Short answer: for most visitors, withdrawing yen from a 7-Eleven or Japan Post ATM with your home debit card gives the best value. Exchange counters are worth using when you are carrying cash you want to convert, or when your card will not work.

Japan still runs on cash far more than its reputation for technology suggests. Small restaurants, temples, market stalls and older shops are often cash-only, and you will want yen in hand from the day you arrive.

The Four Ways to Get Yen

  • ATMs (recommended). 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign cards, run 24/7 in most locations, and have English menus. Rates follow your bank’s, which is usually close to the mid-market rate.
  • Airport exchange counters. Convenient on arrival and open long hours. Rates are the worst of the four — fine for an initial ¥10,000–¥20,000, poor for large sums.
  • Currency exchange shops. Travelex, World Currency Shop and independent shops in Shinjuku, Shibuya and Akihabara. Rates are usually better than airports, but hours are shorter.
  • Banks. MUFG, SMBC and others exchange cash, but the process is slow, branches close around 15:00, and not every branch handles foreign currency. Rarely worth it for a traveller.

Hotels will also exchange money, but at the worst rates of all. Treat it as an emergency option.

Using ATMs: What to Expect

  • 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) — the most reliable. Roughly 20,000 stores nationwide, 24 hours, English interface, accepts Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, UnionPay and more.
  • Japan Post (Yucho) — in post offices and many convenience-adjacent locations. Also foreign-card friendly, though branch ATMs follow post office hours.
  • Lawson and FamilyMart — generally accept foreign cards too, with slightly more variation by card type.

Expect a withdrawal limit around ¥100,000 per transaction, and a machine fee of roughly ¥110–¥220 on top of whatever your own bank charges. Withdrawing a larger amount less often costs less in total fees than several small withdrawals.

Bank ATMs attached to Japanese banks frequently reject foreign cards. If a machine declines your card, try a 7-Eleven before assuming there is a problem with the card itself.

How Much Do the Options Actually Cost?

Exchange rates move daily, so specific numbers date quickly. What stays stable is the ranking:

  • ATM withdrawal — closest to the mid-market rate, plus a small fixed fee
  • Currency exchange shop — a few percent off mid-market, sometimes with no separate commission
  • Airport counter — typically several percent worse than shops in the city
  • Hotel front desk — the widest spread of all

To see how much a counter is really charging, compare the rate on their board against the mid-market rate on a site like XE or Google before you hand over cash. The gap between the two is the cost, whether or not a “commission” is listed separately.

Avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion

When paying by card or using an ATM, you may be asked whether to be charged in yen or in your home currency. Always choose yen.

Choosing your own currency hands the conversion to the machine’s operator at a rate they set — usually several percent worse than your bank’s. This is called dynamic currency conversion, and it is one of the most common ways travellers quietly lose money in Japan.

Practical Tips

  • Bring your passport. Exchange counters require it. ATMs do not.
  • Do not exchange everything at the airport. Change enough for your first day or two, then use ATMs or city exchange shops.
  • Tell your bank you are travelling if your card is prone to fraud blocks — a declined card on arrival is a bad start.
  • Carry more cash than feels normal. ¥10,000–¥20,000 on you is unremarkable in Japan and covers the places that will not take cards.
  • Keep some coins. Coin lockers, shrine offerings, vending machines and older ticket machines often want exact change.
  • Get an IC card. Suica or PASMO covers trains, buses and convenience stores, and reduces how often you need cash at all.

Where to Exchange in Tokyo

If you are staying central, the practical options are the exchange shops around Shinjuku and Shibuya, which keep long hours and post competitive rates. In Akihabara, exchange counters sit near the Electric Town exit, handy if you are already shopping there.

Wherever you go, check two or three boards before committing. Rates on the same street can differ by more than a percent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I exchange money before flying to Japan?
Usually no. Rates abroad for yen are often worse than what you get in Japan. Arriving with a small amount is fine, but there is no need to convert your whole budget in advance.

Can I use my credit card everywhere?
In cities, mostly yes. But small restaurants, older shops, shrines and some ticket machines are cash-only, and running out of yen at the wrong moment is a common problem.

Do 7-Eleven ATMs really accept foreign cards?
Yes — they are the most consistently foreign-friendly ATMs in the country, available 24 hours with an English interface.

Is it safe to carry cash in Japan?
Yes. Japan has very low rates of street crime, and carrying larger amounts of cash is normal here.

What if my card gets declined?
Try a 7-Eleven ATM before anything else, then check whether your bank has blocked the transaction. Keep a backup card in a separate place.