Emergency, mastercard does not work!

[jet_dee]

I'm in Kumamoto on Kyushu, and I tried to purchase a phone from NTT DoCoMo just this afternoon, but they informed me that my Mastercard was not being accepted. This mastercard should be usable worldwide, it's from HSBC (Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation) and is meant as a card for students from England and the UK who want to spend a year travelling the world. Therefore it should definitely be of use in Japan.

However, unfazed by this, I handed them my debit card, a Maestro/Cirrus/Switch card, which also failed to work.

They informed me to open a Japanese bank account, so I will look into this, but I would like to know why I can't use my credit card here!?

I am also aware of two types of account I can open, a ginko account and also a yubinkyoku (post office) account, but will I get a credit card with either?

Thanks a bundle, Jd

[Ewok85]

Use cash, it never fails.

When your out in the middle of dingo whoopwhoop (aussie term for middle of nowhere) your card will be a useless plastic square. Japan is NOT credit/debirt card friendly, ignore the hype (works worldwide! etc etc).

Best bet is a Citibank. Whilst I was in Tokyo the larger Cititbank brances were the only places it worked for them, and in the end they just opened japanese accounts and had money wired into them from overseas, then carried cash.

cash cash cash cash!
really, not like your gunna be mugged

[Apollo]

Yeah, like ewok has suggested, cash is best when in "the middle of nowhere"...I have several cards from Danish bank, credit card and also HSBC, and they should be no problem in Tokyo or any bigger city, but compared to other modern countries in the world, I have also found out that Japan is not a card-friendly country like e.g. Europe and the US...

So, use cash..

[mr.sumo.snr]

Your debit card not working in Japan - that I can see. As for the Mastercard - that's more unusual. VISA and JCB are best in Japan. Really very little I can't buy with either card - though my keitai bill is paid by bank transfer even if the new models I purchase every two years have to be paid for in cash or credit card.

I assume that your visa and gaijin card both have at least six months left on them - otherwise you're not going to be able to get a mobile telephone contract.

[jspecdan]

that's quite odd that your mastercard didn't work...i used my american xpress (the clear card with the blue chip) and bought my phone last june. i also have a capital one mastercard which had a defective magnetic strip once (found out it was defective when I stopped at a gas station, had 1/2 a gallon of fuel left in my car and no cash). try to use your card somewhere else and if that fails, you may want to call up captial one to get a replacement.

[Elizabeth]

Best bet is a Citibank. Whilst I was in Tokyo the larger Cititbank brances were the only places it worked for them, and in the end they just opened japanese accounts and had money wired into them from overseas, then carried cash.

The first time I was in Tokyo, Citibank rejected the debit Visa card I tried to use it as credit and for whatever reason my pin number was never activated in their system again. At which time I discovered dedicated Visa ATM booths (mostly Mitsui-Sumitomo) and have stuck with those for cash withdrawals ever since.

[jet_dee]

You guys seem to have misunderstood. Kumamoto has no Citibanks, the nearest is a day's cycling away in Fukuoka. I can withdraw money from Yubinkyoku only, and only then with my Maestro, my Mastercard does not work from the post office's atms. My mastercard also does not work from the international atm at Kumamoto Station (International I say because it is the only one with an English language option).

I have seven months left in Japan, but at least 9 on my Volunteer visa and Alien Reg. Card.

I thought about opening a bank account, like Mitsui-Sumitomo, so that I could get a JCB or Japanese Visa/Mastercard from them, but would I first need to withdraw 100,000 yen or so for a new account?

[Brooker]

Credit cards are not as widely used and accepted in Japan as they are in America, for example. In Japan people mostly just use cash. I had a Mastercard and could barely use it anywhere. I eventually got a Visa because it's more accepted. But some hotels don't even accept credit cards.

[Windy]

Just borrow some money from the yakuza. Put up your bicycle as collateral.

If your Maestro works at the post office, what's your problem?

[Maciamo]

Originally Posted by jet_dee

I'm in Kumamoto on Kyushu, and I tried to purchase a phone from NTT DoCoMo just this afternoon, but they informed me that my Mastercard was not being accepted. This mastercard should be usable worldwide

Yes, but Japan is not included in "worldwide", didn't you know. From a Japanese point of view "worldwide" means everywhere but Japan !

