Japan is still a cash society! Money exchanger in Tokyo

photo by Japanexperterna.se

Compared to a few years before, Japan is getting more and more cashless. But bewilderment of users due to a flood of cashless payment services and financial burdens on retailers to use cashless payment systems are still pushing people to use cash. For this reason, it is better for temporary visitors have some cash before arriving to Japan. The easiest way to have Japanese yen in cash is to exchange your money at a money exchange shop. Such money exchange shops are often seen in airports, but there are many more exchange dealer shops in cities.

Money Exchangers

Travelex is the most well-known money exchanger of the world. You probably have seen one of their shops as they have shops in many major airports across the world. Travelex has a number of shops in city centers of most of major cities as well. Other than Travelex, there are some other many exchangers that have shops in Tokyo, though, these trade a smaller number of currencies than Travelex.

Travelex

Shops in Tokyo：17 shops including Yaesu, Shinbashi, Roppongi, Asakusa, Akasaka-Mitsuke
Currency: 31 currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CNY, HKD, TWD, KRW, RUB, AUD, ZAR

SAKURA Exchange

Shops in Tokyo: Ikebukuro (2 shops), Roppongi, Okachimachi, Chibuya (2 shops), Shinjuku (2 shops)
Currencies: 22 currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CNY, HKD, TWD, KRW, CHF, AUD, SEK, NOK

Foreign currency exchange Dollar ranger

Shops in Tokyo: Shinjuku, Roppongi, Ginza (there is a change machine in addition to a shop), Tokyo station
Currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CNY, HKD, TWD, KRW, IDR, THB, SGD, PHP, AUD (13)

Ticket Shops

Some of ticket shops, which normally trade various types of tickets, gift cards and other forms of money, provide money exchange services. The largest advantage of those ticket shops money exchangers is better exchange rates. On the other hand, a smaller number of currencies can be a disadvantage. But at least, they cover major currencies that are at highest demand.

J Market

Shops in Tokyo: Shinjuku (4 shops), Shinagawa, Yaesu, Ikebukuro (2 shops), Machida
Currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CNY, HKD, TWD, KRW, IDR, THB, SGD, PHP, CHF, AUD, NZD (15)

Daikokuya

Shops in Tokyo: 40 shops including Ikebukuro (3 shops), Ueno (2 shops), Kanda, Yaesu, Shinjuku (4 shops), Shibuya
Currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CNY, HKD, TWD, KRW, THB, SGD, PHP, AUD (12)

Banks

Of course, major city banks and Yucho Bank provide money exchange services. Banks do not deal as many currencies as Travelex does, however, they cover major currencies. In addition, there are many branches of such banks in Tokyo. Normally, their rates are not better than ticket shops. The number of currencies they trade or availability vary depending on each branch office.

Mizuho Bank

Branches providing money exchange service: Otemachi, Ginza, Ikebukuro, Shibuya, Shinjuku (2 branches)
Currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CNY, HKD, TWD, KRW, IDR, THB, SGD, MYR, AUD, NZD, SEK, NOK, DKK (Inquire a branch for availability)

SMBC Trust Bank

Branches providing money exchange service: Asakusa, Akihabara, Yurakucho, Ginza, Shibuya, Hutago-tamagawa, Shinjuku (2 branches), Ikebukuro, Machida (10 branches)
Currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CNY, HKD, TWD, KRW, IDR, THB, SGD, AUD, NZD, CHF (Inquire a branch for availability)

MUFG

Branches providing money exchange service: 108 branch offices in Tokyo
Currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CNY, HKD, TWD, KRW, THB, SGD, AUD, NZD, CHF, SEK, NOK, DKK (Inquire a branch for availability)

Japan Post Bank

Branches providing money exchange service: 104 branch offices in Tokyo
Currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CNY, KRW, AUD, CHF

Time is Money

Yes, you definitely need some cash when you stay in Japan. There are several ways to have cash in Japan: cashing out at ATM and sending money through Western Union. But the easiest way is to exchange currencies at an exchange dealer’s shop. There always are money exchange counters in airports, but those airport shops trade rather high-margined rates. Therefore, if you are not in hurry, why not try money exchange shop in Tokyo city.