Hi all the Japan expert,
I am travelling to Tokyo for 10 days.
Should I rent a portable wifi in japan ? or use vodafone 5 dollars roaming?
I have 28 degree card and citibank transaction account.
Is it still best to take out money from Citibank transaction card? and I heard only 7-11 has cash machine for oversea card is it right?
thank you for any reply
:)
Is it still best to take out money from Citibank transaction card? and I heard only 7-11 has cash machine for oversea card is it right?
Yes to both.
The Japanese while ahead on many many things are still behind on paying for things with a credit card. You'll probably want around 200AUD cash on you incase the shop/restaurant doesn't take cards.
Should I rent a portable wifi in japan ? or use vodafone 5 dollars roaming?
Up to you. Your hotel will have internet right? Then you just need internet while out and about for maps? I'd say $5 roaming will be fine. Of course check the cost of the hotspot for 10 days vs voda roaming
You can get a 14 days 4G sim with unlimited data for $28 so I would recommend that instead of $5 roaming unless you don't need internet every day. 7/11 is convenient for cash withdrawls but not your only option, all post offices have foreign card friendly ATMs and a number of bank ATMs also work now. This app will make it easier for you to find and connect to free wifi.
I second the suggestion for bmobile. worked great on a recent trip.
^for 30 bux I'd probably just get that. Makes life so much easier.
That being said, there is free wifi everywhere in Japan. On some trains even. I remember being on top of a mountain with free wifi posting to fb about the fact we can't even get decent free wifi at sydney airport.
there was even a place in harajuku that gave out free codes for tourists for wifi connections to particular networks for 24hrs..you have to connect to certain signals when in range.
But again for $30 for ten days I'd probably just do that.
Whilst there's plenty of free services there not always where you need them to be, especially when lost needing google maps etc.
If your staying at non-share Airbnb (or similar) they'll likely supply a portable wifi to use in the apartment, can take with you when out & about.
+1 to B-Mobile - http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/payg_sim/w_purchase.html
Using them at the moment, had no prob with coverage, unlimited for 14 days ($30) so don't have to worry about how much you use researching, google maps etc etc etc. Can be a little complicated to setup, recommend getting the retailer to set it up for you.
Recommend downloading "currency converter" app, comes in very handy comparing what you think is a good deal only to find out its similar price (if not more) in Australia. Prices up here are pretty much the same.
Google Translate app is also "mostly" very handy, altho doesn't always translate in a way they understand, perhaps their writing backwards thing.
Had no prob getting $'s out at 7/11's, seems there's at least one every 500mtrs (vending machines every 10, all over the place in the oddest places, but bugger all public rubbish bins or seats, yet streets are very clean)
You can also pull out money at Japan Post Office ATMS and of course citibank ATMs. Check your card is a Plus one and I think you have to contact them and get an app to get a one off code.
I found I didn't need a SIM card at all and pocket wifi was perfect. Using wifi I could make calls using other apps like whatsapp or viber. Google maps is a lifesaver. Saved me so much time and energy.
If you have a portable phone charger this is needed. I used up all my battery pretty quickly with photos etc and there was no obvious places for me to recharge. You can also buy one there for about $30 but it is a different voltage so plugs don't work in AU but you can use USB cables too. Have fun!!!!!
Check your card is a Plus one
Also if your card has the Maestro or Cirrus logo, it will work in 7/11 ATM's. Info here, in English: http://www.sevenbank.co.jp/intlcard/card2.html
I have used my CBA eftpos card several times over the years.
Fee free? as Citibank has fee free ATMs. I was charged about $4 each time I used my ANZ Cirrus ATM card.
No CBA charge for it too, but I am in Japan each year for family visits and don't always need to withdraw cash, so I couldn't be bothered getting Citibank or the OZbargain special cards, for rare occasion uses. I have enough accounts already!
@nismo: fair enough, I use that citibank card a fair bit as in some places I don't want to carry a lot of cash on me so its good for pulling out smaller amounts, no fees and good exchange rate but it is a pain to get.
I am in Japan at the moment and can confirm 7/11 is by far the best place to withdrawal cash, everything else has been hit and miss. If you don't need wifi all the time you can use the Japan connected free Wi-Fi app (for use In convenience stores, train stations ect) and you could also use this http://flets.com/freewifi/smp/ have a great trip, Japan is amazing.
Thank you for this info
1) Portable wifi would be cheaper than the $50 it would cost for Voda.
2) I went to Japan and used a citibank to withdraw money. There are citibank branches in some places (airport upon arrival, a few in tokyo, in osaka as well, from what I used), and every 7-11 seemed to have an atm as well. Best to withdraw the max daily limit and use that until you run out. some places… actually I can only think of the Ghibli museum off the top of my head, had eftpos facilities, at which time I would use my 28.
Awesome place. Have fun!