~ NISEKO 2013/14 ~
Miz can speak for Niseko much better than me but I’ll talk about money in Japan in general.
:-(
Can no one else say anything?
Sensitive much? Miz had been pretty regular with his advice and you wanted this thread shut down so figured he’d be a bit of a go to guy. The more advice dyldo has the better imo so have at it.
I don’t think you need a special card
No you don’t need a special card but if you like money it’s not a bad way to go about it.
and you wanted this thread shut down so figured he’d be a bit of a go to guy.
Wow really??
So sorry wont comment again….
Sensitive much?
Wow really??
So sorry wont comment again….
Ok so that’s a yes??? 
You’re getting worked up because I said Miz knew more about Niseko than me and could probably help your “son”...
.
speaking of money, whats the go in niseko? I read somewhere that most places dont do card and there are bugga all ATMs, i dont have any problems with this i just want to pick your brains abit and see if there’s anything i should be doing
Like drc and oz are sayin (I think), get a Visa or Mastercard that has little or no fees for cash withdrawals, and then you can use them at either the Seicomart, HT Office in Hirafu, or go to the Post Office in Kutchan as well!!!!!
Better exchange rate than Travelex type of cards!!!!! They are Shit, and a downright rip off!!!!!
Niseko (And for that matter Tokyo) is pretty good with EFTPOS (International CC like Visa/Mastercard/etc - NOT Cashcards), so it’s not as bad as other places in Japan, but Cash is always smiled upon in Japan!!!!! And there is a handful of places that simply don’t take anything but cash as that’s the way they’ve been doin it since day one!!!!!
Just keep in mind that some ATM’s will close when the business/institution that they are in, close!!!!! So get ya cash out early through the day to avoid disappointment!!!!!
* And take two different Accounts/Cards so if ya get dramas, ya always got a backup!!!!!
Tokyo, you will be able to use the Post Office, Some 7 Elevens (Now and then they accept/don’t accept certain cards), and Bank of Japan Branches, to access International ATM’s!!!!! As well as the ones at the Airports!!!!!
Like drc and oz are sayin (I think), get a Visa or Mastercard that has little or no fees for cash withdrawals, and then you can use them at either the Seicomart, HT Office in Hirafu, or go to the Post Office in Kutchan as well!!!!!
Just keep in mind that some ATM’s will close when the business/institution that they are in, close!!!!! So get ya cash out early through the day to avoid disappointment!!!!!
Yep no fees but just as importantly how accurately and quickly the card tracks the FOREX markets. I had a standard everyday Visa card that would undercut the rates by ~3 compared to the 28 degrees card (which is pretty much smack on the rates shown on xe.com) which really adds up quickly over the total expenditure of a trip.
Yeah good point on closing times. I made the mistake of heading to the 24/7 post office in Shinjuku during the 4hr ATM closed period on a Sunday 20.00-24.00.
More info on this as well as anything Japan can be found on the Japan-Guide website.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2208.html
I’ll also add that the ATM’s are dead easy to use as well. Just put your card in and press the button that says English and you’ll be set. Just make sure you know how many 0’s you want at the end (I’ve witnessed many people resorting to the counting on fingers method)
http://www.japan-guide.com is a great site for info!!!!!
First thing that came up on that site (daves link)
Important Notice
On April 19, 2013, ATMs at 7-Eleven stores stopped accepting Mastercard, Maestro and Cirrus cards issued outside of Japan. Similarly, international ATMs across Japan, including postal ATMs, stopped accepting Maestro cards with EMV chips (except cards issued in Canada and the Netherlands), but continue to accept Maestro cards without EMV chips, Mastercard and Cirrus cards. Efforts are ongoing to restore acceptance of all cards.
Ill have to remember this stuff because ive got 2 cards and they are both mastercards
First thing that came up on that site (daves link)
Ill have to remember this stuff because ive got 2 cards and they are both mastercards
Yeah mate that’s what I was talking about here
The two main places to withdraw cash from international ATM’s are 7/11’s or Post Offices. In the past year 7/11’s have blocked international mastercards so you will be restricted to post offices. Last I checked visa could still be used at both.
I can find post offices pretty quickly but I still usually withdraw about a weeks spending money as carrying cash in Japan is very safe (although you do have a history of losing expensive shit so I’ll leave that decision to you)
So you can still use your mastercard at post offices (which is what I do) it’s just 7/11’s (which are everywhere in Japan) that you can’t use them at for the time being. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to grab yourself a visa card as another alternative such as the citibank plus option.
Might be worth looking into what seicomart and HT office take (I’ve never come across those places in my travels) and from what I’ve just read here other than the post office they seem to be the main ATM’s in the Niseko region.
Yeah, it’s only the 7 Elevens that don’t take MasterCard!!!!! (As I said in my post above, I’d just use the Post Office, Airport ATM’s, and Bank of Japan Branches!!!!!
The ATM in HT takes MasterCard 100%, along with the PO in Kutchan!!!!!
I paid for accom in Tokyo today, 5 nights $325 in a single bedroom place 10 minutes from shinjuku station (CHEERS MIZU!)
& I’ve just completed an application for a citi bank visa debit card
its all happening 
all thats left is pay off FYVE and then spending money 
Wow, I missed a lot of this! So busy with work :(
Yeah I usually take cash in Japan! Never have had an issue with safety… It’s just so much easier because from what I’ve seen, everywhere prefers cash…. I’ll be doing it again this year. I just hide it in my luggage. Not the safest way, but it works for me…
Lucky Bastards List :
Dyldo
Billy Dec 26-Jan 14
Digital Dan
Chondro Feb 4th - 10th
h0z (?????)Torture List :
Mizu
Radpants
DRC* Feel free to copy and paste dates, so crew can meet up on the hill if ya planets align!!!!!
I’m just glad I’m in Niseko for NYE this year and not sitting on a plane on my way! Wahoo!
I paid for accom in Tokyo today, 5 nights $325 in a single bedroom place 10 minutes from shinjuku station (CHEERS MIZU!)
& I’ve just completed an application for a citi bank visa debit cardits all happening
all thats left is pay off FYVE and then spending money