The hours at airports, stations, and shops and the currencies they handle were checked on October 23, 2026, using official information from each airport, railway company, convenience store, and bank. We saw the photos and notices for exchange machines in town in Tokyo on October 17, 2026. Hours and accepted currencies may change. We did not compare exchange rates (this is not financial advice).
You brought banknotes from your country in your wallet. When you arrive in Japan, where should you exchange them for yen? Should you exchange all of them at the airport, or wait until you reach town? Can you exchange your country’s banknotes in Japan in the first place?
The Short Answer — Exchange Only What You Need for the Day at the Airport. In Town, Look for Your Country’s Flag on the Machine
If you are not sure, this is what we do.
- At the arrivals lobby of your airport, exchange only what you need for that day. That means enough for transportation to your accommodation and dinner that evening (you can work out how much you need in “How Much Cash Do You Need in Japan?”).
- If you run short in town, look for your country’s flag and currency code (such as KRW, TWD, THB, or IDR) on an exchange machine or at a currency exchange counter. If you see it, exchange your money there for yen.
- If you cannot find one, withdraw yen from an ATM that accepts international cards. You can use ATMs at 7-Eleven and elsewhere.
- Do not rely on bank counters.
The reason you do not need to exchange everything at the airport is not about exchange rates. Just after you arrive, you do not yet know where exchange machines are in town. But if you run short later, you still have ways to exchange money or use an ATM.
Here Is the Reasoning
The Arrivals Lobbies at Major Airports Have Places to Exchange Money. Some Are Open Around the Clock
Can you exchange money as soon as you arrive? Here is what you will find at three major airports.
| Airport | Officially Listed Place Available to Arriving Passengers |
|---|---|
| Haneda (Terminal 3) | Currency exchange counter in the arrivals lobby on the 2nd floor. Open 24 hours |
| Narita (Terminal 2) | Automated foreign currency exchange machine on the 1st floor of the main building. 00:00–24:00. Staffed currency exchange counter (GPA): 7:00–22:00 |
| Narita (Terminals 1 and 3) | Staffed currency exchange counters (GPA). Terminal 1: 1st floor of the North Wing. Terminal 3: 2nd floor of the main building. Both are open 7:00–22:00 |
| Kansai (Terminal 1) | Automated currency exchange machine on the 1st floor (open 24 hours). Staffed currency exchange counter: 6:15–23:00 |
| Kansai (Terminal 2) | Automated currency exchange machine in the arrivals area on the 1st floor (open 24 hours) |
The places available around the clock are Haneda Terminal 3, Narita Terminal 2, and the machines at Kansai. The staffed exchange counters at Narita Terminals 1 and 3 are open until around 22:00 (some counters vary by day). If you arrive later, rely on an ATM inside the airport that accepts international cards (see “How to Withdraw Cash (Yen) at a Convenience Store ATM in Japan” for which airports have them).
Haneda also says that even its 24-hour exchange counter may close for inspections late at night. Keep this one point in mind if you arrive late.
Exchange Machines Accept Different Banknotes Depending on the Machine
In town, there are machines that dispense yen when you insert foreign banknotes. These are the two machines we saw in Tokyo.
- The machine outside a convenience store in Tsukiji — Its notice showed 14 flags, including those of South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia. It also said “Open 24 hours” and “No passport required.”
- The machine outside a shop in Ikebukuro — Its sign showed 12 flags. It included the flags of South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, but not those of Indonesia or the Philippines.
Even when the sign says “MONEY EXCHANGE,” the banknotes accepted differ from one machine to another. So, when you stand in front of a machine, first look for your country’s flag. If it is not there, you cannot exchange your money at that machine.
MUFG Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Have Stopped In-Branch Currency Exchange
MUFG Bank ended currency exchange at its counters in 2020 and stopped operating foreign currency vending machines in 2023. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation also ended in-branch currency exchange at the end of March 2022. Both direct customers to specialist exchange shops operated by their groups or partners. We did not check other banks. That is why, when we exchange money in town, we look for a specialist currency exchange shop or a machine rather than a bank counter.
Can You Exchange Banknotes from Your Country?
Here are the official lists and the notices we saw.
| Banknotes | Haneda Currency Exchange Counters (Terminals 2 and 3) | FamilyMart Exchange Machines | Keihan Railway Station Exchange Machines | JR Currency Exchange Centers | Machine We Saw in Tsukiji | Machine We Saw in Ikebukuro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korean won (KRW) | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ |
| New Taiwan dollar (TWD) | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ |
| Thai baht (THB) | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ |
| Indonesian rupiah (IDR) | — | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | — |
| US dollar (USD) | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ |
○ = Shown on the list or notice — = Not shown
- The Haneda information is the list attached to the currency exchange counter named “Japan Airport Terminal Foreign Currency Exchange” (Terminals 2 and 3) in the airport guide. It says that older series of banknotes and banknotes in some conditions may not be accepted. Foreign coins are not handled.
