Japan Travel Guide for Indians

Japan at a glance

Currency

Japanese Yen (JPY). Carry a moderate cash buffer for small ramen shops, shrines and rural ryokan.

Cards & ATMs

7-Eleven and JP Post Bank ATMs accept Indian-issued cards reliably. Skip the rupee option at checkout — always pay in JPY.

Visa

Indian passport holders need a Japan tourist visa. Apply through VFS or the embassy 4–6 weeks before travel.

Transport

JR Pass for multi-city loops. Suica IC card for urban transit. Bullet trains book ahead during cherry-blossom season.

Etiquette

Cash is handed over a tray, not directly. No tipping. Shoes off in temples and many ryokan. Quiet on trains.

Common mistakes

Refuse the rupee option at point-of-sale (DCC). Don't tip. Carry small denominations for vending machines.

Cash vs card in Japan Mixed, leaning cashless

Cash-heavyFully cashless

Japan sits at about 65 on the cash-to-cashless spectrum. Japan is shifting toward cards and IC payments, but cash still matters at small restaurants, temples and rural areas.

Money for your Japan trip

How to carry money to Japan, answered here. For live rates, conversion and buying, we hand you to the pages built for it.

CurrencyJapanese Yen (JPY)

Cash vs cardMixed, leaning cashless

Best combinationForex card plus a small cash float

Live rate

1 JPY = ——

The same live rate Matrix Forex shows across the site. Rates move through the day.

Buy Japanese Yen See the live JPY rate Open the converter →

What things cost in Japan

Typical local prices in Japan, for orientation only. These are local prices, not exchange rates.
Everyday item	Typical price
Coffee	¥350
Subway day pass	¥800
Hotel (3-star)	¥10,000
Ramen meal	¥1,000

Japan rewards the traveller who reads up before flying. Most things you need to know are small — which train pass is worth it, which ATM works with an Indian card, when to bow. None of it is hard to learn, but learning it on the plane back is too late.

The yen has been weak for most of the last year, including against the rupee. For Indian travellers, Japan in 2026 is meaningfully cheaper than five years ago — hotels, dining and shopping all feel lighter on the wallet.