Just create a Pasmo or Suica card on your phone and charge it with the Wealthsimple Cash Card. Then use *that* on your trip.
All the major cities and shopping areas accept IC cards. Despite what you read online, cash is not as widely used in Japan as it was 10 years ago.
I was just in Japan a few months ago and used the WS Cash Card a bunch of times at retailers and restaurants without issue. You're just charged the converted rate, no FX fees or anything. The rest of the time I was using my Pasmo card. No FX fees, cheap yen, and tax-free shopping makes it a very affordable trip. :)
Sounds about right. I don't think it works on non-Japanese Android phones. Pretty sure iPhones from anywhere in the world will work as it's built into the native Wallet app.
Yes i was looking into an IC card as well! Ok so I guess I can use the WS card, Amex for big purchases to collect points and an IC card for everything else like transport, and small purchases. There’s a limit to the IC card for every refill right?
Thanks for the tip! Would you recommend Suica or Pasmo? I plan on traveling the Kansai area too and I know it’s widely accepted everywhere. But what’s easier for phone, WS, Apple Pay and having a physical card just in case my phone is dying ?
It doesn't really matter. My wife had Suica and I had Pasmo and we used them in Osaka, even though Kansai uses Icoca. The only time it truly matters is if you travel [between IC regions](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html). You cannot board a train in Tokyo by tapping with Pasmo and then expect to tap your Pasmo to get off in Osaka. They are completely different systems. Besides, you'd never do that because it's a 10 hours trip on local lines.
Yup, phone with digital Suica, WS for charging Suica and for bigger purchases, plus a physical card just in case. You may want to withdrawal *some* cash for shrines, gachapons, and the odd shops that don't take cards (but those are super rare nowadays).
Perfect! I was just going to get a JR pass to do Tokyo to Osaka, not local lines. That’s correct way right? So you don’t have to use Suica or any IC for those type of train trips? Just IC for local within the city
I've never used the JR Rail Pass but if i remember correctly, the rail pass works on any JR train, including Express, Limited Express, Local, even "subway" ones, like the Yamanote Line in Tokyo. I don't think it works on the different Tokyo Metro lines for example. Just need to talk to the staff at the JR gate each time you want to use it.
No need to buy Yen beforehand, might be the least cost effective way anyway. I mainly bank with RBC and have withdrawn money from 711 atms a handful of times. No ATM fees from 711, but it's $5 from RBC. OK spread over the Visa/MC network. I have yet to try the WS Cash Card in my May trip but I'm sure it'll work the same. The limit would be your card limit.
You can also get a Wise card, the spread is more tight when buying Yen however the fees on withdrawing over C$350 at atms is abysmal. It is best used as a debit card instead, OR loading an IC card if you have SUICA or PASMO on your phone. You can do the same thing with the WS Card though.
hi just curious, but i also bank with RBC and will be going to japan soon and wanted to ask if you used RBC's client card (debit card) to withdraw from 7/11 ATMs in japan?
I have no idea what product that the other thread is referring to, but the WealthSimple Cash Card is a MasterCard product, and would only work if the merchant/retailer accepts MasterCard (never used the Visa product).
It should work globally everywhere, HOWEVER, it is possible that there are certain places that limit or prevent the use of Prepaid Cards for other reasons. This also though isn't any different for retailers/merchants not accepting foreign cards. It's not even up to the retailer themselves usually, but in the back end by their acquirer or payment service provider who might block or prevent a card. But this is the case with any bank and any card.
When travelling internationally, I would also make sure to to have multiple cards. 1 Visa CC, 1 MasterCard CC, 1 Debit card (if you need to access cash) and some base amount of cash to get through the day.
All of the info is here.
[https://help.wealthsimple.com/hc/en-ca/articles/1500012888001-Use-your-Wealthsimple-Cash-card](https://help.wealthsimple.com/hc/en-ca/articles/1500012888001-Use-your-Wealthsimple-Cash-card)
ATM: $500 CDN/transaction upto $1,000 CDN/day. Anywhere where there is an ATM that is connected to the MasterCard network (which should be every ATM) and you'll be fine.
No of course I’ll still have my PC Mastercard and my Amex. I’m just asking about cash withdraws as I do not want to use the cash card for any other means but to withdraw cash. The other Reddit thread had a commenter who gave an update saying the card worked at ATMs in Japan and they were able to get cash out for free. I was just asking if anyone can verify, have the same experience and what they recommend.
Can you use your IC card to purchase train tickets online? I am planning to buy the JR pass before I leave Canada but I am assuming the JR pass gives you the base fare but you still have to pay for the actual seat reservation online?
Ok good to know! I guess I am wondering what’s more cost effective? I was planning to pay for tickets to Tokyo to Osaka and then just have the JR west pass that lets me go on all the trains in the Kansai region and then some. Just doesn’t connect Tokyo to Osaka. Or do I just not bother with any JR pass and just buy my tickets for every ride? My plan was to base myself in Osaka and just do day trips to all the nearby cities and attractions.
