🇺🇸
USA / Hawaii / Guam
USD
Tipping culture — bring extra $1 bills.
🌏 Travel Money
Travel Money Guide for Outbound Travelers
Prepare your travel money before your trip — best rates at Akihabara Don Quijote 1F
Currency by Destination
🇰🇷
South Korea
KRW
Better rates here than local ATMs.
🇹🇼
Taiwan
TWD
Cash-heavy. Prepare ~NT$20,000 for 3-4 day trip.
🇹🇭
Thailand
THB
Better than airport rates. Stock up small bills.
🇸🇬
Singapore
SGD
Mostly card, but cash for hawker centers.
🇪🇺
Europe (FR/IT/DE)
EUR
Avoid €100 notes — small denominations preferred.
🇬🇧
United Kingdom
GBP
Contactless dominant — small cash backup.
🇨🇳
China (Shanghai/Beijing)
CNY
Mobile pay common, cash for backup.
Where should you buy your travel money in Tokyo?
The short answer: look at the gap between the buy and sell rate rather than the type of place. That gap is what exchanging actually costs you — even when the commission is zero.
| Where | Works well for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Airport counters | Available right before departure, often late at night | Location costs are priced in, so the buy–sell gap tends to be wider |
| Bank branches | Reassuring, and comfortable with larger amounts | Weekday daytime only; fees weigh more on small amounts |
| City exchange shops | Pick one with a small gap and it pays off on larger amounts | Gaps vary a lot by shop — always check the board yourself |
| Online order / delivery | Delivered to your home; compare at your own pace | Takes a few days — not an option for a last-minute trip |
Three ways to lose less
- 1
Get it a few days before you fly
Exchanging in a rush at the airport leaves you no choice. A few days ahead, you can compare.
- 2
The bigger the amount, the more the gap matters
A 1-yen difference in the gap changes roughly 600 yen on a 100,000-yen exchange. For small amounts it hardly matters.
- 3
Ask for smaller notes
Large notes are often refused for tips, street food and transport. Just say you want more small bills.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to exchange money in Tokyo?
There is no single answer. What matters is the gap between the buy and sell rate — the smaller, the better for you. Airports are convenient but tend to have a wider gap, and city shops vary a lot, so always check the board on the spot.
Does “no commission” mean it is cheaper?
Not necessarily. The cost of exchanging is in the gap between the buy and sell rate, not in the commission. We charge no separate commission — the rate on the board is the rate you get.
How much cash should I exchange?
It depends on where you are going. Cash-heavy countries such as Taiwan and Thailand call for more; card-friendly places such as Singapore and the UK need less. See the destination guide above.
Can I change leftover foreign cash back to yen?
Yes, we buy foreign currency as well. Please bring banknotes — coins cannot be accepted for some currencies.
Do I need a reservation?
No. Just walk in during opening hours (10:00–19:00, every day of the year). We are a 4-minute walk from the Electric Town Exit of Akihabara Station, on the 1st floor of Don Quijote Akihabara.
What if you do not list my currency?
We can often still buy currencies that are not on the rate board, as long as they are current banknotes. Please ask at the counter.
Why Travelers Choose Us
💰
Better than banks/airports
We monitor rates daily and stay competitive. Fees are included in the displayed rate.
🚉
4-min from Akihabara Station
Don Quijote Akihabara 1F. JR, Tokyo Metro accessible. Perfect stop before/after departure.
🌐
30+ currencies
USD/EUR/KRW/TWD/THB/SGD/GBP/CNY etc. Inquire for emerging market currencies.