Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Walter Mitty]

Anybody know where I can get traveller's checks in Yen? I'm going to Japan over Lunar New Year and my bank (Shinhan) doesn't do Yen checks. I'm taking a fair chunk of money since I'm buying a new laptop and dont' want to carry anything close to that amount in cash.

Can I get these at KEB, or maybe Citibank?

Thanks in advance.

(Oh, if you're wondering why I'm getting a computer in Japan instead of here, it's because I want the new G4 iBook, and you can't get one custom-configured from Apple Korea.)

[peppergirl]

No idea about the traveller's checks, but Japanese don't make a big deal out of walking around with wads of cash, it's pretty safe there. Wouldn't take the money with me to a bar/nightclub of course. If you get 10000 yen notes, you wouldn't need that many bank notes anyway (I'm guessing about 40-50?).

Taking the (Japanese) cash might be a LOT less hassle than taking traveler's cheques, banks there are OUTDATED and IMPRACTICAL!!! When I lived there I was amazed that a developed country could have such an awful banking system! To get an automatic payment organised it takes at least 1 month...

I do miss the salmon sushi though...

[marcy]

I'd take the cash too. A lot of places won't take travellers' checks or even credit cards. Another option would be to ask your bank to give you an international bank card. Usually these have the cirrus/mc symbol and then you can use them at almost any bank machine. My bank gave me one for free but I've heard some banks charge 15,000 won or something.
Would be worth it anyways if you could withdrawl the money the day that you need it, (I guess that depends on how much too, not sure what the daily withdrawal limit is).

Good luck

[peppergirl]

Haha, good luck withdrawing money with a non-Japanese credit card in Japan. Although I heard the post office ATM's accept them now. But if not, you will have to look hard for an ATM that takes foreign cards!

Japan is still largely a cash-based country! And even if you can use a credit card in some shops, often you can only use JAPANESE credit cards (so don't always trust a Visa or Mastercard sticker, cause they might only accept Japanese Visa/Mastercard!)

[Walter Mitty]

I used my Bank of America debit card (Visa logo) at a Bic Camera in Tokyo, so that should be good if I need it. I'm not using it to buy a computer though, since I don't have that much in the account right now, and with the Yen rising against the US$ right now, it wouldn't make sense to wire money home then take the hit by spending it as Yen. The Won/Yen exchange is decent now, which is why I asked about the checks.

I'll probably just go with cash, just for the sake of convenience. With 10,000 Yen bills, it won't be that big of a bankroll to stuff in my wallet.

[peppergirl]

And if you lose the cash, you can just go and pick it up at the lost and found center:

http://www.iht.com/articles/124341.html


amazing!

[TECO]

NO = Not Possible ?

American Dollars will work and is best.

[Walter Mitty]