Re: [76attendees] Questions about cash

[Ole Jacobsen <[e-mail]>]

On Mon, 12 Oct 2009, Romascanu, Dan (Dan) wrote:

> I apologize in advance if these questions were already asked. If the
> answers are already available some place please provide the link. 

See links at bottom.

> 
> - how much cash would we need (estimated) for food and current expenses?

Depends on your habits, I'd start with the equivalent of $200 and see 
how many days that lasts you. 

> 
> - how common is the usage of credit cards in cabs, restaurants, fast
> food places, coffee places, etc.? 

Very common. Most places take credit cards, including taxis, but out 
of habit I always use cash in cabs. (Journeys are typically short, if 
you want to go far, don't take a cab).

> - can we buy the well discussed train tickets with credit cards? 

Yes.

> - is keying the PIN required when paying by credit card? 

Usually not.

> - do ATMs have an English UI? 

Yes.

> - if one runs out of Japanese currency is foreign currency (USD, Euros)
> accepted, and is the rate reasonable? 

Very rarely. The rate would not be too bad, if you managed to find say 
a department store that took dollars/euros, but there are plenty of 
ATMs around even if few are open 24 hours a day.

See also:

http://www.yikes.com/~ole/store/Hiroshima/Essentials.html

and

http://www.ietf76.jp/general/
> 
> Thanks and Regards,
> 
> Dan
>