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Exchange Foreign Currency into JPY at Narita Airport: Recommended Exchange Offices, Rates, and Fees Comparison
2024-07-23
Updated on: March 2, 2024
Note: Mizuho Bank has closed all its currency exchange offices at Narita Airport as of February 29, 2024.
Should you exchange leftover foreign currency?
Interested in recommended currency exchange offices at Narita Airport?
Individuals returning from international travel, business trips, or studies abroad might consider these questions.
If you don’t exchange your leftover foreign currency at Narita Airport, you may find it cumbersome and time-consuming to do so at a bank later.
It is necessary to decide whether to exchange leftover foreign currency into JPY before departing from the foreign country.
This article explains the criteria for deciding whether to exchange foreign currency and introduces recommended currency exchange offices at Narita Airport that offer competitive rates and low fees.
For those wanting to learn whether to exchange foreign currency upon returning from abroad or seeking cost-effective exchanges at Narita Airport, please find this guide useful.
Conclusion of this article
- Key takeaways for exchanging foreign currency: Consider minor currency status, travel plans, and inflation rates.
- Recommended currency exchange options: GPA for returning to Japan from overseas.
- Recommended currency exchange options: Pocket Change for exchanging foreign coins.
Related Article
[Before Arriving at Narita Airport from an International Trip] First, Decide Whether to Exchange Foreign Currency
When traveling abroad for leisure or business, it is crucial to decide whether to exchange your foreign currency before departing the host country.
Depending on your specific circumstances and other factors, it might be better to exchange currency locally before returning.
The criteria for deciding whether to exchange foreign currency into JPY are threefold:
- Minor or Major Currency
- Future Travel Plans
- Inflation Rate in the Currency’s Country
Here is the guidelines for converting foreign currency back to Japanese yen.
Minor or Major Currency
One of the primary criteria for deciding whether to exchange foreign currency into JPY is whether the currency is a minor or major one.
At places like Narita Airport, major currencies, such as the US dollar and the euro, tend to have lower exchange rates.
Conversely, minor currencies can incur fees that are several times higher than those for major currencies, making them relatively expensive to exchange.
If you have leftover minor currency, it might be more advantageous to exchange it at exchange offices or airports in your travel destination before returning.
To determine if the exchange fees for your currency are excessively high, refer to a “Currency Exchange Fee Comparison.”
As a rule, currencies with exchange fees above 3.0% are generally better exchanged locally.
Plans for Future Overseas Travel
The second criterion for deciding whether to exchange foreign currency into JPY is whether you have plans to travel abroad again soon.
If you are planning another international trip after returning home, it might be more economical to keep the currency and avoid multiple exchange fees.
Similarly, if your next overseas trip will be to a different country than the one you just visited, it may also be more cost-effective to keep the currency rather than exchanging it.
If you have upcoming travel plans, it is advisable not to exchange your foreign currency into JPY immediately, but rather exchange it in the country you are heading to next.
Inflation in the Currency’s Country
The third criterion is the inflation rate in the currency’s country.
Inflation indicates rising prices and decreasing currency value.
High inflation means holding onto the currency can lead to losses, thus exchanging it becomes crucial.
Conversely, low inflation rates may not necessitate immediate exchange, allowing for potential forex risk hedging.
Additionally, converting to JPY to invest in mutual funds or ETFs, aiming for an average return of about 5%, can be a smart move.
Currently, even developed countries are experiencing higher inflation rates, requiring vigilance.
Below is a table showing the recent inflation rates among OECD countries.
| Countries | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| United States | 1.3 | 4.7 | 8.0 | 4.2 |
| Japan | 0.0 | -0.2 | 2.5 | 2.8 |
| United Kingdom | 0.9 | 2.6 | 9.1 | 6.9 |
| France | 0.5 | 2.1 | 5.9 | 6.1 |
| South Korea | 0.5 | 2.5 | 5.1 | 3.4 |
| Australia | 0.9 | 2.8 | 6.6 | 5.4 |
| Canada | 0.7 | 3.4 | 6.8 | 3.5 |
| Brazil | 3.2 | 8.3 | 9.3 | 5.6 |
In cases where the inflation rate is higher than the exchange fees, it is recommended to exchange the currency sooner rather than later.
Recommended Currency Exchange Facilities at Narita Airport Upon Return
The recommended currency exchange facilities at Narita Airport may vary depending on the currency.
This time, the results of a thorough investigation of the fees at various currency exchange facilities in Narita Airport’s Terminal 2 are published.
Use these results as a guide to minimize the fees when exchanging foreign currency into JPY at Narita Airport.
