Guide 04

Money and your first credit card

You arrive with savings in another currency and no Japanese credit history. Here's how to bridge both.

Moving money into Japan

Once your Japanese bank account is open, compare the total cost of a transfer before you send: the exchange rate you're given against the mid-market rate, plus any fees on both ends.

Your first Japanese credit card

Your credit history from home doesn't carry over, so you're starting from zero. Issuers generally want to see a residence card, and English-language guides for foreign residents consistently suggest starting with a no-annual-fee card from a large retail group. Rakuten Card is the one most often named.

Expect a modest limit to start; newcomers often report limits well below what locals get.