Planning A Trip To Japan?

For a two-week travel in Japan I highly recommend to purchase an exchange voucher for a JR Railpass at any authorized travel agency near you. It seems expensive, but it is an incredibly good deal for foreigners as it allows UNLIMITED travel on the NE'X from Narita to Tokyo, all local JR trains and buses, including the Yamanote Line, all Shinkansen(bullet trains), except the Nozomi, the JR ferry to Miyajima, discounts at JR hotels and some attractions. I have been to Japan 7 times sofar,but have never checked out the clubs/bars since I prefer to experience a traditional izakaya, and so I don't know how expensive it would be. If you drink a lot, you might need more than $1500. If you skip the bars, $1500 can be enough if you do not include accommodation. I came back from Japan in Oct. 2011, and spent approx. CDN$3000 for my 2-week trip, but it included a temple stay and stays at a luxury hotel. Exchange enough money to have 20,000 yen in your possession upon arrival in Japan. Do NOT wait until you arrive at the airport in Japan as the rates there are ALWAYS inflated. If you run short, you can use your credit/debit card to get yen at any branch of CitiBank, Japanese Post Office, and now some Japanese banks as well.

Depends on what style of travel you're used to. If you stay in capsule hotels and hostels, and generally go the cheap route, and don't do a lot of interior travel (trains are expensive there), you'd be okay. Just for a back-up, why not check at your home bank to see if you can use your debit card in Japan? Always nice to have a fail safe.