What are the Currency Exchange Fees at Narita Airport?
The fee structure for currency exchanges at Narita Airport differs slightly from that of typical exchange facilities.
| Exchange facilities at Narita Airport | Currency Exchange Fee = Exchange Rate |
| At typical exchange offices | Currency Exchange Fee = Administrative Fee + Exchange Rate |
At Narita Airport, the administrative fee is included in the exchange rate, meaning the “Exchange Rate” alone constitutes the fee.
This makes it easy to compare rates directly, as they are simply the rates posted by each exchange facility.
For those interested, the “Thorough Comparison of Exchange Rates” section introduced later will allow for further comparison.
Recommended Currency Exchange Facility in Terminal 2 of Narita Airport is GPA
In Terminal 2 of Narita Airport, the recommended currency exchange facility is “GPA.”
Based on comparisons of exchange rates at various facilities, GPA often offers the lowest fees for many currencies, thus helping to reduce the cost of exchanges.
When converting foreign currency into JPY at Narita Airport, it is generally best to use GPA.
GPA has three locations in Terminal 2, one of which includes a currency exchange vending machine, offering the same rates as the counter service.
For information on the location of GPA at Narita Airport Terminal 2, refer to “Foreign Currency Exchange Facilities at Narita Airport Terminal 2: Location, Business Hours, and Procedures.”
Thorough Comparison of Exchange Rates
The results of the investigation into the exchange rates at the currency exchange facilities in Terminal 2 of Narita Airport are as follows:
The higher the numerical value listed in the table for the exchange rate, the lower the fees you can expect to pay.
| Currencies | Market Rate | Travelex | Keio Bank | Chiba Bank | GPA | |
| USD （US Dollar） | 140.725 | 130.2 | 135.95 | 136.07 | 136.45 | |
| KRW （South Korean Won） | 0.10635 | 0.0882 | 0.0935 | 0.0924 | 0.0935 | |
| CNY （Chinese Yuan） | 19.9195 | 16.77 | ー | ー | 17.34 | 17.75 |
| EUR （Euro） | 150.86 | 141.48 | 146 | 145.44 | 146 | |
| GBP （British Pound） | 173.75 | 157.09 | ー | ー | 162.75 | 163.74 |
| AUD （Australian Dollar） | 91.8 | 74.98 | ー | ー | 83.71 | 83.91 |
| NZD （New Zealand Dollar） | 85.12 | 66.53 | ー | ー | 76.11 | 76.26 |
| CAD （Canadian Dollar） | 103.41 | 85.72 | ー | ー | 95.51 | 95.52 |
| SGD （Singapore Dollar） | 103.98 | 91.12 | ー | ー | 97.8 | 98.81 |
| HKD （Hong Kong Dollar） | 17.9653 | 14.08 | ー | ー | 14.9 | 15.43 |
| TWD （Taiwanese Dollar） | 4.5839 | 3.62 | ー | ー | 3.9801 | 4.0363 |
| THB （Thai Baht） | 4.0496 | 3.29 | ー | ー | 3.55 | 3.62 |
| MYR （Malaysian Ringgit） | 30.5856 | 24.05 | ー | ー | 25.71 | 26.25 |
| IDR （Indonesian Rupiah） | 0.0094095 | 0.0033 | ー | ー | 0.0053 | 0.0069 |
| INR （Indian Rupee） | 1.7042 | 1.23 | ー | ー | ー | ー |
| AED （UAE Dirham） | 38.24 | 30.28 | ー | ー | ー | 33.39 |
| CHF （Swiss Franc） | 155.43 | 147.69 | ー | ー | 149.82 | 149.75 |
| VND （Vietnamese Dong） | 0.005993 | 0.0047 | ー | ー | 0.0047 | 0.0051 |
| PHP （Philippine Peso） | 2.5163 | 1.83 | ー | ー | 1.99 | 2.19 |
| BRL （Brazilian Real） | 28.178 | 15.74 | ー | ー | 19.75 | 20.26 |
| XPF （CFP Franc (French Pacific Franc） | 1.2579 | 0.9699 | ー | ー | 1.08 | 1.09 |
| SEK （Swedish Krona） | 13.284 | 0 | ー | ー | 10.48 | 10.58 |
| HUF （Hungarian Forint） | 0.4048 | 0.31 | ー | ー | ー | 0.33 |
| CZK （Czech Koruna） | 6.3498 | 5.16 | ー | ー | ー | 5.59 |
| NOK （Norwegian Krone） | 12.6933 | 0 | ー | ー | 10.46 | 10.47 |
| MXN （Mexican Peso） | 7.98555 | 4.86 | ー | ー | 6.2 | 6 |
| PLN （Polish Złoty） | 33.30065 | 24.55 | ー | ー | ー | 28.15 |
| DKK （Danish Krone） | 20.2549 | 16.58 | ー | ー | 17.84 | 17.84 |
| ZAR （South African Rand） | 7.1612 | 4.02 | ー | ー | ー | ー |
| FJD （Fijian Dollar） | 62.4703 | 47.89 | ー | ー | ー | 51.66 |
| SAR （Saudi Arabian Riyal） | 37.4496 | ー | ー | ー | ー | 32.6 |
*Market rates were referenced from Reuters, and AED, XPF, HUF, CZK, SAR rates were referenced from Google Mid-Market rates.
