I will be traveling in Japan. What is the best way to carry money? How much
Cash, Credit card?
I will be traveling in Japan. What is the best way to carry money? How much
Cash, Credit card?
I am new to the travel thing. So any help would be great.
Reply to this Japan has a different system of credit cards to most of the rest of the world - this means that there are lots of ATMs that you won't be able to use with your own cards - but don't worry! The ones you CAN use are ATMs in post offices, and Citibank ATMs. If you're in Tokyo, this means you should be able to get access to your money pretty much all the time as the Citibank ATMs are open even when the bank is not (they're in a lobby). If you're in a smaller place, then access to cash will probably be limited to Mon - Fri, when post offices are open - so if you arrive somewhere on a Friday, get enough cash out to last you over the weekend, until you can get money out again.
Places vary as to whether or not they accept international credit cards for payment - so don't rely on this for paying for meals or accommodation or shopping; it's better to have enough cash on you for these things.
Just for info incase it's helpful - Kyoto has a big post office right outside the station with several ATMs.
Reply to this Thanks for the advice. I was thinking on getting a local credit/debit card here in the U.S. then getting money from a ATM. If I don't have a Citibank card can I still use thier ATM?
Reply to this Yes - Citibank take international cards so you shouldn't have any problem using yours
Reply to this i also am travelling to japan soon and am wondering what the best way to carry money would be. i have seen this travelex card that works similar to a credit card and you can top it up online using BPAY....you can convert from aust dollas, US dollars, euro, pound and a few others i think...wondering if it would be worthwhile, if anyone has any advice would be much appreciated!
Reply to this I can use my Australian Debit Card in the 7-eleven ATM's and I live in a city of 96, 000 people out in the country... It's open 24 hrs a day and the rate they charge for withdrawal is a tenth what they charged for a money transfer from home, and I didn't have to wait a week and a half.
I generally try to have cash on me at all times, save my 500￥ coins, and have told visitors to bring their cash already changed, and their credit cards just in case they need more.
When I first came over I had Yen travellers cheques and US dollars, but I couldn't change them at a bank until I got an account with them, and a lot of hotels need you to be a guest to change money and money exchange places (especially at airports) always overcharge.
Reply to this thanks tee! i know this wasnt my own original post (lance started) but i was looking for same info so i will say thankyou too!! 😊 i think bringing mostly cash is my best bet with credit card and debit card as back up as u say. cheers
Reply to this So if you take money out of an ATM or 7-11 with a credit card, is it done as a cash advance? Or just a regular charge?
Reply to this i believe it would be seen as a cash advance through your credit card company and those fees would apply... not 100% on that though...
Reply to this Its depends how long u staying there..? weeks,month..you should your budget...its very easy...$5000 dolar is enough if you using Skinkansen or flight.
Reply to this If you have just a debit card with PLUS or CIRRUS logo at the back of the card, then you can withdraw money in Japanese ATM's, especially at 7-11 ATM, Citibank ATM and JP ATM (Japan postal bank). If you have a debit card with a VISA, then you can withdraw directly from your checking/saving account on that card or through VISA. You have an option on the screen where you want the money from. VISA cash is ALWAYS a cash advance and the fees are always higher depending on your VISA agreements, with interest alone hitting 15-25% or so for a cash advancement. For example, if you withdraw 100 dollars U.S equivalent in Japan as a cash advance from your VISA, you might end up paying 125 back at home. A debit withdrawal might only cost 110 or so depending on the exchange rate on that day plus fees.
Reply to this How long are you staying? Japan is pretty safe so bringing cash is no problem. Some places like JR stations and major stores will take credit cards, but smaller places will not. The post office is the best place to use your ATM card to withdraw cash, they're all over the place and take most cards.
Reply to this i would say carry half half in the case you get robbed by one way or the other... Thats the most safest solution i guess...
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Reply to this I think you should bring both, you should bring cash if you want to buy something and credit card and atm for your emergency only.
Reply to this We found traveling in Japan and using ATM machines are the about the same as in the US. We used the ATM machines almost always that were in our hotels. You will need some case as you travel because not everyplace takes credit cards. A great number do. One word of caution about credit cards and travelers checks. Use only one that are recognized internationally. Trying to use a small town bank local credit ward will more than likely not work. Look at the back of your credit card and see where it can be used. If you have only one logo you probably need to get another credit card. Travelers checks are becoming more useless evry year and some places will not accept.
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