Packing for Japan and Korea

By "sailing," do you mean taking a cruise on a cruise ship? Or literally sailing on a sailboat? Because those skirts don't seem very practical for sailing. Either way, wear what you're comfortable in. You're not likely to blend in, regardless of what you're wearing, so wear what you like.

Wear what you feel comfortable in - what you describe sounds fine. You will stand out as a non-Asian no matter how attired. (making assumptions here!)

I have worn attire similar to what you describe in both Japan and S Korea in October and November. Additionally, I have worn pants - black and gray. Those are my preferred colors for travel anywhere rather than tan, so that is what I own. The skirt lengths I used are knee length and just below. I have worn shorter skirts in Singapore, but prefer the slightly longer for Japan. I don't have mid-calf skirts that I like, but that would be fine also for length. Longer length skirts wouldn't get a second glance.

There are no restrictions on dress for temples or shrines in Japan like in some other countries. You will be asked to remove shoes at some temple complexes or other venues. There is usually a bench for sitting and shoe horn provided.

In the Asian countries I have lived in and visited, people do wear a lot of black and white. I don't remember as much brown, but there wouldn't be a problem with it.

There will be tourists where ever you are. Attire, as long as it isn't conspicuous for one reason or another, will not even be noted.

G3rryCee

I am going on a cruise.

I will be in Yokohama 4 nights and then cruising for the next 14 nights, 12 ports.

Thank you for your help

Thank you OrdTraveler

After posting my question, I have been watching even more youtube videos and it looks like I will be appropriately dressed.

But now I am worried about yens. I have already bought some yens but I am not sure I have bought enough.

Do you buy yens before entering Japan or do you wait until in Japan?

Can I buy yens at the airport? Can I use a credit card to buy yens in Japan?

I may have to begin a new discussion. I am leaving in less than a month and now all of a sudden i realize all the things that I do not know.

As always I appreciate your help

Money: a few choices here. Get in advance or use a debit card at cash machine inside 7-11 or Family mart. You will not need a great deal of cash. Like the US, almost everything is cashless. You mentioned getting a welcome succia card. This is good at almost all stores where you will go, look for “IC”.

There will be a 7-11 or a Family mart virtually everywhere you go. They have ATMs you can trust. You could use your credit card at an ATM, but this will count as a cash advance and immediately trigger interest charges. It is better to use a debit card. You can use your credit card to load your Succia Card with no fees or interest charges.

Good advice above from Carol NR. In addition...

BTW, the plural of yen, the Japanese currency, is just yen (with no trailing 's')...so it's "one yen, or a hundred yen" not "yens".

It's quick, easy, simple, convenient, and cheap to get cash at an ATM by withdrawing cash from your checking or savings account at home - same as in Europe or in your home town. There's really no need to "buy" local currency in advance, no need to "change money". Many ATMs are waiting in the arrivals hall at the airport (and as Carol said, you can pay with a credit card almost everywhere). I've been to Japan many times and never bothered to exchange money or "buy" yen before I arrived, just hit an ATM upon arrival, or when you need more. As stated previously, credit cards are widely accepted, same as at home. You might need cash occasionally for some small purchases (an ice cream, or automated vending machines), but generally money is easy there.

I want to stress how widespread the (what we would call) "convenience stores" are: 7-11, Family Mart, and Lawson (similar) are everywhere. In some areas, there will be several to choose from on a single block. You can also get cash from ATMs in most Japanese post offices. All the ATMs (and most any vending machine) will have an option to choose English for the interface language. It's easy.

Don't use a credit card to get cash (in Japan or anywhere) unless it's a last-resort emergency - pulling cash from a credit card will cost you a lot in interest (which starts right away). Use your debit/ATM card from home for cash, and use your credit card (with no foreign transaction fees) to pay for anything other than getting cash.

It's easy to feel a little intimidated before your first trip to Japan, because from the outside it appears so "foreign" and exotic. Don't worry, it's much easier to function there than you think it will be - in general, things in Japan all "just work" and it's set up well for clueless foreign visitors - and people are generally helpful and nice. really, it's a very easy country to travel in. If you can manage London or Paris, you can manage Tokyo. Really, you'll do fine, you will soon see - so don't worry.

Wear whatever you want, nobody will care. As a tourist, they expect you to be kind of clueless and maybe a little weird. Just be polite, and they'll treat you right. Japan is a hoot. Have fun.

I spent four weeks there earlier this year traveling to quite a few places. What I saw were people dressing very respectably, smartly and modestly whether it was casual or business attire. I did not obtain any yen until arrival in Japan. The ATMs were conveniently located just about everywhere. Credit cards were also welcomed.

Good advice and thoughts on yen above.

Personally, with a couple exceptions, I prefer obtaining foreign currency (when needed) before I leave the US. That holds for both Japan and S. Korea. I arrived in both with some local currency. I repeat, this is my personal preference, not necessarily what others choose to do.

I know many feel they get better rates from local ATMS than home banks, probably so. I'm willing to give up a slightly better rate of exchange for the convenience of not needing to hunt down an ATM after arriving jet lagged with the need to move on from airport to city and hotel. I carry an ATM card with the thought of emergency use, but as noted the 7-11s are easily located and fine places to obtain cash if one prefers to wait for currency until arrival.

My experience of credit card vs cash is not quite the same as those noted above. For instance, many ticket machines for train tickets want cash - there may be a ticket window option with a live seller, but I have saved loads of time by having cash for ticket machines and avoiding ticket kiosk queues. Some of the museums I have visited in smaller locations (last couple years) accept cash only. Major tourist areas and bigger places aren't as much restricted. Nonetheless, you shouldn't run into many difficulties on your tours - I suspect you will be fine with limited cash.

https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/guide/NTJhowto0224-en/

Thank you everyone.

