Travel Money Guide: Japan

Despite the rise in popularity of credit and debit cards across the globe, Japan is still very much a cash society.

Which option is right for your next trip?

ANZ Travel Card

The ANZ Travel Card is a prepaid card that can be loaded with up to 10 currencies to make purchases overseas at over 38 million merchants and over 2.3 million ATMs worldwide.

• Lock in your exchange rates and know how much money you have to spend
• No transaction fees for electronic purchases when using foreign currency
• Multiple reload options - online, over the phone or in person
• Manage your money online or over the phone 24/7
• Spare card if in case one is lost or stolen

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Compare travel cards for Japan

• Prepaid Travel Money Cards
• Travel Credit Cards
• Travel Debit Cards

Rates last updated July 25th, 2017

		Available Currencies	ATM Withdrawal Fee	Reload Fee	Initial Load Fee
	ANZ Travel Card	AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, THB, USD	AUD 3.50, USD 2.50, GBP 2.00, EUR 2.20, NZD 4.50, CAD 3.00, HKD 20.00, SGD 4.00, THB 95, JPY 260	1.1% of the value purchased	$0	Go to site More
	Qantas Cash	AUD, AED, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, THB, USD	AUD 1.95, CAD 2.00, EUR 1.50, GBP 1.25, HKD 15.00, JPY 160, NZD 2.50, SGD 2.50, USD 1.95, THB 70.00, AED 6.50	$0	$0	Go to site More
	Velocity Global Wallet® Card	AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, THB, USD, ZAR	AUD 0.00, CAD 2.00, EUR 1.50, GBP 1.25, HKD 15.00, JPY 160, NZD 2.50, SGD 2.50, THB 60, USD 1.95, ZAR 20, Other than above: AUD 1.95	$0	$0	Go to site More
	NAB Traveller Card	AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, THB, USD	Overseas: $0 per withdrawal via international ATMs Domestic: $3.75 fee applies	$0	$0	Go to site More
	St.George Global Currency Card	AUD, HKD, USD, SGD, GBP, JPY, EUR, THB, NZD, ZAR, CAD	AUD 2.00 USD 2.00 GBP 1.50 EUR 2.00 NZD 3.00 CAD 2.50 HKD 15.00 SGD 3.00 JPY 200 THB 75.00 ZAR 20.00	$0	$0	Go to site More
	Westpac Global Currency Card	AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, THB, USD, ZAR	Non-Westpac Group ATM in Australia / non-Global Alliance ATM overseas: AUD 2.00, USD 2.00, GBP 1.50, EUR 2.00. NZD 3.00, CAD 2.50, HKD 15.00, SGD 3.00, JPY 200, THB 75.00, ZAR 20.00 Over 50k ATMs (Global ATM Alliance network & Westpac): $0	Transferring through another financial institution (BPAY) may attract a transaction fee.	$0	Go to site More

Rates last updated July 25th, 2017

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Name	Product	Foreign Currency Conversion Fee (MC)	Foreign Currency Conversion Fee (VISA)	Overseas ATM Withdrawal Fee	Overseas Cash Advance Fee	Annual fee	Product Description
Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard		0% of transaction value		$0	The greater of 2% or $4.00	$0 p.a.	An introductory offer on balance transfers, plus complimentary travel insurance & access to a 24/7 Concierge service.	Go to site More info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bankwest Qantas Platinum Mastercard		0% of transaction value			2% or $4.00, whichever is greater	$160 p.a.	Enjoy a high credit limit with complimentary travel insurances and earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases.	Go to site More info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bankwest Qantas World Mastercard		0% of transaction value				$270 p.a.	Earn uncapped Qantas Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases and receive complimentary travel insurance.	Go to site More info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Rates last updated July 25th, 2017

