ATMs, Credit Cards, Currency Exchange and checks, MoneyGram, Emergency Funds Transfer

ATMs

Not all ATM machines are well-connected to international networks popular in the U.S. ATMs found at post offices, 7-Eleven convenience stores and Citibank branches in Japan allow you to withdraw cash by credit and debit cards issued outside of Japan. International ATMs can also be found at international airports, major department stores and some Shinsei bank locations.

In order to use international ATMs, ensure the following in the United States before leaving for Japan:

• Make sure that your credit or debit card can be used abroad.

• Notify your bank that you are going to use your card overseas, since many banks will block a card which is suddenly used abroad.

• Inquire what fees and daily and/or monthly limits are associated with international withdrawals.

Please see the links below for locations and operating hours:

Citibank (For Citibank locations)
Citibank ATMs are open 24 hours, but are often only found in larger cities in Japan.

Post Offices (For confirming their operating hours)
There are 25,000 Post Office ATMs in Japan. Post Offices which provide this service display stickers indicating which cards are accepted. VISA, VISAELECTRON, PLUS, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, and China Unionpay cards can all be used.

Seven Bank (For locating ATMs in 7-Eleven convenience stores and Itoyokado)
There are over 12,000 Seven Bank ATMs at 7-Eleven convenience stores throughout Japan. Service is available 24 hours a day in English, Korean, Chinese and Portuguese. Cash cards from the PLUS and Cirrus networks can be used. Seven Bank ATMs accept credit and debits cards issued by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, JCB and China UnionPay.

Credit Cards

Major credit cards are generally accepted in urban areas and large commercial establishments, but often cannot be used in rural areas and small shops. Taxis with stickers on their windows of major credit card companies accept credit cards. Credit cards can be used in Japan to purchase commercial air transportation and limousine bus tickets to and from the airport.

Currency exchange and checks

Banks can convert most foreign currencies into yen. Most banks require a passport or other photo ID to exchange traveler’s checks. Personal checks are generally not accepted by businesses in Japan. There are no facilities for cashing checks at the Embassy or Consulates.

Money transfers now available through Western Union and Travelex

Western Union offers cash-to-cash transfers across 200 countries and territories to and from Japan. Western Union service is now available at the following Travelex offices in Japan as of September 2012.

Chiba:  Lalaport Tokyo-Bay in Funabashi

Tokyo:   T-CAT, Yaesu, Otemachi, Hibiya, Echika Fit Ginza, Shiodome Nihon TV Plaza, Ueno Money Transfer Plaza, Akasaka Mitsuke, Minami Aoyama, Shinjuku Money Transfer Plaza, South Gate Shinjuku, Shinjuku Minamiguchi, Acqua City Odaiba, Diver City Tokyo Plaza, Ikebukuro Nishiguchi

Yokohama:  Yokohama Money Transfer Plaza at YCAT

Shizuoka:    Hamamatsu MAY ONE

Nagoya:      Nagoya Station, Nagoya Sakae Money Transfer Plaza,

Kyoto:         Tis Kyoto, Kyoto Shijo

Osaka:        Tis Osaka, Nankai Namba

Hyogo:        Tis Sannomiya

Fukuoka:     Fukuoka Tenjin Nishidori

Sapporo:     Sapporo Money Transfer Plaza at Asty 45 Bldg.

Sendai:       Sendai Ever-1 Bldg

More up-to-date information can be found at Western Union Website and at Travelex website.

MoneyGram 

Similar to Western Union, MoneyGram transfers funds electronically through its network of over 50,000 international agents. MoneyGram’s fee is based on the origination and destination cities, amount of money sent and the desired speed of transaction completion.

Please see MoneyGram’s website for more information on sending and receiving money.

Emergency Funds Transfer - OCS Trust (Department of State’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services)

When a U.S. citizen encounters an emergency financial situation abroad, the Department of State’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services (OCS) can establish a trust account in the citizen's name to forward funds overseas. Upon receipt of funds, OCS will transfer the money to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo or one of our Consulates in Japan for disbursement to the recipient. The recipient must contact the Embassy or Consulate directly to arrange receipt. The fee for establishing a trust account is $30. The recipient’s name and overseas location (city, country) must be provided with the fund transfer, or the transfer will be delayed. The Embassy or Consulate normally disburses funds in the foreign country’s currency and not in U.S. dollars. Trust fund transfers are a one time service, except in specific, pre-approved circumstances. Funds sent during non-business hours may not be processed until the next business day. Questions can be directed to OCS at 1-888-407-4747. Please follow this link for more information and instructions on the OCS Trust .

What if no one can send me money?

In certain cases, the U.S. Embassy may be able to help a destitute American return home. However, applicants must meet strict criteria in order to qualify for a repatriation loan, and must surrender their U.S. passport until they repay the full amount of their loan. Assistance will not be provided to pay existing debts.

Calling Collect from Japan to the U.S.:

• First dial the toll-free, KDDI 24 hour International telephone support number, 0120-977-097.

• Press star and then 5 for English assistance.

• Give the operator the U.S. number you want to call and let them know you want to call collect. She will call the person at that number and ask if he or she will accept your call.

• If they do, you will be connected. Charges for collect calls from Japan to the U.S are set by each U.S. telephone company.

* For more information on KDDI Operator-Assisted Calls please refer to the KDDI website