Something interesting that you may not realize about Japan is that it’s mainly what’s called a ‘cash economy.’ That means (perhaps you’ve guessed) that if you want to buy something, odds are good you need to buy it in cash. There are some exceptions - big chain stores, for instance, and some places marketing specifically to Americans accept plastic - but for the most part you have to carry cash to shop off base. Another thing you may not know is that the smallest bill available is 1,000 yen (about $10). Anything smaller than that is in change. As a result, we quickly found ourselves buried in a mountain of coins.

Being crafty, like I am, I made a pouch for them - wide in the mouth with a big, flat bottom for easy change-digging.