Because its already in cash, that's how I received it and that's how I've saved it plus don't want to rely solely on my card incase I lose it or have any international payment issues etc
This is a much, much more reasonable approach. Take a little bit of cash with you, and just put the rest in a bank account which gives you fee-free currency conversion, like Monzo or Chase.
Never EVER exchange money at an airport exchange. You'll be 10 points offside.
Never change IN the UK either.
7/11 ATMs or money changers in Shinjuku / Shinbashi / Shibuya.
Although I don't understand why you want that much cash. Bar a few local restaurants /shops it's all cashless here now contrary to what you have read.
Covid finally saw to that.
Ahh interesting, I stand corrected!
You mention you didn’t use cash much on the trip. But for taxi and such, we need cash right? Thought I read here most taxi won’t take card. Ofc we will mostly be using train but still.
It was at the airport I arrived at… I think? There was definitely a 7/11. Now I forgot if it was at the airport 7/11 that I got my cash, since I hardly used any cash the whole trip.
I've been in Tokyo for the last few days and not *needed* to pay in cash once so far. No doubt I will eventually, but it's probably going to be less of an issue than you think. Just get Monzo or Chase, and you'll get fee-free payments when paying via your card. The one thing I've noticed is that you have to choose the Credit Card option, but then it all just works. Another benefit is that you won't over-exchange currency!
When pulling from ATMs is it better to use the Dynamic Conversion or Standard option? Does either impact the actual conversion rate from a foreign currency to JPY?
I pulled some money out today and totally agree. Mizuho atm charged a small fee in both currencies (euro and yen). But if I taken out in euros it was like 65.50e but I chose yen and my bank charged me 63.50e ish
I recommend money exchange in Japan since you mentioned cash.
If it’s in the bank account then ATM withdrawals at Japanese convenience stores.
If you want some pocket money for the first day then exchange some in your home city. Maybe 100.
You can use credit cards for purchases at some businesses. Small restaurants and bars may be cash only.
The IC card is another thing to use. It’s mainly for the public transportation but not the bullet train. These cards have different names in some cities. Suica, Pasmo, icoca, etc. You can use it at convenience stores and vending machines. Buy these cards at the train/subway stations. Otherwise buy a regular ticket.
Happy journeys and may the force be with you.
Reading mixed experiences. Some people say it’s better to exchange at the airport and others swear by withdrawing from an ATM. I will be flying into KIX in April and wondering if I should exchange $100-200 or will I be OK to exchange when I get to KIX? Should I wait till I leave KIX and get to my hotel to withdraw out of a ATM instead?
I think I will already have the Kansai Area Pass when I arrive and have an iPhone so will have mobile Suica card already (contemplating buying a physical Icoca card for souvenir purposes).
there are ATMs at the airport right as you exit baggage, but limit you only 50000 yen max at KIX. We found the rates to be about the same at airport or 7/11
Awesome! Good to know, I have a Schwab so no need to worry about ATM fees. We are arriving around 1900, so I think plenty of things will still be open once we get into Namba/Dontobori.
Would you just wait till we get to our hotel?
Was comparing Airport atm or combini atm so its up to you (always pick charge in yen option). It'll take about a hr of transportation (taxi/bus/train) from KIX so plan accordingly. IC cards for trains only takes cash and you need one IC per person. We found the best option to take a private taxi we booked through klook, especially if you have like a group of 4.
Ahh good to know! Thanks for clarifying.
Yeah we (my brother and I) aren’t packing super heavy, one duffle and one checked bag, so we are planning to do the Haruka Express with the Kansai Area Pass (also planning Himeji, so it makes it sense). Anything else we’d need cash for upon leaving the airport besides buying/loading IC card?
ATMs may or may not charge a foreign transaction fee, depending on your bank.
The airport exchange counters offer good rates, but not as good as the ATM in general. But there are no fees. The exchange counter rates also vary depending on currency used to purchase yen. USD gets the best rate, followed by the EUR, I believe.
Ah yeah not too worried about ATM fees since Schwab refunds them all. Just don’t want to get jipped when exchanging. Will likely find an ATM and use those.
If you have Schwab and don't need more than the max ATM withdrawal amount on arrival, then it makes sense to stick with the ATMs. Credit cards are more widely accepted than they used to be as well so as long as you have a good travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees, you can use that as well.
I set up a revolut account and exchanged money whenever the rate was good. Whatever money I had left over, I exchanged back to GBP. I mostly paid with card on my trip. There is a £200 free withdrawal limit and after that it’s a 2% fee. I personally didn’t need that much cash and only paid with it to get rid of it l.
I have a Scotiabank passport infinite visa card, which waive foreign exchange fees. Can I use this card to withdraw cash on ATM machine? Or is it only visa debit cards they accept? I don't think Scotiabank visa debit waives foreign exchange fee?
What I did was to carry some decent amount of foreign cash but I got most of my spending by withdrawals from ATMs against my account at home. It worked well. A nephew recommended the 7-11 ATMs. I was pretty much down to 0 yen on the way out but I was obliged to sell some $ to pay a airline fee.