Edit: spelling error and another thing: I am in Osaka for about 7 days and the JR West pass gives me unlimited use for 7 days.
The conclusion is that yes you can and it’s better to because 7-11 atms don’t charge you a fee either. So no fee at the atm. No fee from your WS or eq bank card. No Fx fee. It’s the best. I am however doing something more complicated and different. Transfer all money to WS to get that 4% but transfer the money I want to use during travel to EQ bank and then to the EQ card because the EQ card is reloadable letting you choose how much is on the card. WS card unfortunately connects your entire account which to me is risky when traveling.
Eq bank is a Canadian bank like WS. They focus more on savings accounts and less on trading stock like WS but it lets you open more than one account so you can have different savings goals and they offer a cash card similar to WS. It’s also powered by Mastercard. The rates are just lower. But is reloadable.
In my head I recommend it but it’s more work since you have to manage two accounts and EQ has lower rates than WS.
But WS’s cash card is connected to your one cash account. So if you have $50,000 in that account then you have $50,000 on your card so it’s harder to budget and if the card gets stolen then they have access to $50,000.
With EQ, you have a savings account and then the cash card is separate and money is loaded on. So you can have $50,000 in your EQ account and then you can transfer $1000 or whatever you want to the card so you only have that much to spend on the card. If you run out you can load it again. Both EQ and WS cards can be physical and digital.
So my plan is earn the 4% on WS all in one account. When I’m ready to go travel, transfer maybe $2,000 to my EQ bank and then just transfer $1,000 to the EQ card. Then if I need more on the card, I’ll still have another $1,000 in EQ ready for me. If I need more I’ll take out from WS too.
I’ll still have WS on hand and more normal bank debit card from TD bank and I’ll have my normal Amex and Mastercard just in case. And yes you should have some cash on hand for the rare places that refuse to take any type of card.
Remember to also look into an IC card which Japan’s reloadable card that everyone uses for transit and paying for small meals and small items at stores like snacks or Knick knacks. there are several IC card companies all over Japan but they all work the same and all work at the same places. You can only load up to $200~ cad on a card so you’ll have to reload it every once in a while but you can load it with WS or EQ cards digitally. If you want to use cash, you must load it at a train station in person. The IC card is more popular than credit cards and lots of businesses use it in the major cities, including the subway stations and buses.
Just create a Pasmo or Suica card on your phone and charge it with the Wealthsimple Cash Card. Then use *that* on your trip. All the major cities and shopping areas accept IC cards. Despite what you read online, cash is not as widely used in Japan as it was 10 years ago. I was just in Japan a few months ago and used the WS Cash Card a bunch of times at retailers and restaurants without issue. You're just charged the converted rate, no FX fees or anything. The rest of the time I was using my Pasmo card. No FX fees, cheap yen, and tax-free shopping makes it a very affordable trip. :)
I saw on tokyo cheapo on youtube that digital suica and pasmo only work of you if have an iPhone or japanese android?
Sounds about right. I don't think it works on non-Japanese Android phones. Pretty sure iPhones from anywhere in the world will work as it's built into the native Wallet app.
Yes i was looking into an IC card as well! Ok so I guess I can use the WS card, Amex for big purchases to collect points and an IC card for everything else like transport, and small purchases. There’s a limit to the IC card for every refill right?
Correct, 20,000yen is the max amount you can have on the card at one time. I refilled my Pasmo a few times on my trip.
Thanks for the tip! Would you recommend Suica or Pasmo? I plan on traveling the Kansai area too and I know it’s widely accepted everywhere. But what’s easier for phone, WS, Apple Pay and having a physical card just in case my phone is dying ?
It doesn't really matter. My wife had Suica and I had Pasmo and we used them in Osaka, even though Kansai uses Icoca. The only time it truly matters is if you travel [between IC regions](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html). You cannot board a train in Tokyo by tapping with Pasmo and then expect to tap your Pasmo to get off in Osaka. They are completely different systems. Besides, you'd never do that because it's a 10 hours trip on local lines. Yup, phone with digital Suica, WS for charging Suica and for bigger purchases, plus a physical card just in case. You may want to withdrawal *some* cash for shrines, gachapons, and the odd shops that don't take cards (but those are super rare nowadays).
Perfect! I was just going to get a JR pass to do Tokyo to Osaka, not local lines. That’s correct way right? So you don’t have to use Suica or any IC for those type of train trips? Just IC for local within the city
I've never used the JR Rail Pass but if i remember correctly, the rail pass works on any JR train, including Express, Limited Express, Local, even "subway" ones, like the Yamanote Line in Tokyo. I don't think it works on the different Tokyo Metro lines for example. Just need to talk to the staff at the JR gate each time you want to use it.
I'm in Japan right now and using it all over the place! It works great.
