If you are planning a trip to Japan and one of the biggest questions for many travelers is how much yen should I bring to Japan? Even though many places in Japan now accept credit cards and digital payments but carrying cash is still important. Small restaurants, local shops, temples, street markets and many places in the country only accept cash so it is a good idea to carry some yen with you every day.
The amount of yen you need to carry depends on some simple things like how many days you are staying, which places you plan to visit, how much you like to spend or if you want to pay mostly with cash or with credit card. If you bring less cash then you need to spend more time at an ATM to take cash. Even It is not safe to carry too much cash with you.
From this guide you will learn how much yen you should bring to Japan daily budgets and travel styles. This will help you plan your trip better and this will help you plan your money better and enjoy your trip without worrying about money.
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Why Cash Is Still Important in Japan
Japan is famous for its modern technology but cash is still important in many places. Big hotels, department stores, shopping malls and major train stations mostly accept international credit cards but many small businesses are taking cash and in some places they only accept cash.
You need to carry cash for some places like local restaurants, small cafes, traditional hotels, Street food shopper, Temple, Local buses, Shops in the countryside, Coin lockers, some taxis and Vending machines
Carrying cash with you is easy and helpful in some places where they don’t accept cards. It is more helpful if you are visiting places outside big cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto where many small businesses won’t accept credit cards.
How Much Yen Should I Bring to Japan for Different Trip Lengths
To understand how much cash you need depends on how much you may spend each day and on what things you spend money.
Weekend Trip
If you are visiting Japan for just 2 or 3 days then bringing around 20,000 to 40,000 yen in cash is usually enough. With this cash you can use it for local transportation and small everyday purchases.
This amount is usually enough if you pay for your hotel and most shopping with a credit card.
One Week Trip
If you are staying in Japan for one week then it is better to bring around 50,000 to 80,000 yen in cash.
This amount usually covers your daily meals, local transportation, entrance fees for some popular places, snacks, shopping at malls or stores and small shops.
If you plan to eat at expensive restaurants or buy lots of gifts and shopping items then you need to bring more cash. Bringing more cash is better than bringing less and suffering from a shortage of cash.
Two Week Trip
If you stay for two weeks then bring around 100,000 to 150,000 yen.
With this amount you can afford small things like transportation, local experiences, shopping, entrance fees and unexpected expenses which you need to pay sometimes.
Many travelers combine this cash with credit cards for larger purchases.
Three Weeks or Longer
If you are staying for a longer time like three weeks or more then carrying all your money in cash isn’t recommended. Instead of bringing so much cash bring around 100,000 to 150,000 yen and withdraw additional cash from ATMs whenever you need cash. This way is more safer and easier to do.
Daily Budget Estimates
Your travel plan will show the biggest difference when deciding how much yen should I bring to Japan.
Budget Traveler
If you are traveling on a budget then you can usually spend around 5,000 to 8,000 yen per day in cash. The cash is enough if your hotel is already paid, you eat at convenience stores or budget restaurants and use public transportation to go to nearby places.
Mid-Range Traveler
Many people will be in this category. You may spend around 8,000 to 15,000 yen per day in cash. This usually covers eating at nice restaurants, using local transportation, buying coffee, visiting attractions and doing a little shopping during your trip.
Luxury Traveler
If you enjoy a more comfortable and luxurious trip then you may need around 15,000 to 30,000 yen or more per day in cash. This budget is suitable for eating in fancy restaurants, premium shopping, private transportation and for better experiences. The good news is that many luxury hotels, restaurants and stores will accept international credit cards.
No matter which type of traveler you are if you plan your daily cash budget before your trip it can make spending easier and help you enjoy your time in Japan without worrying about money.
Related Information : Cost of Living in Tokyo
Should I Exchange Money Before Traveling?
Many travelers think if they should exchange their money for Japanese yen before they arrive in Japan. The answer will be yes. It will be good if you bring some money before going to the trip because sometimes there will be an emergency to use cash in the airport so it will be difficult to find an ATM and withdraw money so to avoid these things it is better to carry cash with you.
Having some money in yen ready with you will make you free. You can use it to pay for transportation from the airport and buy food or drinks after your flight. It also saves time because you do not have to search for an ATM immediately after arriving.
Most travellers bring around 20,000 to 30,000 yen before going to Japan. This is usually enough to cover your first day’s basic expenses. If you need more cash then you can easily withdraw additional yen from ATMs or use your credit card at places that accept the card.
Money Saving Tips
If you are thinking about how much yen you should bring to Japan. Saving money during your trip can help you carry less cash.
You can save money by using an IC card for easy travel on trains and buses instead of buying separate tickets every time. Eating lunch in small, tasty and budget friendly restaurants because they are mostly cheaper than dinner at the same restaurant. For breakfast you can buy fresh and affordable food from nearby stores.
It will be better if you carry a reusable bottle to save money so you don’t need to keep buying bottles. If you are planning to visit some popular places it will be better if you book the tickets in advance. It will be better if you change the money before going on a trip.
These simple tips will help you save money during your trip.
Final Thoughts
If you are still wondering how much yen you should bring to Japan then the answer depends on the number of days you spend and how you spend it. Most travelers do not need to carry all their money in cash. For a one week trip bringing around 50,000 to 80,000 yen is good. If you are staying longer then you may need around 100,000 to 150,000 yen. You can also use ATMs to withdraw more cash when needed and pay with your credit card at places that accept it.
Japan is a country where both cash and credit cards are commonly used. Many hotels, shopping malls and large stores accept cards while many small restaurants, local shops, temples and places in the country still prefer cash. Because of this having some yen with you every day is good.
Before planning your trip think about how much you may spend each day. It is better to keep some cash with you to avoid last minute money adjustments. Carry both cash and credit card with you to manage everything without feeling tensed.