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There are a number of different financial institutions within Iwate. You will probably have a bank or agricultural cooperative account opened for you when you arrive.

The most pressing concern will probably be getting your money out of the bank and into your pocket. The simplest way, as at home, will be to use your cash card at an ATM or cash dispenser. Japanese banking hours including those for ATM’s are generally shorter than those back home. As a rough guide, most banks offer counter services from 09:00 to 15:00 Monday to Friday. ATM’s and cash dispensers generally stay open until 18:00 or 19:00 on weekdays and 17:00 on weekends. In some places they may close over the weekend, and in most places they will be closed over public holidays. So be prepared and get enough cash out before the weekend or public holidays.
Another obstacle to accessing your hard-earned cash is working the ATM. There may be variations but the following are generally the most commonly used kanji for the transaction buttons.

PIN number anshô bangô 暗証番号
withdrawal shiharai 支払い
withdrawal ohikidashi お引き出し
Deposit yokin 預金
Deposit oazukeiri お預け入り
balance inquiry shôkai 照会
balance inquiry zandaka 残高
update transaction statement in passbook kichô 記帳
update transaction statement in passbook tsûchô kinyû 通帳記入
Transfer of funds between one’s own accounts furikae nyûkin 振替入金
Payment of funds into another person’s account furikomi 振込
in service otoriatsukai chû お取扱中
out of service shiyô chûshi 使用中止

The normal procedure for most ATM transactions is:
1. Select desired service (withdrawal, deposit, etc).
2. Insert cash card and/or passbook.
3. Enter your PIN number.
4. Withdrawals:
Enter the desired amount (金額 kingaku) using the ten thousand (万 man), thousand (千 sen) and yen (円 en) buttons.
Deposits: Insert the money into the slot, where it will be counted automatically.
5. Check the amount displayed on the screen.
6. If correct, press either (O) or the confirm button (確認 kakunin).
7. If you need to correct the amount, press either (X) or the correction button (訂正 teisei).
8. If you need to cancel the transaction, press the cancel button (取消 torikeshi).
9. A receipt, your card and/or passbook will be returned to you along with your money.

You may be charged a handling fee for transactions handled at banks other than your account-holding bank, and sometimes for transactions outside certain hours.

Transactions at post office ATM’s are generally the same. However, it is worth pointing out that transactions are free from any post office ATM around Japan. Also hours may be slightly more flexible, particularly at larger post office branches.