In most shops and facilities you can pay with large bills even for a small purchase, however, street vendors might refuse to change large bills. Only Japanese yen are accepted in Japan. You cannot pay for your transactions in any other currency. Most drink vending machines accept 1,000 yen notes and coins.

In general, Japan does not accept American money (U.S. Dollars) for everyday transactions. While you might find a very small number of high-end duty-free shops at major airports like Narita or Haneda that might accept USD, they will often give you a poor exchange rate and return your change in Japanese Yen. Everywhere else—including hotels, restaurants, convenience stores (konbini), and transit stations—requires payment in Japanese Yen (¥). Japan is historically a cash-heavy society, although credit card and "IC card" (like Suica or Pasmo) acceptance has increased dramatically in recent years, especially in 2026. You should plan to exchange your dollars for yen at the airport, a bank, or a "7-Bank" ATM found in 7-Eleven stores, which are famous for accepting international debit cards. Many travelers find that using a travel-friendly credit card with no foreign transaction fees is the most convenient way to pay for larger purchases, but you should always carry a "stash" of physical yen for smaller shops, vending machines, and shrines. Attempting to pay with U.S. cash in a local shop will likely result in a polite but firm refusal, as the merchant would have to pay a fee and spend time at a bank to exchange it.