The survey found that GPA offers lower fees for all currencies except CHF (Swiss Franc) and MXN (Mexican Peso).
However, for some currencies, the exchange rates are the same as those offered at other exchange offices, posing no issue in selecting an alternative.
Additionally, as of June 2023, it was discovered that only Travelex is capable of exchanging INR (Indian Rupee) and ZAR (South African Rand) at Narita Airport.
When exchanging foreign currency at Narita Airport, using GPA generally allows for lower fees.
Exchange Fee Comparison: Top vs. Bottom
Let’s take a closer look at how much each exchange bureau adds to their exchange fees and compare the rates of the top and bottom performers.
| Currencies | Top Exchange Bureau | Top Exchange Fee | Bottom Exchange Fee | Percentage Difference Between Top and Bottom |
| USD （US Dollar） | GPA | 2.1% | 6.6% | 4.5% |
| KRW （South Korean Won） | Keio Bank GPA | 13.6％ | 18.5％ | 4.9% |
| CNY （Chinese Yuan） | GPA | 9.2% | 14.2% | 5.0% |
| EUR （Euro） | Keio Bank・GPA | 2.5% | 5.6% | 3.1% |
| GBP （British Pound） | GPA | 6.5% | 10.3% | 3.8% |
| AUD （Australian Dollar） | GPA | 10.7% | 20.2% | 9.5% |
| NZD （New Zealand Dollar） | GPA | 10.7% | 22.1% | 11.4% |
| CAD （Canadian Dollar） | GPA | 8.5% | 17.9% | 9.4% |
| SGD （Singapore Dollar） | GPA | 4.7% | 12.1% | 7.4% |
| HKD （Hong Kong Dollar） | GPA | 13.2% | 20.8% | 7.6% |
| TWD （Taiwanese Dollar） | GPA | 11.2% | 20.3% | 9.1% |
| THB （Thai Baht） | GPA | 10.1% | 18.3% | 8.2% |
| MYR （Malaysian Ringgit） | GPA | 13.1% | 20.4% | 7.3% |
| IDR （Indonesian Rupiah） | GPA | 26.5% | 64.9% | 38.4% |
| INR （Indian Rupee） | Travelex | 27.2% | 27.2% | 0.0% |
| AED （UAE Dirham） | GPA | 4.4% | 13.3% | 8.9% |
| CHF （Swiss Franc） | Chiba Bank | 2.8% | 4.2% | 1.4% |
| VND （Vietnamese Dong） | GPA | 14.1% | 20.8% | 6.7% |
| PHP （Philippine Peso） | GPA | 11.9% | 26.4% | 14.5% |
| BRL （Brazilian Real） | GPA | 29.1% | 44.9% | 15.8% |
| XPF （CFP Franc (French Pacific Franc)） | GPA | 12.8% | 22.4% | 9.6% |
| SEK （Swedish Krona） | GPA | 18.1% | 18.9% | 0.8% |
| HUF （Hungarian Forint） | GPA | 18.9% | 23.8% | 4.9% |
| CZK （Czech Koruna） | GPA | 11.6% | 18.4% | 6.8% |
| NOK （Norwegian Krone） | GPA | 19.2% | 19.3% | 0.1% |
| MXN （Mexican Peso） | Chiba Bank | 23.1% | 39.7% | 16.6% |
| PLN （Polish Złoty） | GPA | 16.6% | 27.2% | 10.6% |
| DKK （Danish Krone） | Chiba Bank GPA | 11.2% | 17.5% | 6.3% |
| ZAR （South African Rand） | Travelex | 46.0% | 46.0% | 0.0% |
| FJD （Fijian Dollar） | GPA | 17.7% | 23.7% | 6.0% |
| SAR （Saudi Arabian Riyal） | GPA | 12.4% | 12.4% | 0.0% |
A comparison of exchange rates reveals that major currencies like USD (US Dollar) and EUR (Euro) typically have “top-tier exchange fees” of around 2%, making them relatively inexpensive.