Monthly Deposit

$

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		Monthly Account Fee	Debit Card Access	ATM Withdrawal Fee	Fee Free Deposit p.m.	Details
	Bankwest Qantas Transaction Account $0 Overseas ATM withdrawal fees charged by Bankwest. Third party ATM fees and international transaction fees may still apply.		Mastercard	$0	$2,000	$0 account keeping fees when you deposit at least $2,000 into your account each month. Otherwise, a $6 monthly fee applies. Unlimited Free withdrawals at Bankwest and CommBank ATMs in Australia.	Go to site More
	Westpac Choice $0 Overseas ATM fee when you withdraw from the Global ATM alliance network. International transaction fee still applies.		Mastercard	$0	$2,000	$0 account keeping fees if you deposit at least $2,000 per month. Otherwise, a $5 monthly fee applies. Unlimited free withdrawals at St.George, Westpac, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA ATMs.	Go to site More
	St.George Complete Freedom Account $0 Overseas ATM fee when you withdraw from the Global ATM alliance network. International transaction fee still applies.		Visa	$0	$2,000	$0 account keeping fees if you deposit at least $2,000 per month. Otherwise, a $5 fee applies. Unlimited free withdrawals at St.George, Westpac and BankSA ATMs.	Go to site More

How much ¥en do I need to bring?

	Budget (Cheap)	Midrange	Luxury (High-end)
	Dorm bed ¥2800 = 33.28AUD	Double room at a business hotel ¥12,000 = 142.63AUD	Double room in a top hotel ¥23,000 = 273.38AUD
	Set meal at casual restaurant ¥800 = 9.51AUD	Dinner at an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) ¥4000 = 47.54AUD	Meal at a good sushi restaurant from ¥10,000 = 118.86AUD
	One temple or museum entry ¥500 = 5.94AUD	Temple and museum entries ¥1000 = 11.89AUD	Temple and museum entries ¥1000 = 11.89AUD

^{*Prices are approximate and are subject to change.}

Exchange rate history

What is the best travel money card to take to Japan?

Best is a subjective term — it means something different for everyone. At the very least, a travel product should have one of these features:

• No currency conversion fee.
• Either no international or local ATM operator fee.
• Travel extras: insurance, airport lounges, worldwide concierge service etc.

Next, you need to have an idea about how you plan on transacting in Japan. While Japan is very much a cash society, there are times when you’ll need to use your card. Hotel and travel bookings as well as big ticket items should be purchased on your credit card if possible to make the most of your card’s interest-free days feature.

But, if you plan on indulging in Japanese culture — think tea ceremonies, guided tours in Sakura season, entry the Emperor's Palace and small cafeterias and eateries — you’ll need cash. The cost of withdrawing from an ATM should be a factor in your comparison of travel money products.

A product which doesn’t charge for currency conversion or to use the ATM is ideal. Some ATMs in Japan (mainly in 7/11 stores and post offices) don’t charge a local ATM operator fee. Pick the right product and it could be cheaper to withdraw your money in Japan than it is at home.

A quick summary of travel money options for Japan

How the different travel money products work in Japan

Japan is a cash society; however, credit and debit cards are accepted in most places in Japanese cities. Establishments such local restaurants, markets and rural inns (ryokans) are cash only. In the places where you can use your card, you may have issues if you’re using a travel card at the point of sale. Some merchants may reject this card because it doesn’t have your name on the front.

Using a prepaid travel card

A travel card lets you load Australian Dollars and convert the funds to Yen (along with a number of other currencies). The main advantage to these cards are they allow you to spend without paying extra for currency conversion. Other benefits for travellers include:

• A dual card account. You get a backup in case your first card is lost or stolen.
• Security. Travel cards are CHIP and PIN protected.
• Prepaid accounts. Stick to your budget and top up your travel card when you need more money.

These products require a little more management than debit and credit cards, as you’re responsible for ensuring you top up the card before you run out of money. Remember it can take up to 3 business days for funds clear, and even longer if there’s a public holiday or weekend in Australia.

• Travel card considerations 

Travel cards do have benefits from international travellers; however, all that glitters is not gold. Be wary of travel card fees (initial load, reload fees and ATM fees), and if you’re a rate hunter, you may want to compare the exchange rate on offer from your travel card issuer. Travel card foreign exchange rates are different to the rate your bank gives you when you send money online or when you buy foreign cash.

