is that safe?!?! They said to have that much on us when we come for in-case-of-emergencies and other expenses and such, but that sounds like a lot to carry on myself.
Any ideas?
2007-12-13 11:17:20 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
[Edit] I am going to a language school for 3 months. I know I can go to an ATM, actually the bank I have has a location near my school but not near the dorm. (school is 50min from dorm).
I was just advised to bring that amount of money and I am concerned on how wise it is to run around with that exorbant amount of cash.
2007-12-13 12:49:10 · update #1
[Edit2] For the curious ones about what american bank also has a location in Japan, its Citibank.
2007-12-13 12:49:59 · update #2
You are afraid of losing or being robbed of it right ?
I want to say don't worry so much but if you do,seperate that $500 from your wallet and put it into a innerpocket of your jacket.So you usually pay from your wallet in which you have only around $100.You probably won't lose or be robbed your jacket.
Imagine the worst case,if you lose your phone,wallet and ATM card in somewhere you are not familiar with,there are no good English speakers around you,what can you do without some spare money ?
Regard your $500 as like insuarance,losing $500 won't change your life but some emergencies may.
2007-12-13 15:28:32 · answer #1 · answered by Kei5 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Japan is still a cash (becoming an electronic cash) society, and $500, or around 50,000 yen is not really that much, once you've lived in Japan for a while!
Many ATMs shut at the weekends or evenings, and train and bus company ticket machines don't take credit cards on the whole, so having some ready cash while your pay and local bank account is being sorted out is important.
The chances of getting robbed or pickpocketed are almost zero, and people regularly carry far, far more cash than that around with them.
2007-12-13 21:35:24 · answer #2 · answered by Ken Y-N 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
For how long?
Japan is still a cash based society, carrying large amounts of cash is not very abnormal. Just keep it secured in your wallet, pocket or purse. Or if you have a ATM bank account you can keep it in your bank and withdrawal from an international ATM.
If you are at a hotel use the hotel safe, or hotel safe deposit box and carry as much as you need for a day.
Edit:
Citibank Japan and Citibank USA are separate banks under Citigroup. They aren't exactly the same thing.
You can still use Citibank ATMs, however citibank functions are different. Eg. You can't deposit cash into your citibank usa account from a citibank japan branch.
For you to use your US based atm card you can use them at:
Citibank ATMs (very few outside of the Tokyo area)
7and i ATMs (found at 7-Eleven stores)
and Post Office ATMs
All three of those ATMs support international cards. There are thousands of 7-Elevens and thousands of Post Offices in Japan. Post Offices can be found in every city, town, and village in Japan.
To note there are more 7-Elevens in Japan then in the entire United States.
500 USD for Emergency use only sounds about right. Of course I doubt they mean carry it in your pocket at all times.
And of course for three months I hope you're going to bring much more money then just 500 usd for everyday things as well.
To note: certain Citibank ATMs are 24/7
2007-12-13 20:30:58 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
$500 worth of yen(50,000 yen) is probably not enough if you plan on going there for more than 3 days. My grandma and I always bring about 50,000 yen when we go shopping. The food is very expensive (so if you already paid for you food, you're ok) and the clothes will bomb your wallet. And plus, the people there are nice and they will not steal your stuff. You WILL need $500 at least so don't be afraid to bring it!!!
AAAHH!!! wait!!! you're going there for 3 months???? BRING AT LEAST 300,000 yen!! (3000 dollars)!!!!!!! YOU WILL BE GLAD!!! ...unless you have an international bank account....and unless you plan to do no shopping there. THen $500 is okay.
Just bring however much you want to spend :)
2007-12-13 21:27:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
ATMs aren't necessarily 24/7 in Japan, and you still need to have cash money for a lot of things. Therefore $500 is a pretty reasonable sum to have handy.
2007-12-13 21:49:29 · answer #5 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Japan is a very safe country. If you lost your wallet, 9 times out of 10 someone would turn it in with the money still in it. Robberies are uncommon.
2007-12-13 20:59:49 · answer #6 · answered by Vinegar Taster 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