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Most post offices are open Mondays to Fridays from 9AM till 5PM with the exception of some big post offices, which are open all week from 9AM till 7PM. Post offices are closed on national holidays, deliver anything from letters to parcels, offer savings and insurance services, and in addition are mostly equipped with ATMs.
For door-to-door service Japan has what is called the Takuhaibin which delivers anything from parcels to luggages as well as other goods to anywhere in Japan . Delivery time varies from a few hours to two days depending on the distance the package has to travel. Rates depend on the package type, size, weight and destination and range from around ¥1200 to ¥2400.
Banks in Japan are open weekdays from 9AM to 3PM. Foreigners are required to present their alien registration card and inkan (personal stamp) ot signature to open an account.
ATMs and Cash Dispensers scattered all over Japan are usually closed during weekends and at night. To find 24 hour ATMs look for convenience stores. Be warned that most ATMs do not accept foreign credit cards.
Public phones , though on the decline due to the popularity of mobile phones, are still well maintained and convenient to use. Coins and phonecards are used to be able to make calls using public phones. If you need to make an international call look for an orange phone since green and grey phones are not guaranteed to allow international calls.
For those who want to buy or rent a new phone line ( landline ), a phone line costs approximately ¥35,000. To get a cheaper line you can buy a used phone line from somebody.
Mobile phones in Japan are hi-tech and have so many features. However, mobile phones from your home country most probably won't work in Japan due to difference in technology used. To buy a mobile phone and get a contract in Japan , foreigners are required to present their alien registration card.
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