Quick answer. Naha Airport is only a few kilometres from central Naha, and the Yui Rail monorail leaves from a station connected to the terminal, reaching Kokusai-dori in about fifteen minutes for around ¥300. Since March 2025 its gates accept a tap of a contactless credit card, as well as IC cards and tickets. Most visitors then pick up a hire car from offices reached by shuttle bus. For yen, use a Seven Bank or Japan Post machine in the terminal, not a local bank ATM, and take enough for the Kerama ferries and the smaller islands, which run on cash. Japan has no Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner.
Where to get Japanese Yen at OKA
As everywhere in Japan, the question at Naha is which machine will accept your card. Seven Bank and Japan Post give the network rate. The figures below assume the yen equivalent of $100.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Bank ATM (7-Eleven) on a no-FX-fee card | Terminal public areas | Network rate, small operator fee | ~$100-101 |
| Japan Post Bank ATM | Terminal and post offices in town | Network rate, small operator fee | ~$100-101 |
| Regular Japanese bank ATM | Terminal | Often rejects foreign cards | May not work at all |
| Airport exchange counter | International arrivals | Several percent off the network rate | ~$104-108 |
| Accepting 'charge in USD' at any machine | Anywhere | +5-10% conversion markup | ~$105-110 |
Foreign-card machines at Naha (OKA), and the monorail into town
Naha's domestic and international terminals are joined in a single building, with a connecting section added in 2019, so the airport is compact and easy to navigate. Seven Bank machines are in the terminal, and Japan Post Bank machines are available too; Okinawa's own banks, such as Bank of the Ryukyus and Bank of Okinawa, run machines built mainly for domestic cards. The Yui Rail station is reached by a walkway from the departures level. Our Okinawa money guide covers what the yen is for: island ferries, village soba shops and beach stalls, and the few places near the US bases that take dollars at their own rate.
Domestic side
ANA, JAL, JTA, Skymark, Peach and flights to Ishigaki, Miyako and the smaller islands
Seven Bank machines are in the public areas. If you are connecting to Ishigaki or Miyako, withdraw here: the outer islands have fewer foreign-card machines, and some of their smaller islands have none.
International side
Flights from Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, mainland China and other international routes
Arrivals has exchange counters and a foreign-card machine. Use the machine, then walk through the connecting section for the monorail and the rental-car shuttle stops.
Rental-car shuttle stops
Shuttles to the rental offices a few minutes away
Rental companies' offices are off-site, reached by free shuttle buses from stops outside arrivals. Rentals are paid by card. Ask for an ETC card for the Okinawa Expressway if you plan to drive north.
Do you actually need cash at Naha (OKA)?
Not to reach Naha: the monorail takes a tap of your credit card. But take out yen before you head for the islands:
Yui Rail monorail to Kokusai-dori (around ¥300): About 15 minutes; contactless credit cards, IC cards and paper tickets all work at the gates.
Rental car (from around ¥5,000 a day): Shuttle to off-site offices; an ETC card for the expressway costs a few hundred yen.
Taxi to central Naha (roughly ¥1,500-2,500): Short ride; most taxis take cards, but carry yen in case.
Airport limousine bus to resorts (¥1,000-3,000 depending on area): Serves the west-coast resort hotels; check payment options when booking.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Naha (OKA) to Okinawa?
No. The Yui Rail monorail accepts a tap of a contactless credit card, IC cards and paper tickets, and rentals and most taxis take cards. You will need yen for the Kerama ferries, the smaller islands and village soba shops.
Can I order Japanese Yen before flying?
Helpful if you are flying straight on to a small island. CEI Currency Exchange ships yen to a US address in 2-5 days. Otherwise, a Seven Bank machine at the airport gives yen at the network rate.
Can I pay for the Okinawa monorail with a credit card?
Yes. Since March 2025, every Yui Rail station, including the airport, accepts a tap of a contactless credit card at the gates. The monorail also takes paper tickets, its own OKICA card and national IC cards such as Suica, though those cannot be bought or topped up at monorail stations.
Can I use US dollars at Naha Airport?
Generally no. A few businesses near the US bases accept dollars at their own rate, but the airport's shops and the monorail work in yen. Withdraw yen from a Seven Bank machine or pay by card.
Should I withdraw cash at Naha before flying to Ishigaki or Miyako?
Yes. Ishigaki and Miyako have convenience-store machines, but the smaller islands beyond them, such as Taketomi and Iriomote, have few or none that take foreign cards, and many guesthouses and tours there are cash only.