DonTopaz

As mrwunrful sez, best place to get ¥ is at Narita -- look for several cash dispensers (ATMs) after you exit from customs.

Other than at the airport, I head for 7-11 stores, where my Cirrus card gets me cash. But do pay attention to the link Mara provided if you have a Maestro card w/chip.

mrwunrfl

Hi Mara. Will you do a TR for your Shikoku trip? Or a slideshow?

Smeagol

Thanks guys, my card is a visa debit which I I'll use, but will bring some yen with me as I don't want to spend my first few hours hunting for Yen in Tokyo.
Thank you for the link Mara, will check it out now.

shelleyk

Can I change US Dollars easily at the airport. My debit card has a 3% conversion fee and my VISA card charges a minimum fee of $10 or 3% whichever is higher plus interest. I think I would do better converting cash to yen. No?

shelleyk

Bob- Where did you get the hop on hop off bus and where did you get off? Since it is new, how did you get information on it?

Kathie

Shelly, you need a new bank! Given all the traveling you do, get a credit union account or a brokerage bank account. Most have no fee ATM withdrawals, and maybe a 1% conversion fee.

Smeagol

My bank charges 2.75%... Outrageous, I know! This was why is took ££££ to the US last year, little did I know it's a right palava to change cash in the US ( well it was in California)

Mara

hi mrwunrfl....I still haven't organized my Shikoku trip photos - it's only been six months and change...and I'm going to Paris in 3 hours...I will try to upload photos to Picasa when I get home....thanks for remembering.

Concerning ATM withdrawals - I have ATM cards with both a Capitalone online account and a Capital 360 - formerly ING Direct - which do not charge foreign currency conversion fees. Additionally my broker's debit card doesn't have a fee....

aprillilacs

shellyk--here's a link to the Hop-on Hop-off bus. I won't be able to take advantage of the free promotion (I won't be in Tokyo til Dec. 1), but it may be worthwhile even if you have to pay. I'd love to hear some reports on it.
http://www.japanican.com/en/special/...ign=mail131025

hawaiiantraveler

The hop on bus started on 10/25. It is in free trial run till 11/14. I got an email from japanican about the service so we tried it and it was really great. There are three lines, one that is explained in Aprils link above and two other routes. Iirc one route covers east Tokyo including sky tree n Asakusa and one that covers the Ginza and imperial palace area. You can transfer to the two other lines at the Grand Hyatt stop. We started from the Keio plaza hotel.

Rhkkmk had problems at the 7-11 with his mc card so we went to a citibank n no problems there. As he is finding out Japan is not as expensive as he thought.....prices r better here than at home. The most expensive place we will stay on this two week+ trip will be at $130.00 per night. Yes the best n easiest place for yen exchange is at NRT. We use one of the two Japan banks located right in the arrivals lobby.....easy n convenient.

Having a blast here in Japan and traveling with Bob n Karen is a real treat as those of you who know them are aware. Heading for Hakone in a few hours on the Romance train from Shinjuku station. Weather has cleared after the "trifecta" of two typhoons n one earthquake on our first two days here. The Shinto gods must have been arguing over whether to let rhkkmk have a good time or not lol.

Aloha!

Mara

Coped from japan-guide.com:
'On April 19, 2013, ATMs at 7-Eleven stores stopped accepting Mastercard, Maestro and Cirrus cards issued outside of Japan. Similarly, international ATMs across Japan, including postal ATMs, stopped accepting Maestro cards with EMV chips (except cards issued in Canada and the Netherlands), but continue to accept Maestro cards without EMV chips, Mastercard and Cirrus cards. Efforts are ongoing to restore acceptance of all cards.'

So that is why there was a problem for Bob as ht said above...

Kathie

Thnaks, Mara for that info. We plan to get cash at Narita, but I know there are Citibank machines at Shinjuku and In Kyoto.

DonTopaz

Thanks aprillilacs & ht for the Hop On info/voucher/link -- I'll take good advantage of it.

For those who take this bus, Roppongi Hills (Stop #2) is a decent place to spend some time. Upscale shopping center, lots of good restaurants (including the sushi place run by Jiro's son, and probably the highest-rated tempura place in Tokyo), and an amazing view of Tokyo from the Mori Tower.

simpsonc510

Keep the tidbits coming, guys. Enjoying the read. Sawasdee kah from beautiful Bangkok!

Smeagol

Yep thanks for the details, will check out that bus.....

Kathie

Hey Don, please, the name and location of the tempura place in Roppongi Hills.

DonTopaz

Kathie, the tempura place in Roppongi Hills is Mikawa. You definitely need reservations, usually well in advance. (Good idea to contact your hotel concierge if you're staying at a better hotel.)

Kathie

Don, is it open for lunch?

Craig

Checking in from Flatt's on Noto - beautiful setting near the water. Amazing 8-course meal last night and Japanese breakfast this morning with another 7 items plus rice and home-grown tea - lots of fresh fish. We rented a car. The GPS or "navi" as they call it here is in English and it works most of the time. Driving is on the left. The roads can be very windy, but they are well-maintained. Views along the coast are amazing.

We exchanged $1,000 each at Narita. It was easy, quick and convenient. No need to bring yen from home. We have not used ATM's yet but all of our cards are VISA so I'm not worried. Note that Mileage Plus Explorer, AA Advantage, and Hyatt cards have no foreign transaction fees.

We did not flush any babies at Citadines but are enjoying the "special features" of Japanese toilets, especially the ones with heated seats...

We head to our machiya in Kanazawa today, taking in the views of lower Noto along the way. The HT's and the RHK's arrive tomorrow (staying elsewhere) and we will do a GTG with KimJapan in the evening.

KimJapan

Don't forget the thousands of postal ATM machines that accept international cards - found in post offices, shopping centers, and sometimes just randomly.