How to handle cash in Japan
 

We're planning to use mainly cash for our upcoming two week trip in April.

How do you experienced Japan travelers get and use cash? Should we bring dollars with us to use or try to use ATMs to get cash? We have a Schwab checking account with no foreign transaction fees. I've read that finding ATMs is not as easy in Japan as it is in Europe. True?

Should we change some dollars to yen at the airport when we arrive? We're heading straight to Hotel Nikko at Kansai airport the first night.

Thanks for the help

I have never had a problem finding ATMs in Japan but I have been in major cities. I prefer not to carry lots of cash so I use a card tied to an account with no foreign transaction fees to pay for most of the major expenses.

The ATMs in any Post Office and any 7-11 will work with US cards, as will most at the airport. Random bank ATMs will not work.

US dollars will be very hard to change except maybe at the airport.

Forget taking dollars. Use your ATM card. As others have said, look for ATMs in 7-11s and post offices. Any difficulties you've heard about in getting ATMs to work came from people who didn't know where to find ATMs that work with foreign cards.

You will find ATMs at the airport that will work with your cards.

I always use the post office ATM's. In a small town they might only be open during regular business hours but more and more are open even when the PO is closed....

More info:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2208.html

I just returned from three weeks in Kyushu and Honshu, and I think getting cash in Japan with a foreign ATM card is a pain. You have to go to a JT Bank machine, and they are only open for a few hours a day. I managed by always having enough cash for a couple of days, and each time I got to a new city, I found the JT Bank ATM machine and noted the hours. The JT Bank machines are typically near the train stations.

Japan is probably the most honest country on earth, so it's fine to carry some extra cash. If you left your wallet in a restaurant, for example, you would definitely get it back.

CaliforniaLady, what is the JT Bank? Do you mean JP - Japan Post? In my travels including many parts of Honshu as well as Shikoku and Kyushu I found the Post Offices usually open from 9 to 5 weekdays at least and sometimes half a day Saturday....and more and more seem to have little separate enclosures for ATM machines that are open even more....

JT Bank is an ATM kiosk (green colored sign), and I was told repeatedly during my trip that they were the only ones taking my foreign ATM card. I was unable to use my Schwab card at a 7/11, and the one post office that I tried did not have a machine.

The JT Bank ATM kiosk only had limited hours, and the glass doors would "lock" during closed hours.

The moral of the story is that you have to plan ahead to get cash in Japan.

@ CaliforniaLady -- I think you must have had a very unusual ATM card or some VERY bad advice. With the help of the above link, the OP should be able to identify options. And if nothing else, one should be able to use google to identify all post offices within Japan, their locations, the exact times during which the ATM machines are accessible, and whether they can be used for one's own ATM card -- I did so for my 2006 trip and had NO trouble.

KJA, you missed my point. The fact that the machines are only open during limited hours, and you have to find where they are means that you have to plan in advance. I have a Schwab card, as I mentioned, and it is a fact that not all ATM machines take foreign cards.

I think it is time to put this topic to rest. The OP gets the idea.

I agree that planning in advance! is a good thing -- especially because it is reasonably easy to do.

Most excellent advice everyone, just what I was looking for. I should have looked at the Japan Guide (thanks again, kja) as it sure has everything else! Also, had not thought of being able to Google Post Offices and 7-11s. Who would have thought a 7-11 would be important in Japan? I stay away from them at home in California...!

All the advice above is really appreciated. We might bring some initial cash and change at the airport and then look for ATMs at the locations suggested. At least you don't have to worry about carrying extra cash in Japan as it seems theft outside of some specific areas in large cities is very rare.

Thanks so much, everyone.

What is your arrival airport? There are probably maps online with complete details about available airports. There were in 2006....

(I didn't google 7-11s in Japan-- I don't think that was an option when I was there. But the Post Offices all were online, and every one would be found, complete with local map, hours, etc.)

In most places, we assume we'll a) be able to easily get cash from cash machines and b) be able to pay on credit card for most things anyway.

On our first trip to Japan we discovered that Japan is more of a cash society than we expected and there were quite a few instances where we needed to pay in cash.

We found our (UK) credit cards worked fine in post offices, though we did find them a little tricky to find sometimes, and with limited opening hours. But we managed OK. Both of us got cash out on two cards each when we did find cash machines, so we didn't need to waste time on this too often.

For the second trip, we took pretty much enough cash for the entire trip and carried it with us and never felt unsafe doing so. I'm not sure there are many other countries I'd contemplate doing that.

Kavey,
I have a Schwab card, just like you, and here is what I did: Narita airport has plenty of ATM's that will take your card. At that point, you should get about $200 in yen. After that, you will find ATM machines in various cities that will take your Schwab card, but it will take time to find them. Do not bring a bunch of US dollars, it will be a project trying to exchange them. My son did exactly that recently, and it took a long time at a bank to change them into yen. Just use your Schwab card every couple of days. You will find ATM machines that take it, but you shouldn't wait until the last minute like you can in other countries.

Almost all of our accommodations (combo of apartment, ryokans, small hotel, guesthouses) require cash payments. We're going to need a lot of cash!

