Finance roadmap

Neobank on arrival → Local account → Part-time salary → Nenmatsu chosei / juminzei

Student checklist — money

Before leaving: Wise/Revolut; notify your home bank; fund documents for CoE/visa.
First week: withdraw yen (Japan Post / 7-Bank ATM); customs declaration if carrying > ¥1,000,000 cash.
After municipal registration: Japanese bank account + PayPay; My Number for work and taxes.
With MEXT/JASSO scholarship: keep letters and receipts for renewals.
Never: salary in cash only without a contract — risk to status and juminzei.

Opening a bank account

Documents: Passport, residence card, juminhyo (residence certificate), My Number (or notification).
Choose a branch with an international desk if possible (Shinsei/SBI Shinsei Bank, SMBC Trust, MUFG, Mizuho, Japan Post Bank).
Inkan — Some banks require a personal seal; others accept signature only for foreigners.
Initial deposit — Often ¥1,000–¥3,000 minimum.
Activate internet banking and a cash card (debit; revolving credit not always available).

Banks and digital payments

Service	Use
Japan Post Bank	Wide branch network, student-friendly
PayPay, Line Pay, Rakuten Pay	QR payments in cities
Suica (mobile)	Transport + convenience store payments
Furikomi	Domestic bank transfer (rent, bills)
Konbini payment	Barcode payment for NHI bills, taxes

International transfers

Wise — Competitive exchange rates to/from JPY.
SWIFT via bank — Fees ¥2,000–¥7,500+ per transfer.
PayPal — Useful but variable fees.
Declare funds on entry if carrying > ¥1,000,000 cash (customs).

Credit score

Japan does not use a unified FICO system. What matters:

Banking history and payment delays.
CIC (credit information) for loans and credit cards.
On-time payment of NHI and juminzei.

Taxes for students with employment

Tax / contribution	Note (2026)
Income tax (national)	Withheld on payslip; progressive rates from about 5% to 45% on taxable income
Resident tax (juminzei 住民税)	About 10% of previous year’s income; ward notice from June
Social insurance	If hours exceed threshold, employer enrolls you in shakai hoken — verify with HR
Consumption tax	10% (8% on some takeaway food) included in prices
Nenmatsu chosei	Year-end adjustment if you have a single employer

Keep your gensen chōshūhyō (withholding certificate) from your employer.
Income below threshold may be exempt from national tax — ask your employer.
e-Tax for tax returns if required: e-Tax NTA.

Last updated: May 2026 — National Tax Agency

Scholarships and support

MEXT scholarship — Government scholarship (tuition coverage + monthly stipend).
JASSO — Loans and scholarships for international students: JASSO.
University scholarships — Merit and need-based; deadlines per institution.

Everyday payments in Japan

Cash — Still common at small shops and rural areas; ATMs at 7-Eleven and post offices often accept foreign cards.
IC cards — Suica/PASMO for trains and many stores; link to Apple Pay where supported.
PayPay / Line Pay / Rakuten Pay — QR wallets widely used in cities (often need a Japanese phone number).
Konbini bill pay — Pay utilities and insurance slips at Lawson/FamilyMart with barcode.
International transfers — Wise, Revolut, or bank SWIFT — compare fees before sending large amounts.

Last updated: May 2026 — NTA

Next step: 28-hour work permission and baito — see the Work guide.

Change at the airport

Worse rates — bring part cash or ATM 7-Bank after RC.

Quick reference

Tokyo ¥150,000–220,000/month possible in share house; smaller cities ¥100,000–150,000. Yen exchange: budget in local currency. Japanese account useful for part-time salaries.

Cash for small shops and izakaya
PayPay / Line Pay increasing
Fixed line monthly commuter pass
National uni tuition ~535,800 ¥/year order of magnitude

Realistic monthly budget

¥
2026 indicative

Rental share Tokyo: ¥60,000–90,000
Food: ¥25,000–40,000
Pass transportation: 5,000–15,000 yen
Telephone: ¥3,000–5,000
Miscellaneous + insurance: ¥10,000–15,000

Banking and payments

Bank/bank

Japan Post Bank accessible; Historical Shinsei for foreigners. 7-Eleven ATM with international card for initial cash.

Hanko for official signatures
Simple domestic transfers

Taxes in daily life

Taxation

National rule

Consumption tax included. Part-time: sets light withholding tax if below threshold. Resident tax after first full year.

Groceries and dining

Food

Good for students

Konbini meals ¥400–600. Uni canteen ¥400–500. Ramen 900–1,200 yen. Evening supermarket market discounts.

First-month checklist

First month

Bring yen cash for first few days
Activate Suica on your phone
NHI registration
Shikikin budget + first rent

Deep dive (optional)

Go deeper

Operational detail and official links—amounts and deadlines change; always confirm on the competent portal before filing or paying.

Banking & payments

Resident accounts

Passport, residence card, and sometimes a registered seal (hanko)—branch policies differ; ask international desks.

Transfers & bills

ATM furikomi domestic transfers and convenience-store bill payments are common—watch bank fees and limits.

Tax

Withholding & year-end adjustment

Employers usually run nenmatsu chosei; keep your gensen choshuhyo withholding slip.

National Tax Agency

Resident tax

Municipal tax bills typically arrive after your first full tax year—confirm instalment dates with your ward.

Financial consumer protection

Investments, loans, and complaints—use the FSA’s public guidance.

Financial Services Agency

Post-arrival checklist

Students

Municipal registration + matching address on your card
Bank + phone for lawful part-time pay
Join National Health Insurance at the ward office

Workers

Residence status matches your job description
Employees’ health & pension when employed
Archive payslips and NTA notices

Note

This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.

Personal Finance in Japan