Have you ever stood at a register in Japan, holding a handful of coins, not knowing which ones to use?
Hello everyone.
I have worked in convenience stores in Japan for over 30 years, including as a store owner.
Currently, I work in a store where many foreign customers visit every day.
Today, I’d like to explain a very common problem foreign customers face:
Japanese coins.
Why Japanese Coins Are Difficult
In Japan, there are four main payment methods at convenience stores:
- Cash
- Credit cards
- IC cards (like Suica)
- Mobile payments
Among these, many foreign customers struggle with cash, especially coins.
Bills are relatively easy to understand, but coins are not.
Japanese coins can be confusing because:
- There are many types
- Some coins look similar
- Their size does not always match their value
Because of this, many customers keep using bills and end up with a large number of coins before leaving Japan.
The Easiest Solution
Here is the simplest solution:
👉 Just give all your coins to the cashier.
This may sound surprising, but it works.
In fact, many foreign customers do this every day, and staff are completely used to it.
Japanese convenience store staff are trained to handle money quickly and accurately.
They can easily calculate the correct change, even with many coins.
If you are unsure, you can simply say:
👉 “Sorry, I’m not familiar with Japanese coins. Could you help me?”
Most staff will gladly help you.
Why This Works
Paying with coins in Japan can feel stressful at first, but you don’t need to worry.
There are two reasons this method works well:
- Accuracy
Japanese staff are trained to handle money carefully. Mistakes are very rare. - Customer Service Culture
Helping customers is a basic part of the job, so staff will support you without hesitation.
Also, from a store’s perspective, receiving coins is actually helpful.
Japanese Coin Basics
There are six types of coins in Japan:
- 500 yen
- 100 yen
- 50 yen (has a hole)
- 10 yen
- 5 yen (has a hole)
- 1 yen
👉 Tip: Coins with holes are 50 yen and 5 yen.
One Important Warning
The Japanese 500 yen coin looks very similar to the Korean 500 won coin.
Sometimes, customers accidentally use Korean coins without realizing it.
Be careful not to mix them up.
The value of 500 won is only about 10% of 500 yen.
Conclusion
Japanese coins can be confusing at first, but it’s not a big problem.
If you’re unsure, just ask for help.
Convenience store staff are used to this situation and will support you.
Once you get used to it, paying with coins in Japan becomes simple—and even a little fun.
コメント