However, unfazed by this, I handed them my debit card, a Maestro/Cirrus/Switch card, which also failed to work.

I wrote about this in the Practical section. Japan's banking system is one of the most backward of any developed country. Not only do debit cards not exist in Japan, but the ATM's won't accept any foreign debit OR credit card. Even if it says "Visa & Mastercard accepted" in Japan that means "Japanese Visa & Mastercard accepted". Try Citibank or a Post office.
Frankly, I have been to India, Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia they always accepted any credit card even in the remote countryside. But in Japan, even the main branches in Tokyo of world's largest banks like Mizuho, Tokyo-Mitsubshi and Mitsui-Sumitomo won't, because as they will tell you, they don't trust foreigners who might be using stolen cards or empty bank accounts (that's what many Japanese told me when I explained that Japanese banks only take Japanese cards. What they forget is that Japan only ranks 17th in the world now in terms of GNI per capita at PPP, so it's high time they swallow their pride).

[mr.sumo.snr]

Originally Posted by Maciamo

Japan's banking system is one of the most backward of any developed country. Not only do debit cards not exist in Japan, but the ATM's won't accept any foreign debit OR credit card. Even if it says "Visa & Mastercard accepted" in Japan that means "Japanese Visa & Mastercard accepted".

You are sooo right. I teach and have taught dozens of bank employees and frankly their duties make them appear like a book-keeper character in a Dickens novel. Everything by hand! No wonder you have to pay bank charges for just about anything.

Anyone familiar with a Not The Nine O’clock News sketch from the early eighties where a frustrated customer in a bank jokingly suggests that they're probably keeping everyone's money in individual shoeboxes behind the counter now understands the entire Japanese banking system.

At a bon-enkai last Saturday an ex-pat Australian was telling me he's making about 8% on a long-term savings account back home and about 4% on a regular deposit account. Compares nicely with 0.1% in Japan! I made him pay for my Thai curry!

[mad pierrot]

AS EVERYONE HAS SAID, JAPAN AND CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS DON'T MIX. IT'S A CASH BASED SOCIETY.

I know I've posted this before, but my town is a great example: 2 supermarkets, 2 convience stores, 2 department stores, at least 7-8 restaurants, 3 cleaners, and not a single place in my entire district takes credit.

(sigh)

And, if you don't already know, I'm going to give you some great advice now;

All ATMs and BANKS are CLOSED for the New Year's holidays.

Well, not all, but most. And the holidays in Japan last for at least 3 days, so make sure you have enough cash on you!

[mr.sumo.snr]

Well to be fair the banks will be closed for Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd January 2005 - which is just like a normal weekend - well that's banks around here anyway.

Curiously, the most irritating closure over New Years for me in the last ten years are the gas stations. Even the local 24-hour JOMO closes at 8 o'clock on December 31st and doesn't open until the following afternoon. One year I actually needed gas to get around town and had to drive 16km down the nearby expressway to find a parking area that sold gasoline - not every highway parking area sells gasoline BTW! (and yes I AM rural enough that a drive around 'town' would constitute way more than just 16km - that's just a trip to the local onsen!)

[ArmandV]

Originally Posted by Miss_apollo7

Yeah, like ewok has suggested, cash is best when in "the middle of nowhere"...I have several cards from Danish bank, credit card and also HSBC, and they should be no problem in Tokyo or any bigger city, but compared to other modern countries in the world, I have also found out that Japan is not a card-friendly country like e.g. Europe and the US...

So, use cash..

Exactly! I've been to Japan twice and neither time have I ever used my VISA card. I've used strictly cash. All the guide books I've read state that credit card use is not too common.

Don't worry about carrying a big wad of cash, Japan is pretty safe.

[Brooker]

In general dealing with banks in Japan is unpleasant. It's like they're back in the 40's. But the first time you can't go out with your friends because you don't have any cash and you can't get any until Monday, you'll learn. Took me a few times to learn this and it was infuriating . I used to take out an obscene amount of money each week so that I wouldn't get stuck. Japan is so modern in so many ways, especially anything dealing with business, I can't understand why their banks don't catch up.

[mad pierrot]

When you put $200 dollars worth of yen in your wallet and wonder, "Gee, is this enough for the weekend?"

