seemore 66 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Hi everyone. I know I have asked the question before but can't find the answer. Do I buy in Aus and where? Or do I buy in Airport in Toyko Narita? Thank you in advance. It will be interesting if some one could come up with a funny answer. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I usually find that the airport give you a crap deal for the same reason that all the shops are expensive....you are a captive audience. Shop around in Oz before you come over here Link to post Share on other sites
korbzy 0 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 hey Seemore, i strongly suggest you do what im going to do and use a Commonwealth travel card. I think these are great, and you can also change currencry's at the bank. so best to get out $200 aud worth of yen for cash for the first day and then use the card for the rest. Its a mastercard and it will be accepted at most ATM's Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 it will not be accepted at MOST ATMs. If it's mastercard, then probably on International ATMs with the Maestro mark. In the whole of Niseko and Kutchan, there are probably 3 international ATMs. 2 at the post office in Kutchan and one in Hirafu. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 7/11's will also accept international cards Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 or get travellers cheques . Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I get all my cash in HK before I leave. I carry a wad wherever I go. And if we ever run out, then it's the ATM with a fixed fee for whatever amount. NEVER go to the banks in Japan to exchange, they are 50% more expensive. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 CASH! Bring cash! You have no idea how annoying it can be trying to exchange your credit card for goods and services in some parts of this country. It's gotten a lot better but who really wants the hassle when you're on vacation? Link to post Share on other sites
korbzy 0 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 a quick question, roughly how much is food in yen ? im trying to work out how much cash i should take. i think its just safer having a card aswell rather then travellers cheques or cash. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 cards? take plenty of cards, but plenty more cash. Travellers cheques was a piss take from a discussion a while back. Forget those. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Explain in detail what you would like to eat, and how many beers per day you'd like to partake in. Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted December 8, 2009 Author Share Posted December 8, 2009 Everything / Alot. Yum Yum / Slurp Slurp Link to post Share on other sites
blu 3 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 If yor card is a debit card, you should have a credit card as well (Visa). You can get cash at Narita ATM's. Citibank ATM's are also international. The Hakuba Post Office is near the station, nowhere near the resorts. The ticket offices take credit card. Link to post Share on other sites
blu 3 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Is the Hirafu ATM international (@ Hokkaido Tracks office) - I thought it may have been Japan only. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 GN says it's international. But he could be lying to get some traffic in there so he could accept his beers. Link to post Share on other sites
griller 9 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Haven't seen GN around for a while... Link to post Share on other sites
Nisoko 6 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 He'll be back soon, had to be away for a short while. Link to post Share on other sites
Sciclone 2 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 You can go to Travelex and those sorts of places Seemore, but I've found that NAB are pretty good to deal with. I exchanged a small amount there before leaving, and upon arrival, just use 7/11 atms to get money out (NAB cards have Plus or Visa links). I used them quite a bit both times we have been there, and only got charged about $12 in fees, which is a damn site cheaper than the fees a travel exchange will charge you. Just be careful with some of the smaller banks. My mum couldn't use Suncorp, and others have found Bank of Queensland and other smaller institutions don't work in the atms. Link to post Share on other sites
foreversnow 5 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 We still swear by Travelex online - excellent rates. Just order what you want online and then they send it to your nearest Harvey World Travel Store and you pick it up. Just get cash WAY less hassle. Cards are fine if you are going somewhere that takes cards but in my experience in Niseko most places and shops don't accept cards. Can you imagine how busy the one ATM in Niseko is going to be!!! Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted December 8, 2009 Author Share Posted December 8, 2009 Thanks Everyone That is the company I was thinking of SH I will try them. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
greg 4 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Seemore, check the large banks, and find the best rate. The best bit of advide I can give to a West Aussie is book your YEN soon. There is a very good chance the banks will not have enough on stock when you need it. Link to post Share on other sites
ilovesnow 0 Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Guys, I ordered my YEN from Westpac online yesterday. it takes 1 week for the delivery. so better organise it well in advance. BTW, it's better rate than Travelex online/ANZ/Commonwealth/NAB. see you in HAKUBA, if anyone goes there. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 7-11 ATMs stopped accepting INTERNATIONAL Mastercards from 14th December 2009. That means Maestro won't work on those machines. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 As the ATM in Hirafu is a 7 Bank ATM the same applies, Mastercards and Maestro not accepted. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts