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this post was submitted on 14 Oct 2023
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Asklemmy
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Something I haven't seen suggested in other comments is to rent a mobile wifi dongle and unlimited internet. This was fantastic when I travelled there since I could get directions and translation in real time through my phone without having to deal with the hassle of roaming charges.
The process to pick it up was super easy - either at the airport or main train station (can't remember which), and returning it was as simple as putting it in the provided mail package and putting it in a mailbox.
Some other things - in my experience Tokyo at least is not super accessible for wheelchairs and the like. I recall that the first subway station I exited from had a two story stair climb with no alternative, and this was hardly a unique experience.
Also, Japan still very much runs on cash. I don't know what it's like for you, but where I am (outside US), we've basically transitioned to a cash-free economy for 90% of transactions so that was a big change for me.
(I'm not disabled in any way) when you say cash do you mean American dollars or yen? Like obviously I'm better off converting my dollars to yen?
Not OP, not from the US and never been in Japan but I travel a lot in general: always assume local currency, at the very least it's going to be cheaper and quite probably only very touristy places or airport only might accept $$. Here you can pre-order cash at your local bank and return any excess notes after. Exchange booths are usually a rip-off, and withdrawal abroad might cost extra, check with your bank.
Also don't assume people speak English. They might, but treat that as a bonus.
So I exchange my dollars to yen at my bank first?
Local transactions would be in Yen (also all vending machines such as train tickets - very important for getting around).
I would say you'd want to have at least a few hundred dollars worth of Yen when you arrive, and you could possibly get more when you get there, depending on how your bank works. Another option is to get a prepaid Visa card which you can then use to withdraw money in Yen from their ATMs.