MUSUBI: Japanese ATMs - Show Me The Money!

Withdrawing and depositing money at an ATM is the most common use. The kanji for deposit is 預け入れ. Insert your card and next a PIN will be asked for before the desired amount of money you want to withdraw. If, like me, you are too lazy to keep tapping 0 when inputting 20,000. You can hit the 万 button instead. So 2 then 万 will get you 20,000円 (yen). You can also use 千　to withdraw injust the thousands. So 5 then 千 will get you 5,000円 (yen).

The kanji for withdraw is 引き出し. Again, insert your card and you will ask for a PIN to be entered. Then you can insert your money into the open slot. The machine will calculate and confirm the amount you have deposited. Once you confirm the amount, usually the screen will display an updated bank balance, or a receipt will beprinted out.

If you wish to check your bank balance after a fun night out, select 残高照会. You will need to enter your PIN and your balance will be displayed. Some ATMS will also give you the option to print out your bank balance. But perhaps you want your bank balance and recent transactions printed out, you can update your bank book by selecting 通帳記入 and then inserting your bank book into the now open bank book slot. The ATM will update your bank book before returning it to you.

Pretty easy, right? But what if you want to send some money via ATM (still considered an acceptable method of payment for ordering things online!)

This one will vary depending on your bank, so this is based on using a JP Bank ATM. First you need to select remittance or ご送金 in kanji. Then, if you are sending to another bank, 他行口座へのご送金, a warning screen about fraudsters will appear so you can hit next or 次. Next you will be asked to insert your bank card or your bankbook and for a PIN. Now this is the hardest part, finding the bank you are sending to. It’s best to go in with the kanji, katakana and romaji already written for this.

Sending money overseas is for another day, as we are focusing on using an ATM.

Some ATMS will let you update your personal details. Again, looking at JP Bank, it’s surprisingly easy when you know which menu to use. You need to select 暗証番号•引き出し上限額変更 and on the next screen 電話番号変更. Insert your card and enter your PIN. A screen showing your old phone will appear and you want to tap the 確認button. The next screen will allow you to update to your new phone number, enter your new number and confirm with 確認.