currency exchange
Jul 16, 2013, 10:42 pm
#46
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: YYC/MNL
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy SE
Posts: 520
For me, I'd exchange it for local currency->USD-JPY or local currency->JPY at a forex kiosk (whichever has a better return).
If I was bringing a lot of cash, I'd do 60% JPY, 40% USD. I was thinking for my 2-week trip of bringing ~$1000CDN or ~$1000USD equivalent of JPY (whichever gives a higher return during exchange) then just ride the rest on card.
If I was bringing a lot of cash, I'd do 60% JPY, 40% USD. I was thinking for my 2-week trip of bringing ~$1000CDN or ~$1000USD equivalent of JPY (whichever gives a higher return during exchange) then just ride the rest on card.
Jul 17, 2013, 1:46 am
#47
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,632
I don't think there's anything to be gained by converting Canadian Dollars to USD in preparation for travel to Japan. You'll lose quite a bit in the course of two currency conversions. Better to use an ATM card and get your yen from a 7-11 or post office ATM.
Last edited by jib71; Jul 17, 2013 at 1:52 am
Jul 17, 2013, 7:18 am
#48
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,171
Here in Singapore the spreads are very tight for most currencies, with the Yen being at 12.64 (sell) 12.75 (buy). I take it I can forget about such small spreads in Tokyo and would be better off bringing some Yen purchased from here (in addition to cards for ATM access)?
Jul 17, 2013, 9:16 am
#49
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: Dirt
Posts: 949
Yes, that's what I would do. When I visited Japan from Hong Kong, I bought yen beforehand and brought them with me. I had my ATM card as a back up in case I need more money. With ATM fee charged by my HK bank account, I got worse exchange rate with ATM card than buying yen at the bank counter in HK.
Jul 17, 2013, 12:51 pm
#50
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
Yes, that's what I would do. When I visited Japan from Hong Kong, I bought yen beforehand and brought them with me. I had my ATM card as a back up in case I need more money. With ATM fee charged by my HK bank account, I got worse exchange rate with ATM card than buying yen at the bank counter in HK.
Jul 17, 2013, 6:24 pm
#52
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TYO / WAS / NYC
Programs: American Express got a hit man lookin' for me
Posts: 4,596
Jul 17, 2013, 8:04 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Posts: 63
Jul 17, 2013, 9:24 pm
#54
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: Dirt
Posts: 949
Aug 23, 2013, 8:09 pm
#55
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 78
I was planning on exchanging dollars for yen for my trip, but when I went to the AAA store, the exchange rate was $1=93 yens plus $10.50 service fee.I decide to hold off for now. I came across this thread and decided I should probably exchange dollars for yen either at the departing airport or at Narita before boarding the Nex Trains. I am worried I won't find an ATM in the airport in time to catch my NEX train to Tokyo Station. I probably should have some cash with me before I leave Narita airport. 
Aug 23, 2013, 8:29 pm
#56
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: HND
Programs: JAL Sapphire
Posts: 542
There are several ATMs in each airport on the first floor (I use Citibank, and they're conveniently near the escalators to the N'EX/K'SEI in T1). The question is whether or not you have a premier banking relationship with any of them (that will help minimize fees for withdrawing).
Aug 23, 2013, 8:48 pm
#57
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 78
There are several ATMs in each airport on the first floor (I use Citibank, and they're conveniently near the escalators to the N'EX/K'SEI in T1). The question is whether or not you have a premier banking relationship with any of them (that will help minimize fees for withdrawing).
Aug 24, 2013, 12:18 am
#58
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
- The first ATM(s) you see just after you exit customs often have long lines during afternoon rush hours. Those at the train station level or departure level do not.
- I always cash T/C at the airport for cash
- I always cash T/C at the airport for cash
Aug 24, 2013, 2:39 am
#59
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Kobe/Osaka
Programs: Delta
Posts: 1,587
I live in Japan and am trying to bring a large amount of dollars from the US. While in the States last week, I found that my mother's bank offered TC for free, so I bought $9000 worth and brought them back. After exiting customs (KIX) I went to the foreign exchange booth to change into yen. They were nearly 2 yen per dollar more valuable than cash. However, they would only change $3000 per day. Frustrating. Now I have to go to a bank.
Aug 24, 2013, 8:10 am
#60
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
This is why I always keep a bit of cash in my Chinese bank accounts if I'm heading to Japan. Thanks to UnionPay, I can skip the lines of people waiting for the 7-Eleven/Post Office/Citi ATMs and head over to the less crowded Mitsubishi-UFJ or Mizuho machines (or Mitsui-Sumitomo, but they charge UnionPay cardholders 75 yen a pop).