Taking cash in or out of Japan: What are the rules?

Heading to Japan and need to carry cash? Or perhaps you’ll be heading back to the UK with some unspent Japanese yen in your travel wallet.

Whichever is the case, you’ll need to know about the rules and limits on how much cash you can take in and out of the country. Otherwise, you could face delays or even penalties at customs.

In this guide, we’ll run through the rules for taking cash in or out of Japan. This will help you work out how much money you’re allowed to travel with, when to declare cash and what happens if you carry too much.

We’ll also show you a convenient cash-free alternative for spending in Japan and worldwide - the Wise card.

How much cash can you bring to Japan? What are the limits?

You’re allowed to enter Japan with a maximum of 1 million Japanese yen (JPY).¹ This is around £5,115 in GBP.

You can carry more than this, but then you’d have to declare it to customs authorities.

What qualifies as cash when moving through borders?

For the purposes of moving it across Japanese borders, the following are usually classed as cash:¹

• Banknotes and coins
• Cheques
• Travellers cheques
• Promissory notes
• Securities.

You also need to declare gold bullion exceeding 1 kg to Japanese customs.

Are there penalties if you bring in too much cash to Japan?

If you bring in more than 1 million JPY and you don’t declare it to customs, you risk having the money seized. There could even be other penalties or repercussions.

On the Japan Customs declaration form, it says:²

“Any false declaration or failure to declare may be subject to penalty in laws and regulations concerned. For more information, please consult a Customs official.”

How to declare cash at Japanese customs when you travel

If you haven’t needed to declare cash or anything else at customs before, it’s understandable to feel a little daunted - or unsure of the procedure.

We’re here to help, with some handy info on how to do it in Japan.

Declaring cash before your trip

If you want to save yourself some time at customs, you can declare cash before you travel to or from Japan.

You can use the Visit Japan Web portal to submit customs declarations electronically. It’s available in English, and has lots of information to help you make the correct submission.

Declaring cash on arrival to Japan

To declare cash at an airport or seaport once you arrive in Japan, follow these steps:

1. Look for the ‘goods to declare’ or ‘red channel’ signs
2. Tell a customs official you wish to declare cash, and you’ll be asked to fill in a form. If you already have a completed form, hand it over.
3. Follow all instructions and have your passport and other documents ready - we’ll run through what else you might need next.

If you can’t find a declaration point, ask at the airport or seaport’s information desk. You can also find phone numbers for Japan customs offices here.

Checklist for cash declarations at Japan customs

While you may not be asked for all of it, it’s sensible to have the following ready to provide at customs:

• Your passport, address and other personal details as the person carrying the cash
• Details of who owns the cash and the intended recipient, if it’s not you.
• Details of your journey, including flight numbers, ferry routes and any countries you’ve passed through in transit
• The type of cash being carried (the currency, and whether it’s notes or coins)
• The total amount of cash
• Details and evidence (if you have it) of the source of the money, including the country of origin and how it was generated.
• Details of what the cash will be used for.

How much cash can you take out of Japan? Are there limits?

The limit for cash you can take out of Japan is 1 million Japanese yen (JPY).¹

You can carry more than this, but then you’d have to declare it to customs authorities. This is the best option if you are attending a Japanese wedding and plan to bring a large sum of cash as a gift.

How much cash can I take to Asia from the UK?

Each Asian country will have its own rules and limits for how much cash you can bring in. So, it’s worth doing some research before you travel.

But there’s also the UK’s own rules to consider. You can take up to £10,000 out of the UK without having to make a customs declaration.³

What are the penalties for travelling with too much cash?

If you bring too much cash into Japan or fail to declare it, you risk your money being seized. There may also be other penalties or consequences, so it really isn’t worth taking any chances.

Destinations where a declaration isn't needed

You’ll need to declare cash totalling more than 1 million Japanese yen to customs authorities regardless of where you’re travelling to.¹

Destinations where declaration is needed

All onward destinations require a customs declaration if you’re carrying more than 1 million JPY, except if you’re travelling between cities inside Japan.¹

Additional tips for travelling with cash

Avoid travelling with cash if you can

Travelling with large amounts of cash is a real security concern, so it’s best avoided unless absolutely necessary. Consider withdrawing cash at a Japanese ATM on arrival instead, or having the money sent by bank transfer.

Get a money belt

The safest way to carry cash is on your person, so invest in a good quality money belt to wear under your clothes.

Split your cash

Carrying one big wad of cash isn’t very discreet, and it’s risky too - if it’s misplaced or stolen, that would be all your money gone.

So consider splitting your money between a money belt worn on your person, between members of your travelling party, and between pieces of luggage too.

Be aware that exchanging currency in cash can be costly

If you’re carrying money to pay for your trip and need to exchange it once you get to Japan, you might struggle to find a good deal. This is especially true of exchanging cash in airports and hotels, where exchange rates are notoriously poor.

Wise – An international alternative to carrying cash

Rather avoid the security concerns and inconvenience of carrying cash between countries? Check out the Wise card instead.

It’s a truly international debit card, as it works in 150+ countries including Japan and has no foreign transaction fees*.

Your Wise card awaits 💳

It automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend, for just a small conversion fee*. If you already have the currency in your Wise account, there’s no fee to pay.

You can also use Wise to send money worldwide for great exchange rates and low fees*.

FAQs: How much cash can you travel with?

What needs to be declared at Japanese customs?

As well as currency, you need to declare the following at Japanese customs:

• Anything over your duty-free allowance in cigarettes, alcohol or other goods
• Unaccompanied baggage (exemptions apply if you’re moving to Japan and shipping household goods)
• Any prohibited or restricted goods.

Do I need cash in Japan?

While card use is rising in Japan - and the country is known for being technologically advanced - cash is still widely used.

So, it’s recommended to have a mix of cash and cards for your trip to Japan.

Is it better to carry cash or cards in Japan?

Cards are widely accepted in Japan, especially in the big cities and towns. Just make sure you have a travel-friendly card, one which doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

But it could also be useful to have some cash on you, for things like tipping, shopping at markets, buying street food and public transport.

If you’ll be shopping a lot in Japan, find out how to get a VAT refund.

Is it better to take cash or use an ATM to withdraw yen?

Withdrawing Japanese yen from an ATM once you arrive in the country could be the best way to get cash, rather than taking it with you. It could give you better exchange rates than converting cash in the UK or in Japan, as long as your card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

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Sources used:

1. Japan Customs - Procedures of Passenger Clearance
2. Japan Customs - Currency declaration form
3. GOV.UK - Take cash in and out of the UK

Sources last checked on date: 08-Jan-2025