Navigating daily administrative tasks is a key part of living in Japan. While services like the post office and banks are remarkably efficient, knowing how to handle these essential interactions in Japanese can make life significantly smoother. From sending a parcel home to paying your monthly bills, a few key phrases can transform a potentially confusing experience into a simple, straightforward task.
This guide provides all the essential Japanese for using post offices and banks. We will cover the vocabulary you need at the counter, how to mail letters and packages, and how to handle common bank transactions like deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and bill payments. With this guide, you’ll be able to manage your errands with confidence and ease.
At the Post Office (郵便局で)
The Japanese Post Office (日本郵便, Nihon Yūbin), easily identified by its red 〒 symbol, is an incredibly versatile institution. Beyond standard mail services, it also offers banking services through its Yucho Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) and insurance services. When you enter, you will often find different counters for mail, banking, and insurance. For more complex services, you may need to take a numbered ticket (番号札, bangōfuda) and wait for your number to be called.
— Essential Post Office Vocabulary —
郵便局 (ゆうびんきょく, Yūbinkyoku) – Post Office
郵便 (ゆうびん, Yūbin) – Mail / Postal Service
窓口 (まどぐち, Madoguchi) – Service Window / Counter
ゆうちょ銀行 (ゆうちょぎんこう, Yūcho Ginkō) – Japan Post Bank
ATM (エーティーエム, Ē-tī-emu) – ATM
番号札 (ばんごうふだ, Bangōfuda) – Numbered ticket (for waiting)
Mailing Letters and Parcels
Whether you’re sending a postcard, a letter, or a larger package, the post office counter is the place to go. For parcels, you’ll need to fill out a shipping label called an “okurijō” (送り状). These labels vary depending on the service (e.g., standard, refrigerated, cash on delivery) and are color-coded. Don’t hesitate to ask the staff for the correct one.
— At the Mail Counter —
84円切手を一枚ください。
はちじゅうよえんきってをいちまいください。
Hachijū-yon en kitte o ichimai kudasai.
One 84-yen stamp, please.
84円 (hachijū-yon en) = 84 Yen
切手 (kitte) = Stamp
を (o) = Object marker
一枚 (ichimai) = One (flat object)
ください (kudasai) = Please give me
この荷物をアメリカまで航空便で送りたいです。
このにもつをあめりかまでこうくうびんでおくりたいです。
Kono nimotsu o Amerika made kōkūbin de okuritai desu.
I’d like to send this parcel to America by airmail.
この荷物 (kono nimotsu) = This parcel
アメリカまで (Amerika made) = To America
航空便で (kōkūbin de) = By airmail
送りたいです (okuritai desu) = I want to send
— Essential Mailing Vocabulary —
切手 (きって, Kitte) – Stamp
はがき (はがき, Hagaki) – Postcard
手紙 (てがみ, Tegami) – Letter
荷物 (にもつ, Nimotsu) – Parcel / Luggage
航空便 (こうくうびん, Kōkūbin) – Airmail
船便 (ふなびん, Funabin) – Surface mail (by sea)
書留 (かきとめ, Kakitome) – Registered mail
送り状 (おくりじょう, Okurijō) – Shipping label / waybill
At the Bank (銀行で)
Opening and using a bank account is essential for anyone living in Japan. To open an account as a foreign resident, you will typically need your Residence Card (在留カード), passport, and sometimes a personal seal (印鑑, inkan). The process at the counter usually involves filling out forms, so be prepared for some paperwork. As with the post office, you’ll take a numbered ticket and wait to be called.
— Opening an Account —
銀行口座を開設したいです。
ぎんこうこうざをかいせつしたいです。
Ginkō kōza o kaisetsu shitai desu.
I would like to open a bank account.
銀行口座 (ginkō kōza) = Bank account
を開設したいです (o kaisetsu shitai desu) = I want to open
キャッシュカードを作りたいです。
きゃっしゅかーどをつくりたいです。
Kyasshu kādo o tsukuritai desu.
I would like to make a cash card.
キャッシュカード (kyasshu kādo) = Cash card
を作りたいです (o tsukuritai desu) = I want to make
— Essential Bank Vocabulary —
口座 (こうざ, Kōza) – Bank account
普通預金 (ふつうよきん, Futsū yokin) – Ordinary savings account
通帳 (つうちょう, Tsūchō) – Bankbook (Passbook)
暗証番号 (あんしょうばんごう, Anshō bangō) – PIN
印鑑 / 判子 (いんかん / はんこ, Inkan / Hanko) – Personal seal / stamp
身分証明書 (みぶんしょうめいしょ, Mibun shōmeisho) – Identification document
両替 (りょうがえ, Ryōgae) – Currency exchange
Deposits, Withdrawals, and Transfers
Most daily transactions can be done at an ATM, but for larger amounts or more complex procedures, you may need to go to the counter. Bank transfers, known as “furikomi” (振込), are a very common method for paying rent, tuition, and other large bills in Japan. You will need to know the recipient’s bank name, branch name, account type, and account number.
