Last Updated on October, 2024
GUESS WHAT? Planning a trip to Japan involves more than just booking flights and packing bags. One crucial aspect is ensuring you have Japanese Yen ready for your expenses.
Knowing where and how to get the best rates can make a big difference.
This piece breaks down the best OPTIONS available in the United States, from travel money cards to local bank services and online orders, helping you make informed decisions for a smooth and cost-effective journey.
Continue reading… (thank me later.)
| Service | Exchange Rate | $1,000 USD = ¥ | Delivery Time | Notes |
| Wise Travel Card | 148.9050 | ¥148,370.00 | 14–21 business days | Order for $9, enjoy mid-market rates |
| Wells Fargo Travel Money | 141.3907 | ¥141,390.72 | 2–7 business days | 70 currencies, sell unused notes back |
| Xchange of America Travel Money | 135.4830 | ¥135,483.00 | Overnight (if in stock) | 60 currencies, FedEx overnight shipping |
Contents
- Best Places to Get Japanese Yen in the U.S.
- How to Get Japanese Yen in the United States?
- Where to Exchange USD to JPY?
- How to Get a Japanese Yen Travel Money Card?
- Get Japanese Yen Delivered to Your Doorstep
- How to Buy Japanese Yen?
- Budget Needed for a Trip to Japan
- Getting the Best USD to JPY Exchange Rate
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Best Places to Get Japanese Yen in the U.S.
1. Wise
Wise is a company that specializes in international money transfers and multi-currency accounts. It was founded in 2011 and has since grown to serve millions of customers worldwide. Its mission is to make international banking cheaper, faster, and more transparent.
The Wise Travel Money Card is a popular financial product designed for travelers. It offers convenient and cost-effective currency exchange. With over 224,889 reviews, it’s a well-regarded option.
When you exchange foreign currency with the Wise card, you get the mid-market exchange rate, which is more favorable than the rates offered by traditional banks or airport exchanges. For example, with an exchange rate of 160.6850 JPY per USD, converting $1000 would give you JPY 160,685.
Ordering the Wise card costs $9, and it typically arrives within 14 to 21 business days. The card allows you to spend money in over 150 foreign countries with low and transparent fees.
This makes it an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want to avoid high foreign transaction fee and unfavorable exchange rates.
Why don’t you read our Wise Card review to get to know more about it?
2. Wells Fargo Travel Money
Wells Fargo offers a service called ‘Travel Credit Card’ for those planning to travel internationally. This service allows customers to exchange money for foreign currencies, including JPY. For example, with an exchange rate of 153 2808, 1000 USD would get you JPY 153,280.20.
The process is simple: you can order over 70 different currencies either online or by visiting a Wells Fargo branch. Once ordered, the leftover foreign currency can be collected or delivered within 2 to 7 days. This makes it convenient to have the currency you need before you travel.
Moreover, if you have any unused foreign currency after your trip, Wells Fargo allows you to sell it back to the bank. This flexibility ensures you are able to handle foreign notes you no longer need.
This service is well-reviewed, with over 1,100 positive reviews highlighting its convenience and reliability. Wells Fargo Travel Money is a practical option for travelers who want to handle their foreign currency needs efficiently and securely.
3. Xchange of America
Xchange of America Travel Money is a popular online currency exchange service with over 4,600 reviews. They offer competitive exchange rates, like 146.1347 JPY per USD, meaning $1000 gets you ¥146,134.74.
They provide a convenient way to buy foreign currencies online, with 60 different currencies available. Orders paid by card can be shipped overnight via FedEx, ensuring quick delivery.
Customer feedback on Trustpilot is generally positive, highlighting reasonable fees and efficient service. However, Scam Detector gives the site a medium-high trust score, advising caution due to some risk factors.
The Better Business Bureau rates them with a B but notes that they are not BBB accredited, mentioning only a few customer complaints over the past three years.
4. Banks & Currency Exchanges
TRUST ME. When you need to exchange currency for a trip abroad, banks and currency exchange services can help. Banks offer currency exchange for their customers. This means you can swap your U.S. dollars for the money used in another country.
However, there are a few things to remember. First, you might need to have a checking account with the bank. Second, it’s usually necessary to order the foreign currency in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute.
Currency exchanges also come with a cost. Banks and other exchange services often add a margin, or fee, to the exchange rate. For example, with a 5.6% margin, exchanging 1000 USD might not give you the full amount you’d expect based on the current exchange rate. Instead, you’d get a bit less due to this fee.
In short, while banks and currency exchanges make it convenient to obtain foreign currency, it’s important to plan ahead and be aware of any extra costs.
How to Get Japanese Yen in the United States?
It’s super easy! There are several options available to get Japanese Yen (JPY) in the United States.
Here’s a simple idea to help you find the best deal:
However, if you’re using comparison tools to find the best solution:
Note: Exchanging money at airports often has currency exchange bureaus. These are located in international terminals and provide services for travelers to exchange their home currency for local currency or vice versa. However, it can be very expensive, with high fees and poor exchange rates. Plan to avoid fees using this option.
Where to Exchange USD to JPY?
