Exchanging yen

Hello there,

I will be travelling to Japan at the beginning of November. Last time I was exchanging money at local currency exchange store, however since that time a lot have happened and the currency market is pretty unstable - the current spread for yen is very high. Due to that I was thinking about bringing in USD or EUR to exchange in Japan. Normally the currency exchange at the airport has very bad rates. Could you suggest me any place in Tokyo to exchange money at good rates? Is it possible to see online the current rates so I can compare if exchanging PLN -> EUR/USD -> JPY is better that PLN -> JPY (at local store)?

Thank you in advance for the answer!

I always exchange at the banks at the airport (Haneda or Narita). I never use Travelex. I exchange USD to JPY.

Most likely you don't need to bring cash at all - use you ATM card at a 7-11 or Japanese post office ATM. You'll find them in the airports as well. Check the back of your card and see if they are in the participating networks.
http://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/en/ias/en_ias_index.html
http://www.sevenbank.co.jp/intlcard/card2.html
There are over 20,000 branches of each across Japan. Many Lawsons and Family Marts have ATMs you can use now too - and the convenience store ATMs are open 24/7.
http://www.enetcom.co.jp/intl/en/
https://www.lawsonbank.jp/international/en/

If you insist on cash though, you can see some current rates in Japan at
https://www.gpa-net.co.jp/en/passenger-service/rate/
https://www.mizuhobank.co.jp/market/cash.html

Hello again,

Did some research taking into account your suggestions and using current rates:
a) Exchange at the local shop: 100 JPY = 3,63 PLN
b) Paying/withdrawing with bank credit card: 100 JPY = 3,67 PLN
c) Getting USD to exchange to yen in Japan: 100 JPY = 3,64 PLN (via Sakura Exchange ~ 3,60 PLN)
d) Getting EUR to exchange to yen in Japan: 100 JPY = 3,67 PLN (via Sakura Exchange ~ 3,61 PLN)
e) Paying with REVOLUT: 100 JPY = 3,53 PLN
f) Withdrawing cash with REVOLUT: 100 JPY = 3,60 PLN

According to the above, it would be best to pay with credit card, and still, there were cash will be needed, use REVOLUT to withdraw from ATM, since even including the 2% fee, it is still the cheapest way. Though will have to check if there aren't any problems with using it in Japan.

Looks like it will cost you 4.36 at the airport when you land, so definitely don't want to do that.

https://www.gpa-net.co.jp/en/passenger-service/rate/


Visa and Mastercard are accepted most places now, but you will still want cash for emergencies or to pay small amounts like snacks, taxis, subway fares, small restaurants, museum entry, etc. I would recommend having at least 20000 JPY on you as you leave the airport just to be safe. So I would maybe convert your PLN to about $200 USD to convert at the airport and then use Visa/Mastercard or ATM for further cash as needed.

Also, bring multiple credit cards and triple check with your banks that they will work in Japan without exorbitant fees. One of my cards had no transaction fee, but another charged $1+3% for each purchase. That could have been over $100 difference over the course of my trip.

Also, remember not to let obsessing about small fees ruin your trip! Don't waste a half an hour finding an international ATM to save 3% on dinner, for example.