— Common Transactions —
10万円を引き出したいです。
じゅうまんえんをひきだしたいです。
Jū-man en o hikidashitai desu.
I’d like to withdraw 100,000 yen.
10万円 (jū-man en) = 100,000 yen
を引き出したいです (o hikidashitai desu) = I want to withdraw
この口座に振込をお願いします。
このこうざにふりこみをおねがいします。
Kono kōza ni furikomi o onegai shimasu.
Please make a transfer to this account.
この口座に (kono kōza ni) = To this account
振込 (furikomi) = Bank transfer
お願いします (onegai shimasu) = Please
— Essential Transaction Vocabulary —
預金 (よきん, Yokin) – Deposit
引き出し (ひきだし, Hikidashi) – Withdrawal
振込 (ふりこみ, Furikomi) – Bank transfer
残高照会 (ざんだかしょうかい, Zandaka shōkai) – Balance inquiry
通帳記入 (つうちょうきにゅう, Tsūchō kinyū) – Updating a passbook
手数料 (てすうりょう, Tesūryō) – Handling fee / Commission
Paying Bills (支払い)
In Japan, many bills for utilities (gas, electricity, water), taxes, and online shopping come with a payment slip (払込票, haraikomihyō). While these are most commonly paid at convenience stores, you can also pay them at a bank or post office counter. Simply take the slip to the appropriate window, and the clerk will process the payment for you.
— At the Payment Counter —
この支払をお願いします。
このしはらいをおねがいします。
Kono shiharai o onegai shimasu.
I’d like to make this payment, please.
この (kono) = This
支払い (shiharai) = Payment
をお願いします (o onegai shimasu) = Please do this for me
公共料金を払いたいです。
こうきょうりょうきんをはらいたいです。
Kōkyō ryōkin o haraitai desu.
I want to pay my utility bills.
公共料金 (kōkyō ryōkin) = Utility bills
を払いたいです (o haraitai desu) = I want to pay
— Essential Payment Vocabulary —
支払い (しはらい, Shiharai) – Payment
払込票 (はらいこみひょう, Haraikomihyō) – Payment slip
公共料金 (こうきょうりょうきん, Kōkyō ryōkin) – Utility bills
税金 (ぜいきん, Zeikin) – Tax
現金 (げんきん, Genkin) – Cash
領収書 (りょうしゅうしょ, Ryōshūsho) – Receipt
Handling Missed Deliveries (不在配達)
If you are not home to receive a parcel or registered mail, the delivery person will leave a pink slip called a “go-fuzai renrakuhyō” (ご不在連絡票), an Undeliverable Item Notice. This notice contains the information you need, such as the tracking number, to schedule a redelivery. You can easily do this by scanning the QR code on the slip to use the online form, or by calling the phone number provided.
— Requesting a Redelivery —
再配達をお願いします。
さいはいたつをおねがいします。
Sai-haitatsu o onegai shimasu.
I would like to request a redelivery, please.
再配達 (sai-haitatsu) = Redelivery
お願いします (onegai shimasu) = Please
明日の午後7時から9時の間でお願いします。
あしたのごごしちじからくじのあいだでおねがいします。
Ashita no gogo shichi-ji kara ku-ji no aida de onegai shimasu.
Between 7 PM and 9 PM tomorrow, please.
明日 (ashita) = Tomorrow
の (no) = ‘s
午後7時から9時の間 (gogo shichi-ji kara ku-ji no aida) = Between 7 PM and 9 PM
で (de) = at/in (particle)
— Essential Redelivery Vocabulary —
不在連絡票 (ふざいれんらくひょう, Fuzai renrakuhyō) – Undeliverable Item Notice
お問い合わせ番号 (おといあわせばんごう, O-toiawase bangō) – Tracking Number
希望日 (きぼうび, Kibōbi) – Desired Date
時間帯 (じかんたい, Jikantai) – Time Slot
午前中 (ごぜんちゅう, Gozen-chū) – Morning (before noon)
宅配ボックス (たくはいぼっくす, Takuhai bokkusu) – Delivery locker
International Money Transfers (海外送金)
Sending money outside of Japan is a common need for many foreign residents. This service is offered at most major banks and larger post offices. The process requires filling out a dedicated form and presenting valid identification, which usually includes your Residence Card and My Number Card. Be prepared to provide detailed information about the recipient.
— At the Transfer Counter —
海外送金をしたいです。
かいがいそうきんをしたいです。
Kaigai sōkin o shitai desu.
I would like to make an international money transfer.
