Comments on: Changing U.S. dollars into Japanese Yen

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 11 May 2009 07:48:11 +0000

I’ve found that one of the best ways is to open a citibank account in yen in your home country. You obviously have to have a native currency account (dollars in your case) to go with it. The rate they give you to switch money between the two is pretty good (maximum of 2.5%??). No additional charges. What’s more, you can go back and forth and change when you think the rate is in your favour using internet banking. You then take your cash card, go to citibank branch in Shinjuku or Ginza or Narita, and withdraw cash free of charge.

Of course, Citibank isn’t the best performing bank in the world right now. However, there’s no way that the U.S. government isn’t going to guarantee your deposit so your money’s safe.

By: Doug

Doug — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:10:09 +0000

does anybody have exchange rate’s for cancun,Mexico were leaving this Sunday.03/022/09
Thanks abunch

By: admin

admin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:09:57 +0000

I used my U.S. address for both to and from. Then I used my U.S. drivers license to prove it. They did ask for my Japan address (even though it was just a hotel) so you may want to bring your host family’s address for that.

By: KT

KT — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:02:40 +0000

Thanks for the article. I’m going to study abroad soon and had an IPMO question.

For the IPMOs, did you have your US address as ‘from’ and your Japan address as ‘to’?
Or is it alright to put the same address (since I’ll have no ID stating my Japanese address?)

By: admin

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:33:46 +0000

You are correct. I didn’t try changing dollars to yen at a bank in Japan. I’m guessing the rate would be pretty good, but you have the risk of carrying around a bunch of dollars in the meantime. I’d rather use a card or postal orders which don’t have the risk.