Korean Job Discussion Forums

[WendyRose]

Hello!

For those who have traveled to Beijing, Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto, are there very many international ATM's? I ask because the Lonely Planet Japan book lists ATM locations which leads me to believe they are sparse. That seems strange for such a widely traversed country, but I want to cover my bases.

[joeyjoejoe]

there are atms everywhere. almost all will take visa, maestro, cirrus, mastercard, whatever other international card system.
why would the lonely planet list all of them? there'd be no room for anything else on the map if they did.

if you get charged a flat per transaction fee from your bank then try and find a citi bank atm in china. they have a larger single transaction limit. 4000rmb from memory as opposed to 3000 or 3500 at most others and only 2500 at some bank's atms.

[daniel-andersson]

Many ATMs will not work. The best tactic I have found is to try the Z-eleven stores (or similar) instead of the banks. Btw same tactic work in Korea

[waynehead]

You're more likely to have trouble in China than in Japan, tho even in Beijing you'll likely find an ATM that'll take your card somewhere, especially in the airport...they opened it up for the Olympics and tried to make it foreigner friendly, and, they succeeded.

[alphakennyone]

Japan is no problem. Any 7-11, even in the suburbs, and most other convenience stores will have an international-capable ATM.

[WendyRose]

Thanks so much! Yeah...the LP thing threw me off. Maybe those are for people using non-major CC's?

Once again - the Korean MAESTRO card will work in Tokyo? I tried using it in Thailand in January and no luck. Here's hoping. My pay day is the day after I leave Korea!

[wenchstalker]

If ever you're in Japan and looking for an atm with lower fees, you can always find an international ATM at the post office. Unfortunately, that means you must go during postal hours, but, since post offices are usually on maps, it should help you out.