What can I do with leftover yen at the end of a trip?

Learn the practical ways to use up, exchange, donate or save leftover yen, and why coins are often harder to deal with than banknotes.

Published October 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Leftover yen can be spent at the airport, exchanged back at a counter or at home, or kept for a future trip. Banknotes are usually easy to exchange, while coins are often not accepted by exchange providers. Typically, the best approach is to spend coins before departure and decide early what to do with the notes.

The main options at a glance

There are four practical choices for leftover yen. The first is to spend it, in shops, on food or on a last purchase. The second is to exchange it back into the home currency at an airport counter, a bank or an exchange provider. The third is to keep it for a future trip, and the fourth is to donate it where a collection is offered.

Each option suits a different amount. A handful of coins is best spent. A few banknotes can be exchanged or kept. A large sum is worth exchanging at a good rate. The Bank of Japan lists the banknotes and coins in current use as 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen notes and 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen coins, so the leftover amount is likely to be some mix of these.

Planning ahead matters most. Counters at airports can be busy, and the last hours before a flight are tight. Deciding on the day before departure what to do with leftover yen avoids a rush at the terminal.

Spending leftover yen

The simplest route is to use the yen. Airports in Japan typically have shops selling snacks, souvenirs and travel items, and many have convenience stores and restaurants. A final meal, a drink or a gift is an easy way to use coins. Check that the shop is on the departure side if the plan is to shop after security.

Another route is to top up a transit IC card, such as Suica or Pasmo, before leaving, but only if the card will be used again. Some cards can be refunded under the operator's rules, with a fee, so check the operator's official page for current terms. Balance left on a card can also be kept for a future trip, if the card remains valid.

Vending machines and convenience stores can absorb many coins at once, since machines usually accept coins in several denominations. Paying for small items with exact coin amounts is an efficient way to empty a pocket, though staff may take a moment to count a large pile.

Exchanging yen back

Banknotes are generally easier to exchange. JNTO says foreign currency can usually be exchanged at exchange counters and banks, and that all major airports have exchange points in their arrival halls. Counters that sell foreign currency to departing travelers are usually found in the airport as well, though hours and locations depend on the airport.

Many providers accept banknotes but not coins, and which currency pairs they handle varies. Before queuing, ask whether the counter buys back yen and what the rate is. A rate for selling foreign currency back is often less favorable than the rate used when buying yen, because of the provider's margin.

At the home airport or bank, yen can often be exchanged as well, though some banks need advance notice or do not stock yen in all branches. Comparing the total received from two providers is the surest guide, since rates and fees change daily and differ between providers.

Why coins are the hard part

Coins are usually the problem. Exchange providers often do not accept foreign coins because of the cost of handling and shipping them. A traveler with a pocketful of 500-yen, 100-yen and 10-yen coins may find that the only practical use is to spend them before leaving.

The Bank of Japan's page lists the 1-yen coin as aluminum, the lightest and smallest-value coin in the set. Small coins can feel like a nuisance, but they are legal currency, and a handful of 1-yen coins can usually be used at checkouts in Japan, where exact change is welcome.

Some airports and facilities have charity collection boxes for coins and notes in various currencies. Availability varies by location, so look for signs or ask at an information desk. Keeping a few coins as souvenirs is also a common choice.

Who should think about this

Travelers on short trips with small budgets may end the trip with just coins. A final convenience-store purchase usually solves this. Visitors on long trips with cash-heavy plans, for example rural travel where cards are less common, may end with banknotes and need a proper exchange plan.

Families with children can use leftover coins for a last treat at the airport. Older travelers who prefer not to carry cash back can use a final bank or counter visit earlier in the trip, before the rush of departure day.

Frequent visitors often keep yen for the next trip. This is practical, since yen banknotes in the current series remain in the same denominations. The Bank of Japan page lists a new series of 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000 yen notes first issued on July 3, 2024, alongside the earlier series, so check the current rules if notes are kept for years.

Leftover-cash slip-ups

One mistake is leaving the exchange to the last minute. Queues, closed counters or an unexpectedly poor rate can make the experience worse than it needs to be. Another is assuming that coins can be exchanged. They often cannot, so spend them first.

A third mistake is carrying large sums through customs without checking the rules. JNTO says a customs declaration is required when entering or leaving Japan with more than 1 million yen in cash, checks, securities or similar items. Most leftover amounts are far smaller, but the rule is worth knowing.

A fourth is forgetting that cards are widely accepted for the final purchases. If only a small amount of yen is left, it may not be worth the hassle of exchange at all. A last purchase with the coins and a card for the rest is often easiest.

A countdown plan for the last days

Do a cash check two days before departure. Count notes and coins, decide which to spend, and plan a final shopping stop for the coins. Keep a small reserve for the trip to the airport, and keep the last yen for transport costs such as train fares or a bus.

At the airport, check whether the exchange counter buys back yen and compare the rate with the rate at home. If the sum is large, a bank may offer better terms, though hours are limited. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act.

If unsure, keep the notes and spend the coins. Yen kept at home can be useful for the next visit and costs nothing to hold, and it saves paying a second margin on a new exchange the next time a trip to Japan comes up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can yen coins be exchanged back at the airport?

Often not. Many exchange providers accept banknotes only, because coins are costly to handle. Ask the counter before queuing, and plan to spend coins in shops, vending machines or convenience stores before departure.

Is it better to exchange leftover yen in Japan or at home?

It depends on the provider and day. Japanese airport counters may buy back yen with a margin, while home banks may have their own rates and need notice. Comparing the total received from two quotes is the best guide.

Do yen banknotes expire?

The Bank of Japan lists the current series of notes in use, including a new series introduced in July 2024 beside the earlier series. The page does not describe expiry, so check the Bank of Japan's official guidance before relying on old notes after many years.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Tokyo, Made Simple is available on Amazon.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Where is the best place to exchange money in Japan?, Can I pay with a 10,000 yen note in Japan? and Japanese Banknotes and Coins: Denominations, Designs and Handy Tips.