So, you’re finally heading to Japan. You’ve probably spent hours obsessing over the perfect ramen spot in Fukuoka or how to snag Ghibli Museum tickets, but then it hits you: how am I actually going to pay for this? Cash is still surprisingly king in Japan. Even in 2026, with touchless payments everywhere, that tiny yakitori stall in an alleyway or a rural bus in Nagano is going to want physical paper and coins. Figuring out where to get yen without getting absolutely fleeced by exchange rates is arguably the most boring—but most important—part of your pre-trip prep.
The truth is, most travelers do it wrong. They stand in line at their local bank at home or, even worse, wait until they see those neon signs at the airport. You've seen them. The "0% Commission" signs that are basically a polite way of saying "we’re going to give you a terrible exchange rate instead."
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The Myth of the "No Fee" Exchange
Let’s get one thing straight: nobody is giving you currency for free. When you're looking for where to get yen, you aren't just looking at fees; you're looking at the "spread." This is the difference between the interbank rate—the real price of money you see on Google or XE.com—and the price the booth is charging you. If the mid-market rate is 150 yen to the dollar, but the booth is offering 142, they just took a 5% cut. That’s huge. It adds up to a couple of high-end sushi dinners over the course of a two-week trip.
Honestly, the best way to handle this isn't to carry a suitcase full of cash from home. That’s a safety risk and a logistical headache. Instead, you need a multi-layered strategy that starts with your smartphone and ends with a specific type of ATM in a Japanese convenience store.
Why Your Local Bank is Kinda the Worst
Most people think, "I'll just go to my Chase or HSBC branch before I leave." It feels safe. It feels official. But banks usually have to order yen in, and they charge a premium for the convenience of having it in your hand before you board the plane. You’ll rarely get a competitive rate.
If you absolutely must have cash the moment you land—maybe for a bus that doesn't take IC cards—only take out a small amount. Like, maybe 10,000 yen ($70-ish). Just enough to get you to your hotel. Don't fund your whole trip this way. It's a waste of money.
The Secret Weapon: The 7-Eleven ATM
If you ask any seasoned Japan traveler where to get yen, they will point you toward a 7-Eleven. Or, more specifically, 7-Bank.
Japan is famous for its convenience stores (konbini), and 7-Eleven is the gold standard for foreigners. Their ATMs are everywhere. They are in the airports, on every street corner in Shinjuku, and even in tiny mountain towns. They work with almost all international debit cards, have English menus, and are open 24/7.
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But there is a catch. You have to watch out for "Dynamic Currency Conversion."
When you stick your card in, the ATM might ask if you want to be charged in your home currency (USD, EUR, GBP) or in Japanese Yen. Always choose Yen. If you choose your home currency, the ATM's bank sets the exchange rate, and it is almost always predatory. If you choose Yen, your bank back home handles the conversion, which is usually much closer to the actual market rate.
Other Konbini Options
Don't ignore Lawson or FamilyMart either. Lawson usually uses JP Bank (Japan Post) or their own Lawson Bank machines. These are also very reliable. However, some older Japan Post ATMs still have "working hours"—which is a wild concept for an automated machine—and might shut down late at night or on Sundays. Stick to the 7-Bank machines whenever possible for the smoothest experience.
Digital Alternatives and the Death of the Physical Yen?
We're seeing a shift. While Japan was a "cash only" society for decades, the 2020 Olympics (and the years following) pushed the country toward digital. You can now use "Suica" or "Pasmo" cards—the transit cards—for almost everything. You can buy a beer at a vending machine, a shirt at Uniqlo, or a bento box at the station just by tapping your phone.
You can actually "get" yen digitally by adding a Suica card to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay. You load it using your credit card (if it’s a Mastercard or Amex—Visa has had some weird compatibility issues with Japanese transit cards lately).
Is this technically getting yen? Sorta. You’re converting your currency into a digital balance used in Japan. It’s often the best exchange rate you’ll get because it uses the credit card network's wholesale rate.
Travelex and Airport Booths: The Last Resort
Look, sometimes things go sideways. Your card gets blocked. Your phone dies. You find yourself at Narita or Haneda needing physical cash. If you have to use an exchange booth, compare the rates written on the boards. Look for the "Sell" rate for your currency.
Avoid the booths in the "Landside" area (after you pass through customs) if the "Airside" ones (near the gates) look better. Usually, the rates at Japanese airports are actually better than the rates at airports in the US or Europe, which is a weird quirk of the Japanese market. It’s still not as good as an ATM, but it’s not the total scam you’ll find at JFK or Heathrow.
The Wise and Revolut Factor
If you travel a lot, you’ve probably heard of Wise (formerly TransferWise) or Revolut. These are game-changers for where to get yen.
- Wise: You can open a JPY "balance" in the app when the rate is good. If the Yen drops to a 30-year low (which it has been lately), you buy it then. When you get to Japan, you use your Wise debit card at an ATM, and it pulls directly from that Yen balance. No conversion fees at the moment of withdrawal.
- Revolut: Similar deal, but they have monthly limits on fee-free withdrawals. Great for a week-long trip, maybe less so for a month-long trek across Hokkaido.
Wise Moves for High-End Travelers
If you’re planning on buying a $3,000 vintage watch in Ginza or a high-end kimono, don't use cash. Most high-end department stores like Isetan or Mitsukoshi take credit cards and even offer "Tax-Free" shopping on the spot. You’ll need your passport. They’ll refund the 10% consumption tax right there. Using a credit card with "No Foreign Transaction Fees" (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture) is the smartest way to "spend" yen without ever having to "get" it.
The Reality of Japanese Coins
One thing nobody tells you about getting yen is that you’re going to end up with a pocket full of heavy coins. The 500-yen coin is worth about $3.50. It’s easy to treat it like a quarter and suddenly realize you have $40 jingling in your pocket.
Pro-tip: Use your coins at the airport "Gachapon" (capsule toy) machines before you leave, or use them to load your Suica card at a ticket machine. Most ticket machines in stations accept coins for top-ups. It’s a great way to "deposit" your physical change back into a digital format you can use at the airport convenience store before flying home.
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Cultural Etiquette with Cash
When you finally figure out where to get yen and you’re standing at a register, don't hand the cash directly to the cashier. See that little blue or plastic tray? Put your money there. It’s a politeness thing. They will pick it up, count it out loud, and place your change (and your receipt) back in the tray or hand it to you with both hands.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To get the most out of your money and avoid the headache of running out of cash in a rural ryokan, follow this sequence:
- Call your bank now. Make sure your debit card works in Japan and find out what their "International ATM fee" is. If it’s high (more than $5), consider opening a Charles Schwab checking account, which refunds all ATM fees globally.
- Download a digital Suica. If you have an iPhone, add it to your wallet. Even if you don't use it for everything, it's the fastest way to pay for transit and small snacks without touching cash.
- Wait until you land. Don't buy yen at home. Go straight to the 7-Bank ATM at the airport in Japan.
- Withdraw in bulk. If your bank charges a flat fee per withdrawal, take out 30,000 or 50,000 yen at once rather than 5,000 yen five times.
- Decline the conversion. If the ATM asks to "do the math for you," say no. Always let your home bank handle the exchange.
- Keep a backup. Carry two different cards from two different banks. Sometimes Japanese ATMs just... decide they don't like a specific card for twenty minutes.
Japan is a lot easier to navigate than it used to be, but the "where to get yen" question still trips up thousands of people every month. Treat the ATM like your best friend, keep your digital transit card topped up, and stop overthinking the airport exchange booths. You've got better things to do, like finding the best bowl of tonkotsu in Shinjuku.