Usually, banks are open from 9:00 to 15:00 on weekdays and closed Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays.
In addition to banking services, they also provide systems for automatic payment of utility bills (e.g., electricity, gas, water, telephone bills). Opening an account at a bank allows you to use such services.
To open an account, you will need:
For details, contact the bank at which you would like to set up the account. When making the application, you can request a cash card, which will be mailed to you at a later date.
You can settle utility bills (water/gas/electricity/telephone) by automatic payment from your account at a financial institution.
To set this up, take:
Automatic payment will start one or two months after you set up the automatic transfer.
You can remit money to another party’s bank account securely through a simple procedure at a bank. When you transfer money this way, you will be asked to fill out an application form with the name, address and telephone number of the recipient, as well as his or her bank name, branch name, type of account and account number.
International remittances can also be sent and received – ask at your local bank for details.
Some banks and post offices offer foreign exchange services. For more information on which branches provide such services and the currencies available, contact your local bank or post office. Please note that foreign coin exchange services are not offered.
You can use your cash card at an ATM to withdraw and deposit cash, remit money and check your balance. Instructions on how to operate the ATM are provided on the display of the machine. These are usually in Japanese, but some ATMs give English guidance.
Many ATMs can also be used on Sundays and national holidays. Hours are usually from 9:00 to 21:00/19:00, although this depends on location. Using an ATM on Sundays, national holidays or during nighttime hours may incur service charges.
Cash can be withdrawn at ATMs in post offices using cash cards and credit cards issued overseas. Many kinds of overseas cash/credit card can also be used to withdraw cash at ATMs in some convenience stores.
VISA, VISAELECTRON, PLUS, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express,
Diners Club, JCB, China Unionpay, DISCOVER