New to Japan
Your first year: set up money from scratch.
Who this is for
You have recently arrived and need to build banking, cards, tax, and daily money from zero.
Everything is new at once — a bank account, a phone contract, rent, and a tax system you did not grow up with. The goal of your first year is not optimisation; it is a working foundation.
You do not need the perfect card or the best brokerage yet. You need accounts that function, bills that pay themselves, and a basic grasp of what comes out of your income.
Your money priorities
- Open a bank account using your residence card
- Understand your tax residency and what is withheld
- Get one accessible credit card and pay it in full
- Set up cheap international remittance before you need it
Watch out for
- Resident tax is billed a year late — budget for a bigger year two
- Keep your address updated within 14 days of moving
- Avoid revolving payment (リボ) defaults on new cards
Recommended courses
Money basics in Japan
How everyday money works here: banks, cash culture, My Number, and the bills you cannot ignore.
Budgeting and an emergency fund
A simple system to track spending, control fixed costs, and build a safety buffer before you invest.
Credit and cards in Japan
How credit history works here, how to get approved, and how to avoid the revolving-credit trap.
Understanding Japanese taxes
Income tax, resident tax, the year-end adjustment, and the deductions most people leave on the table.