Bringing money to Japan

corblimey

Apologies if this is treading over old well covered ground but I've read and searched and read and searched, and not found anything that fits my situation. I'm going to Japan in a few months and although I'll be paying for larger purchases by CC, I'll need a lot of cash on hand aswell. I've got a number of choices:

1. Travellers cheques: most secure, but apparently quite a bit of hassle and as I understand it, they're a little bit of a ripoff with commission charges etc

2. Travelex cash passport: seems to be fairly equivalent to travellers cheques, but NEW! and EXCITING! Charges are still punitive.

3. Cash: most insecure, but easiest. Apparently petty theft is unheard of in Japan, but still.

4. Preload c/c: my current c/c is a Tesco one, so this out of the question, all cash withdrawals are cash advances at 16.odd% each (plus a forex charge, presumably).

5. ATM out there: this is a goer, but I'm not 100% convinced my card will work despite several hundred posts saying that it will. On top of that, I'll be charged 3.5% (up to 11 quid) per transaction. If I keep the transactions high enough I should be ok, but like I say, I'm a little concerned about being able to use my card out there.

6. New preloaded c/c: I'll be stuck with the e40 stamp duty, but as long as I pick a good card, this might work out the cheapest? My only concern is that many posts recommend that I drip feed the pre-loading cash, and I'm again not 100% sure I'll have access to my online bank account abroad. Also, I assume that if I have preloaded a card and then buy something on credit, my preload amount goes down by that figure, or is for cash withdrawals only?

I'm really not sure which way to go on this, and would appreciate any advice.

finbarrk

I just brought a few grand in cash when I was there. No probs.

blahblah06

i was in the bank today and was told you dont pay anything on the credit card once ya have more money than your limit in it

corblimey

That may be on your c/c, blahblah, but everything I'm reading about my Tesco card states that all cash withdrawals are cash advances, no matter if you're in credit or not.

blahblah06

maybe worth giving them a call to confirm

Trampas

change c/c company.

Even after the points you get from Tescos for using a cc to pay for your shopping it will still be cheaper to shop in lidl and aldi

TheIrishGrover

Cash is king in Japan. Lots of places won't even accept CC. I think I only used my MBNA CC for mobile phone rental. Some of my friends who went with me had problems with accepting their CCs (Cannot remember their banks though, sorry ). I brought about 3K with me last time and about the same next time and carried a fair bit of it with me wherever I went. Left the rest in my bags in hotel no problem along with all my souvineers and electronics. NEVER felt nervous for it's safety. Obviously there's crime there as there is everywhere else but I believe tourist related crime is practicaly nonexistant.

pierrot

+1

Go with the cash. You'll have to order it from the bank in advance though, they probably won't have it.