• Travel money cards to take

These travel cards let you load and spend Yen.

• Velocity Global Wallet®. A travel card which rewards you with Velocity points when you make an eligible purchase. Velocity Global Wallet® supports 11 popular currencies, the Japanese Yen (JPY) included, which makes it a great card to take to Japan. Only the Cash Passport has a lower ATM withdrawal fee.
• Qantas Cash. Earn Qantas Points when you make an eligible purchase overseas. Qantas charge 160 Yen per ATM withdrawal. Qantas Cash supports up to 11 different international currencies.
• NAB Traveller Card. The NAB Traveller Card offers free international ATM withdrawals and the ability to load Japanese Yen.
• Cash Passport Mastercard. Carry up to ten currencies every time you travel, including Japanese Yen. The Cash Passport Mastercard can be used to withdraw local currency anywhere Mastercard is accepted. You will incur an international ATM fee of JPY 260.00 when you make a withdrawal using this travel card. Be sure to only use currencies you have loaded on the card. This account has one of the highest currency conversion fees.
• Suncorp Cash Passport Travel Card. Load and hold up to 10 different currencies on the Suncorp Cash Passport at a time. ATM withdrawal fees in Japan apply.
• Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card. This reloadable travel card supports up to 13 currencies: AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, THB, USD, VND, CNY, AED.
• ANZ Travel Card. The ANZ Travel Card prepaid Visa card for both ANZ and non-ANZ customers which lets you load up to 10 different currencies, including Japanese Yen (JPY).
• Westpac Global Currency Card. A flat fee of 200 Yen per ATM withdrawal and the ability to load up to 11 different global currencies make the Global Currency Card travel card to consider for your Japanese trip.

Using a credit card

All credit cards allow you to spend in a foreign currency. Some cards are cheaper to use than others. You can compare credit cards which do not charge a fee for currency conversion in the above table. This is an additional charge of roughly 3% when you use your card outside of Australia.

• International ATM fees. The majority of credit card issuers on the market will charge a fee to use an international ATM. Some credit card issuers such as Bankwest waive the international ATM fee.
• Cash advance fees. Withdrawing cash on credit is one of the most expensive ways to get money. Cash advance fees and interest charges apply to this type of transaction, and you’re not eligible for interest free days either. Some issuers waive the cash advance fee and rate of interest if you’ve preloaded a credit card with your own money. The rules are different for each credit card issuer; you can see which issuers let you do this in the FAQs section of our travel money page.

Using an Australian debit card

The majority of debit card issuers charge you a fee when you make a purchase in a foreign currency.

The Citibank Plus Transaction Account is worth highlighting here. This is a unique account. Citibank won’t charge you any fees for currency conversion or any international ATM fees. Use a Citibank ATM in Japan (a quick Google search will show you the closest machine) to withdraw funds from your Australian Citibank Plus account and you’ll pay nothing to access your money. Other issuers such as Bankwest waive international ATM fees but still charge for currency conversion. Furthermore, the Citibank Plus account costs nothing to operate and you can make free international money transfers between Citibank accounts in Australia and Japan.

Taking a traveller's cheques to Japan

Although traveller's cheques are becoming an antiquated form of travel money, they are still used by people who are looking to take money to Japan. The safest way to carry your bulk of money to Japan is to use a traveller's cheque. The traveller's cheques widely accepted in Japan are Visa, American Express and Thomas Cook.

To buy American Express traveller's cheques in Australia, visit participating banks, selected Australia Post outlets, credit unions, American Express travel services and American Express foreign exchange offices. Fees charged to purchase traveller's cheques vary from one establishment to another. Some establishments will charge a nominal fee while others will offer traveller's cheques free of a charge as a service to customers.

After taking your traveller's cheques to Japan, you can redeem them at banks announcing 'authorised foreign exchange bank' outside the front door. You can also redeem your cheques at Japan's main post offices. In Japan, the traveller's cheques attract a relatively better exchange rate than bank notes. To get the best rates, redeem your cheques in banks and post offices. Redeeming the cheque at stores or hotels will attract fees and commissions.

