Currency or something else for the Far East?

[Mrskeats]

My dd is going traveling to japan, Bali etc shortly. She wants to avoid taking lots of cash so what is the best option? Travellers cheques or something else?

Travellers cheques are not really used these days and can be expensive to change as well as difficult to exchange.

From the Foreign Office travel advisory on Japan:-

"Japan is mainly a cash society. You may have difficulty using credit and debit cards issued outside Japan (we did not encounter this problem). Cirrus, Maestro, Link and Delta cash cards are not widely accepted. Japanese post offices, 7-Eleven stores and JP Post Bank have cash machines, which will accept some foreign cards during business hours. Cash machines at banks and post offices generally close at 9pm or earlier and may not operate at the weekends or on national holidays, however, ATMs in convenience stores and some shopping centres are available 24 hours a day. Check with your bank before travelling and take sufficient alternative sources of money for the duration of your stay".

Has she checked the current FCO advice for Indonesia given the recent earthquakes?.

Does she have credit and debit cards?.

Thanks I saw that re cash.
Earthquake advice seems ok at the moment

Get a credit card that doesn't charge for cash withdrawals. That way you can get cash as you need it. I used my MasterCard with no problems in Japan both to get cash and to pay for stuff. ATMs were plentiful in cities, obviously if you're going into the countryside stock up a bit on cash before you go.

I just use a credit card. Try to pay with card as much as possible, and take cash out also overseas with the credit card. I have Halifax clarity card that has no foreign fees.

It was 7 years ago we went to Japan. They had a weird system where visa and MasterCard can’t withdraw cash except in a post office (or some special bank), can’t remember exactly. But it wasn’t a problem as I looked up on google the closest ATM I could use to the hotels I booked in Tokyo and Kyoto.

Situation has probably improved now? But google about visa and MasterCard and Japan, and there bound to be some newer information, usually on trip advisor forums.

The travel cards (such as Pasmo, Suica) you can use in Japan can also be used for purchases in chain convenience stores and a few other shops and cafes. So you can top one up with a chunk of money to pay for travel and small purchases.

And yes, many small shops and restaurants don’t accept card payments. Personally I’d make sure she had access to two bank card (with online banking) and leave one in the hotel just in case.

I’d also suggest having two accounts with online banking and leave one card at the hotel.