoid sneaky bank fees when travelling, with Wise.