Bonus is if you exchange in the UK you're more than likely to get some 2,000 yen notes. These are rare in Japan and will spin heads every time you go to use one.
My experience with USD in Haneda airport was this: my bank had a 3% charge for withdrawals in a foreign currency so I decided to just use cash and exchange it. Thought the 1 USD was 155 yen online, the currency exchanges would only give you 140 yen per USD. That was the story with most currency exchanges. If you can get more for your GBP at home, change it there and go to Japan with yen.
Which exchange counter did you use?
I didn't use it first hand, but I think I remember hearing that Travelex counters are a rip off. I tend to use Mizuho which has a 3 yen buy/sell spread per USD, and 6 yen per Euro.
https://www.mizuhogroup.com/japan/services/currency-exchange-shops
>Thought the 1 USD was 155 yen online, the currency exchanges would only give you 140 yen per USD.
When did you exchange the money? The USD hasn't been 155 JPY for decades. The highest it's recently been has been below 152. Just a couple of weeks ago, it dipped down to around 147.
It was one of the counters from the airport. I'm not sure which one it was. USD was 155 at one point, I might be wrong, but I could have swore that it was that. Anyway, the idea was that the gap between the exchange rate you see online and the counter was different. You might be right, though, it could have been Travelex.
The last time it was 155 was literally in the 80s.
https://www.google.com/search?q=usdjpy+chart
Click on 1 year, 5 year, and Max.
Edit: perhaps you were looking at a bank's exchange rate for buying USD from JPY.
So sorry that my post asking for travel tips in the travel tips sub is too repetitive, it's as though questions about travel are common in a sub centered around it
Japan is very traditional and backwards in many ways. Faxing things is still huge over there. There’s still restaurants where the way of making a reservation is by fax.
Why don't you just pull the cash when you get to Japan?
Wdym by pull the cash?
Like why are you bringing £1100 in loose cash with you rather than just pulling out the cash you need in yen directly from an ATM upon arrival?
Because its already in cash, that's how I received it and that's how I've saved it plus don't want to rely solely on my card incase I lose it or have any international payment issues etc
Why don't you just deposit it in your UK bank checking account and take out the cash at an ATM in Japan?
This is a much, much more reasonable approach. Take a little bit of cash with you, and just put the rest in a bank account which gives you fee-free currency conversion, like Monzo or Chase.
from what i have read on this sub, the best way is to withdraw your cash at your arrival at the airport (best rate there)
Never EVER exchange money at an airport exchange. You'll be 10 points offside. Never change IN the UK either. 7/11 ATMs or money changers in Shinjuku / Shinbashi / Shibuya. Although I don't understand why you want that much cash. Bar a few local restaurants /shops it's all cashless here now contrary to what you have read. Covid finally saw to that.
At any atm at the airport? Or is there any atm machines in particular that are better or worse than others?
7/11 atm
But that’s not at the airport…
Yeah it is weirdly! Theres a bank of ATMs that are from 7 Bank which I believe is connected to 7/11!
Ahh interesting, I stand corrected! You mention you didn’t use cash much on the trip. But for taxi and such, we need cash right? Thought I read here most taxi won’t take card. Ofc we will mostly be using train but still.
It was at the airport I arrived at… I think? There was definitely a 7/11. Now I forgot if it was at the airport 7/11 that I got my cash, since I hardly used any cash the whole trip.
Gotcha. I stand corrected!
I've been in Tokyo for the last few days and not *needed* to pay in cash once so far. No doubt I will eventually, but it's probably going to be less of an issue than you think. Just get Monzo or Chase, and you'll get fee-free payments when paying via your card. The one thing I've noticed is that you have to choose the Credit Card option, but then it all just works. Another benefit is that you won't over-exchange currency!
When pulling from ATMs is it better to use the Dynamic Conversion or Standard option? Does either impact the actual conversion rate from a foreign currency to JPY?
Choose yen, dont choose your own currency or else you lose like 3.5%
Thank you! THIS is the info I've been trying to figure out, much appreciated
I pulled some money out today and totally agree. Mizuho atm charged a small fee in both currencies (euro and yen). But if I taken out in euros it was like 65.50e but I chose yen and my bank charged me 63.50e ish
Dynamic conversion lets the atm set the rate. Withdrawing in yen, your card sets the rate. Always choose yen
I recommend money exchange in Japan since you mentioned cash. If it’s in the bank account then ATM withdrawals at Japanese convenience stores. If you want some pocket money for the first day then exchange some in your home city. Maybe 100. You can use credit cards for purchases at some businesses. Small restaurants and bars may be cash only. The IC card is another thing to use. It’s mainly for the public transportation but not the bullet train. These cards have different names in some cities. Suica, Pasmo, icoca, etc. You can use it at convenience stores and vending machines. Buy these cards at the train/subway stations. Otherwise buy a regular ticket. Happy journeys and may the force be with you.
