Furikomi: How to Make a Bank Transfer in Japan (ATM & Online)

Sooner or later in Japan you'll need to furikomi (振込) — make a bank transfer. Rent, a deposit, paying back a friend, settling an invoice: a huge amount of money in Japan still moves by direct bank-to-bank transfer rather than card. The good news is the process is very standardized. This guide shows you how to do it at an ATM and via online banking, what the on-screen kanji mean, the typical fees, and how not to send money into the void.

First, the words: furikomi vs furikae

Two similar terms trip people up:

• Furikomi (振込) — a transfer to someone else's account (a different person or company). This is what you do to pay rent or send money to a friend. This guide is about furikomi.
• Furikae (振替) — usually a transfer between your own accounts, or an automatic direct debit set up to pull recurring bills (utilities, etc.) from your account. Different button, usually a lower or zero fee.

On an ATM or banking screen you'll see buttons like 振込 (furikomi / "Transfer"), 振替 (furikae), 預入 (deposit), 引出 (withdraw), and 残高照会 (balance inquiry). For sending money to someone, you want 振込.

What you need before you start

To send a furikomi you need the recipient's bank details. Ask them for:

1. Bank name (銀行名) and branch name (支店名) — or the branch number
2. Account type — 普通 (futsu = ordinary/savings) or 当座 (toza = current/checking); most personal accounts are 普通
3. Account number (口座番号) — usually 7 digits
4. Account holder name (口座名義) — in katakana, exactly as registered. This matters: transfers are often matched on the katakana name, and a mismatch can cause the transfer to fail or bounce back.

Double-check the katakana account name. Japanese banks frequently verify the name, and even a small spelling difference (or using kanji where katakana is expected) can get a transfer rejected. Confirm it character-by-character with the recipient.

Method 1: Furikomi at an ATM

You can transfer at bank ATMs and many convenience-store ATMs. Steps are similar everywhere:

1. Insert your cash card (or passbook) and enter your PIN.
2. Tap 振込 (Furikomi / Transfer). Many ATMs have an English button — look for it in a corner of the screen.
3. Choose to pay from your account (by card) — note that paying by cash at the ATM may be limited or unavailable for transfers, and tends to cost more.
4. Select the recipient's bank. Search by name or pick from a list.
5. Select the branch, then enter the account type (普通/当座) and account number.
6. The screen shows the registered account-holder name — verify it matches your recipient before continuing.
7. Enter the amount, confirm the fee, and complete the transfer. Keep the printed receipt (利用明細) as proof.

Notes:

• ATM hours and same-day timing matter. Transfers made late at night, on weekends, or holidays may post the next business day, depending on the banks involved.
• Convenience-store ATMs are convenient but their fees and transfer support differ from your home bank's ATM.

Method 2: Furikomi via online / app banking

If your bank offers online banking or an app, this is usually cheaper and available 24/7:

1. Log in to your bank's app or website.
2. Choose 振込 (Transfer).
3. Enter the recipient's bank, branch, account type, number, and katakana name (or pick a saved payee).
4. The system shows the registered name — confirm it.
5. Enter the amount and review the fee, then authenticate (PIN, one-time password, or app approval) and send.
6. Save or screenshot the confirmation number.

Online banking also lets you register payees so future rent or recurring transfers take seconds, and many banks include a number of free or discounted transfers per month as an account perk. If you haven't set up online banking yet, our bank account guide covers choosing a bank with good app support.

What does it cost?

Furikomi usually has a per-transfer fee, and the amount depends on three things:

• Channel: online/app is typically cheapest, ATM by card is mid-range, and ATM by cash / over-the-counter is usually the most expensive.
• Same bank vs different bank: transferring within the same bank (and sometimes the same branch) is often cheaper or free; sending to another bank costs more.
• Amount: some banks charge a higher fee above a threshold (e.g., over ¥30,000).

Many banks bundle a few free transfers per month based on your balance or account tier, so it's worth checking your own bank's fee table. As a rule of thumb: prefer online banking, and prefer same-bank transfers when you can.

Fees and limits vary a lot by bank and change over time. Treat the points above as general guidance and confirm the current fee schedule and daily transfer limit in your own bank's app or fee table.

Avoid the classic mistakes

• Wrong account or name. Always verify the on-screen registered name before you confirm. If you send to the wrong account, the bank generally can't simply reverse it — they have to contact the receiving bank/holder, and recovery isn't guaranteed.
• Sending after the cut-off. Late-night/weekend transfers may not arrive until the next business day. If a deadline matters (rent, a deposit), send earlier in the day on a weekday.
• Hitting a daily limit. New accounts and apps often have a daily transfer cap. For a large payment (e.g., move-in costs), check and, if needed, raise the limit in advance.
• Confusing furikomi with furikae. For recurring bills, setting up a direct debit (口座振替) is usually cheaper than manually transferring each month.

Domestic furikomi vs sending money abroad

A furikomi is for domestic, yen-to-yen transfers between Japanese accounts. Sending money overseas is a different process with different (usually higher) fees and exchange-rate considerations — don't use a normal furikomi for that. We compare cross-border options in our overseas money transfer comparison.

For everyday in-person payments (not transfers), QR-code apps are often easier and may earn points — see our mobile payment guide.

Quick checklist

• Collect recipient's bank, branch, account type (普通/当座), number, katakana name
• Triple-check the katakana account name
• Prefer online/app banking (cheaper, 24/7); ATM is fine too
• On the 振込 screen, verify the registered name before confirming
• Mind the cut-off time and daily limit for time-sensitive or large transfers
• Keep the receipt / confirmation number
• Sending abroad? Use a proper international service, not a furikomi

FAQ

What's the difference between furikomi and furikae? Furikomi (振込) sends money to someone else's account (rent, a friend, an invoice). Furikae (振替) is typically a transfer between your own accounts or an automatic direct debit for recurring bills.

How long does a furikomi take to arrive? Often within the same business day if sent during banking hours, but transfers made at night, on weekends, or holidays may post the next business day depending on the banks.

Can I cancel a transfer if I sent it to the wrong account? Not easily. The bank can't unilaterally reverse it; they must contact the receiving side, and a refund isn't guaranteed. Verify the account and name before confirming.

Is it cheaper to transfer online or at the ATM? Usually online/app banking is cheapest, ATM-by-card is mid-range, and cash/over-the-counter is the priciest. Same-bank transfers also tend to cost less than inter-bank ones.

Do I need the recipient's name in kanji or katakana? Katakana, exactly as registered with their bank. Name-matching is common, so confirm the spelling carefully.

Can I use a furikomi to send money to my home country? No — that's an international transfer with different fees and FX. See our overseas money transfer comparison.

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This is an informational how-to. Fees, daily limits, cut-off times, and screen wording differ by bank and change over time — always confirm the current details in your own bank's app, fee schedule, or branch before sending money.