Never tried, but read here:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2208.html

Your card should be listed on one of those networks in the above to be able to use the ATMs. I try not to add more things to do when I'm traveling so I would just exchange everything in advance.

used Amex quite a few times. rates were better even compared to VBCE, (vbce is better than exchanging in Jpn)

Amex > VBCE > exchange in Japan

I exchanged money at the airport and got ripped off. Their rates suck! If you can, try to exchange more out into the city, or use your credit card. My credit card actually gave me the best rate than anything I saw in Japan.

Find out what network it's on, and go from there. Exchanging cash like it's 1960 is a good way to waste time and get ripped off with shitty rates LUL

Actually come to think of it, using cash itself seems so outdated now. ESPECIALLY for traveling

i converted a bunch of cash before i went. only card i used while i was there was my Suica lol

It's surprising that CC rates are actually not that ugly. My debit card is on Cirrus, but not being one of the Big Five banks had me concerned that it wouldn't work. But considering I carry both MC/Visa, I have a fallback.

Ideally getting 20,000 JPY in Canada to at least get around, and withdraw the rest in the country is a better idea?

Yup, that's the way to do it. I used the 7-11/Post office ATMs with both TD and RBC debit cards, but anything with a cirrus/plus logo works. Your bank may charge a fee, mine was $5 a transaction. I would take out a lump sum of cash once a week while there.

I used a credit card for larger purchases/hotels if possible. I used a Rogers MC, 4% cashback on foreign currency purchases (1.5% when you account for their 2.5% fee).
This card.
Fido has a similar card with no annual fee

cheers

I had no issues with Tangerine, via Network. The fee wasn't much and there's so many atms at the 7-11s or Lawsons or Post Office.

Cirrus will be easy since you have post offices and 7-11 EVERYWHERE. Also Citibank. Those are the places I'd go to all the time. Transfer fees were about $5 IIRC (HSBC was free when using an HSBC machine worldwide which was nice)

As long as your bank itself doesn't block international withdrawals, they'll be fine. It might be a good idea to tell them you're travelling. I know in HK it's policy to block international withdrawals until you enable it manually before a trip (you can do so through the ATM so it's not bad). That's govt law, but some banks may have similar policies.

Yeah, I've set a travel notification with my bank and it's pretty much an "OK, got it" kind of thing. Some companies require it, others like Capital One trust their system enough to not need it.

Carried cash and used amazon Visa when I went to Japan. One thing to note when withdrawing money is your daily withdrawal limit. When I went backpacking through Europe, I used an atm in Germany(one of their big banks on the cirrus network). Tried withdrawing something like €400(approx. $600). But kept getting declined. I remember telling the bank I was traveling to these countries on these certain dates. Had to go through some hoops to call my bank while overseas, and found out that they did put a note that I would be traveling, but didn't mention to me that my daily withdrawal limit was set at like $200 or something low. Thus my €400 transaction kept getting declined.

Thats so sneaky of bank to maximize their profit in the name of "security"

Good point! For past trips I've been able to get the daily limit raised quite high ($1500-$2000), though they can be somewhat reluctant. They can do it for a temporary period as well.

cheers

can anyone recommend a prepaid data sim card?

I used a Sakura Mobile data sim, operates under the Docomo(one of or is the largest 4G network) network so I never had issues with connectivity across Japan. I believe you have to order this one online and can be picked up at a post offices such as the one near Tokyo Station which opens later than the airport ones. And then you mail the sim back at any mailbox with the included envelope, such as the airport mailbox right before you go through security.

https://www.sakuramobile.jp/pricing/

I'm heading out there next week and found bMobile to be fairly cheap as well. Also on Docomo network

Purchase page | b-mobile VISITOR SIM

I used this one:

https://t.iijmio.jp/en/

2GB/3months and was ~$45. Bought it en route on the ANA flight to Tokyo, easy to set up and worked perfect. I used a North American market iPhone 6 (A1549), and even though it's not on their compatible list, I had no issues.

Does anyone know the process to work in Japan as a Professional?

Going to be using Telus Easy Roam. Full plan access with calls back to Canada and in the country, and 10 dollars a day offsets the cost of renting pocket wi-fi.

Anyone been to the Honda Collection museum at Motegi? I'm in Tokyo in late April and it's a 3 hour trek each way to see it. I'm a big Honda fan boy but this will surely test the patience and good will of my wife.

Be careful with the word "museum" in Japan, its general meaning is just a room with some things in it. This can be literally a room with some things in it, or an actual museum that you may be expecting.

I can't say anything about the Honda Museum, so it is good that you're looking for information on it first before planning a trip out there.

I just went in January. If you are a big Honda fan boy, you should plan forsure. I choose to rent an Evo 9 Wagon and drove to Motegi from Shinjuku instead of taking trains and bus. Cheapest way to rent a car would be from Toyota-Rent-a-car in Tokyo. They also have a cruise the track with your own car for 3000yen. It is a lead and follow format.


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iZ...=w1688-h949-no

I believe if you're under 30 you'll have a way better chance getting a work visa. You'll also need to find a sponsor for your visa. This is from what I remember when I looked into it.

The Japanese embassy in Vancouver will be your best resource.

Anyone wonna give me some tips?

Do i need JR pass for 7 days or 14?

Will be staying on the West side for one week

Osaka
Otsu
nara
Kyoto
etc

one week in Tokyo

than back to Osaka to fly back

thank you

You only need it when you are travelling outside of Tokyo. When you land in Japan you can specify when you want your one week to start. So you should start it the first day you train out to Kansai.

If you happen to be out there past 7 days then, you'll need 14...