Japan Customs sets a fixed yen threshold for declaring cash and similar instruments. It applies on arrival and on departure, and it covers more than the notes in your wallet.
The threshold is ¥1,000,000, in both directions
Japan Customs states: “When entering or departing Japan with means of payment exceeding ¥1,000,000(* 0.1 million JPY in a case that you are bound for North Korea)or its equivalent, you are required to submit to Customs declaration prior to your entry or departure.” The total triggers it, whichever way you are travelling.
Departure catches people more often than arrival, because leftover yen builds up over a long trip without anyone counting it. Money kept in an account you can spend from never becomes notes, so it is not in the total.
What counts toward the total
The threshold applies to a combined total:
When the total amount of the following exceeds ¥1,000,000 (* 0.1 million JPY in a case that you are bound for North Korea) or its equivalent: Cash (Japanese or foreign currencies) Checks (including traveler’s checks) Promissory notes Securities (stock certificates, government bonds, etc. )
You can stay under ¥1,000,000 in cash and still owe a declaration once traveller’s checks or securities are added. The threshold is combined, not per category.
For stock certificates, the source gives a valuation rule: “you must declare either its current price, book value, or trade value, whichever is higher.”
Bound for North Korea: ¥100,000
The same customs answer carries a footnote for one destination: “0.1 million JPY in a case that you are bound for North Korea.” That is ¥100,000. If your itinerary includes North Korea, the ¥1,000,000 figure does not apply to you.
Gold over 1 kg
Precious metal has its own trigger, separate from the cash threshold: “When precious metal (gold with over 90% purity) exceeds 1kg in total weight.”
How to declare
You fill in a paper form before you reach the inspection point: “Fill out the address, name, and type and amount of payment on a ‘Declaration of Carrying of Means of Payment’ and declare it to Customs at the airport, etc.” You do not need to get the form in advance: “the form is available at Customs inspection areas in airports and seaports.”
What the source does not say
Japan Customs’ page does not state a penalty for failing to declare: no fine, confiscation amount or other figure. If your total is anywhere near ¥1,000,000, declare.
It also does not say how “or its equivalent” is calculated for foreign currency, meaning which exchange rate applies or on what date. If you are close to the line in a foreign currency, confirm with Customs directly.
Before you fly
Add up your cash, checks, promissory notes and securities. If the total is near or over ¥1,000,000 (¥100,000 if North Korea is on your itinerary), get the “Declaration of Carrying of Means of Payment” form at the inspection area and fill it in before you cross the border.
You can also carry less. A transfer through something like Wise to an account you can draw on in Japan sits outside this rule, because the rule counts what crosses the border in your bag.
Move money electronically instead of carrying it over the threshold (affiliate link)