Published: 2026-07-23
Ever stared at a rate board wondering which number applies to you? Here is a plain-language guide to reading exchange rates with confidence.
"Buy" and "Sell" are from the shop's side
"Buy" is the rate at which the shop buys foreign currency from you; "Sell" is the rate at which the shop sells it to you. Turning yen into dollars before a trip? Look at "Sell". Turning leftover dollars back into yen? Look at "Buy".
Our US Dollar page shows both rates plus a quick conversion table, updated daily.
Why rates change every day
The foreign exchange market moves around the clock on weekdays, reacting to news and interest rates. Shop rates follow the market and are refreshed daily, so the same 10,000 yen buys a different amount of currency from day to day.
When should you exchange?
Predicting rates precisely is hard even for professionals. A practical traveler's approach: instead of one last-minute exchange, split your exchange into a few batches once your trip is set — it smooths out the swings.
Our rates are published on this site every day, so you can watch for a while and exchange on a day you are comfortable with.
Check whether fees are included
Some shops charge a commission on top of the displayed rate. Always compare by the amount that actually ends up in your hand. At our shop, the displayed rate is all-inclusive — no separate fees.