Expect Electricity, Gas, Water Telephone and community charge bills every month in Japan rather than every quarter. The utility companies will put a receipt through your letter box which outlines your usage. The actual bill will differ from this and should arrive within a few days of this receipt. Make sure you pay your bills within a month of receipt or your service or utility may be cut off. Paying the bill is a far easier process than getting your service running again. Paying your bills in Japan is as easy as popping down to your local convenience store.

A convenience offered by Japanese banks allows for the payment of monthly utility bills via automatic withdrawal from your account. To arrange for this service, you must present your receipts to a bank teller along with your bankbook, and fill out the appropriate forms. However, this is easier said than done and you will probably receive your form in the post to be re-signed. It is best to have someone help you with this process. But this option is not for those who like to be in control of their finances.

The easiest option is to pay your bills over the counter at your local convenience store. Lawsons allow you to pay most bills over the counter. Simply go to the counter with the bill and the cash to cover the amount and hand it over to the store clerk. He or she will then make the payment and return any change and a give you a receipt to confirm payment. Non standard bills i.e. from non utility and smaller service companies can be paid by going into your local bank and handing over the bill and the cash.

Depending on your situation your rent may be taken from your monthly wage packet. You may have to transfer the money to your landlord every month from your ATM or you may have to hand it over in cash. When doing so, it is the custom to give the money in an envelope.