Page 166 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Tokyo

164  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Banking and Currency on arrival to cover any
immediate needs. It is always
For visitors used to easy and instant cash access 24 hours a wise to obtain cash before
day, Japan’s banking system can prove frustrating. Credit traveling anywhere outside of
cards are accepted at a growing number of shops (including Japan’s major cities.
convenience stores), restaurants, most hotels, and major Some banks and post offices
railway stations, but Japan is still largely a cash society. Make also offer money transfer
facilities.
sure you always have some cash at hand. Payments can be
made using debit cards where the appropriate sign (such as
VISA or MasterCard) is displayed; however, cash withdrawals ATMs
using debit cards are possible only at a limited number of Automatic Teller Machines
ATMs. Personal checks are unknown. (ATMs) are easily available in
large urban areas throughout
Japan. However, many do not
Banks and Bureaux Bureaux de change are often take foreign credit or cash
de Change near major train stations. cards – for example, Cirrus,
Buying yen, exchanging At major international Maestro, Link, and Delta cash
traveler’s checks, and other airports, currency exchange cards are not widely accepted.
regular banking transactions counters may keep longer Most Japanese post offices
can be easily conducted via hours than banks; at Tokyo and all 7-Eleven stores (more
major Japanese banks, including International, for example, the than 17,000 in the Tokyo area)
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, counter is open from 6:30am have ATMs that will accept
Sumitomo Mitsui, and Mizuho to 11pm. Rates at airports are VISA, MasterCard, American
Bank. Some foreign banks, not very competitive, though. Express, Maestro, Plus, Cirrus,
such as Citibank, offer a Even leading city banks may and JCB cards; they also provide
similar range of services. be unfamiliar with foreign an English menu for users.
Most banks open 9am–3pm currency other than dollars, so ATMs at 7-Eleven stores are
on weekdays and are closed be prepared for bank tellers to
on weekends and national check with their superiors if
holidays. The exchange rate is they have not experienced such
posted at about 10am for US notes before. In city centers,
dollars; later, for other staff may speak English, and
currencies. Banks usually forms are often supplied in
exchange currency between English; if not, staff will show
10am and 3pm; some city you where to write. Transactions
banks, however, offer this are relatively simple but may be
service from as early as 9am. time-consuming. Always carry
It is possible to change cash your passport with you.
and traveler’s checks at banks, It is illegal for public
major hotels (which offer the transportation, stores, and
same rates as banks), main restaurants to accept payment
post offices, ryokan, and in foreign currencies, so you
some city department stores. will need some Japanese yen ATM typically found in a post office
DIRECTORY
Banks Sumitomo Mitsui Credit and MasterCard
1-1-2 Yurakucho, Debit Cards Tel 00531-11-3886
Bank of Tokyo- Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (free international
Mitsubishi UFJ Tel (03) 3501-1111. American Express assistance).
2-7-1 Marunouchi, Lost cards: ∑ mastercard.com
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. ATMs Tel 0120-020-120
Tel (03) 3240-1111. (toll-free; English VISA
Tel 00531-44-0022
Citibank Shibuya Post Office language after (24-hour assistance).
B1-2F Kawase Building, 1-12-3 Shibuya, Japanese). ∑ visa.com
3-17-5 Shinjuku, Tokyo. Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. ∑ americanexpress. ∑ visa.com/atmlocator
Tel (03) 5462-5000. Tel (03) 5469-9823. com
∑ citibank.co.jp/en Toyko Central Post Diners Club
Mizuho Bank Office Lost cards:
1-1-5 Uchi-saiwai-cho, 2-7-2 Marunouchi, Tel 0120-074-024
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (toll-free nationwide).
Tel (03) 3596-1111. Tel (03) 3217-5231. ∑ dinersclub.com

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