Your supervisor should help you open an account at either a bank or the post office. The banks and post offices are only open Monday to Friday (banks, 10-3, post offices, 9-5). ATMs are open for limited times during the week (9-7, Mon-Sat, 9-5, Sun). There is no such thing as 24 hour banking in Sendai. Japan is a cash society. You’ll soon get used to carrying a lot of cash with you. Credit cards are gaining momentum, but in Sendai, there are limited places to get cash advances on a credit card. To our knowledge, there is only one ATM that is capable of giving you a cash advance. Be sure to bring your PIN number. You will not be able to use your regular bank cash card in Japan.
We cannot emphasise enough the need for you to bring a mixture of traveller’s cheques and cash (approximately¥200,000) to keep you financially afloat until your first payday.
Some of you may be worried about making credit card or university loan payments from overseas. If you keep an account open in your home country, you will find it fairly easy to maintain a good credit rating and make you monthly payments on time. Bank transfers are available, but costly.
The post office offers a service whereby you can send international money-orders, except for New Zealand. It takes between 7-10 days for some countries and the up to 30 days for others.
Lloyds Bank offers electronic wire services. You can wire money to a bank account in ANY country via the computer. If possible, bring the electronic address of your home bank with you. All services will be explained in greater detail during your local orientation.