[Tateishi]

I withdraw money from my visa card just fine, use it at super markets, restaurants, etc. Haven't had a single place reject the card yet. You should of got a visa card.

However I did a search for you of ATMs that accept Matercard cards and this is what i came up with in the Kumamoto area:

AMURA POSTOFFICE
854-5, AMURA, MATSUSHIMAMACHI
KUMAMOTO, AMAKUSAGUN 861-6101 JPN

KYORAGI POSTOFFICE
3140-3, KYORAGI AZA FUJINOHARA, MATSUSHIMAMACHI
KUMAMOTO, AMAKUSAGUN 861-6105 JPN

SUMOTO POSTOFFICE
742, YUFUNEHARA, SUMOTOMACHI
KUMAMOTO, AMAKUSAGUN 861-6399 JPN

URA POSTOFFICE
URA, KURATAKEMACHI
KUMAMOTO, AMAKUSAGUN 861-6401 JPN

Hope it helps. If you want to search other areas just go to the Mastercard website and use the atm locator.

[mr.sumo.snr]

Originally Posted by Tateishi

I withdraw money from my visa card just fine, use it at super markets, restaurants, etc. Haven't had a single place reject the card yet. You should HAVE got a visa card.

Is that a VISA card issued in Japan or one from a foreign bank? I can't imagaine it NOT being a Japanese credit card unless it's a company card and you're not paying for the service charges.

[budd]

"But the first time you can't go out with your friends because you don't have any cash and you can't get any until Monday, you'll learn."
ooooh!!! aint its tis the truth!

[Maciamo]

Originally Posted by Tateishi

I withdraw money from my visa card just fine, use it at super markets, restaurants, etc. Haven't had a single place reject the card yet. You should of got a visa card.

I have always had a Visa card ever since I first set foot in Japan. They work fine to pay in shops of restaurant, but it's impossible withdraw money from an Japanese ATM. I tried all banks (even asked the staff and went to the HQ the main banks in Nihombashi/Otemachi) and they told me that only Japanese Visa cards were accepted. I then made a Japanese Visa card and it works. What's the point of having a Visa card if you can't use it abroad ? In Europe people people normally use debit cards (Cirrus, Maestro...) to withdraw money (because there is no charge whatever the time, whatever the bank you withdraw from) or pay at the supermarket.

However, there has been some progress in central Tokyo regarding the number of places that accept credit cards. When I came 3 years ago, even my local supermarket (not so small) didn't accept any cards. They started about 2 years ago. Department stores have always accepted credit cards since I have been here, but many restaurants still don't. Or more interestingly, many in central Tokyo now can take credit cards, but 90% of them won't accept card payments for lunch ! The only reason I see is tax evasion.

[Tateishi]

Well my Visa card was issued in Australia, and it's a card from an Australian bank. Had no problems yet, used it at restaurants, stores, hotels, etc. Even withdrew money from a Maestro atm with it. Maybe I've just been lucky so far.

[mad pierrot]

works fine at most places in big cities, but not in the boonies. Except, however, at Banks. That has always been a problem.

[mr.sumo.snr]

Originally Posted by Tateishi

Well my Visa card was issued in Australia, and it's a card from an Australian bank. Had no problems yet, used it at restaurants, stores, hotels, etc. Even withdrew money from a Maestro atm with it. Maybe I've just been lucky so far.

I don't think it's luck, I think it's because it's a VISA card - which is still the most widely accepted card in the world. That or a JCB card are going to get your further in Japan than anything else - despite what your bank might say. (This all assumes that you cards are foreign issued - I suspect any of my regular Japanese cards would wipe the floor with even a Platinum AMEX from Sepponia).

BTW JCB cards appear to available to customers in the USA, Australia and NZ. I don't know anyone (Japanese) who doesn't have a JCB. And in fact most of my housewife students tell me they have at least four different credit cards.

