“I have a ripped yen bill. Can I still use it?”

Yes, you can exchange it at a bank! But there are some rules.

How to Exchange Damaged Bills

“Where do I go?”

Any Japanese bank will exchange damaged bills for free:

• Bring the damaged bill to the counter
• No special forms needed
• They’ll give you a new bill on the spot
• Major banks: MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho

The Rules

“How damaged can it be?”

Bank of Japan rules:

• 2/3 or more of the bill remaining → Full value exchanged
• 2/5 to 2/3 remaining → Half the value
• Less than 2/5 remaining → No exchange possible

For a small tear: You’ll get the full value, no problem.

Can You Still Use It?

“Can I just spend it?”

A slightly torn bill:

• Vending machines will reject it
• Some shops may hesitate
• Best to exchange it at a bank

It’s easier to just exchange it - banks handle this quickly.

What Japanese People Actually Do

Most locals:

• Take damaged bills to their bank
• Know that banks handle this routinely
• Tape small tears and continue using the bill
• Don’t worry much about minor damage

Extra Travel Tips

1. Banks are open 9 AM - 3 PM weekdays - Plan accordingly

2. Post offices can also sometimes help with currency exchange

3. Don’t throw away damaged bills - They still have value

4. Coins can’t be “damaged” - They’re always accepted

5. Keep your bills in a wallet - Japanese bills are made of quality paper but can tear

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