The new yen banknotes (2024+) in 2026: what every visitor should know
⚡ 30-Second Answer: New banknotes issued July 3, 2024: ¥10,000 (Shibusawa Eiichi), ¥5,000 (Tsuda Umeko), ¥1,000 (Kitasato Shibasaburo). Old notes remain valid — mixing is fine. Some vending machines, old ticket dispensers, and unstaffed hotel kiosks may not yet accept the new notes, but major ATMs, convenience stores, and chains all accept both. Tourists: either old or new is fine.
Quick Reference
Value
Issue date
July 3, 2024
¥10,000 new
Shibusawa Eiichi
¥5,000 new
Tsuda Umeko
¥1,000 new
Kitasato Shibasaburo
Old notes valid
Still accepted
Last verified
June 2026
📖2 min read
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Contents📖 ~2 min read
Japan rolled out new ¥10,000, ¥5,000, and ¥1,000 banknotes
in July 2024, featuring updated portraits and security
features. Both old and new banknotes are valid currency, but
some older vending machines and small shops still don't accept
the new design — a "new bill rejection" pattern that should
slowly fade through 2027. ATMs, major retailers, and konbini
accept both designs without issue.
TL;DR
Both old and new yen are valid — Bank of Japan accepts
all designs since 1885.
Some vending machines reject new bills — try a different
one or use IC card / coins.
Major retailers and ATMs accept both.
Trend: rejection rate ~5% in 2025, ~3% in 2026, declining.
Who's on the new banknotes?
Denomination
Old portrait
New portrait
¥10,000
Yukichi Fukuzawa
Eiichi Shibusawa
¥5,000
Ichiyō Higuchi
Umeko Tsuda
¥1,000
Hideyo Noguchi
Shibasaburō Kitasato
The ¥2,000 banknote (rare) and all coin denominations are
unchanged.
Will my old yen still work?
Yes — without restriction. Bank of Japan honors all banknotes
issued since 1885 (rare exception: pre-1946 wartime currency).
The "rejection" issue applies only to vending machines and
some self-service kiosks that haven't been updated to accept
the new design.
Where might rejection happen?
Older vending machines (parking, water, snacks)
Self-service kiosks at small restaurants
Coin-operated services (lockers, laundry)
Some retail registers at small family shops
ATMs at Seven Bank, Japan Post Bank, and major bank ATMs all
accept both designs. Major retail registers at Mitsukoshi, Bic
Camera, etc., all accept both.
What if a vending machine rejects my new bill?
Three options:
Try a different vending machine
Use an IC card (Suica/Pasmo) instead
Use coins
For most travelers, this is a minor inconvenience that comes up
0–2 times per trip.
What this means for your trip
✅ Both old and new yen work at ATMs and major retailers.
✅ Carry small bills (¥1,000) and coins for vending
machines that may reject ¥10,000.
✅ Top up Suica with cash or card instead of relying on
vending.
⚠️ Don't worry about rejection at major retailers — they
all accept both.