Aussie $ to Yen conversion - suggestions?

[Mushu mama]

Just hoping some of the fellow Aussies on this board might wish to share how they took their spending money over to Japan.

DD and I will be heading over in June and after a lot of research, I'm still undecided as to how to take our money over to Japan. We visited in late 1999 and back then the travelers cheque was still the best option, but it was a pain changing them.

I would usually take a travel money card in yen but I keep hearing that many of the ATMs wont accept foreign cards.

Has anyone had any experience with these types of cards in the parks, as that is where we will spend the bulk of our whirlwind trip anyway. I understand that post offices and 711 stores also have machines that will accept foreign cards, but being in the parks most of our trip that will be very inconvenient.

Alternatively, some have suggested that we take our spending money in cash, but so far, even with the Aussie $ so high against the yen, the rates being offered in my area are simple dismal. Is there an online source that anyone might know of that I can order yen? I am a bit nervous about taking the whole amount in cash but I guess if thats the best option, then I might have to look at it again. Any tips on the best places to check would be great.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[PrincessInOz]

Mushu Mama - I can't help with on-ground experience as I have yet to make it to Japan. DH went to Tokyo and he took a combination of cash and card. He said he had no problem with taking out money from ATMs in Tokyo.

For buying cash, if you have limited options, have you looked at Australia Post? They do sell currency with on-line ordering; and pick up at a local branch.


ps. Welcome to the Disboards!

 

[Mushu mama]

Thanks for the welcome, I must confess, I've lurked for a while without commenting as I gathered info for the trip.

Yep, Australia Post have the best rates I've seen so far, but they're still not flash.
The 2 days exploring Tokyo will be easier to change money over I'm assuming. I guess as long as I can use my travel money card in the parks all will be ok. Can't leave without some serious merch acquirement .

 

[Luisa]

I took some cash then just used my card - ATMs at 7eleven and the post office take foreign cards, I think Citibank ATMs do too (I only used the 7eleven as there was one near my hotel).
In the parks I just used my credit or debit card, I didn't worry about getting a travel money card but as they are 'credit' cards you would have no problem using it for purchases.

Have a great trip!

 

[Sugarglider]

I used an ATM card and got money at the airport, 7-Elevens and mostly at the Post Office. The ATMs at the post office were very good - had an english button and then worked perfectly.
A number of the travel cards - like Travelex and NAB Traveller Card now carry yen. I suspect these cards would also be only used at POs and 7-11.

i booked and paid for a lot of stuff in advance to lock in the exchange rate (e.g. my JR pass) - and a travel card gives you that same outcome. the only place I could not pay in advance was TDL Mira Costa and painfully the exchange rate collapse half way during our stay. The cost there makes WDW Deluxe hotels look cheap in comparison.

the exchange rate is the best it has ever been (2008 was the other opportunity) so GO - japan is FABULOUS!

 

[battymum]

We are here now, I brought all of our money in cash. It was a bit of a risk, I have left most of it in our room and only carried what we need for the day.

I paid for our hotels and our Disney tickets on card as these were our major expenses. We especially arranged a 28 degrees MasterCard, but two out of the three times we tried to use it, it was not accepted. Luckily we had another card that was.

Street crime, such as bag snatching is virtually unheard of here, so you are safe with carrying cash.

Oh and by the way, we love, love love Tokyo Disney!!

 

[battymum]

As for exchange rates, you are never going to get the rates that are talked about in the media, there is always a. Buy and sell rate, I got ours at my local bank, which was offering the same rate as Australia post.
I was happy to get it at 99 as when I started planning our trip it was sitting at about 80.

 

[Mushu mama]

Thanks everyone for your input, its definitely helped solidify what I'd already been deciding on.

I don't own a credit card( and won't be getting one) and am keen to lock in the current yen price so will likely get a travel card for some of our spending money and take a portion in cash also and track down those ATMs. We've locked in our accom too - staying at the Sheraton - so its just transfers/food/spending that will need to budget for.

I did notice yesterday on the JR travel site that as of the 19th April, there have been issues with the usual places that take foreign cards not accepting Mastercard - apparently a temporary glitch - but will likely look at alternatives in case its not sorted by the time we go.

Battymum, I've been an avid reader of your PRT and appreciate you taking the time to post while you're there. I might have to take a leaf and start one of my own.

Thanks again everyone , much appreciated.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Bit late as you have more or less decided but I agree-we took mostly cash (as a lot stuff was pre-purchased), put some money on our Aussie Post travelcard but ended up using our regular Visa card for in-park purchases and Disney tickets that we bought over there. DD had no trouble using a 28 Degrees Mastercard in an Asian trip in Feb but that didn't include Japan. DH picked up the yen I believe from Australia Post and at a different time some more from our bank at a similar exchange rate. Rates from Aussie Post outlets or banks should be consistent by vendor regardless of where you live.

Japan was fantastic and we loved TDL and TDS. We also stayed at the Sheraton and it was lovely and handy. Just buy a monorail pass before you use it for the first time as it costs to go to and fro there and its a big saving. If you eat local food like raman and udon noodles etc, its much cheaper. There are plenty of food outlets in the parks too-we just ate C/S each day and you have to try the different flavoured popcorn in each area of the parks. Have a great time!

 

[Mushu mama]

Thanks Wendy, yep, we're really looking forward to the trip and its creeping up faster than we can believe.

We've decided as we will be doing some tripping around on the latter part of our trip, we'll get a suica card which I believe can now be used on the monorail system as well as the regular rail.

The food is often an expensive part of our trip, as both DD and myself have some allergies to work around, but we are used to that, and managed last time, so am hoping that will go smoothly again. The popcorn is definitely on the list though

 

[battymum]

The suica can be used on the monorail, but it's expensive, you will be charged 250¥, each time you use it, if you are staying at the sheraton,you will be using it a lot!!.

Buy a four day unlimited pass, 1400¥, ride the monorail as many times as you want, and the ticket is a cute little souvenir!

 

[Mushu mama]

Thanks Battymum, thats great advice

We'll still need the suica for other days, but a monorail pass would definitely work out less exy for the Disney days. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[battymum]

I will be doing a trip report when I get back with photos.
At the moment I am on the slowest train to Nara.
You will love the Sheraton, join the SPG rewards programme, it's free, we received an upgrade to the club level floor just for being members( although no access to the lounge!)

 

[ky71]

ANZ travel card costs $11 and you can add on whatever amount you choose.
It expires after 12mths unless you add more $$ on.

Great thing is you get TODAY'S Yen rate and then if you have money left over upon your return to Australia, you get it refunded at the SAME rate. For us we chose to use up final amount on hotel bill so never had to change it back to AU$.

You can use the card everywhere except market stalls and some Disney carts (although I think there was only one cart we stopped at that did not have an eftpos machine). You can withdraw cash out at the Iksperi (sp?) very easy and convenient.

I hope you have a wonderful trip.

 

[battymum]

As mentioned, i took all our money as cash, the problem with that is, I how have 45000 ¥ left over that I will have to change back - losing a bit in the process I guess!

 

[ky71]

I still have Yen from last June. I'm keeping it for next time...There WILL be a third trip!