Money issues when traveling in Okinawa

[blacktulip]

I never like carrying cash and use credit card to pay for almost everything, but I heard that credit card is not widely accepted in Japan. Is this true?

I'm thinking maybe I can withdraw money from the ATMs, but I think it'll be in Japanese and I might have problem with it. Is there a Citibank in Okinawa?

[JSSAUCE]

Same here with credit cards. I have found that more and more places accept them. I have citibank cards and they, Citibank, charge a fee on foreign transactions.

I also have used my Citibank ATM card to take money from the post office atms with no problem except those atms close and are not open or
"on" 24 x 7. There too I get a transaction fee.

This year we converted dollars to yen in the US through Citibank and got a good deal, about 120 yen to the dollar.

We have tried all different way in past years and this was the best but of course it all depends on the current rate and fees atthe atm, local banks etc.

Joel

[DougP]

There are ATMs on island that take foreign cards. Your best bet are the ones with a Visa logo on them. Credit cards work as well. Most businesses here on okinawa Don't usually except credit cards. Although I have seen a great increase in the number that do in the past 5 years or so. Up in mainland and around most cities you shouldn't have much of a problem finding places that except credit cards

Back to the subject of ATMs. I usually use the ones that are located in postoffices. The same machines there (postal savings) can also be found in Jusco shopping malls and San A grocery stores. All postal savings ATMs are bilingual (at least all the ones I have come across ) Keep in mind however that japanese ATMs do not stay open late. Usually the post offices will be closed by 4:30 and the ATMs in other locations may shut down by 6pm.
Its always good practice to have cash on you while living in okinawa. You never know when you may need it. The only thing you have to worry about when carrying cash on you here is the burning desire to spend it

The sign to look for: Japanese Post office

Postal Savings ATM logo

San A grocery store

[Fairlady]

I never liked holding cash either, however it is the easiest way to go ahead and get some cash. The other suggestion that I would have for you when it comes to taking out cash is that if you want to save a little bit of money then cash also may he the way to do.

Some credit cards have some extensive charges for paying for things overseas where they is a curancy exchange. I would not be too concerned about comming to Okinawa when it comes to having cash on you it is not as high threat as if you were in New York or something like that. (in my opinion at least)

You can use a credit card if you want but depending on how much you are planning to spend here (and how long you are staying) I would say to get some cash and take certain amounts with you where you go each day.

If you want to save a bit more money then I would say take american cash with you and change it when you get a chance to go to a money exchange which they have in random and pretty frequent places.

I can tell you more information if you want just let me know.

[coldnoodles]

I know when you use your credit card here in Okinawa they charge you at a lower rate most times its 110yen, when you are better just paying yen for it to get the high yen rate. You can expect a 5% surcharge for using credit card.

[Fairlady]

Yeah that is the same things that I was talking about pretty much in my post. Although it is less hastle in the pocketbook to carry around just a credit cars it is much easier and much more efficient to just pay with the yen on a good yen rate day.

[coldnoodles]

WOW you carry "credit cars" in your pocketbook, your car must be pretty small to hold all that credit! I am sorry... just slipped out...lol

[Fairlady]

lol its okay I hate when that happens. . . . darn keyboard. lol or is it just the fingers?