SetAnOpenCourse Posted July 24, 2019 #1 Share Posted July 24, 2019 Would there be somewhere within about 15 minutes walk from the cruise terminal at Yokohama, or the dock at Shimizu, to get some Yen to use during my cruise? The day I arrive in Japan (Narita), I will take a Holland America transfer to Yokohama. I could try to exchange cash in the airport, but I assume the rate or fees will make it an unfavorable option (please correct me if I'm wrong). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinfool Posted July 24, 2019 #2 Share Posted July 24, 2019 30 minutes ago, SetAnOpenCourse said: Would there be somewhere within about 15 minutes walk from the cruise terminal at Yokohama, or the dock at Shimizu, to get some Yen to use during my cruise? The day I arrive in Japan (Narita), I will take a Holland America transfer to Yokohama. I could try to exchange cash in the airport, but I assume the rate or fees will make it an unfavorable option (please correct me if I'm wrong). Experienced travelers have found that an ATM machine (not a Travelex atm) gives the best exchange rates. Should be an atm in the airport before you leave the baggage claim area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennybear Posted July 24, 2019 #3 Share Posted July 24, 2019 In Shimuzu at the 711 upstairs in the little shopping centre by the port there is an atm with very reasonable fee. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Milhouse Posted July 24, 2019 #4 Share Posted July 24, 2019 In Narita Terminal 1, first floor Arrivals, after you exit the luggage claim/customs area, there's a bunch of different ATM's by some escalators in the corridor connecting the north and south wings. It's kind of in the back of the corridor but IIRC, there is signage pointing to these ATM's. It's not too long of a walk between wings. We usually withdraw from the 7 Bank (ie 7Eleven) ATM which functions with international bank cards. We usually don't exchange hard currency in Japan so haven't really sought our currency exchange places (and typically wouldn't do so at an airport, though there are exceptions). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceMuzz Posted July 24, 2019 #5 Share Posted July 24, 2019 As posted already, Japanese ATMs are the best places to get cash at the best rates. If you really need foreign exchange, the post office is the best choice. If you Google Yokohama Post Office, you will find that there are 7 different Japan Post Office locations within walking distance of Osanbashi Pier in Yokohama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaDog-46 Posted July 26, 2019 #6 Share Posted July 26, 2019 Most Japanese ATM's will NOT accept International Cards. Lookout for 7Eleven & Lawson Station convenience stores - their ATM's accept International Cards & have instructions in English. I used them for Yen withdrawals & had no trouble. You can also use Japan Post Offices - but hours of operation are less than 7Eleven stores. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SetAnOpenCourse Posted July 26, 2019 Author #7 Share Posted July 26, 2019 (edited) Any advice on where to exchange hard currency? Thanks for the advice about ATMs, but I’d need some details/numbers/facts before choosing that option again. Two fees on a single withdrawal in Portugal, atm with the network logo (applicable to Bank of America), totaling over $10. Edited July 26, 2019 by SetAnOpenCourse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennybear Posted July 26, 2019 #8 Share Posted July 26, 2019 In Japan I think the machine gave you the fee. We found it reasonable. We also ordered a lot of yen before we left to take in cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceMuzz Posted July 26, 2019 #9 Share Posted July 26, 2019 Japan has just passed the one year deadline before the 2020 Olympics. Already there are many new features open for foreign travelers. Many independent foreign exchange shops are now open in Tokyo. When you stay in Japan, your hotel concierge can give you directions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Miaminice Posted July 27, 2019 #10 Share Posted July 27, 2019 (edited) Don’t bother getting money beforehand or using the exchange booths/offices. Both ways the charged rate isn’t really good. - Get yourself a credit card which doesn’t charge foreign currency fees. - Use ATMs along the way in Japan. Very easy and very safe! - There’s a 7eleven store at every second corner. All have an ATM. (Also Lawson or Family Mart, for some reason we preferred 7eleven). - The charge will be shown before you proceed with the transaction. Depending on the amount the fee will be around 108 or 216 JPY, so one or two USD - hardly worth worrying about. Also, the exchange rate is much better... bottom line: you pay less. Edited July 27, 2019 by Miaminice 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinfool Posted July 28, 2019 #11 Share Posted July 28, 2019 23 hours ago, Miaminice said: - Get yourself a credit card which doesn’t charge foreign currency fees. In most cases, using a credit card rather than an ATM card results in huge 'cash advance' fees. Not a good option IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Miaminice Posted July 28, 2019 #12 Share Posted July 28, 2019 2 hours ago, thinfool said: In most cases, using a credit card rather than an ATM card results in huge 'cash advance' fees. Not a good option IMO. I have a credit card which does not charge any fees. No ATM fees, no foreign currency fees, no advance fees. I use it all over the world and never have to worry about exchanging different currencies before a trip. Should the bank of the ATM charge any fees, my credit card company reimburses the charge. The charges of e.g. 7eleven ATMs in Japan were less than 2USD, so I never even cared about sending in the receipts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SetAnOpenCourse Posted July 31, 2019 Author #13 Share Posted July 31, 2019 On 7/28/2019 at 10:21 AM, Miaminice said: I have a credit card which does not charge any fees. No ATM fees, no foreign currency fees, no advance fees. I use it all over the world and never have to worry about exchanging different currencies before a trip. Should the bank of the ATM charge any fees, my credit card company reimburses the charge. The charges of e.g. 7eleven ATMs in Japan were less than 2USD, so I never even cared about sending in the receipts. May I ask which card you use? It sounds very good. Thanks for the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Miaminice Posted July 31, 2019 #14 Share Posted July 31, 2019 4 hours ago, SetAnOpenCourse said: May I ask which card you use? It sounds very good. Thanks for the advice. Santander Visa 1plus - however, that one is available in Germany/Europe only. I know there is a card with similar benefits in the US, can´t remember the name though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Milhouse Posted July 31, 2019 #15 Share Posted July 31, 2019 8 hours ago, Miaminice said: I know there is a card with similar benefits in the US, can´t remember the name though. Charles Schwab Amex? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wine-O Posted August 10, 2019 #16 Share Posted August 10, 2019 On 7/31/2019 at 10:32 AM, Milhouse said: Charles Schwab Amex? TD bank has a great ATM Debit Card. You have to check out their rates as they differ depending on the account you have. From my experience, Credit Cards used as an ATM card, will charge you for a cash advance. You pay an initial fee + interest starts the date of transaction. ATM Debit cards, on the other hand, debit from your checking account. Depending on your bank, that's the best and cheapest means of getting cash from a Bank ATM, and you get the interbank rate for the day of the transaction. Normally, bank ATM's don't charge a fee, but non-Bank ATMs, such as 7eleven mentioned above, seem to charge a nominal fee. 🍷 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now