I’m travelling to Japan next week, going to spend half a year there, I want to know how easy it is to exchange cash (more specifically pounds, if it helps) for yen at money exchange shops. I’ve heard from friends that lots of things are quite bureaucratic and complicated in Japan compared to other countries (for example, you need to fill out a form and give your contact information just to get your baggage wrapped at the airport), and that’s the last thing I want to go through just to get yen in cash, travelling is supposed to be relaxing. Is it just like in other countries where you just give them the money and they give you the other currency in return, or is there red tape involved?
Ps: I’m going to be taking my debit cards with me as well, but I’m taking a few thousand pounds in cash just in case my cards get lost. I’m not in the mood to go to my branch to get some yen because it’s a bit far away. As a last resort I’m willing to open a wise account and get some yen there instead (and then go to an ATM in Japan and get cash), but I’d prefer going to a money exchange shop in Japan. I don’t care about rates.
by Majestic_Street3