Japan's Coins and Notes: A Quick Visual Guide
Quick answer
Japan uses six coins (¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500) and three common notes (¥1,000, ¥5,000, ¥10,000), plus a rare ¥2,000 note. The ¥5 and ¥50 have center holes, and the ¥500 is a two-color coin updated in 2021. New-design notes arrived in 2024.
Which coins and notes does Japan use?
Japan still uses cash a lot, so it helps to recognize each piece at a glance. There are six coins and three common notes (plus a rare fourth note). This table covers what each one looks like and whether a typical vending machine takes it, as of June 2026.
| Denomination | Type | Color / appearance | Key feature | Vending machine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¥1 | Coin | Silver-colored, very light | Aluminum; floats on water | Usually not accepted |
| ¥5 | Coin | Gold-colored | Has a center hole; the only kanji-only coin (no Arabic numeral) | Usually not accepted |
| ¥10 | Coin | Copper-colored (bronze) | Reddish-brown, no hole | Accepted |
| ¥50 | Coin | Silver-colored, small | Has a center hole | Accepted |
| ¥100 | Coin | Silver-colored | Common for vending and small buys | Accepted |
| ¥500 | Coin | Two-tone (silver ring, gold center) | Bicolor design from 2021; large and heavy | Accepted |
| ¥1,000 | Note | Blue-toned | Smallest note; most widely accepted note | Usually accepted |
| ¥2,000 | Note | Green-toned | Rare; many machines and people seldom see it | Often not accepted |
| ¥5,000 | Note | Purple-toned | Mid-value note | Sometimes accepted |
| ¥10,000 | Note | Brown-toned | Highest common value | Sometimes accepted |
There is no ¥1 note and no ¥10,000 coin, so paying small amounts in cash tends to leave you with a pocket full of coins. An IC card or the ¥500 coin helps keep that under control.
What are the confusing coins and notes?
A few pieces trip up first-time visitors. Knowing these saves time at the register and the machine. As of June 2026:
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| ¥5 coin | Gold-colored with a center hole, and the only coin that shows its value only in kanji, not as a number. Considered a lucky coin. |
| ¥50 coin | Also has a center hole, but it is smaller and silver-colored. Don’t confuse it with the ¥5. |
| ¥1 coin | So light it can float; easy to overlook in a handful of change. |
| ¥500 coin (new) | Bicolor (silver ring, gold center), issued November 2021. Older single-color ¥500 coins still circulate and are still valid. |
| ¥10,000 note | The brown high-value note; some smaller shops prefer you break it elsewhere first. |
| New 2024 notes | The ¥1,000, ¥5,000, and ¥10,000 redesigns from July 2024 add a 3D holographic portrait. Older notes remain legal tender. |
The ¥5 and ¥50 holes are the quickest way to tell those two apart by touch alone. For the ¥500, both the old single-color and the new two-tone versions are good money.
What do vending machines and shops accept?
Vending machines are everywhere in Japan, but they are picky about which cash they take. Here is a practical rundown as of June 2026.
| You have | Will a typical machine take it? |
|---|---|
| ¥1, ¥5 coins | Usually no |
| ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500 coins | Usually yes |
| ¥1,000 note | Usually yes |
| ¥2,000 note | Often no |
| ¥5,000, ¥10,000 notes | Only some machines |
| Newest 2024 notes | Most machines, but older ones may reject them until updated |
A few tips that make cash easier to use:
- Keep a ¥1,000 note and ¥100/¥500 coins ready. This combination covers nearly every vending machine and ticket machine.
- Break large notes early. A convenience store purchase is an easy way to turn a ¥10,000 note into usable change.
- Use an IC card where you can. Transit IC cards work at most vending machines, convenience stores, and on trains and buses, and they sidestep the “machine rejects a new note” problem.
- Where to get or exchange cash: withdraw yen at convenience-store or post-office ATMs, or change foreign currency at airport and major-bank exchange counters. Rates are usually better with an ATM withdrawal than with airport currency exchange.
Reference: Japan’s money at a glance
| Item | Detail (as of June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Coins | ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500 |
| Notes | ¥1,000, ¥5,000, ¥10,000 (plus a rare ¥2,000) |
| Holed coins | ¥5 (gold) and ¥50 (silver) |
| Bicolor coin | ¥500, two-tone since November 2021 |
| Newest notes | ¥1,000 / ¥5,000 / ¥10,000 redesigned July 2024 |
| Best for vending machines | ¥10–¥500 coins and the ¥1,000 note, or an IC card |
| Easiest way to avoid coin clutter | Pay with an IC card |
Designs, security features, and which notes a machine accepts can change over time, and older coins and notes generally stay valid alongside new ones. When in doubt, an IC card or a ¥1,000 note plus small coins will cover almost any everyday purchase.
FAQ
What coins and notes does Japan use?
As of June 2026, Japan uses six coins: ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, and ¥500. It uses three common banknotes: ¥1,000, ¥5,000, and ¥10,000. A ¥2,000 note also exists but is rarely seen. There is no ¥1 note or ¥10,000 coin, so cash quickly fills up with coins.
Why do some Japanese coins have a hole in the middle?
The ¥5 and ¥50 coins each have a center hole. It started as a way to save metal and to help tell coins apart by touch, which is handy for quick sorting. The ¥5 is the gold-colored holed coin and the ¥50 is the smaller silver-colored holed coin. Both are still in normal use as of June 2026.
Why does the ¥500 coin look two-toned?
As of June 2026, the current ¥500 coin is bicolor: a silver-colored ring around a gold-colored center, introduced in November 2021. Older single-color ¥500 coins are still valid and circulate alongside it. The two-tone design adds security features. Both old and new ¥500 coins work in shops and most machines.
Did Japan's banknotes change recently?
Yes. As of June 2026, new-design ¥1,000, ¥5,000, and ¥10,000 notes issued in July 2024 are in circulation. They feature new portraits and updated security, including a 3D holographic portrait. Older notes are still legal tender, so you may receive a mix of old and new designs as change.
Which coins and notes do vending machines accept?
As of June 2026, most vending machines accept ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, and ¥500 coins and the ¥1,000 note. Many do not take ¥1 or ¥5 coins, and only some accept ¥5,000 or ¥10,000 notes. Older machines may reject the newest 2024 notes until updated, so keep a ¥1,000 note or coins handy, or use an IC card.
Is it better to pay with cash or an IC card in Japan?
An IC card (such as a transit card) saves you from handling small coins and is widely accepted at vending machines, convenience stores, and on transport. As of June 2026, cash is still useful at small shops and some restaurants, so carry both. IC cards also avoid the problem of a machine rejecting a brand-new note.