Job Discussion Forums

Mahik · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 89

Does anyone know a good way to buy things off the internet with a Japanese bank account (UFJ in this case). All my money is in my account here, but it seems like all I can do is get cash. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

And sorry if this has already come up, but I couldn't find anything in search.

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

I had the same problem...I was using my card at home and draining money from an account that doesnt get new money...ever..BUT then I realized that there was such thing as COD (cash on delivery). You pay an extra 200 yen and then you can pay when the guy brings it to your door. It is super handy and you can pay in cash. I know for sure Amazon does this..I am not sure about other places, but you could check!k
Sorry I didnt answer the real question...

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

also many places offer a service to pay at the 'conbini'

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

Mahik · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 89

All those options are fine if I'm ordering from Japanese businesses, or Amazon.jp, but any other place (such as Paypal) doesn't seem to offer that option. I was hoping for some kind of refillable VISA giftcard type deal or something along those lines. Japan must have some method for ordering from international businesses short of getting a Japanese credit card. At least I hope.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

If it does, I'm unaware of it. I have been using my New Zealand credit card for years to do this and then sending money back, which I have to do anyway to cover other bills in New Zealand as well.

You could enquire into a debit card- I would check especially into Shinsei Bank and Citibank, but I wouldn't expect anything special from UFJ.

Vince · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 559 Location: U.S.

I think a credit card from your home country is the way to go. You'll have recent domestic credit activity if/when you go home (assuming your country uses that kind of credit rating system), and you'll have the standard cardholder protection.

Second would be a debit card or personal checks (again, if applicable to your country). My family sent personal checks for birthday and Christmas gifts, so I deposited them in my checking account in the US and wrote checks for US payments. That held me over for much of the year, and I sent a Japanese postal money order if I needed to replenish the account.

You could do both. Use the credit card for purchases, then pay the bill with a checking acct.

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

Do Japanese credit cards have germs or something? There's lots of places out there that are practically gagging to give you one. Virtually none of them are banks however. Places to try- ANA, AEON (the shopping centre people), JAF, Kinokuniya. All these businesses have cards I have used/am using.

Mahik · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 89

That seems like an awful lot more trouble than I was hoping for Vince. And David, I'm sure many places would want to give me a credit card (assuming they speak English) but since I don't plan to be here for more than a year it doesn't quite seem worth it.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

I prefer to use a Japanese credit card when I make online purchases.
I have a UC card.
I also need it when I drive, since I can go through the ETC lanes on highways and I pay for that though my Japanese credit card.