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Anyone skied Niseko, Japan? I have a quick question

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wheezy
Posts: 122 - Karma: 20

Hey all,

Im travelling to Niseko, Japan in early feb for some deep deep dry pow (annaul snowfall 12-15 meters) and have a quick question for anyone who has been there recently.

I heard from a few people that had skied there a while ago that there is hardly any (if any at all) ATM and electronic card payment facilities in Niseko and that it is pretty much a cash economy. I am wondering if this is the case as I would rather take my funds on a card rather than carring cash or travellers cheques. Niseko is rapidly developing so I was thinking things may have changed.

Any help is greatly appreciated...

Much love

Jan 18 2011 7:57PM
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hjb
Posts: 742 - Karma: 40
Yeah Japan is mostly a cash society, not many places will take card for payment (Including some supermarkets). But there are a few international ATMs, there is one in Hirafu and a couple in Kutchan (A bigger town a few miles away). Where are you staying? What type of card do you have?
Jan 18 2011 8:02PM
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wheezy
Posts: 122 - Karma: 20

Staying in the Hirafu main village, a short walk / shorter shuttle from the Hirafu Gondola. The card I was going to take is a travelers card that I can get from my bank, you load it up with AUSSIE dollars and then you can withdraw YEN at any ATM that accepts VISA, and the good thing is you get the domestic exchange rate of where your withdrawing, which is much better than the exchange rate ill get here getting travellers cheques.

As long as there is an ATM here and there to withdraw cash every one or two days I guess its all good.

Soooo stoked on going to Japan... Being in AUS the powder is few and far between, so excited to ski some of the best powder is the world! plus just found out the sopporo big air is on while im there so pretty happy about that too 

cheers for the help

Jan 18 2011 8:15PM
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LockyK
Posts: 404 - Karma: 16
There is an international ATM at the Hokkaido tracks building just off the main road. Can get cash out from any card there.
Jan 18 2011 8:48PM
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MagSeven
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 412

Japan is a pain in the ass when it comes to banking. Banks generally only accept cards from their own account holders. (I believe Citibank is the exception to this rule.) With a foreign card, you can generally only withdraw cash from 7-11's, the Post Office, or a few specific international ATMs. Its all about the cash too. Credit cards are just not widely used at all here.

But, Japan is really safe. There's no problem with carrying large amounts of cash - no one is going to mug you or pickpocket you. I have a Japanese bank account so I have more options for withdrawing money, but I still regularly carry Y50,000 - Y100,000 ($600-$1200) just because its far more convenient.

I'd recommend buying a large amount of Yen in your home country, or exchanging it once you arrive in Sapporo. Then, if you run out of money and need more, then you can go to the 7-11 or one of the few other ATMs that you could use in Niseko or Kutchan.

Jan 19 2011 12:21AM
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wheezy
Posts: 122 - Karma: 20
Thanks all for your help! much appreciated
Jan 19 2011 1:16AM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

Yeah it's all cash over there... although I suspect some of the big flash new hotels would take VISA but screw them.

Don't get tempted to try your card in the ATM at the Seicomart. It cracked my VISA in half which left me scabbing money off my crew for 2 weeks, haha.

Jan 19 2011 3:13AM
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Silence
Posts: 16030 - Karma: 150
7-11 and the post office - Japan hates cards
Getting better, but be safe with cash
Jan 20 2011 3:40AM
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AOTEAROA
Posts: 2216 - Karma: 15
theyre everywhere, wouldnt worry aqbout it, my moneys all on cards.
Feb 12 2011 1:08AM
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