A Fistful of Yen

In our time here in Japan, we've tried withdrawing cash from over thirty ATMs without luck. Even though this country is technologically savvy, they aren't all hip to the plastic. We were running low on cash - panic set in.

Most ATMs have no English directions, so instead of inserting our card and gambling with the Japanese-character buttons on the touchscreens, we've employed the "walk away and act like you just got cash" strategy. That way, people don't laugh at you - however; it doesn't get you one Yen closer to a subway pass or a bowl of noodles.

The ATMs that actually had English instructions would only accept Japanese bank cards or Citibank, and we roll with Wells Fargo check/debit Visa. Platnum, baby. That's how we keep it real.

Some philanthropic bank tellers explained that if you have an international debit\cash card, you need to visit an international ATM at a post office. With this pearl of wisdom, we withdrew a substantial sum, and we've been wrecklessly spending all of our liquid funds like a rookie MLB shortstop with a new contract. That's right - instead of walking the four miles from the shrines back to our hotel, we rode the bus. Bling-bling!!!