A Japanese bank account is essential — you need it to receive your salary, pay rent, and set up automatic bill payments. The sooner you get one, the smoother everything else goes. Here’s how.
What You Need to Open a Bank Account
- Residence card (在留カード)
- Passport
- Japanese phone number (most banks require this)
- Registered address in Japan (your home address on your residence card)
Some banks also ask for a My Number card or a hanko (personal seal) — but not all of them, so don’t stress if you don’t have those yet.
Best Banks for Foreigners in Japan
1. Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) — Easiest to Open
This is where most foreigners start, and for good reason. There’s a post office in basically every neighborhood, they accept foreigners with just a residence card, and there’s no minimum balance requirement.
- Available at every post office in Japan
- Accepts foreigners with just a residence card
- No minimum balance required
- English support available at major branches
Best for: People who just arrived and need an account quickly.
2. Sony Bank — Best Online Option
Sony Bank is fully online, the website and app work in English, and they’ve got good exchange rates for international transfers. Free international ATM withdrawals are a real bonus too.
- Entirely online application
- English website and app
- Accepts foreigners on most visa types
- Free international ATM withdrawals
Best for: Tech-savvy users who want everything in English.
3. Shinsei Bank — Good English Support
Similar to Sony Bank but with the added convenience of free ATM withdrawals at 7-Eleven — which is useful given how many 7-Elevens there are in Japan.
- English-language banking
- Online application available
- Free ATM withdrawals at 7-Eleven
Best for: People who want English customer service.
4. Rakuten Bank — Best for Online Shopping
If you’re already using Rakuten for shopping or services, adding a Rakuten Bank account makes sense. The app works in multiple languages and the setup is fully online.
Banks That Are Harder for Foreigners
The megabanks — Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho, Sumitomo — can be frustrating. They often require 6 months of residence history, operate in Japanese only, and sometimes reject applicants on certain visa types.
Don’t start with them. Get a Japan Post Bank or online bank account first. You can always add a megabank later once you’ve built more of a track record in Japan.
How to Open at Japan Post Bank (Step by Step)
- Walk into any post office and find the ゆうちょ銀行 counter
- Take a number and wait
- Tell the staff: “口座を開きたいです” (koza wo hirakitai desu) — “I want to open an account”
- Show your residence card and passport
- Fill in the application form — staff will help you through it
- Your cash card arrives by post about 1 week later
That’s genuinely it. It’s about as painless as banking paperwork gets in Japan.
Can You Do This Without Speaking Japanese?
Yes — especially at Japan Post Bank or the online banks. Bring a translation app just in case, but the staff at post offices are generally patient with foreigners. You won’t be the first person to walk in with a residence card and no Japanese.
Summary
| Bank | Difficulty | English? | Online? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Post Bank | Easy | Partial | No |
| Sony Bank | Easy | Yes | Yes |
| Shinsei Bank | Easy | Yes | Yes |
| Rakuten Bank | Easy | Partial | Yes |
| Megabanks | Hard | No | No |
Start with Japan Post Bank if you need an account fast. Go with Sony Bank or Shinsei Bank if you want full English support and a modern online experience.