Wise (formerly TransferWise) borderless multi-currency accounts hold balances in dozens of currencies with the mid-market exchange rate plus a transparent fee typically below 0.5% on EUR-JPY conversion. The Wise debit Mastercard accepts ATM withdrawals up to approximately 200 EUR per 30 days free, with subsequent withdrawals charged a small percentage plus a fixed fee. Account opening through the mobile app takes minutes with biometric ID verification.
Revolut Standard and Premium Tiers
Revolut Standard offers free FX up to roughly 1,000 EUR monthly at mid-market rates, with weekend conversions adding a small spread. Revolut Premium at around 7.99 EUR monthly extends free FX to a higher monthly cap, includes worldwide medical insurance and luggage cover, and removes the weekend surcharge. Revolut Metal at around 13.99 EUR per month adds cashback on overseas card purchases up to a small monthly cap and concierge access.
Curve and Multi-Currency Aggregation
Curve’s free tier wraps existing credit and debit cards in a single contactless card, offering 0% FX up to roughly 1,000 GBP monthly. Curve premium tiers raise the FX-free cap meaningfully plus add cashback at preferred merchants. Both Wise and Revolut now integrate with Apple Pay and Google Pay, eliminating physical card carrying for in-store transactions during Asian travel.
ATM Strategy in Japan
Japan Post Bank ATMs at Yu-cho counters and 7-Eleven Seven Bank ATMs accept overseas Mastercard, Visa, JCB and UnionPay, with no Japanese-side fees during standard operating hours. Cash remains essential for taxi, ryokan tipping and rural shops outside major cities; carrying 30,000-50,000 yen in cash is reasonable for a 5-day Tokyo-Kyoto itinerary. Avoid less common ATM networks at convenience stores that occasionally reject foreign network cards during weekend maintenance windows.