DECISIONS..DECISIONS!!..I just thought that by opening an account, i could in effect keep track of my spending and stuff like that. If i use like travelers checks like a lot of you have suggested, it might be harder at least for me to keep track of how much i spend. And for some reason, living for four months off travelers checks feels a bit weird.

I was planning on bringing enough Yen for the first couple weeks and get an account set up right away when i get there...so then my parent's could wire transfer money over. + bring some travelers checks.

Does anyone know how much it costs to use my ATM card in Japan? Around how much would it cost to withdraw money using my international bank cash card such as Bank of America? And does it give favorable exchange rates? I've done it in other countries but just not Japan

Right now im leaning still towards opening a Shinsei account..I was looking at the website and it says i cannot be a "temporary visitor"...My student visa would not be under that category right?

my second option would be to withdraw money using my bank card from home.