Tokyo - currency

Tokyo's currency is the Japanese yen (JPY). Symbolised by ¥, it's available in notes and coins. Most restaurants, cafes, large shops and hotels accept credit/debit cards, and other payment methods such as Apple/Google Pay and prepaid IC cards, but yen is king in Tokyo - so make sure you carry cash too, as smaller businesses are cash-only.

💴 Japanese currency comes in 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen notes. It's good to have a variety of Japanese yen, as having larger notes can be handy for paying for family meals and ticket machines, whilst smaller notes are good when you're paying for taxis and shrine entrance fees.

🪙 Japanese yen coins come as ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, and ¥500. These are handy for paying for snacks at vending machines, making donations at temples, or paying for cash-only venues. Remember, tipping in Japan and Tokyo is generally considered rude.

🏧 When you arrive, look for ATM's that accept international cards like Visa (Plus) and Mastercard (Cirrus), e.g. 7-Eleven stores, post offices, or AEON Bank branches. Most ATMs normally have a daily withdrawal limit between ¥50,000 and ¥100,000. Get the best exchange rate and avoid unnecessary fees by withdrawing in yen rather than British pounds. It’s also a good idea to inform your bank that you’ll be using your card abroad to avoid any surprise charges or your card being blocked due to suspicious activity.

❗ 4 digit pin hack: Some older Tokyo ATMs may only accept 5 or 6-digit PIN numbers. Get around this by adding one or two zeros at the end of your 4-digit PIN when prompted, which often works with international cards.

🍜 Stretch your yen with tasty, budget-friendly eats! Take advantage of teishoku (set menus) and hunt for lunch specials offered by many restaurants. Popular budget-friendly chains include Matsuya (donburi 丼 = rice-bowl meal), Tendon Tenya (tempura 天ぷら = battered seafood/veg), and Sushiro (回転寿司 = conveyor belt sushi).

Order your Tokyo travel money from Thomas Cook Travel Money. We have over 50 currencies covering 98% of worldwide destinations, so wherever it is you're travelling to we are bound to have the currency you need. With access to wholesale rates, we offer better rates than much of the high street, so your holiday budget works harder for you.