However, minor currencies like BRL (Brazilian Real) and ZAR (South African Rand) incur significantly higher fees, reaching 29.1% and 46.0%, respectively.
Travelex, in particular, consistently ranks among the “worst exchange rate providers” for numerous currencies, making it advisable to avoid their services.
Even within the category of well-known currencies, exchange rates can vary considerably between different exchange bureaus, with differences ranging from 3% to 11%. This highlights the importance of comparing rates before making a transaction.
Consider the exchange rate for 1,000 AUD converted to JPY
- GPA：1,000 AUD × 83.91 = 83,910 JPY
- Travelex：1,000 AUD × 74.98 = 74,980 JPY
Despite exchanging the same amount of AUD, the difference in the receivable amount is 8,930 JPY.
As demonstrated by this example, selecting a reputable exchange bureau with competitive exchange rates can significantly impact your overall financial outcome. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully compare rates before converting currencies.
Foreign Exchange Bureaus at Narita Airport Terminal 2 | Location, Hours of Operation, and Procedures
| Currency Exchange | Floor | Location | Map Number | Business Hours |
| 1. Travelex | B1F | Keisei Line Ticket Windo | 11 | 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM |
| 2. GPA | B1F | Railway | 6 | 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM |
| 3. GPA（ATM） | 1F | Arrival Lobby | 32 | 24 hours |
| 4. GPA | 3F | Departure Lobby | 12 | 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM |
| 5. | Late Shift: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM* | |||
| 6. Keio Bank | 3F | Departure Lobby | 18 | Early Shift: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Late Shift: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM* |
| 7. Chiba Bank | 2F | Connecting Passage | 8 | General Banking Services 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Weekdays Only) |
There are a total of seven currency exchange locations available at Narita Airport Terminal 2 for returning travelers from overseas trips.
Each currency exchange location is described in detail.
【B1F】Currency Exchange Offices
There are two currency exchange offices located on B1F of Narita Airport Terminal 2:
- Travelex | Map: 11
- GPA Currency Exchange Specialty Store | Map: 6
1. Travelex | Map: 11
- Location: Keisei Line Counter
- Business Hours: 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM
- Rate Update: Hourly on weekdays, once daily on weekends and public holidays
- For Travelex’s exchange rates, please refer to the “Today’s Online Rates” on the Travelex official website.
- Coupons 1・Coupons 2
The discount rate is not specified, but coupons are available on the Travelex official website.
2. GPA Currency Exchange Specialty Store | Map: 6
- Location: Railway Area
- Business Hours: 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Rate Update: Daily Please refer to the “Today’s Exchange Rates” on the GPA official website for GPA’s exchange rates.
- On weekends and public holidays, when the markets are closed, the rates from the day before the holiday (usually Friday) are applied.
【1F】3. GPA Currency Exchange Vending Machine (ATM) | Map: 32
- Location: Arrival Lobby
- Business Hours: 24 hours
- Rate Update: Daily Please refer to the “Today’s Exchange Rates” on the GPA official website for GPA’s exchange rates.
- On weekends and public holidays, when the markets are closed, the rates from the day before the holiday (usually Friday) are applied.
【3F】Departure Lobby Currency Exchange Offices
In the Departure Lobby on the 3rd Floor of Narita Airport Terminal 2, there are three currency exchange offices:
- GPA Currency Exchange Specialty Store | Map: 12
Mizuho Bank | Map: 1- Keiyo Bank | Map: 18
4. GPA Currency Exchange Specialty Store | Map: 12
- Location: Departure Lobby
- Business Hours: 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM
- Rate Update: Once daily For GPA’s exchange rates, please refer to the “Today’s Exchange Rates” on the GPA official website.
- On weekends and public holidays, when the markets are closed, the rates from the day before the holiday (usually Friday) are applied.
5. Mizuho Bank | Map: 1
- Mizuho Bank has closed all of its currency exchange offices at Narita Airport as of February 29, 2024.
6. Keiyo Bank | Map: 18
- Location: 3F
- Business Hours: Early shift 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Late shift 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Adjacent exchange offices operate alternately during early and late shifts.
- Rate Update: Weekdays only | Once daily
- On weekends and public holidays, the markets are closed, so the rates from the day before the holiday (usually Friday) apply.
