PAY FOR THINGS IN JAPAN: A GUIDE

Your Complete Guide to Using Money & Paying for Things in Japan

Are you traveling to Japan? and want to buy things but don’t money to pay.

Knowing how to pay in Japan will help you enjoy your vacation without offending anyone.

To understand and respect Japanese culture, you must understand their economy and business practices and pay.

What this article will give you is:
Basic explanations and conversions of Japanese currency
Advice on how to shop properly in Japan
Basic Japanese expressions for making payments
Now you can pay without having to wait until you’ve purchased green tea mochi four times. Let’s get going.

Japanese Yen to U.S. Dollar Exchange Rate

In September 2019, one US dollar was equivalent to approximately 107 Japanese Yen. In Japan, one euro is equivalent to about 118 yen.

If you’re an American, don’t be concerned if you see prices and values that are far more than what you’re used to because 500 USD is equivalent to about 53,500 JPY. Similarly, 500 EUR is equivalent to about 59,000 JPY.

The exchange rate from Japanese Yen to USD might change from day to day, so be sure to check just before your trip to receive the most current exchange rate.

A candy bar of your choice costs 107 yen, or $1, at any neighborhood convenience store. A weekend stay at a mid-range to upscale hotel in Tokyo will cost you 53,500 yen, or 500 dollars.

Which Method of Payment Is Best in Japan?

Cash will always be safer than credit cards, but more developed cities welcome the credit wave. This is why.

1. Cash
   In Japan, cash is the preferred form of payment. Cash is typically the safest form of payment in Japan despite being a highly industrialized and developed country because it is most practical for many companies, merchants, and restaurants.

ince cash is so commonly accepted, you can pay for an inexpensive item with a large-value note and get change from a dealer without any issues.

Make sure you have enough cash to pay for everything, especially in remote areas. Credit cards may not be accepted.

Cards Credit

In Japan, credit cards are not frequently used as a form of payment, but recently, this has changed.

In more affluent parts of the city and at bigger businesses including hotels, luxury shopping, department stores, fancy eateries, supermarkets, and railway stations, you can probably use credit cards.

For those companies that do accept credit cards, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are the most often used cards.

In order to guarantee that all of your transactions will be processed, be sure to inform your bank ahead of time and include the dates that you will be away.

Japanese Payment Protocols: Tips, Change, and More

To avoid offending or embarrassing behavior, it is vital to consider cultural customs when visiting Japan (or any other foreign nation, for that matter).

In Japan, formality is highly valued, respect is strongly valued, and education is strictly prioritized. Simple daily tasks like making a transaction allow people to see and put some of these conventions into reality.

Here are some general suggestions for appropriate behavior when making purchases in Japan:

1. To receive payment, a neat line must be formed.
   • Forming a queue and waiting patiently for your turn to check out is standard procedure in Japan, following the formal, courteous standards of that country. To direct consumers in an orderly fashion, the floor is frequently marked with tape or has a piece roped off.
2. Tipping is not typically expected
   Customers are not expected to tip in Japan, in contrast to the US.

Whoa, what?

Don’t stress about trying to figure out how much to tip after every meal because there is simply no tipping culture in Japan and it may even be considered disrespectful or insulting.

Rare instances to take into account: When it comes to unique services, there are some exceptions to this rule.

Let’s examine a case in point. If you go on a tour of one of Japan’s well-known summer festivals, you might want to give your tour guide a gratuity.

Even in these circumstances, you shouldn’t just take the money out of your wallet and give it to the person.

If you intend to tip, it’s usual to place the cash in an envelope, seal it, and then offer it to the service provider with both hands on the envelope while making a small bow to express your gratitude.

3. It May Be Rude to Recount the Change You Received
   The cashier will patiently count out the exact amount in front of you if you require change, making it clear that you are getting the right amount back.

You should be watching the clerk closely and accept the change without counting it yourself. It is disrespectful to count your change after the cashier has done it in front of you since it suggests that you don’t have confidence in their abilities.

4. Requesting a check is kosher
   At the conclusion of a meal, you might need to ask the waiter or waitress, “Okanjou wo onegai shimasu?” which translates to, “Can I have the bill please?” if it hasn’t already been set on your table.