NRT currency question
 

I have a feeling this may be a slightly silly question, but here goes -

I am traveling to BKK connecting through NRT next week. I will not be leaving the secured areas of the terminal, and am wondering if I need to exchange some US currency for yen when I get to NRT if I want to make small purchases, such as something to eat (probably at a counter service type of place) or a bottle of water, magazine, etc.

I will have a credit card, but I figure not everywhere will take credit cards and/or for smaller amounts.

Obviously it would be much easier if I didn't have to exchange currency when I'm only transiting through Japan, but I'm figuring the answer is that I will need to exchange dollars for yen. Having never been to NRT, are there exchange booths in the secured areas of the United terminal?

Thanks for any help.

Chepar,
Most of the shops there take credit cards and dollars. The exchange rate if you use dollar bills isn't great, but on a $10 or $15 purchase it's a only a tiny surcharge. Another option is to use an ATM.

PS:I don't have any at the moment, but I've always got friends eager to buy my surplus Yen when I come back from Japan. Do you know anyone who went recently? They may have a couple of 1000 yen notes they'll sell you.

call HT...he and Linda are practically citizens of japan these days!

I've made purchases inside Narita airport, always with a credit card. I've never bothered to change money there.

I don't have any either but as everyone says you won't need it. If you feel you must have some yen the FHB Waikiki branch always has lots of yen at a very good rate as I am sure the other major Waikiki banks do for their loyal kamaaina customers.

Aloha!

Good to know that I probably won't have to change money - I'll try using my credit card first. My sister was in Japan not too long ago but I don't think she has any surplus yen. I'll have to ask her.

I'm looking forward to my layover in NRT on the way home - I'm on a mission to find those boxes of individually wrapped mochi dusted with kinako that come with the little bottles of syrup that you drizzle over. That, and the bottles of scotch I plan to get from duty free.

This is the first time in a number of years that I've had a direct international flight to HNL and on past trips I didn't want to hassle with repacking liquor bottles in my suitcase for the domestic flight home - so it will be fun looking in the duty free shop.