Broke in Tokyo

We arrived in Tokyo at 6pm.  The first thing we did was look for an ATM.  Unfortunately, the only ATM we were able to find in the Narita airport/train station did not take MasterCard debit cards.  Thankfully, the station accepted MasterCard and we were able to book 2 tickets for the express line to Shinjuku. 

After the almost 1 hour train ride (I thought this was express!), we made it to Shinjuku.  Stepping out of the train station, we were immersed in a sea of people.  It was so much fun weaving through people while carrying my travel backpack and lugging my new suitcase full of random things that I've bought in the US.  I saved about $100 USD by bringing the suitcase with me instead of shipping it, but I'm not sure if it was worth it!  We finally made our way down the brightly neon lite streets and found our hotel, Shinjuku Sunroute. 

The entire time, we looked for an ATM.  We found many, but none of them accepted MasterCard!  I checked my US debit card and it was MasterCard as well.  We were screwed.  We were in a foreign country, not knowing the language and we had no money.  By the way, Japan relies very heavily on cash.  You almost always paid cash.  I finally spotted an ATM with a MasterCard logo.  Ron went in and a few minutes later came out empty handed.  The machine only spoke Japanese and we had no idea how to get money out.  We walked away unsuccessful.

As we had no funds to buy dinner and we were exhausted, we decided to call it a night and go to bed.  The next morning, Ron woke up early, checked the guidebooks and success!  Found a Citi Bank. 

 

 Money!  Never had we been so excited to have cash monies.

 

First things Ron bought when we finally had yen. 3 out of the 4 are candy.  Shocker.