phred

I felt safe carrying quite a bit more cash in Japan than I ever would elsewhere. Between that and credit cards, all was well.

I even used a post office ATM in rural Nikko with no problem. They seem to be most everywhere, even though they don't always speak English. If there are two side by side, only one may work in English.

I too always have some travelers checks as backups - it's like making sure you have air in your spare tire every so often. No, you can't use them like cash as we can in the US, but you get in line at the bank (or at the airport) and turn them into yen.