Japan has a strong cash culture, and it is usual to see people carrying large amounts of cash with them because of the low crime rate. It is only recently that credit cards have begun to become more popular. However, travellers may still encounter difficulties with foreign credit cards.

Japanese Yen (JPY; symbol ¥). Notes are in denominations of ¥10,000, 5000, 2000 and 1000. Coins are in denominations of ¥500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1.

All money must be exchanged at an authorised bank or money changer.

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and other major credit cards are widely accepted in towns. ATMs are widely available although many do not accept foreign credit or debit cards, and are harder to find outside of towns. They are generally open Mon-Fri 0700-2300, Sat-Sun 0900-1900, though some only operate during normal banking hours and on Saturday mornings. Citibank machines accept foreign credit cards and are often open 24 hours.

These can be exchanged at most major banks, larger hotels and some duty free shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Japanese Yen or US dollars.

The import and export of local and foreign currency is unrestricted, subject to declaration of amounts equivalent to ¥1,000,000 or above.

Date	Jul 06
£1.00=	¥213.07
$1.00=	¥117.07

Mon-Fri 0900-1500.

The following goods may be imported into Japan without incurring customs duty:
400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco or 500g of a combination of these; three bottles (approximately 0.76l each) of spirits; 56ml of perfume; gifts up to the value of ¥200,000.

There is no duty free allowance for alcohol or tobacco products for travellers aged 19 years or younger. Oral declaration is necessary on arrival at customs.

Counterfeit, altered or imitated coins, paper money, banknotes or securities; all plants with soil; most meats and fruits (prohibited meats include eggs, bones, horns etc of cows, goats, sheep, bees, chickens, dogs, ducks, geese, horses, rabbits and turkeys); animals without health certificates; firearms and ammunition; narcotics; obscene articles and publications (including films).