Japanese yen (円) is used here. You have probably seen it as ¥ but the symbol 円 is much more common in everyday life here. The currency comes in 1000円, 2000円 (rare like the $2 bill), 5000円, and 10000円 bills. These are comparable to about less than $10, $20, $50, and $100. Coins are used a lot here--I had to buy a coin purse. There are 1円, 5円, 10円, 50円, 100円, and 500円 coins. These are equal to slightly less than $0.01, $0.05, $0.10, $0.50, $1, and $5. One dollar is around 107 yen, but I just move the decimal place to the left two places to figure it out.
A regular bottle of water costs around 70円-100円 ($0.70-$1), but regular water is kind of hard to find in the vending machines. More often I see mineral and spring water for around 110円 ($1.10) and electrolyte water for around 140円.
The best meal this week was one I had at an elementary school where I helped teach a 3rd grade class about shape names in English. I got to eat lunch with them and asked them how to eat the fish we were given. Most fish in Japan the bones still in them and often still have the skin, too, so I wasn't sure how to eat it. There was a good soup with the fish, a plate of vegetables, and a bowl of white rice.
During my visit to the elementary school, they played songs on a CD player all throughout lunch. One of them was the school anthem, and I recognized a few others, but I don't know where from. They also played songs on their recorders and sang for me after hearing I play the saxophone.