Luke's Tokyo Trip

Where did you visit in Japan?

Luke spent 2 weeks in Tokyo.

What cards did you take with you?

• Citibank Plus Transaction Account
• Bankwest Platinum Qantas Mastercard

Why did you take these cards with you?

• Citibank Plus Transaction Account. Luke says he made a withdrawal at a Citibank ATM as soon as he arrived at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport. He then used Citibank ATMs throughout Tokyo so he could save on ATM withdrawal fee. The times he withdrew from a Citibank ATM it cost him nothing extra.
  
  • No currency conversion fee
  • No international ATM fee
  • No account keeping fee
• Bankwest Platinum Qantas Mastercard. Luke took his Bankwest credit card as a backup. He purchased his airfare on this card, so he was covered by complimentary insurance for the duration of his trip. He also used this card when he shopped. Because there is no currency conversion fee, earning Qantas Points was a bonus.
  
  • Earn Qantas Points for eligible purchases
  • No currency conversion fee on international purchases
  • Complimentary international travel insurance

How did you find withdrawing from ATMs?
Luke definitely advises that anyone visiting Japan should familiarise themselves with Post Bank and Seven Bank (inside 7/11) ATMs in the area. His cards wouldn’t work at other ATMs attached to Japanese banks. Luke withdrew up to the ATM limit each time: 60,000 - 80,000 Yen.

Were there any places where you had trouble using your card?
Luke says it should be pretty obvious whether a place takes plastic or not. Most places he could tell by the look of the establishment, but he always made sure to ask. Luke points out in Tokyo there are a lot of good "hole-in-the-wall" places to eat, and these establishments were mostly cash only.

A guide to the Japanese Yen

Since the introduction of the Yen, the denominations have ranged from 10 Yen to 10,000 yen. The following is a brief description of the ¥1000, ¥2000, ¥5000, and ¥10,000.

• 1,000 Yen note. This note has been in use since 1945 and it is currently the lowest value Yen banknote. The front side of the note bears the image of the legendary regent and politician under Empress Suiko, Prince Shōtoku. The reverse side bears a drawing of Mt. Fuji and cherry blossoms.
• 2,000 Yen note. This banknote was issued in July 19, 2000. The front side of the note bears a serial number and portrays Shureimon, a 16th-century gate at Shuri Castle in Naha, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The reverse side portrays a scene from "The Tale of Genji'" and a portrait of Murasaki Shikibu, the noblewoman to whom this work of literature has been attributed.
• 5,000 Yen note. The front side of the 5,000 note has a portrait of Ichiyo Higuchi, a Meiji era writer and poet. The reverse side depicts "Kakitsubata Flowers", from a folding screen by Korin Ogata.
• 10,000 Yen note. The front side of this note has a portrait of Yukichi Fukuzawa, a Meiji era philosopher and founder of Keio University. The reverse side has a drawing of the hoo (Chinese phoenix) in the Hall of the Phoenix, Byodoin temple.

ATMs

Most ATMs in Japan do not accept international cards. Look for ATMs inside Japanese Post Bank and Seven Bank. Citibank have a presence in major cities and airports. Visa and Mastercard have ATM location tools on their website you can find the closest ATM. The post offices opening hours will vary with size. Some open from 7:00 to 23:00, others 8:00 to 20:00 and others from 9:00 to 16:00.

This may change in the future. Tokyo is host the 2020 Olympic Games. The government is pushing Japan’s national banks to connect to the international ATM network. As The Games approach, expect more and more Japanese banks begin to accept international credit, debit and travel cards.

Find cash and ATM's in Japan

Get travel insurance quotes for your holiday in Japan

Travel insurance protects you against financial loss while you are away. There are many types of travel insurance out there, ranging from basic to comprehensive and additional cover options such as winter sports insurance, which if you're planning on taking on the powder in Japan is a must.

Japan travel insurance cover situations such as:

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