Money at Naha (OKA)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Okinawa, Japan.
Okinawa uses the JPY (¥). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly ¥300-¥390 (Yui Rail), ¥980+ (Shared taxi), ¥5,480+ (Private taxi). Cash still king; IC cards work on trains, taxis increasingly accept card.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Naha (OKA)?
Japan uses the JPY (¥). Airport ATMs dispense JPY directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from OKA to the city cost?
Expected fare on the OKA → Naha City Centre route is roughly ¥300-¥390 (Yui Rail), ¥980+ (Shared taxi), ¥5,480+ (Private taxi). Around Above ¥1,000 for Yui Rail, above ¥10,000 for shared taxi to city center. is already high, and Taxi driver demanding exorbitant fixed fare (e.g. ¥20,000 for short ride). is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at OKA?
Never tip — can offend. Drivers in Japan don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at OKA?
Cash still king; IC cards work on trains, taxis increasingly accept card. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of JPY notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at OKA?
Only if you need $10–20 of JPY to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.