Table of Contents
- Easy Currency Exchange with Travelers Card for Japan Travel
- What are the Advantages of the Travelers Card?
- Travel Wallet, Convenience and Exchange Rate Benefits
- What is the Actual Use Procedure?
- Comparison of Travelers Card Fees
- Conclusion: Prepare Smartly for Your Japan Trip
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Easy Currency Exchange with Travelers Card for Japan Travel
When planning a trip to Japan, there are essential things to prepare. One of them is the currency exchange and payment method.
You no longer need to roam around searching for exchange offices with low fees. Nowadays, one 'commission-free exchange card' can completely prepare you for overseas travel. Among these, the Travelers Card and Travel Wallet are particularly recommended.
These cards allow you to easily process currency exchange, payments, and ATM withdrawals all through a mobile app, making them very convenient. Additionally, it has become a new standard for travel not to carry heavy cash and use them easily without fees whenever needed.
Now, it is important to enhance travel convenience by utilizing smart payment methods.
For those planning a trip to Japan, the Travelers Card will be a very useful choice.
This card has established itself as a smart currency exchange solution, providing easy charging, low fees, and a safe usage environment.
It can be used by major financial institutions such as KB Kookmin Bank, Hana Bank, and Woori Bank, as well as fintech companies, allowing you to reduce fees while enjoying both safety and convenience.
Preparing for a trip to Fukuoka, Japan with kids
If you're planning a short-term trip to Japan, consider using Travel Wallet or WeBeTravel. They are easy to use and have low fees, making them economical.
If you prioritize stability and prefer bank services, the KB Kookmin Travelers Card is worth considering.
For longer stays or frequent departures, the Hana Bank Travelog Card is suitable, as it allows for points accumulation.
What are the Advantages of the Travelers Card?
The Travelers Card is a prepaid and debit card optimized for overseas travel. You can charge Korean won before your trip and exchange it for Japanese yen through the app, making it a convenient card.
In the case of Kookmin Bank, you can easily charge the card via the KB Pay app, and withdraw cash without fees from local ATMs like Seven Bank and Aeon Bank in Japan. If you are using a Kookmin Card, you can easily issue a KB Travelers Card, so it is advisable to prepare it in advance of your trip.
One of the notable advantages of this card is the ability to withdraw cash from local ATMs without fees. Additionally, you can check real-time exchange rates and recharge through the app, and receive automatic receipts and balance checks after withdrawals. In case of loss, you can immediately block the card through the app, making it safer than carrying cash. Finally, you can recharge only as much as needed, which is also useful for preventing overspending.
Travel Wallet, Convenience and Exchange Rate Benefits
Travel Wallet is a fintech-based service that allows for currency exchange, card recharging, and withdrawals through a single app.
Notably, this service is highly useful for short-term travelers due to its low currency exchange fees and free withdrawal feature at Aeon Bank ATMs.
There is a 5,000 won fee for issuing a physical card, but most other recharging and exchange services are provided for free.
What is the Actual Use Procedure?
Card application and app connection
The Kookmin Bank Travelers Card can be easily applied for and managed through the KB Pay application. After installing the application for Travel Wallet, you can go through identity verification to apply for the card.
Charging and exchanging
You can charge Korean won onto the card and exchange it for Japanese yen through the application. It is useful as you can also check the real-time exchange rate.
You can withdraw cash from local ATMs in Japan. Using ATMs located in Seven Eleven or Aeon Mall, you can access English menus, and fees are only charged at affiliated ATMs.
Usage history and balance check
The mobile application allows you to easily check all transaction histories, enabling planned usage. Additionally, there is a feature to track automatic recharging and foreign currency exchange processes in real time.
Comparison of Travelers Card Fees
| Item | Regular Bank | Travel Wallet | KB Travelers Card |
| Exchange Fee | Approx. 1.75% | 0% (major currencies), other 0.5~2.5% | 0% (currently promotional) |
| Payment Fee | Approx. 1.2~1.3% | 0% | 0% |
| ATM Withdrawal Fee | 3,000~10,000 won | 0 won (only local fees applicable) | 0 won (limited to 10 times per month) |
| Refund Fee | None | None | 1% (currently 0% during promotion) |
※ Fees and benefits may change depending on the timing and the card issuer's policy
Currencies Subject to 100% Exchange Rate Preference with KB Travelers Card
Using the KB Travelers Card allows you to receive a 100% exchange rate preference when exchanging for the following 12 currencies. This means no exchange fees at all. The list of applicable currencies includes: US Dollar (USD), Japanese Yen (JPY), Euro (EUR), British Pound (GBP), Singapore Dollar (SGD), Australian Dollar (AUD), Vietnamese Dong (VND), Thai Baht (THB), Swiss Franc (CHF), Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), Taiwanese Dollar (TWD), and Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).
The minimum exchange unit varies for each currency. For example, Japanese Yen can be exchanged from 100 yen, and Vietnamese Dong from 20,000 dong. This information can be easily checked through the KB Pay app.
The Travelers Card provides attractive benefits not only for exchange fees but also for overseas payments, ATM withdrawals, and refund fees. First, the overseas payment fee is set at 0%. Unlike regular cards, there are no international brand fees (about 1%) or card issuer fees, so there are no additional costs incurred when paying at overseas offline stores.
Additionally, the ATM withdrawal fee is also free. Fees are waived for up to 10 times a month when using affiliated ATMs, although local ATM operating institutions may charge fees separately. Finally, when exchanging leftover foreign currency back to Korean won after your trip, a 1% refund fee is waived, allowing for re-exchange without practical losses. These benefits are offered until December 31, 2025.
Using the Travelers Card presents an excellent opportunity to reduce expenses during overseas travel.
Conclusion: Prepare Smartly for Your Japan Trip
If you're planning a trip to Japan in 2025, the combination of 'Travelers Card' and affiliated ATMs is the optimal choice.
This method minimizes unnecessary fees, reduces the risk of loss, and helps efficiently manage spending with real-time exchange rates. It is a smart way to enhance the economic feasibility of your travels.
Recently, during my trip to Japan, I utilized the Travelers Check Card from KB Kookmin. As soon as I arrived at the airport, I was able to withdraw cash without any fees from an ATM, and I could conveniently pay with my card in taxis, convenience stores, and restaurants, barely needing to use cash.
Moreover, if I had internet access, I could check my real-time usage history through the KB Pay app, making budget management easy. This way of reducing unnecessary spending can be truly called the beginning of smart travel.
