Asakusa money guide 2026: where to exchange yen for Senso-ji visitors

⚡ 30-Second Answer: Asakusa = tourist-dense district, with 78% card acceptance (lower than central Tokyo's 92%) — cashless is progressing but slower. Best deal: 7-Eleven Seven Bank ATM (multiple within 500m of Senso-ji) with a 0%-FX card — roughly mid-market -0.5%, fee ¥110/¥220 regardless of time of day. Backup: Travelex Asakusa (inside Asakusa Culture Tourist Info Center at Kaminarimon, near Asakusa Station) — verify hours/currency menu. Street stalls, rickshaws, small shrines need cash — keep ¥20,000-30,000. Bring coins for offerings + omikuji.

Quick Reference	Value
Best value	7-Eleven Seven Bank ATM + 0%-FX card (~mid -0.5%)
ATM fee	¥110 (≤¥10,000) / ¥220 (>¥10,000), 24/7
Exchange counter	Travelex Asakusa (Kaminarimon, Asakusa Culture Tourist Info Center)
24h ATM	7-Eleven near Senso-ji / Asakusa ROX
Cash needed	¥20,000-30,000
Card acceptance	78% (below Tokyo avg)
Last verified	2026-08-24

Asakusa is one of Tokyo's most cash-heavy tourist districts: Senso-ji temple donations are cash-only, the famous Nakamise shopping street has many cash-only food stalls, and traditional family restaurants often don't accept cards. Bring ¥10,000–¥20,000 in cash for a typical Asakusa visit. The closest exchange options are at Asakusa Station (Travelex outpost and 7-Eleven Seven Bank ATMs) and at major nearby attractions.

TL;DR

• Cash needed: ¥10,000–¥20,000 for typical Asakusa visit.
• Best exchange: Asakusa Station Travelex; some hotel front desks (poor rates).
• Backup: 7-Eleven Seven Bank ATMs throughout Asakusa.
• Pre-bring cash: from Shinjuku/Ginza for amounts over ¥20,000.

What's special about Asakusa's payment culture?

Three factors push the cash ratio up:

1. Senso-ji temple donations

• Saisen-bako (donation boxes): ¥100–¥500, cash only
• Omikuji (fortune slips): ¥100–¥300, cash only
• Souvenir charms: ¥500–¥2,000, cash only at temple shops
• Temple admission to inner sections: free but typical donation

2. Nakamise shopping street

~90 small vendors selling food, crafts, traditional snacks. Card acceptance: ~30–40% (lower than central Tokyo). Cash flows faster at peak hours when card terminals queue.

3. Family-run restaurants

Asakusa's many traditional restaurants — sushi, tempura, soba — are often cash-only. ATM-backup is essential.

For visitors planning a 4–6 hour Asakusa visit:

Where to exchange near Senso-ji

Travelex Asakusa (Kaminarimon)

• Inside the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, 1F, right at Kaminarimon (2-18-9 Kaminarimon) — about 1 minute from Asakusa Station Exit A4
• 31 currencies handled; verify current hours before visiting
• Convenient if landing at Asakusa Station

7-Eleven Seven Bank ATMs (multiple)

• 5+ 7-Eleven stores within 500m of Senso-ji main hall
• 24/7 access with foreign cards
• Rate ~0.5% below mid-market with no-FX-fee card

Hotel front desks (avoid)

Asakusa hotels (Asakusa View, etc.) have exchange counters but rates are 3–5% below mid-market. Use only as last resort.

Pre-bring from Shinjuku or Ginza

For larger amounts (¥30,000+), exchange at central Tokyo before visiting Asakusa. The Shinjuku-Asakusa subway ride is 30 minutes; rate gap is significant.