Money

Quick Answer Credit card rejections in Japan are common for foreigners in the first 1–2 years due to zero Japanese credit history. Cards foreigners reliably get approved for: Rakuten Card (easiest), Japan Post Bank Cash+ Visa Debit (not a credit card but works everywhere), SMBC Prestia Debit, and Wise Card (Mastercard, instant issuance). After 1 year in Japan with stable employment, standard credit cards become accessible. Avoid applying for multiple cards simultaneously — each rejection hurts your score. ...

Quick Answer Japanese domestic bank transfers (振込, furikomi) require: bank name, branch name (支店, shiten), account type (普通 = savings), and 7-digit account number. Transfers between same-bank accounts are usually free or low cost. Cross-bank transfers cost ¥110–880 depending on amount and whether done online vs. at a counter. Online banking (especially Rakuten Bank and PayPay Bank) makes transfers free or very cheap. ATM transfers work but cost more. International transfers from Japan require a separate process — use Wise for those. ...

Quick Answer Japan is one of the most cash-dependent developed countries in the world, though this is changing quickly. Many small restaurants, local shops, temples, and some clinics are cash-only. Always carry ¥5,000–10,000 in cash. Best ATM for foreign cards: 7-Bank (inside 7-Eleven), available 24/7. For residents, a Japan Post Bank or Rakuten Bank account with a Visa debit eliminates most daily cash friction. PayPay (QR code payment app) is increasingly accepted where cards are not. ...

Quick Answer Rakuten’s best setup for foreigners in Japan: (1) Get a Rakuten Card (free, 1% cashback on all purchases, ¥5,000 sign-up bonus, accepted wherever Visa is accepted). (2) Open a Rakuten Bank account linked to the card (0.1% interest rate + ATM fee waivers). (3) Shop on Rakuten Market with the card — stack SPU bonuses to earn 10–16% points. Heavy users report earning ¥100,000–200,000 in points per year. Points are worth ¥1 each and usable across all Rakuten services. ...

Quick Answer The biggest hidden costs in Japan: key money (礼金, 1–2 months rent, non-refundable), agency fee (1 month rent), residence tax (住民税) billed in June for previous year’s income, national pension (¥16,980/month mandatory), and move-out cleaning fees (¥30,000–80,000). First-year total surprise bills frequently exceed ¥500,000 for people who didn’t plan for them. Japan is often cited as more affordable than people expect for everyday living — ramen for ¥900, doctor visits for ¥2,000, excellent public transport for ¥200 a trip. What catches people off guard aren’t the daily costs. It’s the large, irregular, and often invisible expenses that aren’t in most budget guides. ...