Japanese Yen

[congeestar]

Where is a place to buy Japanese Yen in GTA ?

Has anybody used Debit Card to withdraw cash in Japan, what are the charges?

[mkjr]

i think this has been discussed before....you can search around.

[czhe]

Where is a place to buy Japanese Yen in GTA ?

Has anybody used Debit Card to withdraw cash in Japan, what are the charges?

I bought my yen at Thomas Cook Exchange in Mississauga at a decent rate before. Not sure if they have a branch in GTA.

Yup, you can withdrawal using debit in Japan in many places, although it depends if your bank is certified. I know that CIBC, PC Financial, and TD are ok. Best bet is to use the post office. Many banks allow it too but a few don't. I can't remember what charges were but they weren't ridiculous or anything. Only problem is you have to hunt these places down. Believe me, it's not as convenient when you're travelling and trying to see things at the same time. I recommend you bring lots of cash (I brought $1000 CDN for 3 weeks and I ran out a little past midway).

[MoonDoggy]

I just got back from Japan this week. The easiest and best way for me to get money while in Japan was thru Visa (4 digit pin) and 7-11. 7-11 is EVERYWHERE in Japan and they recently "became a bank" so all their stores have a debit machine. I think it cost $5 per transaction, and uses Visa rates (which isn't so bad).

You should see the AMEX, Visa, etc signs at the 7-11 bank machines.

Edit: above comment is correct. Japan is a very cash oriented so alot of places only accepts cash. You can also get money at any international bank or the Post Office.

[mkjr]

as i recall, visa international slaps an additional 2% on the exchange rate, which is several bps off the actual rate at the time....IMO, visa's exchange rates are actually not great versus the yen cash rate you can get at banks even in Canada...

[J W]

I just got back from Japan too. I got my cash here in downtown toronto, from guardianfx (http://www.guardianfx.com/). Their rates are very competitive.

I recommend getting all your cash here, whether it be say, $1000 or $2000cdn. Japan is very safe, you don't need to worry about getting robbed.

[mkjr]

I just got back from Japan too. I got my cash here in downtown toronto, from guardianfx (http://www.guardianfx.com/). Their rates are very competitive.

I recommend getting all your cash here, whether it be say, $1000 or $2000cdn. Japan is very safe, you don't need to worry about getting robbed. i agree and i took cash and yen denominated TC's that were cashed without any issue at every hotel we stayed in - 3-4 star places...

i will take cash again and use CC to pay for hotels as i did last time...

[congeestar]

what denominations should i bring ?

[Cheapo-Findo]

I use credit card for major purchases and hotel, for all others i just use cash.
btw cc has good conversion rates.

[mkjr]

what denominations should i bring ?

yen TC's 50,000Yen...cash, 10,000's and 5,000 yen bills...