Let me come straight to the point.
You have several options to get Japanese Yen (JPY) in the United States.
Choose what works best for you:
You can buy JPY from banks, currency exchange offices, or events at the airport.
- Order Japanese Yen Online for Delivery:
You can order your travel money online from services like Xchange of America or CXI and have it delivered to your home. Currency conversion and delivery charges apply, but some services offer fast shipping if you pay with a debit or credit card.
- Buy Japanese Yen in Person:
You can buy JPY in person at a currency exchange office like CXI or order it in advance and pick it up at a bank like Wells Fargo. Note that it might take some time for your payment to clear and for the currency to be available.
- Get a Japanese Yen Travel Money Card:
Purchase a travel money card from providers like Wise. Load it with U.S. dollars and use it to spend or withdraw money during your trip. The Wise card has a one-time $9 fee and offers mid-market rates and low, transparent fees in over 150 countries.
Next, I’ll tell you the method to get a JPY travel money card.
How to Get a Japanese Yen Travel Money Card?
Listen, you can order a travel money card like Wise or Revolut in the U.S. Load it with USD and convert it to Japanese Yen in your account.
Travel money cards like Wise and Revolut are secure, affordable, and easy to use, offering great rates and flexibility to manage your money through your phone.
How to Buy Japanese Yen With a Travel Money Card?
To buy JPY with a travel money card, start by registering with a provider like Wise or Revolut. Their credit and debit cards allow you to hold and convert multiple currencies, including Japanese Yen. Once you have your account, top it up with U.S. dollars and exchange it to Yen using the provider’s app.
You can use the digital card immediately or wait for the physical card to arrive by mail. This usually takes about 7–21 days, however, this can rely solely on the provider. Once your card is activated, you can use it to spend Yen directly in Japan or withdraw cash from ATMs with minimal fees.
Travel money cards are convenient as they offer better exchange rates compared to traditional banks and avoid high foreign transaction fee at airports or currency exchange booths.
Get Japanese Yen Delivered to Your Doorstep
Here’s some good news! You can easily buy Japanese Yen (JPY) online and have it delivered straight to your home. This method is convenient and saves you the stress of visiting an exchange office.
Additionally, it ensures the currency you need is available and ready for your trip. Various providers offer this service at different fees and with other currency exchange rates.
GUESS WHAT? You can order Japanese Yen online, too.
Here’s what you need to do:
By ordering Japanese Yen online for delivery, you ensure that you have the necessary cash before your trip, making your travel preparation smoother and more convenient.
Understood? Now, I will discuss the procedure for buying JPY at the bank or credit union and the airport.
How to Buy Japanese Yen?
At the Bank
To buy Japanese Yen (JPY) at a bank, you can visit a branch location or order online in advance. Some banks require you to have an account with them.
Banks usually don’t keep large stocks of foreign currencies, so ordering ahead is necessary. After logging into your online banking, go to the travel money section and enter the amount of Yen you need.
You can pay directly from your bank account or use a card. The bank or credit union will notify you when your Yen is ready for collection at your chosen branch.
Some banks also offer a service to buy back any unused Yen, but the exchange rate for this may differ, potentially resulting in receiving less than what you originally spent.
At the Airport
You can buy Japanese Yen at the airport if you haven’t planned. Many major airports have currency exchange desks specifically for travelers. However, options may be limited, which often results in higher fees compared to city center locations.
Exchange rates at airport desks typically include an additional markup, which can be quite significant. It’s important to note that not all airports offer currency exchange services, and where they do, the lack of competition can drive prices up overall.
So, while buying Yen at the airport is convenient if you’re in a hurry, it’s generally advisable to plan or explore other options to save on fees and get a better exchange rate potentially.
Budget Needed for a Trip to Japan
The budget for a trip to Japan depends on several factors. On average, a basic daily budget for a traveler in Japan could be around $100 to $200 per person. This covers accommodation, meals, local transportation, and some attractions.
However, this can vary widely depending on your travel style and preferences.
Here are some rough estimates based on some analysis:
Additional costs to consider include travel insurance, shopping, and unforeseen expenses. Overall, a conservative estimate for a week-long trip to Japan could range from $1,500 to $3.000 per person, excluding international flights.
Getting the Best USD to JPY Exchange Rate
Finding the best provider for comparing exchange rates isn’t easy. Different services set their rates based on factors like the currency, amount exchanged, payment method, and whether it’s digital or physical.
Comparing them helps to know the mid-market exchange rate. This rate, seen on online converters or Google searches, is a wholesale benchmark. However, banks and services usually add a fee, or markup, for retail customers.
Look for services with transparent rates close to the mid-market rate. Tools can help compare live rates from different providers for specific transactions.
Here’s how to find the best USD to JPY rate:
Relevant guides:
Conclusion
Now that you know where to get Japanese Yen in the U.S., you can get ready for your overseas trip to Japan with confidence.
Whether you use a travel money card, a bank service, or order online, planning helps you save money by getting the best rates and avoiding extra foreign transaction fees. These options make your journey to Japan easier on your wallet and stress-free.
Have a great trip!
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