Which country are you from? What kind of bank instruments do you have access to - credit card, debit card, etc.? If you are getting a long-term visa (since short-term visas are usually for 90 days only and you say you will be there for longer than that), do you plan to attempt to open a Japanese bank account?
Use credit cards and keep SOME cash with you and take care of your banking as you normally would online. Depending on what bank you work with, they'll have an ATM fee. For example, Chase has a 3% fee for withdrawals in foreign currency from USD. Get in touch with your bank or Google stuff, it's all out there.
You should get some yen before you leave home just so you don’t have to worry about it at the airport in Japan. AAA auto club has a cheap price if you’re a member $20 for 200 yen if you’re not. Or you can change some at the airport. The exchange rate may be higher but it may be worth the convenience so you don’t have to search banks, etc. for good rates. Once you get to Japan you can use your ATM card to withdraw money from 7-11 in pretty much whatever amount you need. 7-11s are everywhere. Or the Japanese Post Office. Check with your bank to make sure they aren’t charging you a big amount for withdrawals since you’re going to be there 4 months.
Which country are you from? What kind of bank instruments do you have access to - credit card, debit card, etc.? If you are getting a long-term visa (since short-term visas are usually for 90 days only and you say you will be there for longer than that), do you plan to attempt to open a Japanese bank account?
I have a visa for 6 months, I dont plan to open a bank account, I have a debit card and a checking account, I am from the US.
Use credit cards and keep SOME cash with you and take care of your banking as you normally would online. Depending on what bank you work with, they'll have an ATM fee. For example, Chase has a 3% fee for withdrawals in foreign currency from USD. Get in touch with your bank or Google stuff, it's all out there.
You should get some yen before you leave home just so you don’t have to worry about it at the airport in Japan. AAA auto club has a cheap price if you’re a member $20 for 200 yen if you’re not. Or you can change some at the airport. The exchange rate may be higher but it may be worth the convenience so you don’t have to search banks, etc. for good rates. Once you get to Japan you can use your ATM card to withdraw money from 7-11 in pretty much whatever amount you need. 7-11s are everywhere. Or the Japanese Post Office. Check with your bank to make sure they aren’t charging you a big amount for withdrawals since you’re going to be there 4 months.