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Bank Cards and Payment Methods in Japan in Japan: real experience from chats

Short answer
For travel to Japan, rely on cash and local IC cards like Suica or Pasmo for transport and small purchases. While options like the Altyn crypto-wallet offer virtual Visa cards for online payments, they are not ideal for primary travel funds due to conversion fees and limited physical card availability.

From real experience

The Altyn crypto-wallet from South Ossetia now offers virtual Visa cards.
They allow account opening with a Russian passport, issue 'Mir' cards, and accept rubles via SBP. Users can register with a foreign passport, get a virtual Visa (Singapore BIN), fund it with rubles, and use it for online payments. Android users can add it to G-Pay. Drawbacks include a suboptimal USD conversion rate, no Apple Pay support, and no physical card option. While not recommended for storing funds, it's suitable for quick transactions. Card issuance fee is 999 RUB.
✓ 1 report from chats
Experiencing issues with a foreign (Kazakhstan) card in Japan, leading to a lack of cash for airport transfer.
Exploring options for using a Suica card, purchasing transport passes via Trip.com, withdrawing cash, or finding local assistance. Potential solutions include checking card limits, ATM withdrawal options (including NFC), contacting the card issuer or colleague, and seeking help from Russian speakers.
✓ 1 report from chats
For first-time travelers to Japan, relying on cash and a local IC card (like Suica or Pasmo) for transportation and small purchases is a viable alternative to international credit cards.
Cash is widely accepted, and IC cards simplify payments where cards might not be. Researching options for obtaining an IC card upon arrival is recommended.
✓ 1 report from chats
When exchanging currency for Japan, it's generally advised to exchange Russian rubles for Japanese Yen in Russia for immediate travel expenses, and then exchange a larger amount of USD or EUR in Japan for better rates.
Avoid exchanging large sums at the airport. Research current exchange rates for USD and EUR in Tokyo.
✓ 1 report from chats
Discussing the use of specific travel insurance cards (e.g., from Platipomiru) and payment methods (e.g., KVN activation) for transactions in Japan.
Also, exploring options for obtaining foreign credit cards (e.g., Visa from Bakay Bank in Kyrgyzstan) that work reliably in Japan.
✓ 1 report from chats

Related topics

💱 Comparing Currency Exchange Locations 🛂 Visa Application and Submission • Using IC Cards (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA) 💱 Using Cash and Currency Exchange • Exchanging Old USD Notes 💱 Currency Exchange in Osaka and Kyoto

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