2015.4.9

It was fine but very cold.

Yesterday it snowed and sleeted in Tokyo. They say it's been five years since we had snow in April last.

Today I went to the post office and banks to help the international student to open the account.
At a bank they required the cellphone number to open account, and at the cellphone shop they required the bank account.
So I recommended her to get a  prepaid cellphone.

I remembered my difficulties when I tried to get a credit card in the USA, and my colleagues' to get a driver's license and a car insurance.

To live abroad is full of challenges.

2014.7.25

It was another hot day.

After work I went to a bank to withdraw money by ATM and went to some other banks' ATMs to deposit them.  Since it is 25th, for many companies it is a pay day, there was a long line in many places. 
Banks are usually open from 9 am to 3 pm, and ATMs are available from 8:45 am to 9 pm for free of charge within the same banks.  In other time they charge yen 108 for depositing or withdrawing.  When transferring money, the handling charge is quite different from the same banks and other banks, and it also depends on the amount of the money.
Regarding banks, I was surprised at drive through banks in the USA.  In Europe or the USA, I think ATMs were 24 hours open, which was very convenient.  In Japan there are still some time period we cannot use.

2014.6.16

It was fine and very hot.

I usually use earphone to listen to the news or something on my way to office especially during the train ride.  However today I forgot bringing it, therefore I could not listen.  At lunch time I watch TV by my smart phone using earphone too.  There was nobody today at the lounge, so I could watch TV without using it.

Today I remitted some money through ATM.  Before I could remit money without paying the handling charge between the same banks, but today I needed to pay.  I did not understand why.  But it seems something has been changed since April 1 when the consumption tax was raised.  Now using Internet banking seems the most economical way to remit.