No, you cannot use Australian Dollars (AUD) at most stores in Japan; you must use Japanese Yen (JPY), as Japan is largely a cash-based society, especially for smaller businesses, so you need to exchange your AUD for JPY before or upon arrival. While major tourist spots and large international stores might accept major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) or exchange currency, it's essential to carry yen for local shops, vending machines, and temples.
Bills come in 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen (very rare), 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen denominations. Coins come in 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen denominations. Foreign currencies are not accepted for payments in Japan, except perhaps at major international airports.
It's usually better to exchange a small amount in Australia for immediate needs and then exchange more in Japan, where rates may be more favourable. However, this can be stressful, and the fee for exchanging your money in Japan might be higher than in Australia.
The "Japan 5-minute rule" refers to extreme punctuality, meaning you should arrive 5-10 minutes before a scheduled time, as being exactly on time is considered late, demonstrating respect and reliability, a concept sometimes called "5-minute prior action" (５分前行動). It highlights Japanese culture's emphasis on preparedness, where trains are so precise that delays over 5 minutes get official notes, making being early a crucial part of business and social etiquette.
Yes, $100 a day (around ¥15,000 at current rates) is generally enough for a budget to mid-range traveler in Japan for food, local transport, and activities, especially if you stay in hostels/budget hotels, eat at convenience stores/local eateries, and limit expensive tours, but it can be tight for luxury experiences or significant shopping, requiring careful planning.
When to exchange: Although it depends on the currency, it is generally better to exchange yen in Japan than in your home country, due to a lower commission and better exchange rate. Similarly, you'll typically get better rates away from the major airports.
Many Australians choose to purchase Japanese Yen online for the best exchange rate, with options like home delivery, prepaid travel money cards, or in-store pick-up.
Yes, ¥50,000 (about $350-$400 USD) can be enough for a budget-conscious week in Japan, covering daily food, local transport, and some attractions if accommodation and major travel (like Shinkansen) are pre-paid, but it's tight and requires careful spending, relying on convenience stores, cheap eats, and public transport; for a mid-range trip with more flexibility, ¥70,000-¥100,000+ is more realistic, with credit cards used widely and cash for smaller places.
For a 2-week trip to Japan from Australia, expect to spend around AUD $4,000 to $7,000+ per person, including flights, with budget travel closer to the lower end (under $100 AUD/day) and mid-range/luxury (over $100-$250 AUD/day) pushing costs higher, depending on accommodation, dining, activities, and transport choices. A comfortable mid-range budget might target $3,800–$4,800 for all-inclusive, while just daily spending (food, local transit) could be $100–$150 AUD ($12,000–$18,000 JPY) per day.
Cafes, both artisanal and coffeehouse chains, can be found in most cities. A typical cup of coffee at a coffeehouse chain averages around 400 yen, while prices at boutique cafes tend to be slightly higher.
Several Australian banks offer accounts or cards with no international transaction fees for purchases, including Macquarie, Up (formerly Up Bank), HSBC (Everyday Global Account), ME Bank, ING (Orange Everyday), and CommBank (World Debit Mastercard), plus some NAB and Westpac options. These typically cover online/in-store purchases, but ATM withdrawal fees (from third parties) might still apply, so always check the specific Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for details.
1. Arrive early. Punctuality is not just polite in Japan—it's expected. Here, being on time means arriving five to 10 minutes early (especially for restaurant bookings), strongly aligning with the culture of reliability and courtesy.
In most cases, exchanging some yen in Australia first is a good idea for immediate expenses, then withdrawing more in Japan if needed.
Yes, $5,000 is generally more than enough for a single person for a week in Japan, even covering flights from North America/Europe, allowing for comfortable mid-range travel with nice meals and experiences, but it might be tight for a couple or if you're aiming for extreme luxury or extensive shopping; budget travelers can do it for much less, while luxury travelers could easily spend more. Your biggest variables will be your flight cost, accommodation choices (business hotels, ryokans, or hostels), and dining habits (convenience stores vs. high-end sushi).
Yes, you can often walk into a bank or credit union to exchange currency, especially for major currencies, but it's highly recommended to call ahead to confirm they have your needed currency in stock and to check their exchange rates and potential fees, as some banks (like ANZ) no longer offer in-branch cash exchange, while others (like CommBank, Bendigo) do for customers and sometimes non-customers.
You can buy Japanese yen from the Post Office online or in any of our thousands of participating branches around the UK. Find your nearest with our branch finder. Order online and you could get a better rate than in branch.
The Japanese 80% rule, called Hara Hachi Bu (腹八分), is a Confucian teaching to stop eating when you're about 80% full, not stuffed, promoting mindful eating, moderation, and longevity, common in Okinawa, a region with many centenarians, helping to prevent overeating and support healthy digestion by allowing the brain time to register fullness.
Yes, $1000 can be enough for a week in Japan for one person if it excludes flights and major accommodation costs, covering food, local transport, and activities as a budget to moderate traveler; you'll eat well at convenience stores, ramen shops, and department store food halls, but splurge on high-end dining or extensive shopping will quickly deplete it.
The "3 Date Rule" in Japan refers to the cultural tendency to make a formal love confession (kokuhaku) on or around the third date, marking the transition from casual dating to an official couple, often after building trust with lighter activities like meals or walks, and it's considered a crucial step for clarifying relationship status before deeper intimacy, though it's a guideline, not a strict law.
The cheapest months to visit Japan are typically January and February, after the New Year's rush and before spring, offering lower flight and hotel prices, though it's cold. Other budget-friendly times include the June-July rainy season (expect humidity) and sometimes late May or September, while you should avoid the very expensive cherry blossom (late March-April), Golden Week (late April-early May), and Obon (mid-August) periods for savings.
It is also called “hyakkin,” as an abbreviation of “hyakuen kin'itsu,” which means “all 100 yen.” They sell a wide variety of products, from stationery and clothing items to small home appliance products, so it is not too much to say that you can get everything you need for your daily life.