OneClass payment is Japanese yen cash only, paid directly to the therapist on arrival. If you have yen left from an earlier trip, or an ATM gives you notes that look different from one another, check their denominations before setting aside the payment.
A different portrait does not necessarily mean a different value. This guide explains the recent banknote designs and shows how to count a few example payment amounts. For the payment method itself, see the OneClass yen-only payment guide.
Newer and older notes can have the same value
Japan introduced new ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 banknotes on 3 July 2024. The preceding designs did not become worthless when the new ones appeared. The National Printing Bureau’s banknote reference shows the designs and their denominations.
| Value | 2024 series | 2004 series |
|---|---|---|
| ¥10,000 | Eiichi Shibusawa | Yukichi Fukuzawa |
| ¥5,000 | Umeko Tsuda | Ichiyo Higuchi |
| ¥1,000 | Shibasaburo Kitasato | Hideyo Noguchi |
The table is a reference for the two series, not a way to authenticate a banknote. Read the printed value rather than relying on a remembered face, color or overall appearance. A ¥1,000 note and a ¥10,000 note differ by a factor of ten, regardless of which series they belong to.
Do old yen notes need to be exchanged?
The Bank of Japan’s explanation of older notes confirms that valid banknotes include designs no longer being issued. It provides a current list for checking a particular note and explains that valid older notes that are inconvenient to use can be exchanged at its head office or branches.
That does not mean every historical Japanese banknote is valid. If you have an unfamiliar old design, check the official reference rather than assuming its age either invalidates it or guarantees it can be used.
This article does not promise that OneClass will accept every historic design or a note in any condition. If you plan to pay with an unusually old or damaged note, clarify the practical arrangement before the visit. Do not leave a question about the notes themselves until the payment is due.
A ¥2,000 note is a separate denomination
The ¥2,000 banknote is also listed by the Bank of Japan among currently issued denominations. Its front shows Shurei Gate in Okinawa, as the National Printing Bureau’s reference illustrates. Count it as two thousand yen—not as a ¥1,000 or ¥5,000 note because its design is unfamiliar.
Keep the same habit for all notes: identify each value first, then add the amounts. Counting the number of pieces of paper alone will not tell you whether you have the payment ready.
Count the confirmed total, one denomination at a time
Start with the complete yen total given by the booking team. The following combinations are arithmetic examples, not quotes for a particular course, therapist or hotel. They use ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 notes so the calculation is easy to check.
| Amount needed | One possible combination | Check |
|---|---|---|
| ¥24,000 | Two ¥10,000 notes and four ¥1,000 notes | ¥20,000 + ¥4,000 |
| ¥28,000 | Two ¥10,000 notes, one ¥5,000 note and three ¥1,000 notes | ¥20,000 + ¥5,000 + ¥3,000 |
| ¥32,000 | Three ¥10,000 notes and two ¥1,000 notes | ¥30,000 + ¥2,000 |
For a ¥28,000 total, three ¥10,000 notes would be ¥30,000, so you would need ¥2,000 change. Tell the booking team in advance if that is what you have. Do not assume the therapist can make change simply because the banknotes are valid.
You can write: “My confirmed total is ¥28,000. I have three ¥10,000 notes. Can you arrange ¥2,000 change?” Replace both amounts with the figures for your own appointment and wait for an answer.
Keep the cash ready for arrival
The OneClass FAQ specifies payment on arrival. Count the money beforehand, separate it from other travel cash, and check the amount together when paying. If the agreed booking changes, confirm the new total before changing the cash you have set aside.
If you still need yen, the overseas-card ATM guide covers withdrawal checks. US dollars, euros, cards and electronic payments cannot replace the Japanese yen cash required by OneClass. A familiar banknote design is less important than having the correct currency and the full confirmed amount ready.
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