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Although credit cards are becoming more and more widely accepted, Japan is still largely a cash-based society. Here is a breakdown and comparison of the various ways to get yen.
 Currency exchange in the U.S.
Exchanging a small amount of currency ($300-500) in the U.S. saves time upon arrival in Japan and the rate at banks here is usually good. Some U.S. banks do not have yen constantly on-hand, so it's best to call beforehand (most can order yen and have it ready within one week or so). Currency exchange centers also usually offer good rates.  Exchange centers at airports in the U.S. are best avoided due to poor exchange rates and/or high service charges.
Currency exchange in Japan
It is possible to exchange foreign currency into yen at the airport, (check respective airport websites for hours: NRT KIX NGO) and rates are reasonable but not the best in Japan. Major hotels also offer currency exchange services. The best rates, however, are found at banks (some smaller or rural banks are not authorized to change money). Post Offices in Japan also offer currency exchange services at good rates and can be found in all 47 Prefectures. Their website contains a list of all branches equipped to handle currency exchange and cash travelers checks.
Travelers Checks
Travelers checks, in yen or dollars, are a safe way of taking larger sums of money to Japan. However, they are not widely accepted in retail locations and must first be cashed at a bank, post office or major hotel. Interestingly enough, some banks offer a better exchange rate for travelers checks in U.S. dollars than they do for U.S. dollars in cash. Identification (Passport) is required to cash travelers checks.
Credit Cards
Credit cards can be used (where accepted) to make purchases at a fairly good exchange rate, but some cards will charge a percentage (usually 1-3%) of each transaction. Flyerguide.com Wiki has a page comparing the rates of different cards, though all travelers should contact their own financial institution for exact rates. Cash advances using credit cards should be avoided if possible, since cash advance fees are high and most credit card companies begin charging interest from the day of withdrawal (no grace period). Cash advances almost always require a pin number, which must be set up in advance.
ATM's
ATM's are perhaps the best option for getting yen. Although there are usually two service charges applied (one from the ATM and one from the card issuing institution), the exchange rate offered is usually quite close to the true (mid-market) exchange rate. To avoid multiple service charges, it is best to take out larger amounts each time. One important thing to note is that most ATM's in Japan are open only during regular banking hours, though in larger cities there has been a trend toward 24-hour ATM's.
 Seven Bank: As of July 11, Seven Bank, Ltd. has made all of its ATM machines compatible with foreign-issued cards. This is significant for travelers because there are over 12,000 Seven Bank ATM's located all over Japan (35 prefectures), many near hotels and tourist attractions. This makes getting yen as easy as finding a 7-11 convenience store (most, but not all 7-11's have Seven Bank ATM machines). Another great advantage is that Seven Bank ATM's can be used 24 hours (subject to individual store operating hours). Service is available in English, Portuguese, Chinese, and Korean.
 Citibank: Citibank ATM's in Japan accept foreign-issued credit cards and are open 24 hours, but tend to be confined to the larger cities only. Americans with a Citibank account can withdraw funds at Japanese Citibank ATM's without a surcharge (foreign exchange fee of 1% - 3% applies). Service is available in English.
* Another option is Post Office Banks (Yucho)
Publisher: Japan National Tourist Organization, L.A. Office
515 South Figueroa St., Suite 1470, Los Angeles, CA 90071
email: info@jnto-lax.org
website: www.jnto.go.jp or www.japantravelinfo.com
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