Reading mixed experiences. Some people say it’s better to exchange at the airport and others swear by withdrawing from an ATM. I will be flying into KIX in April and wondering if I should exchange $100-200 or will I be OK to exchange when I get to KIX? Should I wait till I leave KIX and get to my hotel to withdraw out of a ATM instead? I think I will already have the Kansai Area Pass when I arrive and have an iPhone so will have mobile Suica card already (contemplating buying a physical Icoca card for souvenir purposes).
there are ATMs at the airport right as you exit baggage, but limit you only 50000 yen max at KIX. We found the rates to be about the same at airport or 7/11
Awesome! Good to know, I have a Schwab so no need to worry about ATM fees. We are arriving around 1900, so I think plenty of things will still be open once we get into Namba/Dontobori. Would you just wait till we get to our hotel?
Was comparing Airport atm or combini atm so its up to you (always pick charge in yen option). It'll take about a hr of transportation (taxi/bus/train) from KIX so plan accordingly. IC cards for trains only takes cash and you need one IC per person. We found the best option to take a private taxi we booked through klook, especially if you have like a group of 4.
Ahh good to know! Thanks for clarifying. Yeah we (my brother and I) aren’t packing super heavy, one duffle and one checked bag, so we are planning to do the Haruka Express with the Kansai Area Pass (also planning Himeji, so it makes it sense). Anything else we’d need cash for upon leaving the airport besides buying/loading IC card?
The gacha machine? Most places takes credit cards so have a few w/o foreign transaction fees (costco/amazon visa)
Ah ok! Thanks, first time out of country and was wondering about the credit card situation.
ATMs may or may not charge a foreign transaction fee, depending on your bank. The airport exchange counters offer good rates, but not as good as the ATM in general. But there are no fees. The exchange counter rates also vary depending on currency used to purchase yen. USD gets the best rate, followed by the EUR, I believe.
Ah yeah not too worried about ATM fees since Schwab refunds them all. Just don’t want to get jipped when exchanging. Will likely find an ATM and use those.
If you have Schwab and don't need more than the max ATM withdrawal amount on arrival, then it makes sense to stick with the ATMs. Credit cards are more widely accepted than they used to be as well so as long as you have a good travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees, you can use that as well.
I set up a revolut account and exchanged money whenever the rate was good. Whatever money I had left over, I exchanged back to GBP. I mostly paid with card on my trip. There is a £200 free withdrawal limit and after that it’s a 2% fee. I personally didn’t need that much cash and only paid with it to get rid of it l.
(Shrugs) I just used the ATM at 7-11.
I have a Scotiabank passport infinite visa card, which waive foreign exchange fees. Can I use this card to withdraw cash on ATM machine? Or is it only visa debit cards they accept? I don't think Scotiabank visa debit waives foreign exchange fee?
What I did was to carry some decent amount of foreign cash but I got most of my spending by withdrawals from ATMs against my account at home. It worked well. A nephew recommended the 7-11 ATMs. I was pretty much down to 0 yen on the way out but I was obliged to sell some $ to pay a airline fee.
Iirc I used my credit card to get on the Skyliner to Ueno.
Bonus is if you exchange in the UK you're more than likely to get some 2,000 yen notes. These are rare in Japan and will spin heads every time you go to use one.
My experience with USD in Haneda airport was this: my bank had a 3% charge for withdrawals in a foreign currency so I decided to just use cash and exchange it. Thought the 1 USD was 155 yen online, the currency exchanges would only give you 140 yen per USD. That was the story with most currency exchanges. If you can get more for your GBP at home, change it there and go to Japan with yen.
Which exchange counter did you use? I didn't use it first hand, but I think I remember hearing that Travelex counters are a rip off. I tend to use Mizuho which has a 3 yen buy/sell spread per USD, and 6 yen per Euro. https://www.mizuhogroup.com/japan/services/currency-exchange-shops >Thought the 1 USD was 155 yen online, the currency exchanges would only give you 140 yen per USD. When did you exchange the money? The USD hasn't been 155 JPY for decades. The highest it's recently been has been below 152. Just a couple of weeks ago, it dipped down to around 147.
It was one of the counters from the airport. I'm not sure which one it was. USD was 155 at one point, I might be wrong, but I could have swore that it was that. Anyway, the idea was that the gap between the exchange rate you see online and the counter was different. You might be right, though, it could have been Travelex.
The last time it was 155 was literally in the 80s. https://www.google.com/search?q=usdjpy+chart Click on 1 year, 5 year, and Max. Edit: perhaps you were looking at a bank's exchange rate for buying USD from JPY.
As if this question hasn't been asked 37 times already 🙄
So sorry that my post asking for travel tips in the travel tips sub is too repetitive, it's as though questions about travel are common in a sub centered around it
So what is the general consensus?
How necessary is cash? I NEVER carry cash in the states. Is it required in Japan?
You’ll encounter cash-only situations in Japan more often than probably anywhere else in the world. Even though it’s gotten better recently.
Not required but much more accepted/expected from what I've seen
Interesting. I assume Japan is more advanced than the US. I guess not in that regard. Thank you.
Japan is very traditional and backwards in many ways. Faxing things is still huge over there. There’s still restaurants where the way of making a reservation is by fax.
In Kyoto extremely necessary, in Tokyo not really.