Banks, Post Offices

Banks and other financial institutions

There are banks, shinkin banks, credit unions, agricultural cooperatives, labor banks, etc. that you can open a savings accounts with.

Bank operating hours

Service windows

Monday - Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm

Some financial institutions are open later than 3:00pm.

Automated Teller Machines (atms)

Times that atms are available vary depending on their location.

You may be charged a fee to use them if you use them after business hours.

Opening a savings account

Things to bring

• An ID
  (Residence card, passport, driver's license, etc.)
• Personal seal

Types of savings accounts

• Ordinary savings account
  You can deposit or withdrawal money at any time.
• Time deposit accounts
  Your savings will be required to be deposited for a specific length of time.
• Installment time deposit accounts
  Your savings will be required to be deposited for a specific length of time with a monthly installment required to be paid each month.

Bankbooks

General accounts
Every amount from each type of account you own will be printed on one bank book.
(You can also have a bank book created for each type of account)

Cash cards

Cash cards are issued to those that request them when opening an account.
You will need to set a 4 digit PIN with your bank.

Withdrawing money

You can withdraw money using cds (cash dispensers), atms, etc.
You will need a PIN to do so.
Bring your bankbook and personal seal to the bank, fill out any necessary forms and affix your seal to them, and then receive your money.

Depositing money

You can deposit money using cds (cash dispensers), atms, etc.
Bring your bankbook, fill out any necessary forms, and then deposit your money.
(you do not need your personal seal when making deposits)

Automated teller machines (atms)

Automated teller machines (atms) can be found in banks, department stores, supermarkets, stations, etc.

Available services

You can withdraw or deposit cash, have account transactions recorded on your bankbook, check your account balance, make payments, etc.

How to use an atm

The display language will be in Japanese.
You should be told how to use an atm if you apply for a cash card at a service window, and you can ask your bank any questions if there is anything you are unsure about.

Paying for public utilities through automatic bank withdrawals

You can pay for utilities like electricity, gas, water, and your phone through automatic bank withdrawals.

This method is easier than paying a collector or going to the bank to make the payment yourself.

Where to setup automatic bank withdrawals

At the financial institution that you created your account with

Things to bring

• Invoice or receipt
• Bankbook
• Personal seal used with your bank account

Money transfers

You can make money transfers from a bank or the post office.

Contact the financial institution you would like to use for further information about how to make money transfers and the fees involved in doing so.

Domestic money transfers

With domestic money transfers, you can send money to other financial institutions within Japan.

You can send money through other financial institutions that you do not have an account with, however, transfer fees may be higher.

• How to make the transfers
  • Service windows
    You will be charged higher fees for using a service window instead of an atm.
  • Atms
    Cash card or cash
    Transferring money using a cash card may have cheaper transfer fees than by sending cash.
• Transfer fees
  Transfer fees differ depending on the financial institution used and the amount transferred.

International money transfers

You can make international money transfers with banks that handle foreign currency or post offices.

• Transfer methods
  • Service windows
    Transfer fees will likely be higher when using a service window instead of doing so online.
  • Online
    You can make online transfers on your computer or smartphone.
• Transfer fees
  Transfer fees differ depending on the financial institution used and the amount transferred.

Post offices

There are many different types of post offices in Gifu City, including the main ones that collect mail from mailboxes and those of various sizes that do not. Regardless of the type, you can send domestic and international mail at any post office.

Post offices that collect mail from mailboxes, etc.

Post office	Address	Tel.
Gifu Chuo Post Office	1-3-2 Kiyozumi-cho, Gifu City	058-262-4000
Gifu Kita Post Office	2563-75 Sagiyama, Gifu City	058-233-2313
Gifu Nishi Post Office	4-99 Kurono Minami, Gifu City	058-239-0420
Gifu Higashi Post Office	5-31 Akutami, Gifu City	058-243-1442

Hours of operation for post offices and their service windows

Gifu Chuo Post Office general service window

• Hours of operation
  • Weekdays　9:00am - 7:00pm
  • Saturdays　9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Sundays, public holidays　9:00am - 12:30pm

Gifu Chuo Post Office after hours service window (Yuyu madoguchi)

• Hours of operation
  • Weekdays　7:00am - 9:00pm
  • Saturdays　7:00am - 6:00pm
  • Sundays, public holidays　7:00am - 6:00pm

Other post offices that collect mail from mailboxes, etc.

