Page 375 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  373

other convenience stores have generally accepted by leading contact your card company
stickers on the display indicat- banks, hotels, restaurants, and immediately.
ing which cards are accepted. stores in cities. In addition, credit Although travelers’ checks
Contact your bank or credit card cards are accepted at popular provide a convenient way to
company, before traveling, for tourist areas for a charge. These carry money around Japan,
locations of suitable ATMs. cards can also be used at major they are usually accepted only
Operating hours of ATMs vary. stations to buy JR train tickets in major city banks and large
For post office opening hours see and are accepted by some taxis. hotels. Travelex, VISA, and
p376. ATMs at 7-Eleven stores and Obtaining cash with credit cards American Express are the
many other convenience stores is not always possible or easy most widely recognized.
are open 24 hours. A number of from an ATM as the machine
Citibank ATMs are also open 24 (e.g. at gas stations) may have a Currency
hours, though even in Tokyo the problem reading it. Many places
network of Citibank branches is accept only Japanese-issued The Japanese currency, yen (¥),
not extensive. cards such as JCB. is available as bank notes in
In order to ensure your card denominations of ¥1, ¥5, ¥10,
works overseas, it is worth ¥50, ¥100, and ¥500, ¥1,000,
Credit and Debit Cards
contacting your bank or credit ¥2,000 (very rare), ¥5,000, and
International credit cards, such card provider in advance of ¥10,000. Bank notes, in limited
as American Express, Master- traveling. If your credit or amounts, can be reconverted
Card, VISA, and Diners Club are debit card is lost or stolen, at the point of departure.
Bank Notes
Each of the banknote denominations
carries a portrait of an historical figure,
such as the novelist Higuchi Ichiyo, on
the ¥5,000 note.

10,000 yen

5,000 yen

2,000 yen

Coins 1,000 yen
The denominations of Japan’s coins are all marked in Arabic
numerals, except for the ¥5. On the reverse side of most of the
500 yen coins is a flower or plant design; on the ¥10 is a temple.

100 yen 50 yen 10 yen 5 yen 1 yen

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