The honest yen verdict first
Before you tap “upgrade”: most people in Japan should stay on the free Standard plan. I’ll argue you out of paying before I argue you into it — Revolut’s free tier already does the expensive part (real exchange rate, no foreign transaction fee when you spend abroad), and the paid tiers only earn their keep once you outgrow its limits. Here’s every Japanese plan in yen, with the test for when paying makes sense.
Revolut plans in JPY compared
| Plan | Price (JPY) | Key upgrade | Worth it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Free | Real rate, no FX fee (to limits) | Most occasional travelers |
| Premium | ~¥980/mo | Unlimited FX, travel perks, virtual cards | Frequent travelers past free limits |
| Metal | ~¥1,800/mo | Cashback, lounge access | Heavy spenders only |
Prices change — confirm in the app.
The honest upgrade test
Run your last 12 months. Did you exchange currency heavily, travel abroad often, or want the travel perks? A “yes” and Premium (~¥11,760/year) pays for itself. Otherwise the free plan is smarter — don’t pay to lift limits you never reach. Eyeing Metal ? Its cashback rarely covers the gap unless you spend heavily.
Why even the free plan matters for travel
When you travel out of Japan, the real interbank rate saves roughly 1.5–3% versus a typical card’s foreign markup on every purchase. Add real-rate ATM withdrawals and fraud-proof disposable cards, and the free plan covers the costly part for nothing. Full walkthrough in the Revolut review , and how it teams with a points card in Amex vs Revolut .
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Revolut plans cost in Japan?
Roughly: Standard free, Premium ~¥980/month, Metal ~¥1,800/month. The lineup is leaner than Europe’s. Confirm in the app.
Is the free plan enough in Japan?
For most occasional travelers, yes — real rate with no FX fee up to a monthly allowance and a fee-free ATM allowance. Upgrade only when you exceed those.
Is Premium worth it in Japan?
Only if you exchange heavily, travel abroad often, or want the travel perks. At ~¥11,760/year it pays off for frequent travelers, otherwise it’s wasted.
Verdict
In yen: stay free unless you genuinely outgrow the limits, then Premium ; Metal only if the cashback truly covers it. Start with the free plan through my link below.