The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[hudson]

haha. Cool.. me and the gf will be able to get our Scrabble on!

Right, I starting to make a list of what I need to pack. Anyone got anything to add in terms of packing.. maybe something essential I may not think of normally?... no, not toothbrush.

[saif]

Well, you should not do that......

hoolak, I would recommend a USB drive with portable app, if you use the net here obv it will be in Japanese. Fine if you understand it....

[hudson]

Well, you should not do that......

Not do what?

Could you explain the USB with the app on in a bit more detail? What app exactly?

[saif]

https://www.portableapps.com

Basically, you carry a USB with progs you use (eg opera with bookmarks and cookies saved, GIMP for photos etc). Plug it in to a windows PC at a net cafe and you have your software set up as you use it. More importantly in this case, in english!

You are not supposed to use wireless anything on flights or Dennis Bergkamp will get scared and never fly again.

[hudson]

You are not supposed to use wireless anything on flights or Dennis Bergkamp will get scared and never fly again.

Is that definite or for joke's sake?

[hudson]

Will I be able to use my bank card over there? It has VISA debit on it like...

[randombs]

Oh no the bank card question again

Considering that place has lcd screens in the trains, they're still a bit Afghanistan when it comes to credit/debit cards

I think there's a post somewhere farther back (shouldn't be too many pages back) that had a link to a map of ATMs

[cHawKso]

If you can find a post office with a cash machine you'll be fine - I used my LloydsTSB visa debit to take out money no probs.

I'm not sure about using it in shops to buy things as it's very much a cash society, but if they display the visa logo I can't see why not (although I'm not sure if there would be any charges from your issuer).

[Kieran76]

They will ring your bank to confirm the purchase. I bought a camera over there and thats what they did.

[teddymeow]

Will I be able to use my bank card over there? It has VISA debit on it like...

It might be worth phoning your bank before you go out there and getting them to add notes onto your account record saying that you will be in Japan for XX dates. I'd ordered my travel money from Lloyds, enquired about the free travel insurance I get as part of my Gold account and asked them if there would be any issue using my card out there to which they answered "no".

Got to Tokyo, went to the Sqeenix store, spent ?50, no problem. Next day in Akiba, went to take out the equivalent of ?100, nothing, zip. Got a bit concerned as, after all, Lloyds had told me there would be no problems using my card, so decided to call them up (not cheap). Was told that "there weren't any notes added to your account informing us that you were going away so the fraud team put a stop to your card". Obviously I applaud the speed at which potential fraud on my account had been stopped but how many times do I have to say I'm going on holiday before someone at the bank thinks "ooh, he might use his card?" whew!

I'm still waiting for them to aknowledge my letter of complaint and reimburse me the ?15 for the phone call to sort out their cock up!!

[Richard.John]

Also Citibank ATMs accept overseas issued Visa debit cards.

[Zanza]

Everyone says Japan is a very cash centric society, but I've yet to see this, I have never had a problem using debit/credit cards over there. All major stores will take them, as will most tourist attractions, restaurants, etc.

If your with Lloyds TSB make sure you tell them your going to be using your cards to withdraw money in Japan, otherwise they will block the withdrawl. For some reason I was able to use my cards to pay for transactions in shops for around a week, then when I tried to withdraw some cash from a 7/11 they put a block on my card. I needed to call them before the card was usable again.

Citybanks, postoffices, and most 7/11 convienience stores have ATM's that allow forigners to withdraw money.

[kryss]

Perhaps if you tried to use it outside the tourist areas you'd understand. My mother-in-law tried use her credit card to pay for a meal in a restaurant near our old apartment only to be politely refused.

[Darwock]

Debit cards in Uniqlo are a no-no as well, and that's a major store - the really funny thing is that I was trying to use a Japanese debit card from a Japanese bank... ah what can you do!

[hudson]

THanks fellas. Will call my bank today.