About currencies
The currency of Japan is yen.
There are four types of banknotes: 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 2,000 yen, and 1,000 yen, and there are six types of coins: 500 yen, 100 yen, 50 yen, 10 yen, 1 yen.
In Japan, cash payments are common, but many stores accept credit cards and debit cards.
 10,000 yen (Table) Yukichi Fukuzawa |  5,000 yen (Table ) Ichiyo Higuchi |  2,000 yen (table ) Shuri Castle Moriremon |  1,000 yen (Table) Hideyo Noguchi |
 500 yen n ickel brass (kiri) |  100 yen Made of copper (cherry blossoms) |  50 yen made of white copper (chrysanthemum) | Made of 10 yen bronze (Byodoin Phoenix Hall) |
 Made of 5 y en bronze (perforated rice ears and water surface) |  Made o f 1 yen aluminum (Wakaki) |
About Electronic Money
In Japan, many electronic money is popular.There is no need to carry small change, and it is useful for reducing crime opportunities aimed at cash and eliminating waiting for cash registers.
Let’s give a typical one.
Osaifu Keitai Edy Suica Nanaco, EAON, ICOCA, PASMO, nimoca
There is also a lot of “electronic money”.
If you find something that suits your lifestyle, you can use them very conveniently.
About the consumption tax
In Japan, when you purchase or eat or drink products, 10% of the main unit price will be charged as an additional consumption tax.※ There is a reduced tax rate system.
The price tag may display two prices, the price of the main unit price and the price including tax, but if there is one price in the price tag, it represents the total amount including consumption tax.
About mail
The postal fee in Japan is 50 yen for postcards and 80 yen for regular mail such as letters.The post box is red.Since the postage outside japan varies, it is a good idea to post it after asking at the post office window.Domestic and international baggage is also accepted at the counter.
To send packages to Japan, it is also convenient to use a courier to deliver the package the day after shipment.Kuroneko Yamato and Sagawa Express are famous as couriers.Since it is affiliated with most convenience stores, you can ship from a nearby convenience store, and if you contact a courier, they will pick you up.
In addition, if you send luggage outside the country, the international postal service of the post office is popular, but you can also send it from a courier such as Kuroneko Yamato.It may be cheaper than EMS at the post office.
About bank accounts and credit cards
The financial institutions that accept deposits and deposits in Japan are roughly divided into the following:
- City banks: Banks that have their head office in large cities (mostly in Tokyo’s 23 wards or Osaka 24 wards) and operate nationwide.
- Regional banks: Banks that have mainly local sales ground compared to city banks
- Trust banks: Financial institutions that handle trust business in addition to the business of general banks
- Foreign bank branches: Foreign banks that have branches or agents in Japan in accordance with Japanese laws and regulations under the Banking Act
- In addition to cooperative financial institutions such as shinkin banks, agricultural cooperatives (JA), etc.
- Japan Post Bank: A bank established due to privatization of postal services and entrusted to a post office company (Japan Post Bank
Of these banks, it is Japan Post Bank that makes it easy for foreigners to have an account as soon as they come to Japan.
Overseas and domestic remittances are also cheaper than regular banks, and the window is a post office all over Japan, so it is very convenient.
About opening an account
There seems to be a condition that many banks have been in Japan for six months.Some of them can open an account immediately, but the transfer with the cash card can not be done for half a year.
Opening an account at Japan Post Bank
- The person in question will open an account at the local post office.
- What you need to complete the procedure
- Student ID card
- Seal
Opening an account at other banks
In addition to Japan Post Bank, if there is a request from the school, it seems that it is possible to have an account immediately.If you need to open a school-designated bank account, contact the school in advance.
In the case of Mitsubishi UFJ Bank
- Qualification: At least six months have passed since I came to Japan.
- What you need to complete the procedure
- Alien Registration Card
- Seal
In the case of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
- You can open an account even after you come to Japan.However, it is not possible to transfer money using a cash card for six months from the time of coming to Japan.(You can make deposits and withdrawals) You will be asked to make a transfer at the bank window.
- For foreigners who have been in Japan for six months, they can open a regular new account.
- Qualifications… none in particular.
- What you need to complete the procedure
- Alien Registration Card
- Passport
- Seal
About the transfer fee
If you make a transfer, you will be charged a fee.Each fee is set independently by the bank and is not uniform.
Both banks have a transfer fee to the other bank’s account higher than the transfer fee between the bank’s accounts.
If you have a designated transfer destination such as rent, it is a good idea to create an account at the same bank as the bank you are transferring to, preferably the same branch.
However, it is inconvenient to have an account with a bank far from your district, so you should avoid it.
About credit cards
A credit card that doesn’t require a lot of money is very convenient.
There are various credit companies, but VISA, Master, American Express, JCB, etc. are safe because there are a lot of stores.
However, it seems to be quite difficult at present for international students to make credit cards in Japan.Each card company has its own screening criteria, and the standards vary depending on the social situation, so “International students can make this card!”Unfortunately, there is no reliable information.
It might be more reliable to make an international credit card in your home country.
About the price
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| Big Mac 290 yen | Pork (1kg) 2,470 yen | Apples (1kg) 459 yen | Eggs (1 piece) 22 yen | Orange (1kg) 405 yen | Milk (1L) 207 yen |
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| Cabbage (1kg) 178 yen | Tomato (1kg) 663 yen | Imo (1kg) 227 yen | Chicken (1kg) 1,360 yen | Beef (1kg) 3,650 yen | Bread 120 yen |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Rice (1kg) 455 yen | Flour (1kg) 235 yen | Beer 203 yen | Coffee 380 yen | Coke 95 yen | Toothpaste 98 yen |
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| First taxi ride 710 yen | Subway (1 section) 200 yen | Shampoo 390 yen | Toilet Paper (24) 198 yen |