In general, we recommend that you open a savings account at a bank or a Japan Post Bank (Yucho Bank) close to your place of residence or your campus. As some scholarship foundations only send funds to designated banks, some scholarship recipients may be required to open an account with a specific bank. For example, MEXT Scholarship funds are deposited monthly into a Japan Post Bank account.

As the Kyoto City National Health Insurance Subsidy can only be received via a Japan Post Bank account, that is often a convenient type of account for international students residing in Kyoto City who will enroll in National Health Insurance (NHI) for more than six months.

• Passport
• Residence Card (with your address indicated on the back) or National Health Insurance Card.
• Personal seal (inkan) (Some banks accept a signature as a substitute for a personal seal)
• Cash for deposit. (Some banks do not require this.)

When closing a postal savings account, please follow the necessary procedures at the service counter of the relevant bank. Accounts should only be closed after ensuring that all outstanding debts have been paid. This is especially relevant to those who have arranged for utility bill payments to be automatically deducted from their bank or postal savings account.

Mobile phones can be purchased in mobile phone shops throughout Kyoto City. The documents required to open a mobile phone account vary depending on the provider. It is best confirm the required documents directly with the mobile phone shop. Most providers will require a Residence Card, passport, a Japanese Health Insurance Card, or a bank book.

Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased on the internet, at convenience stores, appliance stores, and at airports. Once purchased, SIM cards may be used immediately.

• NTT Docomo
• au KDDI
• Softbank

The types of internet services available at a property vary depending on the type connection facilities available. Please consult with the real estate agency or house owner about which internet service providers are available.

Kyoto University uses the Eduroam service (https://www.eduroam.jp/), which provides a wireless LAN roaming service across multiple universities and academic institutions. Persons visiting Kyoto University from another institution that uses Eduroam are requested to complete the necessary log-in procedures at their faculty/department of affiliation in order to use the service.

Consumer Hotline for Tourist
https://www.cht.kokusen.go.jp/en/
The Consumer Hotline for Tourists offers telephone consultation for foreign visitors to Japan who experience consumer issues involving stores, restaurants, bars, transportation, or lodging during their visit.

Legal Information for Foreign Nationals
https://www.houterasu.or.jp/en/index.html
Accepts inquiries and provides free information about the Japanese legal system, bar associations, and other relevant organizations.