Whether you’re exchanging cash when you arrive or regularly sending money home, where you exchange matters — the difference between the best and worst rates can cost you thousands of yen.
Exchanging Foreign Currency for Yen in Japan
Best Options (Good Rates)
1. Seven Bank ATM / 7-Eleven ATM ⭐ Best for Quick Cash
- Located in every 7-Eleven convenience store
- Accepts cards from most countries
- Exchange rate is close to interbank rate
- Fee: ¥108–220 per transaction (your home bank may also charge)
- Available 24/7
2. Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょATM)
- ATMs in all post offices
- Accepts international cards (Visa, Mastercard, Plus, Cirrus)
- Good rates, reasonable fees
3. Authorized Exchange Bureaus
In major cities and airports, look for licensed currency exchange shops:
- World Currency Shop (外貨両替) — In major department stores and stations
- Travelex Japan — Various airport and city locations
- Currency exchange at major airports — Narita, Haneda, Kansai have multiple operators
Compare before exchanging: Exchange rates are posted on signage. The difference between providers can be 1–3%.
Worst Options (Avoid)
| Location | Issue |
|---|---|
| Hotel front desk | Poor rates, high fees |
| Small airport kiosks | Often 3–5% below mid-market |
| Some convenience stores (non-7-Eleven) | Limited currency options |
Sending Money FROM Japan (Remittance)
This is the more important question for most expats.
1. Wise (formerly TransferWise) ⭐ Best Overall
The benchmark for international transfers from Japan.
- Uses the real mid-market exchange rate
- Fee: Typically 0.4–1.5% of transfer amount
- Transfers arrive in 1–2 business days
- Supports 40+ currencies
- App available in English
Example: Sending ¥500,000 to USD:
- Wise: ~$3,290 (after ~0.6% fee)
- Bank wire: ~$3,170 (after ~3–4% total fees)
- Difference: ~$120 per transfer
Sign up for Wise — First transfer up to ¥125,000 fee-free with referral
2. Revolut
- Multi-currency account and card
- Good rates during market hours (weekday)
- Standard plan has limits on fee-free exchanges; premium plans offer more
- Works well for people frequently moving between currencies
3. Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ国際送金)
- International wire from Japan Post
- Fixed fee: ¥2,500 per transfer
- Slower (3–5 business days)
- Limited currencies compared to Wise
- Better than megabanks but not as good as Wise
4. Megabank Wire Transfers (SWIFT)
Banks like MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho offer international wires:
- Fee: ¥2,000–4,000 per transfer + correspondent bank fees
- Exchange rate: Usually 1–3% below mid-market (the hidden cost)
- Slow: 3–5 business days
- Verdict: Use only if required by your recipient. Far more expensive than Wise overall.
5. SBI Remit / GMO Remit
Japan-based remittance services competing with Wise:
- Often strong rates for specific corridors (Philippines, China, Vietnam especially)
- Check rates on their websites for your specific currency pair
Real-Time Rate Comparison
Before any exchange or transfer, check:
- Wise Rate Comparison — See how your bank compares
- Remittance Compare (海外送金比較) — Japanese remittance comparison tool
- XE.com — Mid-market rate reference (what banks should give you, minus their cut)
Tips to Maximize Your Exchange
Never exchange at the airport on arrival — The worst rates are always at arrival halls. Get just enough at the airport, then use a 7-Eleven ATM.
Use a no-foreign-fee credit card — Cards like Sony Bank Wallet or Wise card charge close to mid-market rates on purchases abroad.
Send money in larger batches — Fixed fees hurt small transfers more. ¥200,000 at a time beats ¥50,000 four times.
Time your transfers — Exchange rates fluctuate. If you’re not in a rush, watch the rate for a few days using Wise’s rate alerts.
Avoid Sunday transfers — Some services apply weekend spreads (worse rates) on Saturdays and Sundays.