Also, changing money. Would you recommend the LAX airport, the Narita Airport, or ATM's.

Sounds like you need to buy a guide book.

ATM's and do it at the airport so you have some money in your pocket...

It never pays to change money before you get to the country. The exchange rate is always worse elsewhere, So you can buy yen at LAX, but they will cost you more than in Japan.

You will need cash. Either use an ATM at the airport or take US$100 bills to exchange.

But of course, as we know, not all ATMs in Japan take foreign ATM/debit cards. I know those at the post office or HSBC or 7-Eleven do, but many local banks' don't.

Yes, you will need cash while there. Many restaurants do not take credit cards.
No, not all ATM machines work with US cards, in fact many we tried did not. But yes, 7-11 is a good place to start. There are also Citibank branches there where your ATM card should work.
The subways entrances have gates and you need a ticket to enter and hold on to it so you can get out.

Kathie-I have an exchange place I go to in downtown LA which sells foreign currency for about 3% over the interbank rate. That's about the same price I pay for using an ATM so sometimes I will go there and get $100 just to have some cash in hand on arrival.

On my recent visit (Sept 2010) there was a Citibank ATM in Narita airport that had no problem with my Capital One ATM card, but I bought my train ticket into Tokyo with a Visa card anyway.

Kristina. that's a pretty good deal. My ATM card charges just a 1% premium on foreign exchange, and no fee for use at foreign ATMs, so the local ATM is always a better deal for me.

And my Capital One ATM card charges 0% foreign conversion and ATM fees, and pays 1.x% interest...

Maybe hawaiiantraveler or other Tokyo experts will know the detail, but the transfer from the Keisei Limited Express to the Asakusa Line may not require going through a turnstile, or perhaps can be done on the same ticket. Saying this because the transfer at Aoto is actually to a Keisei Oshiage Line train (the same company as the Limited Express from NRT). The Keisei Oshiage Line train "runs through" onto the Toei Asakusa subway line ("A" line) from Oshiage (A-20) and stops at Kuramea (A-17). Aoto is not a stop on the Asakusa Line proper, but outside of it.

japan is a cash society. the airport buses at narita take only japanese yen. if you use the train ticket machines, it takes only cash too. you can easily change your money for yen at narita airport. some restaurants and museum take only cash, much less street vendors. japan is relatively safe so i dont worry about carrying cash. yes, the train stations have gates. the tokyo train and subway system is very advanced. ticket prices differ depending on the distance. if in case, you cant read the characters and there is no one to ask just get a ticket for the shortest distance, and just go to the fare adjustment machine at your destination before you go out the train station. it has english translation. enjoy japan and its conveniences.

OK, sounds like I should find a ATM at the Japan airport when I arrive and if I can't, go to a local currency exchange, but I will avoid LAX for a currency exchange.

Can I get from the main airport in Tokyo to my hostel using the Limited Express train and subway without cash--just credit card?

Yes,if you use the Keisei ticket machines or go to the ticket windows at NRT. You should be able to purchase the express train and subway tickets at the window counter with your cc.

http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/

Would you need cash for street vendors? Anything else?

That said as others have stated Japan is a cash society and you should stop by one of the bank windows right in the arrival hall after customs. Very easy to use, fast and convenient. They speak English. Either bank will do as they have the same rates.Just fill out the small exchange form and they do the rest. Check here for the daily rates

http://www.narita-airport.or.jp/exchange_e/index.html

Check this site out to figure out the Tokyo subway system.

http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/index.html

Aloha!

Kathie & thursdaysd- I agree. In general I never change a lot of money in advance. I also have an ATM card which only charges 1% but my Citibank card charges 3%. For me $2 to have some cash on hand on arrival is worth the peace of mind and it's one less thing to think about when exhausted.
The only time I bought a large sum in advance was when I needed to have 1000 euros on arrival to Rome to pay for an apartment rental.

I didn't know that the Keisei line would sell you subway tickets -- live & learn.

At NRT, you'll pass an ATM or two on the way to the escalator down to the Keisei station, anyway. You'll want to have some cash when you get to the train platform, because, especially after a long trip, the vending machines with hot and cold drinks can look awfully good.

As I mentioned, the train wally will be taking from Aoto to Kuramae will be a Keisei commuter train that runs through onto the Asakusa Line. So, Keisei can definitely sell him the ticket.

