Transformers in Japan

[roller]

i'll ask my friend Commodore Perry to open up the Japanese tf shops for our needs, surely a jap board would want to help us find their toy shops

[GoktimusPrime]

excelonzero: you're doing pretty well if you can find anyone who can speak English. Unless you're talking about Akihabara - lots of Akihabara staff speak English because it's a major tourist centre.

Unfortunately most of the stores that sold the rarer G1 transformers would only accept cash and surprisingly it was difficult to find an ATM that would accept Australian bankcards.

How many Australian ATMs accept Japanese cards like JTB, Sakura or Musashino? ;p Most major stores will accept international credit cards like Amex and Visa - with Visa being much more widely accepted.

[funkyaw]

I just found it a bit strange that outside of the airport that literally only a handful of ATMs I came across would accept Cirrus/Maestro cards. It's not as if Cirrus or Maestro is a piddly Australian banking network - it's global!

Whenever I've gone through the US, Europe and other parts of Asia, its easy to find ATMs that will accept these cards.

I found that in Akihabara that most of the stores on the main street will speak english which was handy.

But it was still fun experiencing the culture over there. And gotta love all those uniforms and cosplay outfits!

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I was a bit shocked at the lack of Card compatability. Making a note of your bank compatible ATMs is recommended before you leave.

Japan still loves cash and a lot of ATM's still aren't open 24hr as well. I found going into a bank to do some stuff was a very surreal experience. Took forever (it was a comlex transaction) but they had comfy chairs and I found the whole thing quite amusing.

[GoktimusPrime]

Absolutely true - the Japanese aren't too fond of cards: they still prefer to use cash. Don't worry... it's very safe for you to carry large amounts of cash on you. You're more likely to get groped on a train than you are to be robbed. ;p

Japan still loves cash and a lot of ATM's still aren't open 24hr as well.

I've never understood why they do that. It's not as ATMs need to sleep... the only times ATMs should be shut is if they're out of order or out of cash.

I found going into a bank to do some stuff was a very surreal experience. Took forever (it was a comlex transaction) but they had comfy chairs and I found the whole thing quite amusing.

...god I hate banking in Japan... I hate banking period, but banking in Japan is so frustrating. Stupid Hanko system... (-_-)

[roller]

We may need to compile a shop list as one of my agents will be going there soon, im going to ask for toys

[Robzy]

You're more likely to get groped on a train than you are to be robbed.

That settles it.... I'M GOING!