- FamilyMart exchange machines are available only at some stores (an official store list is available).
- Keihan Railway exchange machines are at 12 Keihan stations in Kyoto and Osaka. They operate daily from 5:00 to 24:00. The limit is the equivalent of ¥100,000 per transaction.
- JR Currency Exchange Centers (Viewcard Currency Exchange Centers) are staffed shops at Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Fujisawa, and Omiya stations. The list covers 35 currencies, but currencies whose handling has been suspended are listed separately, and this may change without notice. Check the official information or ask at the shop before you go.
- The Narita and Kansai airport information does not provide a list of currencies handled. Narita says that not every currency is necessarily available at every counter. Check the sign at the counter when you arrive.
For People Who Brought Indonesian Banknotes (Rupiah)
Rupiah is not on the list for the currency exchange counters in Haneda’s arrivals lobby. Be prepared for the possibility that you may not be able to exchange rupiah at the airport where you arrive.
On the other hand, there are exchange machines in town that accept rupiah (at some FamilyMart stores, at Keihan Railway stations, and the machine we saw in Tsukiji). It is also listed by JR Currency Exchange Centers. However, some machines, like the one we saw in Ikebukuro, do not show the rupiah flag.
You can also withdraw money for your arrival day from an ATM that accepts international cards. US dollars are shown everywhere in the table above.
Three Places to Exchange Money in Town
1. Exchange Machines (Insert Banknotes and Receive Yen)
The exchange machines we checked (at FamilyMart, on the Keihan Railway, and the two we saw in Tokyo) worked as follows.
- Foreign banknotes only. Coins cannot be inserted.
- One way only: foreign currency to yen. You cannot exchange yen for foreign currency.
- The screen can be switched to several languages (15 languages at FamilyMart).
FamilyMart machines dispense ¥10,000 notes, ¥1,000 notes, and ¥100 coins (they do not dispense denominations smaller than ¥100).
2. Currency Exchange Counters (A Person Exchanges Your Money at a Counter)
JR Currency Exchange Centers can exchange yen and foreign currency in either direction. They handle banknotes only, and you cannot pay by credit card. Staffed currency exchange counters at airports (such as GPA, Travelex, and KIX CURRENCY EXCHANGE) are in this category too.
3. Machines That Say “Exchange” but Do Not Dispense Yen
At airports and stations, there are also machines that exchange foreign currency for electronic money or gift cards (Pocket Change). They can be useful, but they do not provide cash in yen.
At anime shops and similar places, an “exchange machine” may simply change a ¥1,000 note into ¥100 coins. These machines have nothing to do with foreign currency.
Just Two Things Before You Exchange Money
- Take your passport. Currency exchange businesses must verify your identity for large transactions (over ¥2 million). They may also check it for smaller amounts. The machine we saw in Tsukiji said “No passport required,” but that does not mean the same is true everywhere.
- Exchange rates change every day. Keihan Railway says that “the exchange rate includes the currency exchange fee.” Do not compare services just by the word “fee.” Before exchanging, check on the screen or at the counter how much you put in and how much yen you will receive.
If You Cannot Exchange Your Money, Use an ATM
Your banknotes are not on any list. The currency exchange counter is closed. In that case, withdraw yen with an international card. You can use ATMs at 7-Eleven and elsewhere from the day you arrive. See “How to Withdraw Cash (Yen) at a Convenience Store ATM in Japan” for instructions and fees.
Before you go, just these things
- Check whether banknotes from your country appear in the table above.
- Check the airport and terminal where you will arrive and your arrival time (if you arrive late at night, find the location of a 24-hour counter or machine).
- Keep your passport somewhere easy to reach.
- Bring one card that works overseas. It is for an ATM if you cannot exchange your money. Remember your PIN too.
If You Are Unsure, Decide This Way
On the day you arrive, exchange only what you need for that day at the airport. That means enough for transportation to your accommodation and dinner that evening.
After that, pay by card and exchange more if you run short. Look for your country’s flag on the exchange machine. If it is not there, use an ATM.
Once you arrive, the next step is getting into town.
- By train from the airport to the city → “Airport to City by Train in Japan”
- For internet access on your phone → “eSIM, SIM Card or Pocket Wi-Fi for Japan?”
- How much cash to bring → “How Much Cash Do You Need in Japan?”
- Withdrawing cash at an ATM → “How to Withdraw Cash (Yen) at a Convenience Store ATM in Japan”
