5 Methods Japanese Use for Dealing With Loose Change

Beware pocket change: did you know you can only use 20 coins per denomination at once in Japan?

That's right, there's literally a law that prevents anyone from using more than 20 coins per denomination at a time. But have no fear—if you've been wondering what to do with that pile of change sitting in a jar on your counter…

This article takes a quick look at 5 of the most common methods Japanese use for dealing with too many coins. 

1. Change your coins via ATM. 

Use your bank’s ATM to deposit your loose pocket change into your bank account. Note: You'll need a Japanese bank account for this one.

For instance, Sumitomo Mitsui Bank Corporation (SMBC) allows you to deposit up to 100 coins at a time in their ATMs, with no limit on the number of transactions you can make per day. Many banks will have something similar on offer. 

Keep in mind, most banks’ fees change if you take your coins to a bank window vs depositing them via ATM. 

E.g., here’s SMBC’s price breakdown for both options.

Bank window:

• Up to 300 coins: free

• 301 to 500 coins: 550 yen for 301 to 500 coins

• 501 to 1000 coins: 1100 yen 

• 1001 coins on up: 550 yen for every additional 500 coins

ATM deposit:

• Free for up to 100 coins per transaction (up to 75 x 500 yen coins)

• No limit on transactions.

• Coin deposits are only available on weekdays from 8:45-18:00

• Not all ATMs will accept coin deposits. Use SMBC’s ATM locator to find an ATM machine that will exchange coins. Input your nearest station, and then in the dropdown, select the following conditions: Click on the green plus button and then under「店舗」 select ATMコーナー（無人）and under 「ATM」select 硬貨を伴う取扱あり（平日）

• For those close to Hiroo, the SMBC Trust Bank in Hiroo Reeplex B’s building has an ATM machine that allows coin deposits. 

Other banks that allow free ATM coin deposits include Resona, Mizuho, and Mitsubishi. 

2. Exchange your coins at Pocket Change kiosks.

Pocket Change kiosks allow you to deposit your Japanese change and exchange it for e-money or a voucher of your choice. 

For example, you can drop off a jar full of 5 yens, and then select the e-money type of your choosing, such as Rakuten Edy, Waon, Suica, and Pasmo. Or you can exchange your coins for a voucher, such as Amazon gift cards. The kiosks have an English interface, so no kanji-reading necessary!

These bright green kiosks are located in Haneda, Narita, and other major transport and tourist hubs. 

The official Japan coin exchange Pocket Change site has a kiosk locator to help you find the closest coin-exchange kiosk to your current location. (There’s a kiosk in Shinjuku and one in Ginza.)

3. Use loose change to charge up your Pasmo or Suica card.

There’s a law in Japan that disallows the use of more than 20 coins of the same denomination at one time. But if you stay under the 20-coin-per denomination rule, you’ll be able to add a nice amount of coinage to your travel pass. 

When topping up your Suica or other IC cards, choose a Tokyo Metro ticket vending machine (pink kiosks), which allows you to use 10 yen coins when charging up. You won’t be able to use 1 yens or 5 yens. 

You can then use the credit on your Pasmo or Suica at most convenience stores and participating supermarkets. 

4. Deposit coins at Yucho Ginko/JP Post. 

You can also change coins at your local post office. Yucho Bank, located inside of your local post office, will allow you to deposit up to 50 coins for free at a window if you’re a Yucho Bank customer. 

Here are the prices for exchanging coins at a Yucho Bank window vs a Yucho Bank ATM. 

Bank window:

• 50 coins: free

• 51 to 100 coins: 550 yen 

• 101 to 500 coins: 825 yen 

• 501 to 1000 coins: 1100 yen 

• For coins over 1000: 550 yen for every 500 coins 

ATM:

• 1-25 coins: free

• 26-50 coins: 220 yen for 26-50 coins

• 51-100 coins: 330 yen for 51-100 coins

• Coin deposits are available on weekdays from 7:00-18:00

• Up to 100 coins per transaction

Yucho Bank has a coin deposit calculator so you can find out how much it will cost to deposit all your coins at once. 

5. Use coins at self-checkout at the supermarket.

Many supermarkets in Japan have a self-checkout line. Put your coins in a purse designated for all your loose coins, and remember to bring it with you when you go shopping. Choose a purse with a wide opening, so you can stuff your whole hand in there to scoop the coins out. 

Go to the self-checkout queue and use up to 20 coins per denomination when paying for your purchases. In my experience, you don’t need to bother counting them out—just dump them into the coin-counting slot and the machine will count them for you. Once you’ve reached a limit on a certain denomination, that coin type will no longer be accepted. 

You can eventually whittle down your jars and jars of coinage using this method. 

Frequently asked questions

What to do with coins in Japan?

If you have extra coins, you can spend them on drinks and snacks at any convenience store or supermarket in Japan. At the semi-self-checkout, you can deposit all your coins to get cash and fewer coins in return. You can also charge your IC card with your extra coins.

How do you change coins to cash in Japan?

If you have a Japanese bank account, such as Yucho Ginko or SMBC, you can deposit your coins into their respective ATMs. Once in your account, you can withdraw cash if needed.

What to do with 1 yen coins?

The best and easiest way to use 1 yen coins is to buy things. If an item costs 678 yen, use three 1 yen coins or eight 1 yen coins to get even change. You can also give your extra 1 yen coins to any donation box at any checkout counter.

In closing

If you’re after a quick fix for your jars of coins, read up on your bank’s policy for coin deposits at ATMs or find the nearest Pocket Change machine. 

If you're okay with gradually spending your collection of coins, keep your pocket change pruse on hand for recharging your Pasmo or for your next shopping trip.