What is the best card to travel to Japan? Opinions!
In most shops, hotels, restaurants, train stations and other services in Japan you can now pay by card. Although it is advisable to change some money to carry yen in cash, a very safe way to avoid carrying too much cash is to have the best card to travel.
Debit or credit cards from virtually any bank in the world work to withdraw cash at ATMs in Japan or to pay directly. Of course, it depends on the bank or the type of card and account you have, they will charge you more or less commissions for every transaction you make.
A card without commissions abroad would be the ideal to be able to travel, and thanks to the virtual banks that we can find today, the best card to travel abroad is the one for which you do not have to do no extra payment for withdrawing money nor for using it to pay.
After having tried various types of credit cards in our travels around the world, we tell you our opinions and which is the best card for us to travel abroad, and which ones you can use as travel cards in Japan. Find out if it is better to carry money or pay by card, and which card is better for each type of operation in Japan.
There are several ways to get cash to travel to Japan. On the one hand you can make a money exchange to Japanese yen, for which your bank or the exchange house yes or yes, he will charge you a commission, in addition to the fact that they can make an unfavorable conversion for the client by not applying the official change.
Another way to have yen in cash is withdraw money at an ATM in Japan, and here the type of card you use or the bank to which your card belongs comes into play.
We do recommend that during your trip to Japan you always carry with you some cash. Not all shops can pay by card, and especially in small street stalls, or to pay a small sum of money, they will ask you to do so in cash.
If we have to opt for one of the previous options to have yen in cash for a trip to Japan, we are left with the option of withdraw money at an ATM, as long as it is a card to withdraw money for free abroad, or failing that, a card that returns money for the commissions that you have been charged.
We also recommend that bring cash of your country's currency to change to yen once you arrive in Japan.
in the center of great cities like tokyo There are exchange houses that offer a better change than in any exchange house in other foreign countries.
Discover in this link all the possibilities about exchanging euros for yen in Spain or exchanging money directly in Japan.
What are debit cards for travel?
Debit cards for travel are a payment card modality that are becoming very popular among travelers in recent years.
They are cards that offer different advantages, such as withdrawing money or paying in any country in the world, without being charged extra commissions or with a minimum commission, returning these commissions in some cases, and applying the real exchange rate from one currency to another at the exact moment in which you make the operation.
You can use it like wallet cards, with or without an associated account, accumulating the amount of money you want to always have your expenses under control.
Some of the best travel cards even have the option to track your account balance through a mobile app, and thus know at all times the operations you are doing and what change has been made in each one.
Advantages of travel cards
More and more people are looking for the best card to travel when they know the A lot of advantages that these credit cards with money offer:
- request them It's free, and it only takes a couple of minutes
- May use at any ATM to withdraw money abroad or pay at any store during your trips
- They do not charge commissions for operations, or are commissions much lower than the cards of the usual banks
- Some of them, they return the commission charged for withdrawing money in Japan at the moment
- they make a best currency exchangebecause in most banks and exchange houses
- The movements can be controlled instantly on your mobile phone
- some have associated bank account, operating as a normal bank
Where to get money in Japan?
Withdrawing money in Japan with your debit or credit card is very simple at any ATM. You can find this type of ATM everywhere, including your airport or train station when you arrive in the country, so you can have cash as soon as you arrive.
In all 24-hour stores (known as 'combinis' in Japan), there are ATMs where you can withdraw money. stores like 7 Eleven, Lawson or Family Mart They usually have ATMs always with cash, although you may not be able to withdraw large amounts from them.
Japanese bank ATMs are also perfect for withdrawing money when you need it. Always look for the ATM indication to know that you can withdraw cash with your card to travel.
Where to use the debit card in Japan?
Although Japan is a very advanced country, and as in any developed country you can pay by card in more and more types of businesses, there are still some that they do not allow card payment or that they ask for a minimum amount for it.
You will have no problem knowing at a glance whether or not you can pay by card, since they usually have indications whether or not they accept payment by card. For example, signs on the door of shops, or small stickers on street stalls. If you have questions, ask before and they will answer you kindly.