Thanks so much for your responses. I've never been to Japan. The plane gets in around 7:30 p.m. and I've been told that it will take about 1 1/2 hours to get to the hostel, but I do have a way of going the loonnng way at times. I don't do public transportation well. Where I live, my aunt had to drive until she was 95.

In my haste leaving the house this morning I left you the wrong subway company website. Should have been for the Toei subway line as that is the one you will connecting to and not the Tokyo Metro.

http://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/index.html

Also forgot to mention that you ask for the Skyliner/Metro Pass at the ticket window. See here for details:

http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner//pdf/skyliner_metro.pdf

Aloha!

Hehe, it will blow wally's mind when he finds out there are like a dozen train companies in and around Tokyo alone, and two subway companies. Enjoy.

It has been an experience. I'm traveling by myself. Yesterday I took two different trains and a two hour bus ride to get from Ito to Mt. Fuji. There are 7-Eleven's everywhere that will accept the ATM card and will give out larger amounts than the Post Office does.

There are very few tourist here. The economy is hurting. To save money, I've been staying at K's House in a seven bed dorm room and last night there were only two people in the room, including myself. There is also a kitchen and free coffee and tea.

K's House in Ito is in a 100 year old building with a hot spring and Japanese bath available--private or communial.

I took a three hour tour of the Ito area. We visited a mountain where you could see Mt. Fuji (a very clear day) and a national park. The tour was 1950 Yen, which included the ski lift and parking.

As for the subways, they are getting used to seeing me in the fare adjustment lane.

My cell phone doesn't work here and everyone else says the same thing. It is also very expensive to rent a cell phone. Don't forget to bring a ground plug if your computer has a three prong plug (ground) as most outlets are only two plug like in the U.S. I did find a three prong in the kitchen.

Is there a limit in Japan on how much can be withdrawn from the ATM machines? Or does the limit depend upon your bank's daily withdrawal limit? (I am referring back to Wally's comment above about being able to get more withdrawn from the 7-11 vs. the post offices) My card is a VISA debit card issued by BBVA Compass Banks. On the back it says Plus, Interlink, Star.

Also, my phone is a Blackjack II through At&T. They told me I can get international calls and texting and that my phone will work fine over in Japan. I will mostly want it to call home a couple of times and to send text messages back home. Is this true that I should have no problems? Thanks!

The limit depends on your card ATM limits rather than the Japanese ATM. I think that Japanese ATMs typically allow withdrawals of up to a million yen. Your card's limit is likely to be considerably lower if like my US banks limit of $500.00 US daily but maybe not. You have to inquire with your card company. Note that oversea withdrawal limits are usually lower than domestic limits.

Aloha!

Usually to use a phone in Japan it must have 2100 Mhz band - check your specifications.....Japan's cell phone system is different from many other countries and phones often do not work there....
I had phones that worked fine in Europe but did not have the bands needed in Japan....
Unfortunately many of the customer reps you speak with are not aware of this....

You're so lucky your card worked in the ATM! From my experience that is a rare thing. I moved to Japan last year and the best thing about it is carrying a lot of cash is not dangerous but rathe recommended. Also, cell phones do not work in Japan, and if that do they will typically charge you an exorbitant amount to use them. Best bet, live without. =) How long are you visiting? Where are you traveling? I live in W Japan. Hope the trip is fantastic!

I checked online and it says that my phone has that capability. Maybe because it is a Samsung phone? I will verify this again when I call back to AT&T to add the International services.

HT, that is what I thought. I did go to my bank this past weekend and asked for my daily withdrawal amount to be raised. They are seeing if it can be raised for our trip from $505 to $1000/day. I was told to check back later this week to see if it was approved.

Taunatravel, We will be in Japan from June 5-21. We plan to go to Toyko, Hiroshima/Miyajima, and Kyoto. We have the 14 day JR train vouchers and will take day trips from Tokyo and Kyoto. We are very excited!

kkukura, check with your phone provider (AT&T, it sounds like) and find out what your International Roaming rates are- this is probably how you will be using your phone as if you don't hire a cell phone or SIM. Also, if you are using a smartphone be particularly careful about data roaming. If you leave your wifi on, you may generate sizable data roaming bills.