Japanese Gift Money Guide (Goshugi & Koden)

A guide to Japan's cash-gift customs for weddings (goshugi) and funerals (koden). Pick a relationship to see the typical amount range and etiquette (new vs. used bills, amounts to avoid) commonly followed in Japan. Nothing you select is sent anywhere.

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Choose an occasion and relationship, then press "Show typical amount".

How to use

Choose the occasion: "Celebration" for events like weddings, or "Condolence" for funerals.
Choose your relationship to the person. For celebration + friend/colleague, you can also indicate whether you're a student or new employee.
Press "Show typical amount" to see the customary amount range and etiquette notes.

How it works

About this guide

In Japan, it is customary to give cash gifts in decorated envelopes at weddings (goshugi) and funerals (koden). The amount is not arbitrary — it follows widely shared conventions based on your relationship to the couple or the deceased. This tool summarizes those conventions using figures commonly cited across Japanese wedding-information sites and funeral-industry association resources. Because actual amounts vary by region, family custom, and how close the relationship is, figures are shown as a range rather than a single number.

Goshugi (wedding gift money) typical amounts

Friend / colleague: 30,000 yen (20,000 yen for students / new employees in some cases)
Boss / superior: 30,000-50,000 yen
Subordinate: 30,000 yen
Sibling: 30,000-100,000 yen
Aunt / uncle: 50,000-100,000 yen
Cousin: 30,000-50,000 yen
Other relative: 50,000-100,000 yen

Koden (funeral gift money) typical amounts

Parent: 50,000-100,000 yen
Sibling: 30,000-50,000 yen
Grandparent: 10,000-30,000 yen
Aunt / uncle: 30,000-50,000 yen
Other relative: 10,000-30,000 yen
Friend / acquaintance: 5,000-10,000 yen
Work relation: 10,000-30,000 yen
Neighbor: 3,000-5,000 yen

New vs. used bills

For goshugi, crisp new bills are used, signaling that the gift was joyfully prepared ahead of time. For koden, new bills are avoided, since they can suggest the misfortune was anticipated in advance — considered disrespectful. If only new bills are on hand for a koden gift, folding them once before use is the customary workaround.

Amounts to avoid

For both occasions, even amounts are generally avoided, since they can be "divided evenly," symbolically suggesting separation. The numbers 4 and 9 (read similarly to the words for "death" and "suffering" in Japanese) are avoided in particular. Odd amounts are the customary choice.

A note on accuracy

These figures are general guidance, not fixed rules. Actual amounts vary by region, family, and the closeness of the relationship. If you are unsure, it is common in Japan to ask an older family member or a local acquaintance familiar with the specific customs involved.

FAQ

Why is the amount shown as a range instead of one exact number?

Customary amounts vary by region, family tradition, and how close the relationship is, and published sources themselves cite ranges rather than single figures. Showing a range avoids implying false precision.

Is it true that wedding gifts use new bills but funeral gifts avoid them?

Yes. New bills for a wedding gift (goshugi) signal that the gift was prepared joyfully in advance. Using new bills for a funeral gift (koden), however, can suggest the misfortune was anticipated in advance, which is considered disrespectful. If only new bills are available for koden, folding them once first is the customary workaround.

Why are even amounts avoided?

Even amounts can be divided evenly, which is symbolically associated with separation, so odd amounts are customary for both goshugi and koden. The amounts 40,000 and 90,000 yen are avoided in particular, since 4 and 9 are read similarly to the Japanese words for "death" and "suffering."

Does being a student or new employee change the amount?

For goshugi given to a friend or colleague, a lower amount (20,000 yen) is sometimes used by students or new employees. This tool reflects that only for the celebration + friend/colleague combination, since that is the only case backed by cited sources. Other relationships are not adjusted for age, since no reliable source-backed figure was found for those cases.

Is this guide only relevant in Japan?

Yes. Goshugi and koden are specifically Japanese customs without a direct equivalent elsewhere. This page explains the concept and typical figures for anyone navigating these customs, such as attending a wedding or funeral in Japan.