Contributed by Anonymous (Year 2 SFC Student)
Welcome to the second edition of our SFC Insider Stories! In this volume, we sat down with a 2nd-year international student living near Fujisawa Station. Starting out with basic Japanese (knowing just Hiragana/Katakana), they shared their experience on transport perks, online banking shortcuts, SIM card regrets, and why you should get your physical My Number Card ASAP!
Why Live Near Fujisawa Station?
- Location & Transport: Living near Fujisawa Station gives you access to three major train lines: JR, Odakyu, and Enoden. It offers unmatched convenience for traveling to Tokyo, Yokohama, and Enoshima.
- Commute to SFC: Take the Odakyu Line to Shonandai Station, then transfer to the Kanachu Bus to SFC.
- Monthly Cost: Rent is around ¥110,000/month (excluding a management fee of approx. ¥5,000–¥10,000).
- Daily Shopping: Daiso, MUJI, and local shopping malls around Fujisawa Station cover all household consumable needs.
Banking Hack: JP Post Online Application
- No Counter Visit Needed: Contrary to popular belief, you can apply for a JP Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) account completely online through their official app/website!
- Easy for Beginners: Even with basic Japanese skills, you can use browser translation tools to fill out the form online. The cash card will be delivered directly to your mailbox within a few days.
- Daily Payments: Uses WeChat Pay (for RMB transactions), Cash, JP Post Bank, and a PayPay Credit Card.
SIM Card Regret: Avoid Overseas Agent Packages
- The Pitfall: Applied for a niche third-party SIM card through an overseas agent before arriving in Japan just to have internet off the plane.
- Advice: Avoid this! Foreign agent plans are often expensive, restrictive, and hard to manage. It is far better to sign up directly with major Japanese carriers or mainstream MVNOs (such as Rakuten, Docomo, UQ, or ahamo) upon arrival.
The #1 Warning: Get Your Physical My Number Card!
“Don’t just stop at the paper notification—apply for the actual plastic My Number Card!”
- Why It Matters: Japan is increasingly integrating National Health Insurance (NHI) and official paperwork (like printing your Residence Certificate / Juminhyo at convenience stores) directly into the plastic My Number Card.
- Learn from experience: While municipal RAs might not force you to apply for the plastic card during orientation, skipping it will mean having to do tedious manual paperwork at city offices every time you need an official certificate or health update.
Healthcare & English-Friendly Clinics
- General Illness: For minor colds/fever, bringing basic medicine from your home country is helpful.
- Specialist Inspections: Japanese National Health Insurance covers specialist visits (e.g., vascular checkups, women’s healthcare).
- English-Friendly Experiences: Doctors at clinics in Shonandai (women’s healthcare) and Hon-Atsugi were very patient and communicated comfortably in English!