Note Japanese wives are far likelier to have multiple credit cards than their husbands. They are also generally the holder of the purse-strings in the household. They are responsible for paying all bills and will usually do banking for both themselves their husbands and even their own parents or grandparents. It is never questioned when a wife uses her husband's name stamp to make withdrawals and payments - indeed I don't even carry my own stamp - and I have three registered ones plus a 4th I keep in the entrance hall for when the mailman or takyubin obaasan needs a signature. A majority of husbands are given 'pocket money' by their wives everyday. Usually just enough to buy lunch and maybe a packet of cigarettes or can of coffee that's all. Non-smokers with a lunchbox and monthly rail pass may even leave the house with less money in their pockets than their high school-age children.

[Tateishi]

Yeah, my boss leaves his house with only 20000yen in pocket money a month, lol, that's less than what his son gets. I'm single so have control of my own money.

[rakuten]

Japan's complicated banking system and the restrictive security policies do not permit foreign creditcards to withdraw money from local ATMs.

Follow my "collection of hints", they do work (95% guaranteed - whatever that means in Japan ;)

1. everybody already said it, creditcards not issued in Japan do not work with local ATMs! (you even won't be able to enter the bank at night)
Not sure about American Express though.
2. and no, even banks like UJF, Mizuho etc. do not have international ATMs, although they have subsidiaries around the globe
3. almost all post offices even in the deepest countryside have an international ATM where you can withdraw money with "foreign" creditcards, also on weekends, so look for post offices and forget the banks
4. or find an international bank like Citybank (bigger cities only) with an international ATM - beware of international ATMs owned by private money exchangers, some charge a quite considerable fee!
5. you can go to any bank, show your passport and creditcard and withdraw money when you do it at the counter! Traveller Cheques work too (Thomas Cook etc.)

Banks are open on weekdays and close at 3 PM! So get enough money before the weekend.


Think well before trying to open a bank account.
Like in the silly adventures of Monkey Island, you need some grog and other things to complete the level.

- go to a local bank, get the required documents for opening a bank account and ask what they need from the City Hall
- get your personal hanko/inkan (in Japan you sign with your personal stamp, your signature is not valid, except for signing creditcard receipts, haha how ironic)
- register yourself at your local City Hall, take a Japanese friend with you (a "counter for foreigners" might imply that they speak English - yeah you wish...)
- a permanent address in order to get registered
- some Yen to pay for the stamped documents
- lots of patience

And say that you want to open a bank account and ask for the required documents (better double check).

After this and probably some more unconvenient visits to the City Hall, you'll get your Alien Registration Card (gaikokujin touroku shoumeisho), which is an official translation of your passport. Always show this together with your passport when asked for ID. Actually one might get the impression it's valued more than your passport...

Now that you completed this level, move on to the next stage. Go back to the bank, show your Alien Registration Card and the required documents - and always carry your hanko with you. You can enter the bank at 2:59 PM and they won't kick you out until you finished business. Okyakusama is okyakusama.

Side note: if you have a Japanese passport, skip all above steps
Opening the account should be pretty straightforward, they'll send your banking card to your permanent address within a few days!

There is one and only one bank in Tokyo where foreigners can open a bank account without all the hassle above, a valid passport is sufficient. But unfortunately I don't remember the name...

Oh I see, you're thinking about opening a post account? Although this is a bit easier and less restrictive, transferring money from your home bank to a Japanese post account might not work and you'll loose quite some money due to transfer fees AND due to loss by exchange! Banks usually try to transfer money and even if the transfer gets rejected the money is considered to have moved and they handle it as if the transfer actually happened.


Best and most convenient thing you can do: use your creditcard!

- get cash at the counter or at any post office
- whenever possible, pay with creditcard and keep the cash because you need cash anywhere else
- and transfer money in advance to your creditcard, this way you can raise your limit by the amount of money you've payed in advance.

I don't know the fees for money withdrawal, but if you withdraw rarely and always as much as you can, the total cost might be equal to transferring money between your home bank and your Japanese bank account.

And for everyone not yet in Japan: although your bank at home might claim that they work together with banks in Japan and opening an account is no big deal and blabla - simply not true! And it's also the other way round, foreigners who come to Switzerland (where I live) can't just open a bank account. Our security policies are also very tight. But nobody tells you that until you get there, I bet...

P.S.: Opening a bank account at Citybank in your home country might do the trick, afaik you will be able to withdraw money from Citybank subsidiaries in Japan (but they're not really spread over the country)
Opening an account at Mizuho or any other Japanese bank in your home country will not work!