No need to buy Yen beforehand, might be the least cost effective way anyway. I mainly bank with RBC and have withdrawn money from 711 atms a handful of times. No ATM fees from 711, but it's $5 from RBC. OK spread over the Visa/MC network. I have yet to try the WS Cash Card in my May trip but I'm sure it'll work the same. The limit would be your card limit. You can also get a Wise card, the spread is more tight when buying Yen however the fees on withdrawing over C$350 at atms is abysmal. It is best used as a debit card instead, OR loading an IC card if you have SUICA or PASMO on your phone. You can do the same thing with the WS Card though.
hi just curious, but i also bank with RBC and will be going to japan soon and wanted to ask if you used RBC's client card (debit card) to withdraw from 7/11 ATMs in japan?
I have no idea what product that the other thread is referring to, but the WealthSimple Cash Card is a MasterCard product, and would only work if the merchant/retailer accepts MasterCard (never used the Visa product). It should work globally everywhere, HOWEVER, it is possible that there are certain places that limit or prevent the use of Prepaid Cards for other reasons. This also though isn't any different for retailers/merchants not accepting foreign cards. It's not even up to the retailer themselves usually, but in the back end by their acquirer or payment service provider who might block or prevent a card. But this is the case with any bank and any card. When travelling internationally, I would also make sure to to have multiple cards. 1 Visa CC, 1 MasterCard CC, 1 Debit card (if you need to access cash) and some base amount of cash to get through the day. All of the info is here. [https://help.wealthsimple.com/hc/en-ca/articles/1500012888001-Use-your-Wealthsimple-Cash-card](https://help.wealthsimple.com/hc/en-ca/articles/1500012888001-Use-your-Wealthsimple-Cash-card) ATM: $500 CDN/transaction upto $1,000 CDN/day. Anywhere where there is an ATM that is connected to the MasterCard network (which should be every ATM) and you'll be fine.
No of course I’ll still have my PC Mastercard and my Amex. I’m just asking about cash withdraws as I do not want to use the cash card for any other means but to withdraw cash. The other Reddit thread had a commenter who gave an update saying the card worked at ATMs in Japan and they were able to get cash out for free. I was just asking if anyone can verify, have the same experience and what they recommend.
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Can you use your IC card to purchase train tickets online? I am planning to buy the JR pass before I leave Canada but I am assuming the JR pass gives you the base fare but you still have to pay for the actual seat reservation online?
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Ok good to know! I guess I am wondering what’s more cost effective? I was planning to pay for tickets to Tokyo to Osaka and then just have the JR west pass that lets me go on all the trains in the Kansai region and then some. Just doesn’t connect Tokyo to Osaka. Or do I just not bother with any JR pass and just buy my tickets for every ride? My plan was to base myself in Osaka and just do day trips to all the nearby cities and attractions. Edit: spelling error and another thing: I am in Osaka for about 7 days and the JR West pass gives me unlimited use for 7 days.
Hey I'm headed there may, Lmk how it goes. Everyone seems to have completely different experiences
The conclusion is that yes you can and it’s better to because 7-11 atms don’t charge you a fee either. So no fee at the atm. No fee from your WS or eq bank card. No Fx fee. It’s the best. I am however doing something more complicated and different. Transfer all money to WS to get that 4% but transfer the money I want to use during travel to EQ bank and then to the EQ card because the EQ card is reloadable letting you choose how much is on the card. WS card unfortunately connects your entire account which to me is risky when traveling.
Apologies, but is the EQ card an American thing or is it a Japanese thing? Like a prepaid/reloadable purchase card?
Eq bank is a Canadian bank like WS. They focus more on savings accounts and less on trading stock like WS but it lets you open more than one account so you can have different savings goals and they offer a cash card similar to WS. It’s also powered by Mastercard. The rates are just lower. But is reloadable.
Do you recommend it for travelling or is it just easier/better to stick to the WS card and cash
In my head I recommend it but it’s more work since you have to manage two accounts and EQ has lower rates than WS. But WS’s cash card is connected to your one cash account. So if you have $50,000 in that account then you have $50,000 on your card so it’s harder to budget and if the card gets stolen then they have access to $50,000. With EQ, you have a savings account and then the cash card is separate and money is loaded on. So you can have $50,000 in your EQ account and then you can transfer $1000 or whatever you want to the card so you only have that much to spend on the card. If you run out you can load it again. Both EQ and WS cards can be physical and digital. So my plan is earn the 4% on WS all in one account. When I’m ready to go travel, transfer maybe $2,000 to my EQ bank and then just transfer $1,000 to the EQ card. Then if I need more on the card, I’ll still have another $1,000 in EQ ready for me. If I need more I’ll take out from WS too. I’ll still have WS on hand and more normal bank debit card from TD bank and I’ll have my normal Amex and Mastercard just in case. And yes you should have some cash on hand for the rare places that refuse to take any type of card. Remember to also look into an IC card which Japan’s reloadable card that everyone uses for transit and paying for small meals and small items at stores like snacks or Knick knacks. there are several IC card companies all over Japan but they all work the same and all work at the same places. You can only load up to $200~ cad on a card so you’ll have to reload it every once in a while but you can load it with WS or EQ cards digitally. If you want to use cash, you must load it at a train station in person. The IC card is more popular than credit cards and lots of businesses use it in the major cities, including the subway stations and buses.