Your Bank Account and ATMs
The majority of banks in Japan are open from 8:45 to 15:00 on weekdays and closed on weekends and national holidays. Many banks are located close to the university, and ATMs are readily available throughout campus.
Please note that ATMs in Japan also have hours of operation, and are often closed on weekends. To locate ATMs on campus, check out our online Sapporo Campus Map and click on “ATM” in the menu on the right hand side of the screen.
Students may apply for a VISA credit card known as the TUO Card (issued by Mitsui Sumitomo) if they are Co-op members. All you need is your Residency Card, Student Card, a Bank or Post Office Account, and a minimum of 100 yen to open an account. For more information, visit the Co-op website.
ATM Locations
| Bank Name | Location | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|---|
| JP Bank | Co-op Building | Weekdays 10:00 – 19:00 and Saturdays 10:00 – 15:00 |
| Co-op North Building | Weekdays 09:00 – 19:00. Closed on Weekends | |
| North Pacific Bank (Hokuyo Bank) | Co-op Central Building | Weekdays 09:00 – 17:00. Closed on Weekends |
| Co-op North Building | Weekdays 09:00 – 19:00. Closed on Weekends | |
| Clark Memorial Building | Weekdays 09:00 – 17:00. Closed on Weekends | |
| The Hokkaido Bank | Co-op North Building | Weekdays 09:00 – 19:00. Closed on Weekends |
Services such as automatic transfers, remittances, credit card payments, and paying utilities such as electricity, gas, etc, are all offered at banks. At some banks, foreign currency can be changed for Japanese yen. Currencies available for exchange vary depending on the bank. To use such services, all you need to do is open a bank account.
You will need the following to open a bank account in Japan:
- Passport
- Residence Card or Resident Record (if you do not have a residence card)
- Student ID or Certificate of Enrollment
- A seal (emblem) known as an inkan may also be required. If you plan to stay in Japan for a long period, we recommend you get your own inkan made at a These shops are very common throughout Sapporo. The inkan should feature your last name in katakana. The cost of getting an inkan made is between ¥1,000-3,000.
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If you are a Japanese Government Scholarship recipient: Under the regulations of the Japanese Government, you MUST obtain a Postal-Savings account at what is known as a JP Bank, or “Yucho-Ginko.” These accounts are just like ordinary bank accounts. However, they are applied for and issued by the post office. To open an account, you will need to bring your passport, and residence card or resident record. We recommend you request an ATM card as it makes it more convenient to withdraw your money. Automatic transfers, remittances, credit card payments, and payment of utilities are also available at Postal Saving Banks. |
