Credit Cards or Cash in Japan
Sep 17, 2014, 9:45 am
#76
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Boulder
Programs: AA Plat, CX Silver
Posts: 2,361
Correct. There are only about 20 Citibank ATMs in the country, but thousands of Seven Bank ATMs. And the easiest place to find them is 7-11 convenience stores. To my knowledge, Seven Bank does not have regular brick and mortar branches. The idea is that you bank online and use their huge ATM network (you are never more than 500 meters from a 7-11.)
Note that Seven Bank has reduced the limit to 100,000 yen for international cards as a result of the global ATM caper in 2012 or 13. Although the Chinese can take out 200,000 on Union Pay.
So if you need a lot of cash (and your Western bank allows it) then try Citi or the Post Office.
Note that Seven Bank has reduced the limit to 100,000 yen for international cards as a result of the global ATM caper in 2012 or 13. Although the Chinese can take out 200,000 on Union Pay.
So if you need a lot of cash (and your Western bank allows it) then try Citi or the Post Office.
Plus, Schwab refunds the ATM fees so it's not a problem for me to just pull more cash out every day or so, I won't be racking up hundreds of dollars in fees. My travel is more modest though, I rarely withdrew more than 5-10k yen at a time and that would last me two or three days.
Sep 18, 2014, 12:40 pm
#82
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SUV
Programs: UA *G MM
Posts: 7,018
Seven Bank only allows multiples of 10,000 yen for international cards for some reason. Unless something changed within the last 12 months.
Citibank allows 1000 yen multiples. I would typically take out 19k so that I had thousands. One reason that I preferred Citi.
The ATMs (Seven, Citi) do not charge a fee for international cards so not sure why there is a mention of refund.
Citibank allows 1000 yen multiples. I would typically take out 19k so that I had thousands. One reason that I preferred Citi.
The ATMs (Seven, Citi) do not charge a fee for international cards so not sure why there is a mention of refund.
Sep 18, 2014, 11:39 pm
#84
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 49
Schwab put a block on any further withdraws, plenty of money in account?
Not blocked but, although next day in Sapporo, not in their US system.
Also told I could withdraw more than 100,000 at a time with advanced request.
Not blocked but, although next day in Sapporo, not in their US system.
Also told I could withdraw more than 100,000 at a time with advanced request.
Last edited by Old Pa Kettle; Sep 19, 2014 at 5:10 pm
Oct 9, 2014, 8:07 pm
#88
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SUV
Programs: UA *G MM
Posts: 7,018
Even the ultra-cheapskate OK, which is so cheap that it charges for plastic bags, take CCs. OK is found inside but separate from Home's home center stores.
In central Tokyo you will find more upscale and over-priced markets like Kinokuniya, Meidi-ya and Seijo Ishii. The latter has great fish in Foodshow at Tokyu in Shibuya. Often they are part of the basement level (food department) of a department store. The upscale shopping centers Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills each have their own upscale supermarkets, Precce and LINCOS. Well, I assume so for the latter -- never entered.
For expat shopping but also excellent meat I recommend Nissin in Azabu-Juban.
Also in central Tokyo there is Peacock, e.g. Aoyama dori, Azabu-Juban, and Daikanyama. They have assorted items from Waitrose in the UK. More like a regular supermarket. Not a big fan.
The large chain Maruetsu (parent of LINCOS) has small markets called Maruetsu Petit all over central Tokyo. They are mediocre but much better than convenience stores.
In central Tokyo there is a store from the Life chain, which is found in Shibuya on Meiji dori a few hundred meters south of the station. I like this store. This is one of the few suburban type supermarkets in central Tokyo. Free parking too.
Another major chain but have to go to Setagaya and the more distant of the 23 wards and there is one around Hatsudai, is Summit. (Sammito). I don't like them.
Oh yeah, don't forget Hanamasa. It caters to small restaurants. But bulk size packaging is like regular US size packages. It is good for some things like vegetables and fruit, but beware of the Chinese gyoza and the Fukushima cucumbers.
Finally, Maruetsu Petit was originally called Pororoca. Maruetsu acquired the chain. What is a Pororoca you may wonder? It is an Amazonian tidal bore.... one hell of a name for a supermarket chain.
In central Tokyo you will find more upscale and over-priced markets like Kinokuniya, Meidi-ya and Seijo Ishii. The latter has great fish in Foodshow at Tokyu in Shibuya. Often they are part of the basement level (food department) of a department store. The upscale shopping centers Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills each have their own upscale supermarkets, Precce and LINCOS. Well, I assume so for the latter -- never entered.
For expat shopping but also excellent meat I recommend Nissin in Azabu-Juban.
Also in central Tokyo there is Peacock, e.g. Aoyama dori, Azabu-Juban, and Daikanyama. They have assorted items from Waitrose in the UK. More like a regular supermarket. Not a big fan.
The large chain Maruetsu (parent of LINCOS) has small markets called Maruetsu Petit all over central Tokyo. They are mediocre but much better than convenience stores.
In central Tokyo there is a store from the Life chain, which is found in Shibuya on Meiji dori a few hundred meters south of the station. I like this store. This is one of the few suburban type supermarkets in central Tokyo. Free parking too.
Another major chain but have to go to Setagaya and the more distant of the 23 wards and there is one around Hatsudai, is Summit. (Sammito). I don't like them.
Oh yeah, don't forget Hanamasa. It caters to small restaurants. But bulk size packaging is like regular US size packages. It is good for some things like vegetables and fruit, but beware of the Chinese gyoza and the Fukushima cucumbers.
Finally, Maruetsu Petit was originally called Pororoca. Maruetsu acquired the chain. What is a Pororoca you may wonder? It is an Amazonian tidal bore.... one hell of a name for a supermarket chain.
Oct 9, 2014, 8:32 pm
#89
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 174
Welcome to 西日本.
Oct 9, 2014, 8:49 pm
#90
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
I think it's a good idea to charge for bags.
Oh yeah, don't forget Hanamasa. It caters to small restaurants. But bulk size packaging is like regular US size packages. It is good for some things like vegetables and fruit, but beware of the Chinese gyoza and the Fukushima cucumbers.
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IIRC, kaitenzushi (conveyor belt sushi restaurants) are hit-and-miss with accepting (non-Japanese) credit cards.