Our US credit card is Capital One and debit card Schwab. Used both successfully in Italy and France.

Now getting somewhat conflicting advice about bringing cash vs relying entirely on ATMs...

Kavey - where did you exchange your cash for yen? Can you do that at post offices, or did you rely on banks and airports?

We've managed to squirrel away a bunch of US dollars in cash and were planning to bring a larger amount than we normally travel with as Japan seems so safe and we need cash to pay for lodging.

Thanks, Kavey and CaliforniaLady (I'm one, too!)

kja - we arrive at Kansai airport around 7 pm and are walking over to Hotel Nikko there for the first night. Will need cash to pay for two nights at a guesthouse in Nara as our next stop and then the monastery at Koyasan the next night.

One more thing...you can pay for train travel via credit card, right? Hope so.

Hi Fellow Californian Leslieq,

I have been to Japan several times, and here is what you should do. Don't bring US dollars with you, except maybe $50 in small bills for tips, etc. Japan is very "provincial," and they will not want your dollars. I would go to an ATM machine at Kansai airport and get enough cash for the next few days. Nara is pretty isolated, and there may or may not be an ATM machine there that takes foreign currency.

Next, I would get a credit card, such as a Chase Sapphire that has no foreign transaction fee. I hope you have time do do this before you leave. In that way, you can use the card at most hotels, and you don't have to worry about credit card fraud in Japan. I even use my Chase card for souvenir purchases so I don't have to use up my cash.

And yes, every train station, even in the countryside, will take your credit card. Only small hotels and guesthouses insist on cash. Earlier posters have disagreed with me, but I found foreign-accepting ATM machines near the train stations.

Have a good time and try not to worry. Every person in Japan, even if they speak little English, will knock themselves out to help you. You may find yourself on a street corner with several people crowded around you, drawing maps. Enjoy your trip!

Imagine trying to change Yen for Dollars in San Francisco.

Mutatis mutandis in Nara.

Really, this is not difficult. Put your ATM card in the right kind of cash machine (Post Office, 7-11, airport) and take out 45,000Y. Study the portraits on the bills and learn something about Japanese history.

Credit cards work for hotels, trains, rental cars. Not so much for ryokan, meals, minor purchases.

There are ATMs at Kansai, which you could have found by googling:
http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/s...index.html#_02

The problem you might encounter is that most banks set a maximum per-day withdrawal amount. You need to do the following things:
1. Find out what that amount is AND at what exact time of day the bank "resets" its per-day clock.
2. Figure out what time that will be in Japan.
3. Figure out if you can withdraw enough using ATMs to pay for your rooms.
4. If you can NOT withdraw enough in a timely way, come up with another way to get yen.

I agree with kja, there is more of an issue with your account's maximum daily withdrawal limit than with finding a post office....

I don't have Schwab - but I know with my Capital One account they refused to raise my maximum daily withdrawal which is only $500....ordinarily more than enough except that I also will need quite a bit to pay for my Kyoto lodging in ¥. However, I have three ATM cards - all no fee - so will manage that way....;-)

btw, there is a Japan Post Office across the street from the Nara JR Station...open Monday through Saturday...

Finally, I don't think you need small bills for tips....I have never given anyone a tip in Japan...they don't do tips except from what I read, at very high-end ryokan.

And I agree with Mara -- no tipping in Japan!

More good advice. Our ATM card is Schwab (I also have Wells Fargo, but they charge a heavy withdrawal fee which Schwab doesn't). I will call to see if they can up the daily limit. Seems like we can get an initial infusion of yen at the airport for Nara and then make enough ATM trips in Kyoto where we are staying for 5 nights to get cash for the next leg of the trip. We're staying in an apartment above a potter's studio and know he will be able to direct us to ATMs etc.

We do have several credit cards but the one I plan to use is Capital One which does not have foreign transaction fees. Unfortunately we do not live in an area that issues Capital One debit cards for some reason.

With all this great advice, think I now understand and am set for a great trip! Thanks so much to all of you.

By the way, we had similar questions about WiFi in Japan. I had heard that it was often hard to get free WiFi in Japan and my husband needs to stay connected to his office via email. I ended up renting a "pocket WiFi" device from Global Advanced Communications and am having it delivered to our hotel the first night.

Each new country we visit has its own challenges and wonders!

I'm so sorry, I should have made myself clearer -- by cash I mean I took Japanese yen with me not GBP£ or US$.

I was able to get a good exchange rate, as my dad was travelling a short while before my trip and was able to change money where we went at a better exchange rate than I could get changing money at home in the UK.

Also, yes, we used our credit card to purchase train tickets (on the second trip when we didn't buy a JR Pass). We also used the card to pay those hotel bills that we could (I'd written down in advance which ones requested cash payment).

"Each new country we visit has its own challenges and wonders!"

Indeed -- and isn't that wonderful!?!

FWIW, some of your questions highlight, for me, the advantages of a good guidebook or two. Even those of us who are experienced travelers might not know anything about the things that are unique to a specific place or culture, things we wouldn't even know to ask about or to search for on-line. But it's all covered in any decent guidebook, so you can learn all the stuff you never even knew to ask. And the cost of a guidebook or two is nominal in comparison to the cost of a trip....