In most hotels, shops, service machines, and in practically all the places where in other countries you can pay by card, today in Japan you can also do it. You will have no problem making your payments using a card, although if you carry yen in cash, it can be of great help for any unforeseen event.
Oh, and don't forget to apply for Tax-Free in those shops that allow it. They also usually indicate it at the entrance of the store, or you can request it yourself if the total amount of the purchase is high. We tell you which are the best cards to travel without commissions!
N26 Standard Card
One of the first options to pay with a card abroad that travelers discovered years ago and that we still continue to use. It is for many one of the best prepaid card, although it really is a card that has an associated account. We talk about the N26 mobile banking.
you can order your free debit card and make the account through the Internet to pay for your trips without limit. It works at all ATMs in all countries, so you can travel safely with it.
It is worth noting the following advantages:
- open the account current online and order the card It's free
- You can transfer money in 53 different currencies
- Although the account operates online, the N26 bank has Germany IBAN
- The maintenance of the card is gratuitous
- They do not require a minimum balance for account maintenance
- Apply the currency exchange just like a MasterCard
- no commission for payment abroad
- allows up to 5 free monthly withdrawals within the EU, in the following, the extra cost is €2 for cash withdrawal at an ATM
- The commission for withdrawing money in foreign currency is only 1.7%
- The cost of bank transfers is €0
- Get €15 free on N26 by entering the code carlosjs9820
Request N26!
N26 Smart, You, Metal and Business Card
In addition to the N26 Standard, there is the N26 Smart, N26 You, N26 Metal and N26 Business card that they have 0% commission both to pay with it in any country, and to withdraw money at ATMs around the world.
In this case, the maintenance cost of these cards is as follows:
- N26 Smart Card: €4.90/month
- The N26 You card: €9.90/month
- N26 Metal Card: €16.90/month
- The N26 Business Standard card: €0/month
- N26 Business Smart Card: €4.90/month
- The N26 Business You card: €9.90/month
- N26 Business Metal Card: €16.90/month
Business accounts are focused on freelancers and have a 0.1% refund, except for the N26 Business Metal card, which has a 0.5% cashback on your purchases.
They have one minimum stay of 12 months, except for the N26 Business Standard card. They are an excellent option for those travelers who spend a lot of time traveling and who need more flexibility for their payments.
Also, they have other advantages What should be noted:
- Travel insurance: You will have the option of reimbursement for medical expenses incurred in Japan, trip cancellations, medical repatriation expenses, etc.
- money protection: with financial compensation for theft up to 4 hours after having withdrawn money at any ATM.
- Insurance for suffering the theft of the mobile phone: You will receive financial compensation for the theft of your mobile both in Japan and in your country.
And of course, you can withdraw cash in euros at any ATM in the European Union up to 3, 5 or 8 times a month without any commission, always depending on whether you have the N26 Standard, N26 Smart, N26 You or N26 Metal plan.
Request N26!
BNEXT card
For many it is the best card to travel anywhere in the world, because with it you can withdraw money at ATMs without any commission. The BNEXT card It is very curious, mainly because of its characteristic pink color, in which the card number appears but it goes without a name.
Without a doubt, it is one of those that offers the best conditions in most destinations, and although we usually travel with other cards in case this one fails us, in the end it is the one we end up using the most.
Also, yesi pay with your Bnext card at the stores included in the #Discount campaign, you will be automatically reimbursed 10% of what you pay, with a maximum of €5 per month. The businesses with promotions included are the following:
Between his advantages we highlight:
- request it It's free, and they send the card to your home free of charge
- you're just late 2 minutes to make the card, downloading the app and associating it with your ID
- It does not have an associated account, but works as prepaid card what can you recharge
- The recharge Can be done instantly from another account or card
- The currency exchange is done with the current value at the time of the transaction
- Can pay without commissions up to €2000 (from that amount, the commission is 1.15% in the EU, and 1.50% outside the EU)
- Withdrawing money is free up to €500 (from that amount, the commission is 1.15% in the EU, and 1.50% outside the EU), with 3 free withdrawals per month
- Refund of commissions from the ATM in less than 5 minutes
- Through the app you can block or unblock the card
- They give you €5 for free in your account when activating the card
Request BNEXT!
