Here are the things you absolutely will need to open a bank account in Japan.

There may be some restrictions about where you can open a bank account.

For some, an employer will have a preferred bank and branch and may ask you to open an account there. In those situation they will provide you with the necessary documents to open the account. Always check with your company HR before opening an account.

For everyone else, please see the chart below

The honest truth is that getting a credit card as a foreigner in Japan is not easy. The barriers to entry are obvious and the ever irritating cycle of needing credit history to get a credit card but needing a credit card to get credit history plagues everyone. But it’s not impossible. If you just want the convenience to do some online shopping without the hassle of the credit card process here are some easy alternatives.

There are two main options for getting a cellphone in Japan; going with a long-term contract with the “big three,” Docomo, AU or SoftBank, or with short-term contract providers like Sakura Mobile, So-Net or Mobal.

Many large corporations will provide employees with a cell phone. In which case you walk into your first day of work, and they hand you a cell phone. Easy.

Otherwise…

Long Term Contracts with Docomo, AU, or Softbank
You will need	Identification A local bank account Personal Seal (Hanko)
Personal Information	They will ask about your yearly income
Contract	Contracts are 2 years, come in a package with a phone and a service plan with a penalty for breaking the contract before hand
Unlocked phones	Smart Phones in Japan when bought through carriers are locked. And they can only be unlocked for use abroad after 6 months
Language Support	All the big carriers now have English language websites with store locators with English speaking staff. Some also offer services in languages other than English.

New Laws: As of this year (2019) the government passed a law requiring providers to offer plans that decouple the phone cost from the service costs because the bundle packages were making cellphone plans expensive and customers didn’t know what they were paying for. One company that already offers separate plans is Y-Mobile and GNT Mobile.

Y-Mobile	Use your own unlocked smartphone. Voice and data plans available, but everything is a 2-year contract.
GNT Mobile	Use your own unlocked smartphone. Voice and data plans offered under a minimum contract of 7 months. Convenience store payment option available.

Short Term/no contract options: For those staying in Japan for 2 years or less, here are some no-commitment cell phone options. They tend to be data focused, and only a few offer reliable voice plans.

Sakura Mobile	Offers tourist or long-term plans. Includes voice and data plan options starting from 3000 yen per month. No activation necessary, online top up payments.
B-Mobile	Pre-paid data SIM that can be purchased online. Valid for up to 30 days and can be extended within two days of expiry.
Mobal	Short term and long term plans offered. No contract, unlimited Data, Japanese phone number for incoming calls and texts.
So-Net	Offers prepaid sim cards in vending machines at the airport for short term stays that are valid up to 30 days. You can add more money available online. Also offers longer term plans at electronic stores like Yamada Denki or Yodobashi Camera but has limited local calling options.

Renting an apartment in Japan can be character-building experience. Be prepared to deal with everything from “no foreigners allowed” apartments to the dated key money system known as 礼金 (reikin) which is basically just a “thank you” payment, to show gratitude to the landlord for renting the apartment to you.

Further, if you are new in the country you will need a guarantor to co-sign your lease. The good news is that most companies will be the guarantor for their foreign employees. They will also set you up with a real estate company to support your house hunting process and cover those costs.

However, if you are not so lucky to have a company that provides all these supports, below is a checklist of things you need before, during and after renting an apartment in Japan. Fortunately, Japan has guarantor companies that, with an approval process, can co-sign your lease.

BEFORE YOU RENT	COSTS**	THINGS TO KNOW
Passport and Residence Card	Key Money (reikin 礼金) generally 1 to 2 months' rent	Apartments are generally unfurnished, so purchases of washing machines and refrigerators will be necessary
Employment Letter or Certificate of Eligibility	Security Deposit (shikikin 敷金) generally 1 -2 months' rent	Utilities will be switched off, the tenant is responsible to contact utility companies to turn on electricity, gas, etc...
Proof of Income*	Realtor’s Fee (chuukai tesuuryou 仲介手数料）generally 1 month's rent	A new internet contract will need to be made. Often buildings only allow service from one provider
A local phone number	First Month's Rent	Monthly fees include: Rent, Maintenance fees, Utilities
A local bank account	Property Insurance (hoshokin 保証金) generally ¥10,000 ~ ¥20,000	Check the trash collection days as they vary from neighborhood to neighborhood
A Guarantor	Moving fees	Almost all Japanese apartments don't all for shoes to be worn inside
		Sometimes the Key Money needs to be paid again when the lease contract is renewed

* If you are a student, your student a ID and Admission Letter

** It is possible that not ALL these costs will apply, but this is a list of all potential costs when moving

Before the rise of supermarkets all towns in Japan once had an ichiba, where most daily shopping took place. They are usually open-aired shopping streets with specialized stores (vegetables, meat, fruit, seafood, etc.)

Unfortunately, many have died out over the years but the ones that have survived are vibrant and have adapted to modern times, and include coffee shops, izakayas, and osouzai stores (Japanese style delis selling prepared food.)

Find the nearest ichiba to you for one-stop shopping and much cheaper prices.

In the interest of mitigating food loss, many supermarkets have discount racks for fruits and vegetables that have passed their peak.

They usually sell the items for half off (半額hangaku ) so by just locating the rack one can land some great deals.

Meat, fish and other times that need to be sold quickly tend to stay in their respective refrigerated but will also be labeled with the half off (半額hangaku ) sticker so always keep an eye out for discounts.

But always make sure to consume the food quickly!

Supermarkets are always having deals and sales to attract customers which they advertise in flyers that circulated in the neighborhood (often with news papers) but they are often just kept in supermarkets as well.

Pick up a flyer and see what’s on sale or see if there are two days of mega discounts coming up to do shopping in bulk.

Gyomu Super (業務スーパー) is a supermarket chain that literally means “Super market for businesses.” The chain initially began by targeting small restaurant owners by selling larger quantities and discounted rates.

Over the years they have grown to have stores all over the country and are still frequented by small restaurant owners but also have many private customers as well.

Their strategy of selling in volume makes their overall prices much more affordable than regular supermarkets.

Here is their link to locate the nearest gyomusuper to you. (Japanese only)

One of the great things about Japan is that no matter where you live, there is probably a farm about an hour’s drive away. Several farmers take advantage of this fact and bring their produce directly to cities to sell to consumers on certain days of the week.

By circumventing JA (Japan Agriculture), the national food monopoly, they are able to keep prices affordable and the added bonus is that the food is extra fresh!

Ask neighbors, friends or colleagues if there is an area where local farmers sell their produce. They are often found in highly trafficked areas like near stations, post offices, or in front of shopping complexes.