Best place to change currency - trip to Japan (need answer soonish)

In My Humble Opinion
1

Going to Japan in a couple of days. Last time I was just going to withdraw cash as I needed it from ATMs and let the bank do the calculation, but found out that my ATM card only worked at the machines at the post office, which was not convenient. So this time I’m going to change all my cash up front.

The best choices seem to be:

A bank here; I presume they will all give the same rate.

The currency exchange at the airport - hoping that they have some regulations in place so as not to be allowed to gouge on the rate.

The PO in Japan - now I know where it is I can do this on the first day and cover the whole trip. Presumably since it is the PO the conversion rate will not be disadvantageous.

Any preferences among these, or any other suggestions?
Roddy

2

Are you coming from the US? If so, your ATM card should also work at 7-11s in Japan. The husband and I went earlier this year and that’s how we got all of our cash - 7-11s were everywhere (at least in Tokyo and Kyoto), and open 24 hours. Much more convenient than the post office.

We were also able to use the ATMs at Narita airport, which was handy for grabbing some cash when we first arrived.

This article has some more details: ATMs in Japan

3

For Japan the exchanges at the airport work fine. They offer fair conversion rates. It’s also kinda fun too because they give little nick nacks for currency conversions, the range from tissues to watches is quite bizarre.