Shopping in Japan - Cash/Charge?

[Confusatron]

So I'm going to Japan (Osaka area) for the first time on business next week, and much to my delight there will be some free time for sightseeing/shopping.

I think I've had all my questions answered but one - how much cash to bring? Everywhere on "teh interweb", even the AoD forum, they tell me to bring cash. That Japan is predominantly a cash society.

I don't deal in cash much. I am very much about plastic (debit/credit) - I go through maybe $20 a month in cash.

I won't have to buy food - well, meals anyhow. And I only have a limited amount of time, so I will probably mostly be hitting 'depato' and 'conbini'.

The answers I got at work are:
-Boss: $100. His expenses generally consist of "that one time we had to eat lunch in the train station" and Hello Kitty items for his daughter. He stated that most places take credit cards.
-Japanese co-workers: $200. This was prior to the announcement of a free day, and they only have a vague idea of my mania (i.e. they are under the impression that I "have a couple of anime DVDs", not a few hundred /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif).

I probably won't be buying any DVDs, more like gifts for friends/family, candy, a few CDs and random merchandise (Gundam models, gashapon, etc). Basically as much as I can fit into a half-empty suitcase.

Anyone have some ballpark figures? $300? $1,000?

[Fieri]

I'd say $200-$300. It still doesn't look like you'll be spending a whole lot of time there. I'm not sure, but I think there are also some places that will allow you to charge...if you spend enough that is. I've never actually try to charge anything in Japan at the stores, although this one kimino shop said they would allow us to charge if we spent over 10,000 yen..... as if my mom would ever spend less than 10,000 yen there. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[mrgazpacho]

[ QUOTE ]
Confusatron said:
mostly be hitting 'depato' and 'conbini'.

Anyone have some ballpark figures? $300? $1,000?

[/ QUOTE ]

Depaato will takce CCs. I've found it easier to use cash at konbini - never tried a CC though.

If you are going somehwere that sells DVDs, they'll probably take CCs. The shops on the main street of Den-den town, for instance.

Overall, for one whole free day and the odd snack, gashapon or weird toy that catches your eye, I'd say JPY20,000 cash is in the ballpark.

[philnicau]

i budgeted on 12500 yen per day, for spending money, including food, admissions, etc.
also remember many japanese stores will not accept non-japanese credit cards, as will most japanese ATMs.
so get used to carrying large amounts of cash, luckily japan is probably the safest place in the world to do this as they have a very low crime rate.

[badasscat]

[ QUOTE ]
Confusatron said:
I think I've had all my questions answered but one - how much cash to bring? Everywhere on "teh interweb", even the AoD forum, they tell me to bring cash. That Japan is predominantly a cash society.

I probably won't be buying any DVDs, more like gifts for friends/family, candy, a few CDs and random merchandise (Gundam models, gashapon, etc). Basically as much as I can fit into a half-empty suitcase.

Anyone have some ballpark figures? $300? $1,000?

[/ QUOTE ]

It really depends on where you shop and what you're buying. Big department stores take credit cards, as do any of the "mall" type chain stores. Smaller independent stores (such as those that may sell CD's or DVD's you might be interested in) often do not. Game stores frequently do not. Anime stores frequently do not.

I'd say big department stores or chain stores of any kind, close to 100% accept CC's. Independent stores, it's probably more like 30%. If you think you'll be shopping at a lot of independent stores (and really, those are where you'll find the best stuff), I'd bring at least $300.

I went through $750 in cash once when I was there and I was constantly trying to find ATM's that would accept my card to get more. This is another problem. It's best to get a large amount of cash at the airport.

[Skywise]

In addition to what the others have said, the best place for you to buy stuff are stores that sell used goods such as games, DVDs, manga etc. These frequently don't take CCs either, so cash is a good idea. I think it's also a good idea to plan your purchases - what DVDs do you want to get, what games, what manga and so on. You can typically get about 50% off on used items, sometimes more. It all depends on what you're buying and where you're buying it. For instance at one used store outside Sapporo I got most of the cardcaptor sakura manga for 150 yen per volume.

[DrMM]

If you're going mostly to department stores, then yes, they'll probably accept credit cards (although they may accept only Japanese-issued credit cards). Plan to pay cash at convienence stores. However, if you do decide to go to a store like Mandarake or Book Off (Animate accepts CC), bring as much cash as you're prepared to spend.

I'd still suggest adjusting your credit card habits temporarily, even if you're planning to spend most of your money at department stores. If you're prepared with cash, then you won't have to think 'Do they take credit cards?' when you go into a store. It's not uncommon for people in Japan to carry around 50,000 yen when they go out for a good shopping day (I've seen them take out 100,000 yen when they visit the ATM). Most people wouldn't be concerned about carrying around that much cash, the way we are here. In the end, it's just a safer thing than depending on credit cards, which may or may not be accepted.

[Vertical_Ed]

Having had lived in Osaka I will say you can survive with a CC but take some cash.

Most chain stores (book stores, convenience stores, department stores, electronic stores, supermarkets) will take CC's just make sure it takes Visa/MC/AMEX. Now there will be issues about banks so if you usually use check cards, I would make sure you have a regular CC as well because check cards can be a problem.

Local mom and pops and many restuarants will not take CC's. Really the fancier the eatery the more likely it will take a CC. That is where you need your cash. Osaka is full of eateries (face it, we are pigs) but many of them are cash only (pay for what you eat!!)