Credit Card... good idea?

[StuartForbes]

I've always avoided the temptation of a credit card as most of the people I know who hold one are worse of becasue of it. Saying that it seems it's ten times easier to pay for stuff in Japan with a Mastercard or a Visa. I've been trying to find a hotel and gaijin house to stay in when I get there and they all ask for CC details.

Does everyone here have credit cards, and if so does it make you life in Japan much easier or should it be avoided?

[Fujay]

Took me 5 tries, 2 jobs, and almost 7 years before I was able to get one in Japan! Just got one last month finally, and another one this month.

...haven't used either of them yet - still too nervous as they are my first credit cards.

[butaro]

I think having a credit card is a good thing, you never know when you will have an emergency or something. I've had one since i was a teen. I don't use it much, mostly for internet payments.
Also, I only use it if i can pay the balance right away. If you think that you will be tempted to spend money when you don't actually have it then its not good. Its easy to not use it and not get in trouble but its just as easy to max out your card if you don't have self control.

My card is not from Japan so i can't help with anything here but VISA/MASTERCARD are pretty much international, with some nice benefits.

[Dinocracy]

Ｉhave a visa card from a Japanese bank and couldnt do without it. I use it to pay for so many things, especially on the Internet. Would be lost without it. Great for when going overseas too.

[rubirosa]

I've always avoided the temptation of a credit card as most of the people I know who hold one are worse of becasue of it. Saying that it seems it's ten times easier to pay for stuff in Japan with a Mastercard or a Visa. I've been trying to find a hotel and gaijin house to stay in when I get there and they all ask for CC details.

Does everyone here have credit cards, and if so does it make you life in Japan much easier or should it be avoided?

I got a Visa credit card right away from Jusco, not problem about being a foreigner. I pay for everything I buy at Jusco with the credit card to build up points. I pay off the card at the end of each month, no debt. A card comes in real handy for Internet shopping, for big purchases and is essential if you want to rent a car. Go for low or zero yearly fees. I’ve heard Mastercard is harder to get.

[User Name Deleted]

Credit cards are good and bad depending on how they are used and how disciplined their users are.

I won't use mine much when I head back to Japan, but I'm sure I'll still use them occasionally.

Japan is much more of a cash culture.

[Hijinx]

My credit card (it's really a debit card since automatic withdrawal pays it of each month) purchases in Japan goes a long way to helping me get free flights back to the States every other year.