Buy Japanese Yen (JPY) and Compare Exchange Rates
Because every company has different rates to buy Japanese Yen (JPY) with AUD, finding the best deal can be a minefield. We bring together all your options, highlight the fees and rates for each money exchange, and show you the best possible deals.
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Where to buy Japanese Yen (JPY)?
You can buy Japanese yen (JPY) from almost every place in Australia that offers currency exchange. It is a very popular currency to exchange to Australian dollars. Places you can make cash transactions and buy Japanese yen include online, in-store at money exchangers, banks, Australia Post and the airport.
To find out exactly where you can buy Japanese yen, you can use our handy city and suburb guides, just click on the links below:
What is the cheapest way to buy Japanese Yen in Australia?
The cheapest way to buy Japanese yen (JPY) in Australia is to get organised in advance and sort your travel money out online. You can order some JPY in cash and collect it locally so you have some money in your pocket before you leave - or order a travel money card to use for overseas spending and withdrawals.
A smart all round option for many travellers is to get a travel money card from a provider like Wise or Revolut, which lets you hold a balance in JPY and spend conveniently when you’re away. Both options also offer some no fee ATM withdrawals, so you don’t need to have yen with you when you leave as you can withdraw as you need on arrival.
The most expensive place to buy JPY is at the airport, because airport currency exchanges know you have no other options until you get to Japan. They can charge a commission fee and give very poor foreign exchange rates. That means you end up with less to spend in JPY in the end.
Japan Money Tips
Before we move on, let's look at some top tips for travel money in Japan.
- Cash is a popular payment method in Japan - having some yen in cash with you is important so you don’t get stuck. However, carrying too much cash is a theft risk. Making smaller ATM withdrawals as you go is usually the best plan
- Traditionally, tipping is not required in Japan, and can even cause embarrassment. If you plan on tipping someone such as your guide, be discrete and hand over money in an envelope
- Japanese ATMs may not work in the same way as at home - firstly you’ll need to find an ATM marked as international to ensure your card can be accepted. And secondly, some ATMs may not operate 24 hours, or may have varied fees if you use them out of hours - keep an eye on the screen for notifications of charges
- Avoid using a credit card at an ATM as this usually has high fees - and always pay in the local currency when you make a withdrawal or purchase, to make sure you get the network or card provider’s exchange rate
For more information check out our guide: Travel money tips for Japan.
What currency is used in Japan?
The currency used in Japan is called 'yen'. Both the coins are called and notes are called yen and represented by the symbol ¥.
| Currency name | Japanese Yen |
|---|---|
| ISO code | JPY |
| Symbol | ¥ |
| Subunit | SEN |
| Notes | ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 |
| Coins | ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥20, ¥50, ¥100 and ¥500 |
| Top JPY Pair | AUD/JPY |
| Central Bank | Bank of Japan
|
| Sending money to JPY? | Send money from Australia to Japan |
The ¥2,000 is accepted but rarely used or seen, it was introduced in 2000 for the celebration of the millennium. The ¥1 is made of aluminium and very light, the ¥5 and ¥50 coins have holes in the middle and the ¥500 is the biggest and heaviest by far, which makes it easy to work out when you have a handful of coins.
What type of notes should I take to Japan?
Cash is very popular in Japan. When paying for meals, taxis or temples, small denominations are required. Take as many ¥1,000, ¥2,000 and ¥5,000 notes as possible. Leave your ¥10,000 to pay your accommodation. Buses and trains can not accept any tender over ¥1,000.
When is the best time to buy Japanese yen with Australian dollars?
Exchange rates change all the time with fluctuations in global currency markets. Getting familiar with the AUD - JPY rate before you buy your travel money can be helpful when planning your travel budget.
Find the best time to buy Japanese yen with Australian dollars with our rate tracker. It keeps track of the JPY to AUD or AUD to JPY exchange rate and emails you when it hits the rate you’ve chosen to buy Japanese yen.
How to buy Japanese yen in Australia?
Buying Japanese yen in Australia is relatively easy.
- Take your valid photo id (driver’s license or passport) with you.
- Bring your preferred payment method. Most places accept cash, debit card and credit card to pay for your Japanese yen.
- Ask for the Japanese yen amount and the money exchanger will let you know how much Australian dollars you need to pay.
- Make your payment in Aussie dollars and receive your Japanese yen.
You can arrange your JPY travel money before you leave Australia if you’d like to - either by changing cash or buying and loading up a travel money card. The exact process you’ll need to follow will depend a bit on the provider you pick but it’s usually pretty straightforward. Here are some popular options to consider.
