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Contents📖 ~5 min read
KRW to JPY in Fukuoka: Complete Currency Exchange Guide 2026 — For Korean Tourists
Fukuoka is the closest Japan gets to Korea. Busan to Fukuoka takes about 3 hours by high-speed ferry, and Seoul to Fukuoka is only 1 hour by plane, which is why so many Korean travelers treat Fukuoka as a quick monthly getaway. This guide walks through the best ways to convert Korean won (₩KRW) into Japanese yen (¥) when you arrive in Fukuoka.
TL;DR — KRW in Fukuoka, the short answer
Amount
Recommended option
Why
Under ₩50,000 (small)
Counter at the Busan ferry terminal
Instant, low absolute loss
₩50,000–200,000
Exchange shops in Hakata Station / Nakasu
Mid-market +0.8–1.5%, KRW specialists
₩200,000–500,000
ATM with a Wise / Revolut card
Wins on rate and convenience
Over ₩500,000 (long stay)
Buy yen at a Korean bank first, then spend in Japan
Korean bank rates are surprisingly good
💡 Yen check: A 5% rate gap on ₩500,000 is roughly ¥1,750 lost (about ₩1 = ¥0.105). That's around one meal at a Hakata yatai food stall.
Angle 1 — What makes KRW exchange in Fukuoka unique
Fukuoka has the highest density of KRW-handling shops of any city in Japan. You'll spot exchange shops with KRW-specific signage in all three main areas: Hakata Station, Tenjin, and Nakasu.
Area
Typical shops
Rate competitiveness
Around Hakata Station
Major exchange shops inside JR Hakata City
🟢 Mid +0.5–1.0%
Tenjin
Major exchange shops + banks
🟢 Mid +0.7–1.2%
Nakasu
Shops catering to Korean tourists
🟢 Mid +0.5–1.0% (some open late)
Fukuoka Airport (FUK)
Major exchange company counters
🔴 Mid −2.5 to −4%
Hakata Port (ferry terminal)
In-terminal counters
🟡 Mid −1.5 to −2.5%
KRW coverage is denser in Fukuoka than in Tokyo or Osaka. Some Nakasu shops stay open until 22:00 on weekends, which is useful if you suddenly need cash during a night out.
Angle 2 — Buying yen inside Korea before you leave
Often buying yen inside Korea gives a better rate than exchanging after you land in Fukuoka:
Country / location
KRW → JPY rate (rough)
Major Korean banks (KEB Hana / KB / Woori)
Mid +0.5–1.2%
Street exchange shops in Myeongdong, Seoul
Mid +0.3–0.8% (best)
Incheon Airport counters
Mid −2.0 to −3.5%
Busan Port counters
Mid −1.5 to −3.0%
Fukuoka street shops
Mid +0.5–1.0%
Fukuoka Airport counters
Mid −2.5 to −4.0%
Bottom line: Myeongdong in Seoul ≈ Fukuoka street shops > banks in either country > port counters > airport counters. For a short overnight trip, buying yen in Korea before you fly is by far the easiest.
Angle 3 — The advantage of Wise / Revolut cards
Wise and Revolut cards that hold KRW let you withdraw yen from a 7-Eleven ATM in Fukuoka at a fixed mid-market +0.5%:
Item
Street exchange (Nakasu)
Wise / Revolut card
KRW → JPY rate
Mid +0.5–1.0%
Mid +0.5% (fixed)
Convenience
Business hours only
24-hour ATM access
Best amount
₩100,000 and up
₩50,000–500,000 in small pulls
Per-transaction cap
None
¥30,000–100,000 per withdrawal
If you visit Japan often, the most efficient setup is to keep a KRW balance in a Wise multi-currency account and pull yen as needed.
Three mistakes tourists keep making
Exchanging everything at the airport counter — On ₩200,000 you can lose ¥4,000–7,000. Change about ¥10,000 at the airport and do the rest in town.
Skipping the Korea-side exchange and doing it all in Fukuoka — On a one-night trip you waste time. Buying yen in Seoul before departure is the cleanest move.
Forgetting that Hakata yatai food stalls are cash only — Most stalls in Nakasu don't take cashless payment, so plan on ¥3,000–5,000 per person in cash.
A suggested route (KRW, one-night trip to Fukuoka)
Q: Do Fukuoka Airport exchange counters handle won?
A: Yes — the major exchange companies at Fukuoka Airport (Travelex, World Currency Shop, etc.) do handle KRW. But rates run mid-market −2.5 to −4%, worse than the street shops in town.
Q: Can I exchange at the Busan–Fukuoka ferry terminal?
A: There's an exchange counter inside the international terminal at Hakata Port. Rates are roughly mid-market −1.5 to −2.5% — better than the airport, but worse than street shops in town.
Q: Will my Korean credit card work?
A: Korean-issued credit cards work in most places, especially major chains, department stores, and convenience stores. But yatai stalls and small shops are often cash only. Using a Wise or Revolut card also helps you avoid DCC and keeps fees minimal.
Q: Are there places that let me pay directly in won instead of yen?
A: A few Korean-tourist-oriented restaurants in Nakasu accept won. But the in-shop rate tends to favor the shop (a tourist premium), so it's usually cheaper to convert to yen first and pay in yen.
Q: What should I do with leftover yen before heading home?
A: If you visit Japan regularly, keeping the yen for the next trip is the most efficient option. Otherwise, Pocket Change machines at the airport convert it into e-money or Amazon gift codes — Fukuoka Airport has one.
About: Yen Finder Editorial / photographed 2026 / last verified 2026-06-03. Shop and rate details are based on each provider's published information. FX rates move constantly, so always confirm the final rate at the counter.