All of a sudden, I realize how close my trip is and I am becoming excited but also nervous. However am like this every trip

I actually have some yens and some wons but now I wonder if i have enough. However from what you are saying, i can get some in the airport.

And I did watch some more youtube videos. I will be able to go to a counter at Haneda and deal with a real person.

I am probably going to get worse before better but once I get going. I am usually fine.

Both Japan and Korea are largely cashless. I would not worry about bringing won or yen with you- use your card and you can always get cash once you're there.
Your outfits sound find. Modest in Korea just means not wearing tank tops- as long as you're covering most of your shoulders and chest you'll be fine. Skirts of any length are fine. I used to live in Korea, it's a lovely country.
Bring comfortable shoes for both countries. Despite the excellent public transportation in both countries, you'll still walk a lot.

Thank you Coffee Girl I am a big coffee drinker ...

It is all coming along

I have plenty of clothes and do not need to buy anything. I bought two new pairs of sketchers.

I once loved walking but now I am limited because of age and health issues but I still walk quite bit.

In Yokohama, will probably take the tourist bus at least one time and then I will be visiting sites.

I will be on a cruise and taking excursions but there is going to be a lot of walking. And in some ports, I am choosing to do things around the port.

I am excited but also so nervous.

Regarding yen, it can be very simple.

Japanese post offices have ATMs which accept foreign cards. They all have an “English “ button. They are easy to use. There are a lot of post offices in Japan and pretty easy to find. We used this method several times on our last trip.

Here is a more detailed reference: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2208.html

Thank you for the information George H

I am vey excited as well as nervous.

I am so looking forward to this trip

BostonPhil you will find rental shops near most historical landmarks and many Japanese tourists will dress in traditional dress while visiting the sites for pictures. It is fun to see. Don’t worry about colors. They really don’t matter.

In my experience, it’s Chinese and a few Korean tourists dressing up in kimono for pictures at tourist sites, mostly not the Japanese themselves.

Korea is cashless, but Japan is less so. Having some yen (use the ATM inside 7-11 for lowest fees) is not just a convenience, but a necessity.

Don't stress out too much. Look forward to your trip. Happy travels!

In Japan, international ATMs are everywhere in towns and cities: in post offices (somewhat limited hours, but a high density of offices), and in convenience stores (7-11, Family Mart, Lawson). People report the highest success rate with post offices and 7-11; I've never had trouble with the other two, but the ATMs in commercial banks (e.g. Mizuho) will not work.
Just make sure to use a debit card, as cash advance fees on US credit cards are apparently quite nasty.

As for colors, it does not really matter, and rest assured that you will never blend in anyway - the otherness is part of the fun!

Thank you tom everyone

I feel more comfortable about everything. It all seems to be coming together.

This forum is invaluable.

As it turns out, I have so many clothes that I need to make some serious choices about what to bring.

I have been notifying my credit card companies of travel and they have been informing me of the fees if I decide to take out cash with my credit card. I do not think that I will.

Have not yet spoken to my credit union. Might be using my debit card to get cash. I do have some yens and wons already. Not certain that i got enough. just got some to begin.

I do have some yens and wons already.

BP, remember it is yen and won—do not add an "s" to them even if you are referring to more than one yen or won. As David from Seattle mentioned above in his post upthread, you would say 1 yen or 100 yen. Not yens. :-) Same with won.

As others have said, definitely use your debit card and not your credit card to get cash on your trip. The 7-11's are everywhere, and unlike here, they have some good food options, great for budget travelers.

As Balso and others pointed out, you will stand out no matter what you wear. I'd just avoid any loud prints. I've been to Japan twice for work. The first time was not long after the 2011 earthquake and Fukushima nuclear disaster, and there were very few tourists. In fact, we didn't confirm our trip until the State Department downgraded their travel warning. Boy, did my colleague and I stand out! Everywhere we went, people were very interested to talk to us and very glad to see us. On both trips, we learned that anytime we looked confused about directions, subway routes, etc., someone would offer to help.

Have a wonderful trip.

Thank you David from Seattle and Mardee

I have some yen and some won. How about that? Now I will probably remember.

It is painful to admit that I do have a little memory loss. Some of it may be age but some of it may be due to a very long and severe sleep disorder so I do need to be reminded. But once reminded, I am usually good.

Now I will probably remember yen and won. No "s"

Don't be afraid to remind me.

Thank you Barbara N

I will not be using my credit card for cash.

I have been reporting travel to my credit card companies and when they tell me what the fees are to take out cash, I tell them "forget it". I am using my credit cards for purchases only.

This week, I am going to my credit union to get some money and report travel. My memory is that fees are pretty high even with. debit card from my credit union. I am going to write down fees so that I don't forget but I want to have a lot of American cash to convent to yen if I am allowed to.

Mardee and David. I said yen.

It's likely going to be warmer than you think, so plan accordingly. When I was last in Japan in October some days were well into the 80s--even as far north as Tokyo.

I want to have a lot of American cash to convent to yen if I am
allowed to.

I would strongly caution against carrying a lot of American cash, especially currency that is not used in the country you are visiting. Getting cash from an ATM with a debit/cash card will generally give a more favorable rate than a money exchanger in virtually any location (airport, cruise ship, cruise port). Upthread is practical advice from people who have been to Japan before on how and where to find legitimate ATMs, as well as noting your need for cash will likely be minimal (and thus minimal bank fees on your part).