streetnfish 0 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Hey guys, Been lurking around here gathering lots of info and I'll be coming to Hokkaido Jan 12-27. (first time to Japan) Initially there will be 6 of us and we will be staying in Rusutsu and Niseko. Afterwards My girlfriend and I will be headed to Tommamu and finishing up in Sapporo. We have rented a vehicle and will be driving. I was wondering where most of you who fly in exchange your currency for yen? Obviously there is the airport but I was wondering if there is anywhere that has a better rate without being too hard to find. I would also appreciate it if anyone has their favorite places to eat/drink in the respective areas. You know those little hole in the wall places with good food/drinks and good vibes. Finally, since we have transportation, are there any interesting sights/places (non ski related) to visit? Any info is appreciated and feel free to pm me. Praying for more snow everyday (Californa and Japan) and am so excited to get over there Thanks again Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Currency: at bank at home. The J-Bank rates are horrendous. Or use international ATM, for a small fee, you can withdraw from you own bank account with your bank's rates. Interesting sights: http://www.toyotarentacar.net/english/tourism/drive/ Has a few ideas for the summer season, but gives you an idea anyway. And don't forget sea ice breaker at Abashiri and sea ice swimming. Been wanting to do this for ages. Places I like to eat and drink will differ to your tastes. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Oh, Tomamu. If you're staying at the resort, book the Japanese sushi restaurant. Avoid the deer curry restaurant, (deer, not dear). Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 The buffet is not too shabby either Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Oh, Tomamu. If you're staying at the resort, book the Japanese sushi restaurant. Avoid the deer curry restaurant, (deer, not dear). Ooh, haven't had venison in ages. What is wrong with the deer curry restaurant? Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 fried in breadcrumbs 30 mins before being ordered in anticipation of a mad rush. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Breadcrumbs? Link to post Share on other sites
streetnfish 0 Posted December 2, 2013 Author Share Posted December 2, 2013 Currency: at bank at home. The J-Bank rates are horrendous. Or use international ATM, for a small fee, you can withdraw from you own bank account with your bank's rates. Interesting sights: http://www.toyotaren.../tourism/drive/ Has a few ideas for the summer season, but gives you an idea anyway. And don't forget sea ice breaker at Abashiri and sea ice swimming. Been wanting to do this for ages. Places I like to eat and drink will differ to your tastes. Hey WV, You never know. I'm up for an adventure and to try new things. Thanks for the replys guys. Keep them coming. Link to post Share on other sites
streetnfish 0 Posted December 3, 2013 Author Share Posted December 3, 2013 Wow ! I thought you were kidding about the ice swimming until I looked it up. The cruise looks kinda cool. I'm really looking forward to some of the really good seafood from Hokkaido. Even my Japanese friends tell me Hokkaido is the place to go for sea food. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Oh yes. Hokkaido seafood and indeed Hokkaido food is pretty amazing. My fav would be crab sashimi and grilled king crab legs with cold sake. Link to post Share on other sites
SC340 0 Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 i use travel credit card (no fx spread). load up with debit balance and cash it at atm ( no cash advance fee) Link to post Share on other sites
streetnfish 0 Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 Oh yes. Hokkaido seafood and indeed Hokkaido food is pretty amazing. My fav would be crab sashimi and grilled king crab legs with cold sake. Mmmm ! Now you are speakin my language. Is this un town or can I just drive over to the coast for some local seafood? Link to post Share on other sites
streetnfish 0 Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 i use travel credit card (no fx spread). load up with debit balance and cash it at atm ( no cash advance fee) Good to know. Are ATMs in abundance? I figure that might be the case in Niseko but I don't know about the other places I will be staying. Link to post Share on other sites
streetnfish 0 Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 Any spots for some live music? Any style is fine. Link to post Share on other sites
ozsnowbum 9 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 i use travel credit card (no fx spread). load up with debit balance and cash it at atm ( no cash advance fee) Good to know. Are ATMs in abundance? I figure that might be the case in Niseko but I don't know about the other places I will be staying. i think theres only 1 atm in niseko in the new supermarket. its generally difficult to get cash out anywhere in japan, easily the worst country ive experienced for it. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Japan is a bit of a nightmare for getting money out.....at times, even for us who live here!! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 You need to time it so that the little person is inside the ATM to hand out the cash. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Or you could go into the bank for some super fun 'bank experience'! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Link to post Share on other sites
streetnfish 0 Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 Thanks. Guess I'll be carrying lots a cash Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Not to worry about carrying cash. Apart from you not being used to carrying cash and perhaps losing it! Link to post Share on other sites
gvm3373 4 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 7-11s and post offices, have had no problems with their atms. Link to post Share on other sites
streetnfish 0 Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 Hey, I like the little man in the ATM. And I can speak Spanish so we'll get along just fine Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Yeah, 7-11 and Japan Post Office ATM's are international friendly............don't think there is a 7-11 in Niseko area (maybe Kutchan) and Post office ATM's may close at silly ridiculous times. Carrying lots of cash is fine, as BoC indicated, its just weird t carry a lot of cash around for us westerners. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 You may want to look at this for the ATM, credit card, currency exchange etc situation in Hirafu http://www.nisekotourism.com/en/about-niseko/cash-atms-and-currency-exchange/ Also an impressive wine n dine guide on there. Link to post Share on other sites
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