Japan in cash.
The country where cash is still king — and where every banknote is offered with both hands. From the neon of Tokyo to the temples of Kyoto, carry yen in a mix of denominations: the ATMs that accept foreign cards hide inside convenience stores.
Helvetica Exchange prepares your JPY travel envelope at Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, 1204 Geneva (Rive district) — the posted rate, no separate commission, Monday–Friday 08:30–18:30 and Saturday 09:00–17:00. Reserve and your rate is held for 3 hours during opening hours; ID from the LBA thresholds.
The cities, chosen.
Tokyo
A megalopolis of a thousand faces — Shinjuku neon, the old lanes of Yanaka, remarkable food on every floor.
teamLab Planets — Immersive digital art, barefoot through water and mirrors — book ahead, it sells out weeks in advance.
Shibuya Sky at sunset — A rooftop 229 m above the world's most famous crossing.
Kyoto
The ancient capital of two thousand temples, where geisha hurry through Gion at dusk.
Fushimi Inari at dawn — Ten thousand vermilion torii climbing the mountain — free, and magical before 7 am.
Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion — A gilded reflection on the pond, unchanged for six centuries.
Osaka
The nation's kitchen — kuidaore, “eating yourself to ruin”, is a local art of living.
Dotonbori by night — Takoyaki, okonomiyaki and giant illuminated signs along the canal.
Osaka Castle — The white-and-gold fortress above its moats.
Getting around.
The JR Pass (7, 14 or 21 days) activates at the airport and opens unlimited Shinkansen travel — the golden route runs Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Nara → Osaka. In town, a Suica or Pasmo card tops up with cash and works everywhere, from the metro to station lockers.
Cash & banknotes.
Bring notes of 10'000 and 1'000 yen — and break the large ones early: the 500-yen coin rules train-ticket machines, station lockers and neighbourhood izakayas. Ryokans, small restaurants and temples often take cash only. Plan roughly ¥10'000 a day travelling simply, ¥20'000 in comfort, ¥40'000 in style (lodging aside).
| Rate reservation | held 3 hours, during opening hours |
| Counter hours | Mon–Fri 08:30–18:30 · Sat 09:00–17:00 |
| Commission | none — the margin lives in the posted rate |
Before you go.
How much cash per day in Japan?
Around ¥10'000 a day on a simple budget, ¥20'000 in comfort and ¥40'000 travelling in style, excluding accommodation — ryokans, small restaurants and temples frequently accept cash only.
Can I withdraw yen locally?
7-Eleven and post-office ATMs take foreign cards — but arrive covered: changing in Geneva spares you the fees and the surprises.
Indicative amounts — rate reservable for 3 hours · Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, Geneva · Guide complet en français