How to buy JPY online
You can buy JPY online from a specialist provider, or online money exchange service. One option is to open a multi-currency account or travel card that supports spending in Japanese yen. To do this, you’ll usually need to:
- Head to the provider’s website or download their app
- Hit Sign Up, add your personal details and create a password
- Get verified by uploading images of your ID documents - you might also need a proof of address
- Add some money to your account in AUD, for spending later
As an alternative you could buy Japanese yen in cash from an online money exchange service. Usually to do this you order online and then collect your money later from a branch. To order JPY online to collect in cash, you’ll usually need to:
- Visit the provider’s website, and place an order for your currency
- Make payment for your foreign currency in AUD
- Go to your local branch to collect your cash, taking along a valid ID document
Where can I exchange AUD to JPY
If you want to make sure you have cash in your pocket in JPY before you leave Australia, you can either order online and collect your money in a branch of a currency exchange service, or visit a physical exchange service with AUD in cash to convert.
Ordering your money online can be reassuring as you’ll see the rate set out clearly when you confirm the payment, and you can pay with a card rather than needing to carry around a lot of AUD in cash. You’ll also be sure the branch you visit will have the currency you need in stock - and the rates offered may be better too.
If you leave it to the last moment you may not be able to order your money online - but you’ll often be able to walk into an exchange office and do a spot exchange instead. You may find your own bank can help you with exchange, or you could choose an independent currency exchange service in your local area. You can also usually collect cash instantly at a Travelex store (subject to availability), or get your travel money at the airport as you pass through. Exchange rates at the airport are unlikely to be great, so if you’ve run out of options you may be better off waiting until you arrive in Japan and making an ATM withdrawal instead.
How much is $100 worth in Japanese yen
The JPY/AUD exchange rate is the rate used to convert from AUD to JPY or vice versa, when you buy or sell currency. If you’re planning to go to Japan and need Japanese yen, you’ll need to know the AUD - JPY rate - that is the rate used to convert dollars to yen, which dictates how much you’ll get in JPY in the end.
Where can I get the best exchange rate for JPY?
Exchange rates matter when it comes to arranging your travel money. If you get a bad rate you’ll end up with less to spend in JPY when you arrive in Japan. Compare the exchange rates on offer from several different currency exchange services so you’ll know what is on offer - here are some popular options to consider:
Wise exchange rate: Wise currency exchange uses the mid-market rate with no markup, and a low, transparent fee. Get a Wise card for spending and withdrawals in JPY
Revolut exchange rate: Revolut offers some no fee weekday currency conversion for all accounts - plus cards you can use for spending and withdrawals in Japan and around the world
Banks exchange rate: Bank exchange rates vary and usually include a variable markup, which is a percentage fee added to the mid-market rate - compare carefully before you exchange
Currency exchange offices exchange rate: The exchange rate available at a currency exchange office depends on the provider and whether you’ve ordered your money in advance or not. Advance ordered usually get preferential rates - but a markup still applies
Airport exchange rate: Airport currency exchange can be expensive, with poor rates and commission fees added into the bargain - as an alternative, consider making an ATM withdrawal on arrival in Japan
Conclusion
There are several different ways to buy JPY in Australia. Depending on how much time you have, you could get organised in advance and either order a travel money card or buy JPY in cash - or you could walk into an exchange store or bank with Australian dollars in cash to exchange on the spot.
A good all round option for many travellers is to get a travel money card from a provider like Wise or Revolut. Both offer cards which have linked multi-currency accounts with no ongoing fees, and ways to hold and spend JPY cheaply and easily. You’ll also get some no fee ATM withdrawals so you can get cash securely when you arrive in Japan. Wise and Revolut do work a bit differently to each other so you’ll want to weigh up both options - check out Wise for currency exchange which uses the mid-market rate and low fees, or Revolut for a selection of different account types with their own features, fees and benefits.
Our most frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to buy JPY in Australia or in Japan?
Whether it’s cheaper to buy your Japanese yen at home or on arrival will depend on the options local to you and how good a rate you can find in Japan. Getting organised in advance can be reassuring as you know you won’t be stuck without ways to pay in JPY - plus if you get a travel money card from a service like Wise or Revolut you could also get great exchange rates and low or no fee ATM withdrawals.
Should I get JPY before going to Japan?
You can exchange AUD to JPY in Australia if you want to - but it’s not entirely necessary. If you have a travel money card you can add money in AUD and spend or make withdrawals in Japan so you’ll never be stuck without a way to pay. Take a look at Wise and Revolut for flexible JPY travel money cards with no ongoing fees.
What is the best way to get JPY for travel?
There’s no one best way to get JPY for travel. In fact in most cases having several different ways to pay is a smart move in case one payment method isn’t available for any reason. Consider carrying a little cash in JPY, a travel money card and your bank card, so you’ve always got a back up.
How long does it take to get JPY?
Order JPY online to collect in a store in a day or two, make an on the spot conversion, or order a travel money card for delivery to your door. How long each option takes to arrange can vary - if you’re in a hurry, travel money cards often have virtual cards which are instantly available and which can be used with mobile wallets for on the move payments, while instant exchange for cash may be available at a physical currency exchange office.
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