How to open an account

To open an account at a bank or post office bank, you need to make an application at the desk. You can open your account depositing \1 or more. When you open a savings account (futsu yokin koza), you can receive a cash card (ATM card).

What items are required for opening a savings account?

• ① Resident card
• ② Health Insurance Card
• ③ Student ID, Employee ID etc. (These items may be required depending on your status of residence)
• ④ Your seal (depending on a bank, signatures are also acceptable)
• ⑤ Cash (\1 or more)

＊The required items may vary depending on a bank; therefore, please confirm with the institution in advance.

Cash Card (at Automatic Teller Machine, ATM)

Cash cards are very convenient for depositing and withdrawing money. To access your account, you must enter your pin number (four digit number) at the ATM. ATMs are also available at convenience stores.

ATM Operating Hours

Banks	Weekdays 9:00 - 21:00 (approx.)	Weekends 9:00 - 18:00 (approx.)
Post Offices	Weekdays 9:00 - 19:00 (approx.)	Weekends 9:00 - 17:00 (approx.)

＊Operating hours vary depending on the institution

Paying Utility Bills by Direct Debit

You can pay electricity, gas, and telephone utility bills and NHK subscription fee, etc. by direct debit. To set up a direct debit, your seal and your customer number of each contract are required. Those utility bills are also payable at convenience stores.

From a bank

Necessary information for sending money: The recipient’s bank name, branch name, account type, account number, the recipient’s address, name, and telephone number. If you want to receive money, send the information about yourself and your account as above, to the sender.

From a Post Office

International Remittance between Accounts

You can send money from your Japan Post Bank account to a bank account abroad. You can make an international remittance via Japan Post Bank Internet Banking Service “Yucho Direct” on a PC and a smartphone, or at a counter of Japan Post Office dealing international remittance service and all Japan Post Banks. This service is not available for some countries. In addition, please note that days required for completing a transfer vary depending on a country where you send money. 　

Saving Section of Kyoto Central Post Office (Kyoto Chuo Yubinkyoku)　TEL：365-2511

Exchanging Foreign Currencies

You can exchange foreign currencies at banks that have signboards displaying “Money Exchanger Authorized by Ministry of Finance.” They also accept traveler’s checks. Some discount ticket shops also offer money changing service. Automatic foreign currency exchange machines are available at some tourist spots and stations.

Name of Money Exchanger	Opening Hours	Location	TEL
Travelex Japan, Tis Kyoto Store	Everyday　9:30-19:00	In front of the Central Entrance of JR Kyoto Station	075-352-5341
Travelex Japan, Kyoto Nishiguchi	Everyday　9:00-20:00	JR Kyoto Station 2F, on the North-South Walkway	075-351-5613
World Currency Shop, Kyoto Station Building	Everyday　9:00-20:00	Kyoto Station Bldg. 8F	075-365-7750
World Currency Shop, Kyoto	Everyday　9:00-16:30	10 Naginataboko-cho, Karasuma-Higashiiru, Shijo-dori, Shimogyo-ku, 1F, FG Bank Kyoto Branch.	075-229-7750
SMBC Trust Bank, Kyoto Currency Exchange Counter	Weekday　11:00-18:30	B1F, Kyoto Mitsui Bldg., 8 Naginataboko-cho, Karasuma-Higashiiru, Shijo-dori, Shimogyo-ku	075-223-2866
Reforte, Kyoto Main Shop	Mon.-Sat.　10:00-18:00	1F Wing City Nishinoto-in, Honryusui-cho, Nishinoto-in-dori Takatsuji-agaru, Shimogyo-ku	075-352-7262
Reforte, Kyoto Nishiki Shop	Mon.-Sat.　10:30-19:00 ＊Exchanging machine available for 24 hours.	593 Nishiuoya-cho, Nishikikoji-dori Takakura, Nakagyo-ku	075-257-7200
Ticket Shop Tokai, Sanjo-Kawaramachi Branch	Everyday　10:00-20:00	Capital Bldg. 1F　North-east corner of Sanjo-Kawaramachi	075-221-1881

Places to withdraw cash with an international credit card

You can withdraw cash with your international credit card from ATM located at post offices, banks, and convenient stores.

Bank Name	Available Credit Cards
Japan Post Bank	VISA, VISA ELECTRON, PLUS, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Discover, Union Pay (銀聯)
Seven Bank	VISA, MasterCard, Union Pay (銀聯), American Express, JCB, Discover, Diners Club
Lawson Bank	Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Union Pay (銀聯)
AEON Bank	VISA, PLUS, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, Union Pay (銀聯)
MUFG Bank	Union Pay (銀聯), DISCOVER, JCB
The Bank of Kyoto	VISA, PLUS, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, Union Pay (銀聯)

Post Offices

Name of Post Office	24 Hours Service	TEL
Kyoto Central Post Office	○	075-365-2473
Kyoto Kita Post Office	×	075-493-0383
Nishijin Post Office	×	075-432-5703
Sakyo Post Office	×	075-712-5866
Nakagyo Post Office	×	075-255-1114
Higashiyama Post Office	×	075-561-6802
Kyoto Nishi Post Office	×	075-882-6052
Ukyo Post Office	×	0570-033-940
Fushimi Higashi Post Office	×	075-572-8001
Fushimi Post Office	×	075-643-6213
Yamashina Post Office	×	0570-034-320
Rakusai Post Office	×	075-331-7736

Opening Hours

Small local post offices	Mon. - Fri.　9:00 - 17:00
Large post offices	Mon. - Fri.　9:00 - 19:00	Sat.　9:00 - 17:00	Sun.　9:00 - 12:30

＊The opening hours may differ depending on each post office, please check the hours in advance.

Postal Services on Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays and at Night

Some post offices offer postal service 24 hours a day. The counter for non-business hours called “Yuyu Madoguchi” opens on weekends and national holidays.

Search the locations of post offices and ATMs

How to send money by post

Registered Mail for Sending Money (Genkin Kakitome)

You can send money in a special envelope (fee necessary). Cash and letters can be sent together. Cash up to \500,000 can be sent in the envelope. A transaction fee is required. You need to visit a post office to use this service.

＊You can also send money in the form of postal money order by post.

International Mail Services

“Practical Guide for International Students” helps you look for the most appropriate service available for you to send an international mail or parcels as well as check how many days are required for delivery. In addition, you can also check prohibited items for delivery by post for each country and region. Application procedures are explained in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. You can also download and print out the “Postal Communication Guide” for your communication, pointing out words and phrases you may need at a post office.

Practical Guide for International Students

Ask Kyoto Central Post Office for International Mail Services:
Kyoto Central Post Office　TEL：365-2471

Other Services offered by Post Offices

When moving	When you sign up for mail forwarding, the post office will forward mail addressed to your old address to your new address for 1 year (free).
When you are not at home	In case you are not at home and not able to receive a parcel or registered mail, a notification slip is left in your mail box. Show this slip with your personal ID at the post office within a week to receive your parcel.
When you are away from home for a long period	If you will be away from home for a long period, you can sign up for mail holding service. The post office will keep your mail for up to 30 days and deliver at a later date.
If you spoil am umstamped postcard	Spoiled post cards can be exchanged for new ones at the post offices for \5 a sheet.