ATMs

ATMs in Japan differ from ATMs in other countries. Most ATMs are not open 24/7; closing early in the evening. They will also charge you a fee for withdrawals made after hours or on weekends, so make sure that you have access to some cash before going out on the weekend.

Banking terms

普通預金	futsū yokin	regular savings account
郵便貯金	yūbin chokin	postal savings account
通帳	tsūchō	bankbook
カード暗証番号	kādo anshou bangō	card PIN
振替	furikae	automatic bank transfer
自動口座振替	jidō kōza furikae	automatic bill payment

ATM buttons

お取り扱い中	otoriatsukaichū	in operation
使用中止	shiyō chūshi	out of order
通帳挿入口	tsūchō sōnyūguchi	insert bankbook
お引き出し	ohikidashi	withdrawal
お預入	oazukeire	deposit
万	man	ten thousand
千	sen	thousand
照会 / 記帳	shōkai / kichō	balance inquiry / update bankbook
振り替え入金	furikae nyūkin	transfer funds
紙幣挿入口	shihei sōnyūguchi	insert money here
確認	kakunin	confirmation button
訂正	teisei	correction button
取り消し / 取消	torikeshi	cancellation button

How to check your balance (bank card not necessary)

1. Press 通帳記人.
2. Insert bank-account booklet open to page you want printed.
3. Don't forget to take booklet when done!

• If your account booklet fills up, ask your bank teller and they will make you a new one. Alternativey, look for an ATM with the kanji 通帳繰り越し/通帳繰越 somewhere above it; you can get a new bankbook printed at one.

How to make a withdrawal

1. Press お引き出し.
2. Insert bank card.
3. Insert your 4-digit PIN: ＊＊＊＊.
4. Enter yen amount (i.e., 20,000円＝2万) and press [円].
5. Press 確認 = Correct

   or 両替 ＝ Change.

6. Press 明細票発行 ＝ Withdraw Funds AND Print Balance

   or 取引終了 ＝ withdraw funds (end transaction).

7. Take money, card, and receipt.

• At anytime press red button 取消 to CANCEL your transaction.

How to do a bank transfer

The example provided below is for paying bank-to-bank transfer using a cash card and an ATM. This is called furikomi (振り込み) in Japanese. Japanese people tend to use furikomi instead of checks.

The below is a general list of steps you can expect to perform when performing a bank transfer. Be aware that different banks (or even different ATMs at the same bank) may have slightly different labels, or may prompt you to input information in a different order, than listed in this section.

• Step 1: Choose transaction: Select 振込み (furikomi).
  • NOTE: The message 'Cash Card transaction only!' may appear, indicating that at this ATM you can make transactions using a cash card only. Also, if it's after 3 p.m., a message will appear on the screen saying, 'The transfer will be completed the next working day. If this is acceptable, select 確認 (kakunin - confirm).

• Step 2: Insert Bank Card and enter your (4-digit) PIN ****.

• Step 3: Enter amount of money in yen.
  • Enter the amount of money that you'd like to send.
  • Select 円 (yen) after the figure has been input.
  • Select 確認　to go to the next step.

• Step 4: Using a transfer card?
  • If you don't have a transfer card, select 振り込みカードを使わない (furikomi kādo o tsukawanai).
  • If you have used this ATM before and have a transfer card for the payee, select 振込みカードをを使う (furikomi kādo o tsukau) and insert the transfer card into the slot. (If this is the case proceed to Step 9).

• Step 5: Enter home phone number (starting with the area code).
  • Example: 03-9999-9999.
  • Select 確認 to go to the next step.

• Step 6: Choose bank/branch name
  • Choose the payee's bank from the list on the screen. To do this you have to know the bank's name in Kanji. Select the bank's name and then choose the branch. From the　あいうえお(a-i-u-e-o) chart, you have to select the first hiragana letter of the branch name.
    • Example: If it's 秋田(Akita) Bank, you select あ (a) then you will see on the screen a list of branch names starting with あ(a). For example, 秋田(Akita), 愛知(Aichi), 青森(Aomori), etc.　Hokuto Bank would start with ほ (ho).
  • From here, you should select the payee's branch name.
  • Now choose the type of the account.
    • 普通預金(futsū yokin) ordinary account.
    • 当座ときん(tōza yokin) checking account.
    • 貯蓄預金(chochiku yokin) savings account.
  • Enter the payee's account number.　After doing so, select 確認 and proceed to the next step.

• Step 7: Decide payer's name.
  • You also have to decide which name you wish displayed in the payee's records indicating that you are the person making the payment.
  • 口座名義人の名前で振り込む - (kōza meiginin no namae de furikomu)
    • This is for sending money to the payee using the account name of the cash card you are using. This usually means that you will send the money in your name.
  • 別の名前で振り込む　- (betsu no namae de furikomu)
    • This is for sending money to the payee using a different name.　Proceed to enter the payer's name by using the (a-i-u-e-o) list. You can also use the alphabet. After you enter the payer's name, select 確認.

• Step 8: Confirmation screen
  • Now that you have entered all the necessary information, the confirmation screen will appear. Check all the information for each item entered, such as, the payee's name, account type & number, amount, your account information, commission fees etc.
  • If there are mistakes or there is something that you'd like to alter, make the alterations on this screen. Select the item you'd like to change and correct the information you entered. When you have finished, select 確認.

• Step 9: Make a transfer card?
  • If you think you will send money repeatedly to the same payee, create a transfer card. It's free and by using this card, you can skip Steps 5 to 8 when making the same transaction next time.
  • Select either one to proceed to the final step.
    • 振込みカードを作る (furikomi kaado o tsukuru) 'please make a transfer card'.
    • 振込みカードを不要 (furikomi kaado fuyo) 'there is no need for a transfer card'.

• Step 10: Final Step
  • At this stage, a message should appear on screen asking in Japanese, "Would you like to make another transaction now?"
    • 継続する (keizoku suru) Yes I'd like to continue. and return to Step 2.
    • 終了する (shūryou suru) No, I'm finished .

You are now finished!

NOTE: If the screen doesn't change to the next step after you enter all the necessary information, you have probably forgotten to press Confirm.

Making a transfer with Wise (TransferWise)

In order to use TransferWise for bank transfers, you will need to send them a photo of your Residence card and your My Number Card. If you do not have your My Number Card, you must apply for one through your local city office.