Revolut Card
another card that worth noting to travel abroad, is the Revolut card, since many of its characteristics are similar to its companions.
You can get it as totally free, and it is a lifesaver that can come in handy on any trip.
FREQUENT DOUBT: Although when accessing the link or during registration you do not put anything of €10 free, it is correct, insured by Revolut and verified by us. They give you €10 once you top up €10.
What advantages Of this digital banking it is worth mentioning:
- You can request it for free, although shipping costs are €6 (but there are almost always promotions and they are free)
- It is requested in a few steps through the Internet
- It is compatible with Apple Pay for faster, safer and easier payments
- Is a card associated with an account, which has the advantage that the money is protected according to legislation
- The currency exchange is done with the interbank value, the lowest you can find as a customer of any bank
- Does not charge you commission some to pay with it in other countries
- Can withdraw money at any ATM for free up to €200 (from that amount, the commission is 2%)
Request Revolut!
verse card
Do you know Verse? An app for Android and iOS with which you can send and receive money instantly wherever you are. Although this app was born with the purpose of share expenses between friends, now Verse has taken out her VISA card.
The new Verse prepaid card, totally free, will help you save on commissions around the world. You can withdraw money at almost any ATM and pay for your purchases without commissions.
Their features and benefits most prominent are the following:
- Free card delivery (only available for Spain)
- You can withdraw money for free 2 times a month, at any ATM and with 0 commissions
- VISA official exchange rate when using it outside the Eurozone (the best exchange rate)
- It can be loaded from another card easily
- It is possible to recover the balance by making a transfer from the APP to our bank account
- It has 'contactless' technology or contactless payment
- Once you are registered in the app, you can request the delivery of the card
Download Verse
How to get the €5 for free?
Now, for being a follower of the Alternative Japan blog, you can get €5 totally free To start using the Verse card:
- Download the Verse app: https://www.verse.me/es/
- Register (you will only need 2 minutes)
- Go to the section Settings, then Promotions and write the code JAPANALT
- Make a money transfer of €1 to a friend or family member (and ask them to return it in the same way). You must do it within 7 days of registering!
- Don't you have any friends? ¡send us an email and we will receive €1 and then send them back to you so that you can get the €5 for free!
- You will receive the 5 euros of additional balance after making that first transaction
Download Verse
vivid card
Vivid Money is a new banking app that allows you to save and make your money grow.
The majors advantages of this card are the following:
- Free withdrawals at any ATM in the world. You can withdraw up to 1,000 euros on debit from any ATM without commissions.
- Possibility of having up to 15 free IBAN accounts in a single checking account.
- Pay with the currency of your wallet at the moment. If you choose as main account the subaccount where you use dollars or euros, pay with dollars or euros at the moment.
- Cashback of up to €55 per month. With your purchases, you generate extra income in different services such as Netflix, Amazon, Just Eat, Mercadona, Ikea, Spotify, Starbucks...
Now, for being a follower of the blog, you have a €5 welcome bonus if you make a purchase of €20 or more in the next 90 days when registering. Click here To obtain the.
Remember to make an account and requesting a virtual or metal card is free, take advantage of all the advantages of Vivid!
Request Vivid!
More cards to travel to Japan
Although these are our favorite cards to visit Japan or anywhere else in the world, there are many other cards They offer very good conditions.
Your bank may have the best travel card for you, and you don't know it yet. Ask before the trip what are the conditions of use and the commissions they charge for withdraw money or pay. Comparing credit or debit cards costs you nothing, so you won't get any surprises.
In any case, requesting these free wallet cards It is very simple. It will not take you much time and you will not have to pay for them. So you can take insurance along with your best travel card, if at any time you run out of cash and the rest of the cards don't work for you.
It never hurts to prevent when we go on a trip! And for you, what is the best card to travel to Japan? We're waiting for your comments and opinions!
🏯 Fixed, custom itineraries, excursions and much more. Request information
Leave a Reply