In Tokyo, when you have no more than one ticket to 10,000 yen (about 90 €) in your wallet, you panic and you'll quickly withdraw money at ATM machines (ATMs)!
More seriously, the scariest part is that when you withdraw money, it does not pretend: have 30,000 yen (about 270 €) in cash in his wallet is quite normal here in Japan. Why? Two main reasons: the cost of living remains high (Tokyo was the most expensive city in the world in 2010) and the cash settlement wherever you go.
Because the Japanese actually worship the cash. This, for me, is quite surprising in view of the hi-tech environment in which they live. However, if the Japanese preference for cash at CB, this time they also regulate certain purchases of everyday life with their mobile phone or card transit.
Note: the gaijin (foreigners) will generally withdraw money at Citibank, the Japan Post or 7-Eleven. These three signs indeed accept foreign CB Visa network.