海外送金 (kaigai sōkin) = International money transfer
をしたいです (o shitai desu) = I want to do
手数料はいくらですか。
てすうりょうはいくらですか。
Tesūryō wa ikura desu ka?
How much is the fee?
手数料 (tesūryō) = Handling fee
はいくらですか (wa ikura desu ka) = How much is it?
— Essential Transfer Vocabulary —
受取人 (うけとりにん, Uketorinin) – Beneficiary / Recipient
送金目的 (そうきんもくてき, Sōkin mokuteki) – Purpose of remittance
通貨 (つうか, Tsūka) – Currency
為替レート (かわせれーと, Kawase rēto) – Exchange rate
銀行名 (ぎんこうめい, Ginkō-mei) – Bank Name
支店名 (してんめい, Shiten-mei) – Branch Name
マイナンバーカード (マイナンバーカード, Mai nambā kādo) – My Number Card
Using the ATM (ATMの使い方)
Japanese ATMs are highly functional, allowing you to do much more than just withdraw cash. While most modern machines offer an English language option, knowing the basic Japanese terms on the main menu is extremely helpful for quick and efficient transactions. The main screen will typically present you with several options for the type of transaction you wish to make.
— Essential ATM Vocabulary —
お預入れ (おあずけいれ, O-azukeire) – Deposit
お引出し (おひきだし, O-hikidashi) – Withdrawal
お振込み (おふりこみ, O-furikomi) – Bank Transfer
通帳記入 (つうちょうきにゅう, Tsūchō kinyū) – Passbook Update
残高照会 (ざんだかしょうかい, Zandaka shōkai) – Balance Inquiry
確認 (かくにん, Kakunin) – Confirm
訂正 (ていせい, Teisei) – Correct / Revise
取消 (とりけし, Torikeshi) – Cancel
When You Move: Updating Your Address
When you move to a new address in Japan, there are two important tasks to ensure you don’t miss any important mail. First, you must submit a change of address form (転居届, tenkyo-todoke) to the post office to have your mail forwarded. Second, you need to inform your bank and other institutions of your new address (住所変更, jūsho henkō) to update your records.
— Handling a Move —
転居届を出したいです。
てんきょとどけをだしたいです。
Tenkyo-todoke o dashitai desu.
I’d like to submit a change of address form.
転居届 (tenkyo-todoke) = Change of address form (for post office)
を出したいです (o dashitai desu) = I want to submit
銀行に登録している住所を変更したいです。
ぎんこうにとうろくしているじゅうしょをへんこうしたいです。
Ginkō ni tōroku shiteiru jūsho o henkō shitai desu.
I want to change the address registered with my bank.
銀行に登録している (ginkō ni tōroku shiteiru) = Registered with the bank
住所 (jūsho) = Address
を変更したいです (o henkō shitai desu) = I want to change
— Essential Moving Vocabulary —
転送 (てんそう, Tensō) – Forwarding
旧住所 (きゅうじゅうしょ, Kyū-jūsho) – Old Address
新住所 (しんじゅうしょ, Shin-jūsho) – New Address
本人確認書類 (ほんにんかくにんしょるい, Honnin kakunin shorui) – Personal Identification Documents
手続き (てつづき, Tetsuzuki) – Procedure / Formalities
Setting Up Utilities (ガス・電気・水道)
When you move into a new apartment, you are typically responsible for setting up your own utilities. This involves contacting the local electricity (電気), gas (ガス), and water (水道) providers to start service. This can often be done online, but sometimes a phone call is required. For gas, a representative must visit your apartment to turn on the service (開栓, kaisen) and perform a safety check.
— Starting Utility Services —
電気の使用開始をお願いします。
でんきのしようかいしをおねがいします。
Denki no shiyō kaishi o onegai shimasu.
I’d like to start electricity service, please.
電気 (denki) = Electricity
の使用開始 (no shiyō kaishi) = Start of use
をお願いします (o onegai shimasu) = Please
ガスの開栓の予約をしたいです。
がすのかいせんのよやくをしたいです。
Gasu no kaisen no yoyaku o shitai desu.
I would like to make an appointment to have the gas turned on.
ガスの開栓 (gasu no kaisen) = Turning on the gas
の予約 (no yoyaku) = Appointment for
をしたいです (o shitai desu) = I want to do
— Essential Utility Vocabulary —
電気 (でんき, Denki) – Electricity
ガス (ガス, Gasu) – Gas
水道 (すいどう, Suidō) – Water
開栓 (かいせん, Kaisen) – Turning on (a utility)
使用開始日 (しようかいしび, Shiyō kaishi-bi) – Service start date
使用者名 (しようしゃめい, Shiyōsha-mei) – User’s name
お客様番号 (おきゃくさまばんごう, O-kyakusama bangō) – Customer Number
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