Buy Japanese Yen (JPY)

Get our best Japanese yen exchange rate when buying online.
Get an even better rate with our Travelex Money Card.

Online Rate*:
1 NZD =
 JPY		BUY CASH
BUY CARD
BUY CASH + CARD

* Online rates vary compared to in-store and may change throughout the day.
Home hero arrow

What is the Japanese Currency?

Currency:

Japanese Yen

Currency code:

JPY

Central Bank:

Bank of Japan

Currency symbol:

¥, 円 (yen)

Bank notes:

¥1000, ¥2000, ¥5000, ¥10,000

Coins:

¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500




No other currency in Asia is more heavily traded than the Japanese Yen and it’s the 3rd most traded currency in the world.



The first minted coins in Japan appeared in 708 but by the 19th century Japan was using Spanish Dollars. The Yen (or “round object”) has been used as the central form of currency since the 1870’s.



The most commonly used bills for Japanese Yen are the ¥1,000, ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 notes. The most commonly used coins are the ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500 but you will also sometimes receive ¥1 and ¥5 as change.






Easy Currency Bundle Options for your Trip

Japan
Japanese yen
icon of a bank note CASH
icon of the Travelex Money Card CARD

BUY CASH & CARD

Click & Collect at Travelex stores


JapanSingapore
Japanase yenSingapore dollar
icon of a bank note CASH
icon of a bank note CASH

BUY JPY & SGD CASH

Click & Collect at Post Outlets or Travelex stores


JapanSingapore
Japanase yenSingapore dollar
icon of the Travelex Money Card CARD
icon of the Travelex Money Card CARD

BUY JPY & SGD CARD

Click & Collect at Travelex stores


Make your Own Mix
Select currencies of your choice* in CASH and/or CARD

CUSTOM SELECTION

*JPY and SGD are pre-selected as default and can be amended.



picture of the Travelex Money Card

JPY Goes Further with the Travelex Money Card

  • Our Travelex Money Card gives you better rates than Cash
  • $0 Eftpos Fees
  • $0 ATM Fees1
  • $0 Online Shopping Fees2

1. Travelex does not charge ATM fees, some operators may charge their own fee or set their own limits. 2. Transacting via some online merchants may incur a surcharge.

Payment Options in Japan

Because Japan is primarily a cash-based society, it’s important to make sure you’re fully equipped with everything you need to know about exchanging, buying and spending Japanese yen before you arrive. We’ve rounded up the basics of using cash, travel money cards, credit and debit cards, as well as FX and local ATMs.

If you are unsure how much travel money you need for your trip, you can try our travel budget calculator.

Prepaid Travel Money Card Cash Debit or Credit Card

Pros:

  • Travel money cards can provide more security compared to other payment methods. Replacing your card if it is lost or stolen is usually easy as many travel money card providers offer emergency assistance and a card replacement.
  • You can order 2 when purchasing just in case 1 gets lost, stolen or damaged during your trip.
  • Having a travel money card may save you money, as it allows you to lock in the Japanese yen rates at time of purchase.*

Discover how you can explore Japan with peace of mind with our award-winning Travelex Money Card!

Cons:

  • Taking cash out of your prepaid travel money card in Japan may attract local ATM fees.
  • Travel money cards may not be accepted in many locations across Japan, particularly in rural areas.
  • If you need to top up your travel money card up with new funds, it may take some time for them to appear on your card - meaning it's not the best option if you need funds in a hurry (however our Travelex Money Card allows you to top up and check your balance on the go with our Travelex Money App!).

Pros:

  • Cash is flexible as it’s accepted everywhere in Japan. You can rest assured that with cash you won’t be missing out on any must-do Japanese experiences!
  • Unlike withdrawing from an ATM or paying via card, there are no hidden fees with taking Japanese currency in cash.
  • Cash can be better for your budgeting. Taking a set amount of cash with you daily may help you be more vigilant in not spending it all.

Cons:

  • Carrying large amounts of cash may be unsafe, or may make you feel anxious. Luckily, Japan is known to be an extremely safe destination!
  • It may be harder to keep track of your spending with cash if taking all with you when going out to explore.
  • If your cash does get stolen while you are on holiday, there may be a limit to how much you can claim back on your travel insurance.

Pros:

  • Credit and debit cards can be great for pre-booking experiences that can be paid for online.
  • Credit cards provide you with security and flexibility, in that you have access to a larger pool of funds.
  • Some cards may have a rewards points system when you use them to travel.

Cons:

  • Many shops, restaurants and attractions in Japan are cash-only.
  • Having more funds available on your credit card may be a temptation to spend more than you can actually afford.
  • You may be stung with high currency conversion fees in Japan when using your credit or debit card.

What to spend your Yen on:

  • Sushi meal for 2 people with sake

    400 Yen

  • Entry to Tokyo Disney

    6400 Yen

  • Tourist t-shirt

    350 Yen

  • Postcard and a stamp

    70 Yen

  • Samurai sword

    30,000 Yen

How many yen will I need?**

Please select your budget above.

- +
- +

Total spending money needed:

  • A budget
  • for people for
  • nights

Recalculate

Must-sees in Japan

  • Kyoto
  • Travel back in time to Japan’s capital for over 1000 years that’s just a few hours from Tokyo by speed train.
  • Naoshima
  • This island in the Seto Inland Sea is full of amazing architecture, museums, contemporary art and beautiful nature.
  • Ōkunoshima
  • If you’re not feeling skittish then make a detour to “Rabbit Island” where there’s hundreds of feral rabbits running around.

Other Services

Travel Money Card

JPY Travelex Money Card, buy online and in-store

More Info

Find a Store

Purchase cash or the Travelex Money Card in-store

More Info

Track Currencies

Receive an alert when your selected currency has reached your desired rate

More Info

Historical Rates

Check out current and historical NZD to JPY Travelex rates

More Info

*Rates are subject to change throughout the day. In-store rates vary compared to online.

**The figures provided are indicative only and are there to provide an idea of the amount of travel money you may need during your trip.

Get In Touch

Services

Travelex Info

Join the conversation

Contact Us

Online Order Queries:

Tel.: 0800 666 391

(open 24\7, calls may be recorded for training and security purposes)

Email: retailcscaust.nz@travelex.com

Trustpilot
Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Security
Norton Seal

© 2024 Travelex Financial Services NZ Limited (and its licensors)

Cookie Consent: We use cookies on this website in order to understand how you use our site, and to create a more valuable experience for you. Some cookies may also assist us in showing you relevant ads and information as you continue to browse the internet, based on information you accessed on our site. You can configure your browser to accept or decline all cookies or notify you when a cookie is sent. Please be aware that parts of this site may not function correctly if you disable some cookies. For more details on our use of cookies, and how we manage your personal information, refer to our Privacy Statement. By continuing to use this site you consent to our use of cookies on your device unless you have disabled them.