For currency exchange at Keiyo Bank, fill out an application form and submit it.
【2F】7. Chiba Bank | Map: 8
- Location: 2F
- Business Hours: General banking services | Weekdays 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Rate Update: Weekdays only | Once daily
Please refer to the “Foreign Exchange Rates” on Chiba Bank’s official website for the exchange rates. - On weekends and public holidays, the markets are closed, so the rates from the day before the holiday (usually Friday) apply.
For currency exchange at Chiba Bank, fill out an application form and submit it.
Exchanging Foreign Currency Coins at Narita Airport: Use Pocket Change
Currency exchange offices at Narita Airport handle only banknotes, not coins.
For those returning from international travel, business trips, or studies with leftover foreign currency coins wishing to exchange them, Pocket Change is a highly convenient solution.
Pocket Change is a machine that allows you to deposit leftover foreign currency coins and exchange them for electronic money or gift codes.
In Terminal 2 of Narita Airport, there are two Pocket Change machines available, but only one can be used upon arrival:
Pocket Change | Narita Airport Terminal 2, 1st Floor: International Arrivals Lobby
Located near the north exit 3 of the Arrivals Lobby in Terminal 2, it offers a convenient location upon arrival.
Operating hours are from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and the machine accepts the following four types of foreign currency coins:
- US Dollars
- Euros
- South Korean Won
- Chinese Yuan
Exchanging or converting at Pocket Change is straightforward:
- Go to the Pocket Change location.
- Select the country of the currency you wish to exchange and the service you want to convert it to.
- Insert the leftover foreign currency coins.
- On the confirmation screen, select “Have a coupon?” and enter the code “9992396”.
- Verify the service and amount to be received and complete the transaction.
Entering the coupon code at step 4 will provide you with a more favorable exchange rate.
Ensure that any leftover foreign currency coins from international travel, business trips, or studies are exchanged or converted at Pocket Change, avoiding any loss.
Frequently Asked Questions When Exchanging Foreign Currency at Narita Airport
This section compiles common questions that arise when exchanging foreign currency at Narita Airport.
If you have any doubts or questions, please refer to this information.
Are the exchange rates at Narita Airport unfavorable?
The exchange rates at Narita Airport are generally worse compared to regular exchange offices.
However, considering the inconvenience of going to a bank after returning home, there are cases where it might be better to exchange your currency at the airport.
Based on the criteria explained in this article, consider the amount of foreign currency you have and the effort involved to decide whether to exchange it at Narita Airport.
Do you know the exchange rates for Chiba Bank at Narita Airport?
The exact exchange rates for Chiba Bank at Narita Airport are not known.
The rates at the airport differ from those at regular exchange offices and may vary slightly from those available online.
For reference exchange rates, you can check the ‘Foreign Exchange Rates‘ section on the Chiba Bank official website.
When exchanging foreign currency into JPY at Narita Airport, GPA is generally recommended.
Can I exchange currency at Terminal 1 of Narita Airport?
There are several currency exchange offices available at Narita Airport’s Terminal 1 where you can exchange foreign currency.
These include:
- GPA
- Chiba Bank
- Keiyo Bank
Mizuho Bank- Pocket Change
For more details, please refer to the official Narita Airport website.
Which are the recommended places to exchange euros at Narita Airport?
Based on recent investigations, the following three exchange offices are recommended for exchanging euros at Narita Airport:
Mizuho Bank- Keiyo Bank
- GPA
The investigation shows that these exchange offices offer the lowest fees for the same exchange rates.
When converting euros into JPY at Narita Airport, consider using one of the above-mentioned facilities.
Summary: Choosing Currency Exchange Offices at Narita Airport with Favorable Rates and Fees
Before departing from abroad to Japan, it is essential to determine whether to exchange foreign currency and to identify recommended currency exchange offices at Narita Airport that offer low fees.
Decide whether to exchange foreign currency into JPY based on the following criteria:
- Whether the currency is a minor or major currency
- Whether you have plans to travel abroad again soon
- The level of inflation in the currency’s country
At Narita Airport, “GPA” is often recommended for currency exchanges, especially if you do not have time to compare rates.
Additionally, it is important to note that foreign currency coins cannot be exchanged at exchange offices.
For those returning from abroad with leftover foreign currency coins, “Pocket Change” is recommended for converting them into electronic money or gift codes.
By entering the code “9992396” on the final confirmation screen, you can exchange them at a special favorable rate.
Minimize the fees on leftover foreign currency from international trips, business trips, or studies, and utilize it for your next overseas travel or daily expenses.
