Currency Exchange
 

Really quick question here.

Will most banks/post offices take cash (USD) to exchange for yen?

I've only ever used traveller's cheques, so I'd hate to show up with a bunch of cash that nobody will exchange for me...

Thanks in advance

Yeah, they will right on the spot.

Your bankcard should also work with the post office's bank machine...

i'm moving over there and intend to take ~$5k. obviously carrying $5k in cash is not the safest thing in the world, but i'd rather avoid paying the fees for withdrawing internationally from a bank machine that many times if possible...

and Citibank as well (ATM)

Really? Didn't know that.. thanks for the info :)

I suggest you bring an ATM card instead of cash money. The exchange rates the banks give you here are outrageous.

I suggest changing to YEN at your home bank at home before you go.

In the past, I've found the post office to give quite good rates for travellers cheques.

In any case, seeing how the dollar is getting killed these days, I think I'll be putting off exchanging money for as long as possible. At less than 97 yen to the dollar, it would be insane to exchange now for anything less than an emergency...

Bring the cash. You'll be able to use your ATM card here (in some places), but you will be dinged for an international transaction each time. In the long run, it will cost you more to use the ATMs than it will to exchange your money. You can exchange your money in your home country before you arrive here, do a search for currency exchanges until you find the one with the lowest service fee.

No business in Japan accepts checks, travellers, or otherwise. You'll be able to exchange them at banks, but rather than go to the trouble of buying them, and then exchanging them for cash, just bring the cash.

You will not be robbed in Japan (unless you like drinking in hostess clubs), and almost everyone here uses cash for every purchase. Convenience stores and fast food restaurants always have change for an ichi-man yen note ($100 bill).

I usually carry between go-man and ju-man yen ($500 to $1000) in my wallet at all times. I've never worried about getting my pocket picked, or being mugged.