Hi LeslieQ,

Regarding your free wifi question, it is an excellent idea for hubby to rent a pocket wifi device. The wifi situation in Japan is fine for the casual user, but not for someone needing wifi for business. Many hotels in Japan advertise free wifi, when in fact, it is only available in the hotel lobby, and not always in the rooms. Also, coffee shops such as Starbucks do not offer free wifi. If you step into the lobby of a five star hotel, you will find that the wifi is always password protected for guests.

Regarding the previous tipping debate, I recently gave a hotel employee a $20 bill on my last night, when I had used up my yen. This employee stayed past her shift, and helped me pack up my shipments by preparing labels and getting boxes. She seemed thrilled.

We can certainly differ in our opinions, but let's keep phrases such as "bad advice" or "horrible advice" out of our postings, and be more tactful. We are here to help the OP answer her questions.

I used rentafone to hire a wifi device for both our trips -- it was waiting in our first hotel on arrival and we posted it back by popping it into envelope provided and handing it to reception at our last hotel just before leaving for the airport.

We used it on two phones and sometimes our tablet and it was so useful to have, not just for communications but even more so, for google maps and for occasional info checking on sights etc.

kavey - the Global Communications device seems similar to rentafone. It will be there when we arrive and we stick it in an envelope to return it.

Did it allow you to use your cellphones, or was it more for general WiFi? My friend in Japan invited me to join LINE, and we have chatted via texting. Hope that also works in Japan.

janisj,

Please note that saracasm in not allowed in these forums:
http://www.fodors.com/faq/joining.cfm#join3

Please note item #2, first paragraph.

Thank you!

Leslie, just for wifi, we weren't looking to be able to make calls when there on either of our trips. Your device no doubt similar, rentafone were just the supplier we picked, having had personal recommendations from a friend.

The Japanese are incredibly polite, to the extent that they will express gratitude whether or not the item given to them is of value to them or not.

Occasionally, in limited circumstances, I have given US$ for a tip as I know that the staff receiving them can a) spend that currency without difficulty and b) also have the option of exchanging it easily via their employers, who offer this expressly to make it easier for overseas visitors to give tips.

But in most countries, it would simply be an added chore for the recipient to have to change the money, not to mention losing a chunk in fees. Unless I specifically knew someone was either travelling soon and would be able to use the currency I gave them, or had a definite way to spend that currency, I would only tip in their own currency, as strong preference.

As Kavey just mentioned, most Japanese would express gratitude whether they feel it or not. And many would probably mask their horror at being given a tip quite effectively. Doesn't mean you should tip!

With the possible exception of VERY high end ryokan, tips are not expected in Japan. Tips can evoke the Japanese tradition of exchanging small gifts, thus putting the recipient of the tip in an extremely awkward position.

I'm not surprised that (but am saddened if) staff at hotels that serve many Westerners may be beginning to learn to accept tips, but I must admit that I don't understand why would ANY of us promote a tip culture where none exists.

And yes, there ARE reasons to NOT tip when tips are not expected. One reason for <u>NOT</u> tipping in a culture in which tipping is not expected is that doing so can contribute to some negative stereotypes about Americans (or others who tip) – that we are culturally insensitive, think we can buy anything and/or anyone, don’t understand the value of money, don’t appreciate the professionalism of those with whom we interact, want to flaunt our wealth, are stupid or careless, etc.

Another reason for <u>NOT</u> tipping in a culture in which tipping is not expected is that it can result in a bias against locals or others from non-tipping cultures. You mght think that unlikely, but think again! That <b>has</b> been happening in China – a culture in which tips were not traditionally normative. By 2010, locals couldn’t get a taxi at Beijing’s main train station because drivers refused to take them, focusing instead on foreigners, from whom they had come to expect tips.

Please, just follow the local norms: Unless at a VERY high end ryokan, do NOT tip in Japan!

If not clear, that should be: "I don't understand why ANY of us would..."

leslieq got her answer to ? in her OP.

Long story short, I had a difficult time getting to the Hilton Otaru. I very much appreciated the service that the man gave in showing me to my room. I absolutely knew better but I offered him a nice tip. He reacted as if I was offering him well-used tissue paper.

Haahaa...love mrwunrfl's description of his offer of a tip!

Actually, I was not asking about tipping in Japan as I've read that it's not really done most places. However, I do appreciate the advice from everyone...!

Think I've got the cash/ATM stuff sorted out from all of you wonderful people. Thanks again.

We just returned from our trip, and am in the process of writing a trip report. Just to let everyone know who answered my question that we had no problem at all with the cash situation in Japan.

We exchanged $300 USD at the airport when we came in.

We went to Post Offices and 7-11s as suggested and used our Schwab debit card (the most I withdrew at a time was 100,000 yen, about $875 US$).

We used cash for most of our accommodations and meals except for the one hotel we stayed at (the Fujiya in Hakone) and the rather expensive Tamahan ryokan in Kyoto.

Thanks again for the help!