Hello /r/JapanTravel,
So we got some cash to have for when we arrive in Japan.
(I know it’s generally advised to just use an ATM when there but the rate was good (~182/gbp) and we wanted some cash on hand before arrival incase of any issues with cards/etc.)
Thing is…when the cash arrived, it’s just a stack of 2000 Yen notes.
I’ve read a bunch of mixed answers on how accepted these are so does anyone have recent experience of how practical they are now…?
i.e. I understand that most vending machines will only accept ¥1000 notes, but for things like topping up Pasmo/Suica can they be used? How about restaurants, combinis, etc? 🙂
22 comments
Didn’t notice any issues, some people were strangely excited to see them. Almost like $2 bills in the US
Saw a post recently here where a restaurant called the police on them suspecting that the 2000Y is fake because it is never practically circulated in Japan…only foreign banks buy them
I had some when visiting in 2013. Was never an issue.
I believe most tourist-heavy areas will be fine with them since they’re primarily used by foreigners. Some people will look at them strangely, though, if it’s their first time seeing them. Keep other denominations on hand, just in case, but for 90% of interactions, they should be usable.
Yea, vending machines often only accept 1000 notes (and coins). Pretty much everywhere else it should be no problem – although occasionally you might run into someone who’s never seen a 2000 Yen note before.
Topping up Suica at JR machines works for sure, probably at all other machines as well.
A few years ago I tried to pay for a SIM card with mint ¥2000 bills, both my local friend and shop staff saw then asked if they could exchange with me privately and keep the ¥2000 bills before I paid. They are a rarity in Japan 😂
I’ve only ever gotten a couple, but I’ve never had trouble using them. Honestly, *I* was more excited to see them than anyone else.
Keep them.. They are not being printed anymore. 2000 yen is still being accepted almost everywhere in Japan.. its just not commonly seen. I would bring a small amount to Japan just in case but you can pull money out from ATMs and even exchange at the airport (which has a really good exchange rate). I have about a dozen or so 2000 yen bills from my bank and I don’t plan on spending them.
We went to Japan last year and we brought some 2000 yen notes with us, as that is what they gave us at the currency exchange place here at home.
A few stores were very curious about them but did take them.
At one coffee shop the entire staff came out to see the new crisp 2000 yen bills. :):)
¥2000 notes are basically like paying with a 20, most establishments will happily take them with minimal fuss. It’s when you’re trying to pay with a ¥5000 or ¥10000 note that you start pissing people off.
Its fine. However most if not all vending machines will not accept them. Same goes for ticket machines. Restaurants and stuff, no worries. It’s still money.
The 2,000 yen bill is more of a novelty so you should keep one.
Never had problem using them, true that some vending machines only accept 1000 bills, but ticket machines at the station can accept the 2000.
This made me double check the bills that I had exchanged at the start of the year… I have over 20 of the things lol.
I was able to use them but got a few odd looks from younger cashiers because they don’t see them, and I’m fairly certain a few have never seen them before. I even think I got the wrong change at a Starbucks because the girl working the register thought it was a 5000 note. I don’t think the 7-11 machines take them. I ended up using them sparingly during my visit, opting for the 1000 and 5000 notes instead. I had no issue handing it to a couple of the older taxi drivers. They knew what they were.
Use them for taxi fares. The drivers will gladly take them.
I had the same reaction, I think it was a note printed for the millennium, we had so many I thought it was common. People were so surprised/happy to see them in most cases
I only had problems using them at familymart.
I had 1 bar in my 2 weeks there saying they wouldn’t take it. You should be fine
Many people will happily convert them for 1000 yen bills 😅 I will gladly take one of you and give you the 2x 1000yen bills
They love $2000 bills
I was in japan for one month (this august) and there were 3 times only where 2000 yen notes were not accepted, so I would not say they are impractical.
I did have a young man at a restaurant tell me “not Japanese money” because he had never seem them before.