Published: 2026-07-23
Exchanging currency for the first time can feel confusing. Here is a simple walkthrough of how it works at an exchange shop, what to bring, and the points worth knowing in advance.
Where can you exchange money?
You can exchange currency at banks, airport counters and dedicated exchange shops. Hours and rate policies differ, so choose what fits your schedule. Specialist shops like ours publish rates daily, which makes comparing easy — see our currency pages, updated every day.
How the process works
Buying foreign currency (yen → foreign cash) at our shop works on a made-to-order basis: 1) contact us via the contact form or by phone with the currency and amount, 2) place a deposit at the shop and receive a deposit receipt, 3) pick up your currency the next day.
Selling foreign cash back to yen is simpler — just bring your banknotes to the shop and we exchange them at the day's rate.
What to bring
Just the cash you want to exchange. For large transactions above 2 million yen, identity verification is required by law — please contact us in advance and bring a valid ID.
Three tips for first-timers
1) Learn the rate board — "Buy" and "Sell" are written from the shop's perspective. See How to Read Exchange Rates.
2) Check for fees — some shops add a commission on top of the rate. Ours is all-inclusive: the displayed rate is what you get.
3) Coins cannot be exchanged — exchange shops in Japan handle banknotes only, so spend coins before you leave your destination.