If you are new to Japan, understanding the currency is one of the first things that will make daily life much easier. Japan uses the yen, written as ¥. Prices in stores, restaurants, train stations, and vending machines are all shown in yen.

Don’t worry—it’s simple once you know the basics.

What Is the Yen?

The Japanese yen is the official currency of Japan. In Japanese, yen is written as 円 (えん).

You may see prices like:

• ¥100
• ¥550
• ¥1,200
• ¥10,000

This simply means 100 yen, 550 yen, 1,200 yen, and 10,000 yen.

Japanese Coins

Japan uses six coins:

¥1 – one yen

¥5 – five yen

¥10 – ten yen

¥50 – fifty yen

¥100 – one hundred yen

¥500 – five hundred yen

The ¥5 and ¥50 coins have a hole in the middle, making them easy to recognize.

Useful Tip: The Lucky ¥5 Coin

The ¥5 coin is considered lucky in Japan because 五円ごえん (go-en) sounds like ご縁えん, which means “good connection” or “good fortune.”

Many people use ¥5 coins when visiting shrines and temples as an offering while praying for luck, love, success, or safety. Keeping one in your wallet is also seen as lucky by some people.

Japanese Bills

Japan uses these paper bills:

¥1,000 – one thousand yen

¥2,000 – two thousand yen (rare)

¥5,000 – five thousand yen

¥10,000 – ten thousand yen

Useful Tip: New and Old Bills Are Both Fine

Japan introduced new bill designs recently, so you may receive a mix of new bills and older bills in daily life.

Don’t worry—both old and new bills are valid and can be used normally in stores, restaurants, vending machines, and banks.

So if your wallet has different bill designs, that is completely normal in Japan right now.

Useful Tip: The Rare ¥2,000 Bill

The ¥2,000 bill is real, but it is not common in daily life. Many people in Japan rarely see one. If you get one, don’t be surprised if someone says it’s unusual!

Easy Price Examples

Here are some common prices in Japan:

• Drink from vending machine: ¥120–¥180
• Convenience store snack: ¥100–¥300
• Lunch: ¥700–¥1,200
• Train ride: ¥150+ depending on distance

Cash or Card?

Japan accepts credit cards in many places, but some small shops and restaurants may still prefer cash. It is a good idea to carry some yen with you.

You can also use:

• IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.)
• Mobile payments
• Credit cards

Helpful Tip: Big Numbers

Japanese prices can look high at first, but remember:

• ¥100 = small purchase
• ¥1,000 = casual meal or daily spending
• ¥10,000 = larger bill

After a few days, reading prices becomes natural.

Final Thoughts

Learning the yen is one of the easiest ways to feel more comfortable in Japan. Once you know the coins, bills, and common prices, daily life becomes much smoother.

And remember—if you have a ¥5 coin, it might bring you a little luck too. 🇯🇵💴

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