Bank
The school will help with the setup of your bank account, the details of which will be explained to you upon your arrival in Japan.
Unlike North America, most places (including the supermarket) only take cash.
You will want to carry cash on you at all times. A few helpful hints about banking:
Your bank account will be with the Mitsubishi-Tokyo UFJ Bank, and there is a branch located beside the station, across the street from the police station. Their hours are as follows:
Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-3:00PM
Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: Closed
Even after the bank closes, you can still access your account using the ATMs in the bank.
These are the hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM - 9:00PM
Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: 9:00AM - 9:00PM
In the event that you need money after these hours, you can withdraw money at a convenience store. Also, there is a little ATM branch directly beside Mike's. Turn left from Mike's and it's on the same side as Mike's, across the little street.
*Please note that ALL services at the bank will be closed from January 1st to 3rd and from May 3rd to 5th. Make sure you plan ahead to ensure no inconvenience.
You cannot use an International ATM card at the bank, but there is an international ATM located in the post office.
(To get to the post office you make a right when coming out of Mike's and continue down that street as it curves left, and the post office will be on you right hand side. It's marked with a symbol that looks somewhat like a capital letter T.)
The Mitsubishi-Tokyo UFJ Bank has an automated currency conversion machine. If you walk into the bank past the ATM machines there are two small machines on your right near the teller's counter. There are English instructions and you can convert any currency into Yen.
There are English instructions and you can convert any currency into Yen.