 | Tokyo Cash / Money Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 13 |  |
Not sure if tip belongs here as a Warning or Danger, because as a smart traveller, you'd already know how expensive Tokyo is. I actually took a photo of this salon La Piece in Ginza to remind myself of how much everything costs and also to make a comparison with Kuala Lumpur prices.
Cut including shampoo & blow Y6,300
Perm & Cut Y12,600
Colour Y6,300
Shampoo & Blow Y2,620
Actually, the prices were only 2-4 times higher than in KL, which is not too bad considering everything. Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Tokyo?
Read reviews about Tokyo Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Money changer kiosk in Tokyo is NONE, basically you have to go to the back between 08:30-15:00, or you can withdraw with your cash card from any back with a high service charge. If possible try to solve the money problem before your arrival in Japan or at least before stepping out of Tokyo International Airport to Tokyo. Leave a Comment
|
As the capital of one of the most developed countries in the world, you might assume that finding an ATM in Tokyo that accepts international cards would be no problem. Even in much less developed Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and even Vietnam it is not difficult to find ATMs on the Plus or Cirrus system in major cities. But incomprehensibly, the vast majority of ATMs in Tokyo accept only local cards.
Unfortunately, I found this out the hard way late one evening in Shibuya after I blew the last of my Yen on some Yakitori and needed cash to buy a subway ticket back to my hotel in Shinjuku. Living in Singapore, where there is an ATM on every corner and they all accept international cards, I was utterly dumbfounded to find that not a single ATM in Shibuya would accept my American card!
In the end, my wife and I were forced to make the painfully long walk back to Shinjuku, where I finally found a Citibank with a 24-hour ATM that would give me a cash advance on my Citibank Mastercard. If not for that we would have been totally screwed!
Japan may be the technology hub of the world, but they are evidently still in the stone-age of banking. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
The basic unit of currency is the Yen in Japan. When in Tokyo you have to be very careful as things are very expensive. It's possible to get by cheaper by being careful but make the mistake of going to an upscale restaurant or bar and you could easily get a $200 bill awaiting you at the end. Leave a Comment
|
Please carry enough japanese yen with you, as it is very difficult and near to impossible to change money there. Only some banks accept currency exchange, and of those, most only accept US dollars (and you need to show your passport). Only a few banks accept other currencies and these only accept selected currencies. AND the exchange rate is very poor. While I could change 67yen to 1 Singapore dollar in my own country, while there in Japan, the rate was 62 to 1. You need to fill up a form and state your address etc too.
Tokyo:
Shinjuku JR station - lumiere 2 departmental store 5th floor has a currency shop, but only exchange selected major currencies. Forget citibank, even that only exchange US dollars.
Shibuya - the UFO bank. It's on the stretch of road opp Seibu dept store, i think. It exchanges major curencies as well.
Ueno - forget about it. The UFO bank here only exchanges US dollars and you need a passport. So now you know, not all banks change money.
Forget hotels. They change only for their guests and only US dollars and Euros. Nothing else. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Visiting Tokyo?
Read reviews about Tokyo Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
If you're from the United States or Western Europe, find out where the nearest Citibank or Post Office is as soon as possible. Beware - there aren't that many Citibanks, although Post Offices are fortunately common. The three Citibanks I know of are in Shinjuku, Shinjuku-sanchohme and Roppongi. The one in Roppongi is easiest to find - it's right on Roppongi Crossing by Almond (don't ask, you'll know when you see it), although rather unusually it's inside a building on the second floor, so you have to take an elevator up from the street.
Why do you need to find a Citibank (or Post Office)? Because, in contradiction of what I've read elsewhere on VT, Citibank ATMs or Post Office Savings ATMs are the only ones you'll be able to draw money out of with VISA cards. Oh sure, most of the Japanese banks' machines have VISA symbols on them, but try to use them and your card will be spat back out at you and you'll be informed (probably in Japanese) that 'your card is difficult to read'. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
The most important thing is make sure you have plenty of yen when out for the day. Places to exchange money are extremely difficult to find.Most ATM's will not accept bank cards unless issued by a japaneese bank. Small businesses are resistant to accepting dollars in an emergency and although you may think you have enough yen it can go quickly when there are so many things you may want to try. Large Hotels can help in exchanging ,but if it is not your own be prepared for possible refusal. Leave a Comment
|
At a very few cashpoints you can withdraw money with an internaitonal credit card. Even when the Visa sign is there, it is mostly for japanase visas. You need to know in advance where, in every city of Japan, you can find an interational atm. If in trouble, get to the Visa office, they can give cash. Leave a Comment
|
Credit cards are accepted in hotels and major stores, but their use is still not very popular, believe or not. ATM cash dispensers accept Visa, Mastercard, Diners club and American Express. It's important for you to know that many ATM cash dispensers' schedule are the same as their bank.
The easiest way to pay is in cash. Don't worry for your change, Japanese people are extremely honorable, specially with tourists. Leave a Comment
|
Despite what your banks says, if you don't have a Japanese ATM card, you may have a hard time withdrawling money in Japan. Nearly all Japanese banks' ATMs do not accept standard foreign ATM cards with logos such as Maestro, Cirrus, and PLUS. There are two places that I am aware of that will accept them: Citibank ATMs, and some post office ATMs (look for signs in English saying they accept foreign cards). The Citibank ATMs are usually only found in major districts around Tokyo. The post office is scattered throughout Japan and has reasonable opening hours (9am to 8pm or so). Be sure to take out plenty when you have the opportunity. Most likely, you will spend more than you planned to, and the ATMs may not be available on weekends or holidays. Leave a Comment
|
 | 1 | 2 |  |
More Sponsored Links for Tokyo Luxury place at Less cost
Central Tokyo Locations 30% OFF Bilingual support, from 1week stay Hotels in Osaka Japan
Save $ on your Hotel reservation in Osaka, Japan - No Extra Charge! Tokyo Hotels
Hotels.com Low Rates Guaranteed! Call a Hotel Expert. 1-800-449-4167 |
 |
 |
Search Hotels
Find the best room rates |
|
 |
|
on September 8, 2004
on August 23, 2004
on December 8, 2004
on January 1, 2006
on May 29, 2006
on August 25, 2002
on August 25, 2002
on April 21, 2005
on December 6, 2007
on December 28, 2006
