I used to have a Citibank account, so I always used my debit card to obtain the daily limit of cash at the NRT Citibank ATM.

Obtaining cash in Japan has become incredibly easier since I first went there in the 1970s. In those days, it took twenty minutes of bureaucratic rigmarole at a bank to cash a few travelers' checks. You'd sit and watch as your paperwork went from one desk to another to be glanced at and stamped. Then they'd give you a voucher to take to the tellers' area. You'd then wait for your name to be called to receive your cash.

They had ATMs before most places in the U.S. did, but none of them accepted foreign cards.

Cash advances on credit cards became possible during the 1980s, but you still had to go to a bank.

The Citibank ATMs came in during the 1990s, so knowledge of their locations became precious information for visitors.

The post office ATMs began accepting foreign cards in time for Japan's co-hosting of the World Cup in 2002.

Now the 7-11 ATMs take foreign debit cards, and they're always open.

The one caution is that your debit card undoubtedly has a daily withdrawal limit. That limit is based on midnight to midnight in your home time zone, not on local time.