• Hours of operation
  • Weekdays　9:00am - 7:00pm
  • Saturdays　Closed
  • Sundays, public holidays　Closed

Post offices that do not collect mail from mailboxes, etc.

• Hours of operation
  • Weekdays　9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Saturdays　Closed
  • Sundays, public holidays　Closed

*Times that after hours service windows are operated differ depending on the post office.

Mailboxes

The postal service uses red and blue (for express mail only) mailboxes
There are many red mailboxes throughout Japan.
A common version of this mailbox has two slots that you can put mail in.

Using mailboxes with two slots

• Items you can put in the right slot
  Express mail, international mail, electronic hybrid mail, non-standard-sized mail
• Items you can put in the left slot
  Standard mail, postcards

Postal codes

Each region in Japan has its own postal code.
If you write the postal code, your mail will still be delivered correctly even if you don't write the prefecture name.
There is a space to write the postal code on official postcards and regular envelopes.

Types of postal items and related fees

Domestic mail

How much you pay will depend on the size and weight of what you are sending.
Please note that official postcards do not require stamps.
If sending an official postcard in an envelope, you will need to affix stamp(s) to the envelope.

Optional services

These services require additional fees.

• Express mail
  Postal items sent with express delivery will arrive at their destinations faster.
• Registered mail
  This method records how your mail will be delivered, and you will receive compensation for it if it is damaged or lost.
• Registered mail containing cash
  You can send up to ¥500,000 in cash through this method.
  You will need a cash envelope (Genkin Futo) to do this. You can buy these at post office service windows. Make sure to fill in all necessary information, and then hand it off to the post office staff for it to be mailed.　etc.
• Yu-Packs (parcels)
  • Size　All three dimensions (length, width, height) are 170cm or less
  • Weight　25kg or less
    *You can send items between 25-30kg using a Weighted Yu-Pack (juryo yu-pack).

International mail

Fees will change depending on what shipping methods you use, the size and weight of what you are sending, and the region of your shipping destination. Please ask a post office for further details.

• Airmail
  Fast (delivered within 3-6 days)
• SAL (surface air lifted) mail
  Average delivery speed (delivered within 6-13 days)
• Surface mail
  Cheap (delivery times take 30-90 days, however)
• EMS (express mail service)

International parcel post

You can send packages up to 30kg as international parcels (there may be restrictions depending on the recipient country).
When mailing, fill out a dedicated label and affix it to the package. You can obtain one at a post office or create and print one online (some countries will not accept handwritten labels).
Please contact a post office for more information on fees.

Things you cannot send through international mail

• Gunpowder
  Fireworks, party poppers, ammunition, etc.
• Flammable liquids
  Lighter fuel, oil-based paint, etc.
• High pressure gas
  Aqualungs, dust removal spray, portable concentrated oxygen, helium gas, gas canisters, gas for cassette stoves, refill gas for lighters, etc.
• Flammable materials
  Matches, lighters, etc.
• Oxidizing substances
  Bleach, peroxide, personal compact oxygen generators, etc.
• Poisonous substances
  Chloroform, bug bombs, etc.
• Corrosive materials
  Mercury, batteries, etc.
• Radioactive materials
  Plutonium, radium, uranium, cesium
• Narcotics
• Living organisms
• Obscene material
• Pirated versions or illegal copies of copyrighted materials
• Ivory or other processed plant/animal substances whose trade is prohibited by the Washington Convention
• Products that use lithium ion batteries
  Lithium ion batteries are used in video cameras, etc.
  You can send lithium ion batteries to countries that handle them if certain conditions are met.
• Processed/unprocessed platinum, silver, gems, or other precious metals not in jewelry
• Coins, paper bills, banknotes, bearer instruments, traveler's checks
• Other
  There may be certain goods that cannot be sent depending on what country you are sending them to.
  Please also be aware that the type of packaging you use may prevent your package from being shipped depending on the country you are sending it to.
  Some unsendable goods (alcohol, etc.) may be sent after making a special application to do so.