How to Open a Bank Account in Japan as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)

Opening a Japanese bank account is one of the first administrative tasks to complete after registering your address at the ward office. Without a Japanese bank account, you cannot receive a local salary, pay rent by bank transfer, or get a contract SIM card.

What you need before you start

All Japanese banks require at minimum:

• Your Residence Card (Zairyu Card) with your registered address
• Your passport
• A registered address in Japan (the address must be recorded at the ward office before opening an account)

Some banks additionally require:

• Your My Number (Japanese tax identification number, received by post 2 to 3 weeks after ward registration)
• A personal seal (hanko), though this is increasingly not required
• Proof of employment or income

Japan Post Bank (Yucho): the most accessible

Best for newly arrived expats.

Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) is the most foreigner-friendly option for recent arrivals. It operates through post office branches across Japan, thousands of locations nationwide.

What it accepts:

• Residence Card even from very recently (a few days is sufficient)
• Passport
• English assistance available at major branches

What it offers:

• Standard current account (futsu yokin)
• Debit card (Yucho Visa Debit) accepted everywhere
• International transfers possible but expensive (use Wise for international remittances)
• No monthly maintenance fees

Timeline: account opened the same day at a branch. Card received by post within 1 to 2 weeks.

Sony Bank: best for active expats

Sony Bank is a fully online bank with an English interface and well-designed mobile app. It is particularly suitable for expats who make regular international transfers.

Advantages:

• Full English interface and support
• Competitive exchange rates for international transfers (close to the mid-market rate)
• Multi-currency account (JPY, USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and more)
• Visa card included

Requirements:

• Requires your My Number (received 2 to 3 weeks after ward registration)
• Application entirely online, no branch visit needed

Timeline: 1 to 2 weeks after submitting the online application.

Rakuten Bank: good if you use Rakuten

If you regularly shop on Rakuten (Japan's equivalent of Amazon), Rakuten Bank is practical since every purchase generates Rakuten points usable across the ecosystem.

Requirements:

• Requires My Number
• Fully online application

Limitations:

• Interface primarily in Japanese
• Less suited to international transfers than Sony Bank

Major Japanese banks (SMBC, Mizuho, MUFG)

Japan's three major banks are sometimes required by employers for salary payments. However, most refuse to open accounts for foreigners who have been in Japan less than 6 months.

Exceptions: if your employer is a client of the bank and intervenes on your behalf, this waiting period can sometimes be waived.

Recommendation: open a Japan Post Bank account first on arrival, then a major bank account after 6 months if your employer requires it.

Wise: a useful transition tool

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is not a Japanese bank, but it allows you to hold and receive JPY, make international transfers at mid-market rates, and pay by card worldwide.

Useful as a bridge solution during your first weeks while waiting for a Japanese bank account to open.

Common mistakes to avoid

Trying to open an account without a Residence Card: Japanese banks do not open accounts for tourists or short-stay visa holders. The Zairyu Card is mandatory.

Waiting too long: without a Japanese bank account, you cannot receive salary, pay rent by automatic transfer, or get a contract SIM. Prioritise this in your first week.

Not updating your address after moving: if you change address in Japan, notify your bank (as you would the ward office). Japanese institutions are strict about address consistency.

Summary by profile

Just arrived (less than 1 month): Japan Post Bank first, then Sony Bank once you receive your My Number.

Frequent international transfers needed: Sony Bank for the main account, Wise for occasional transfers.

Employer requires SMBC or Mizuho: Japan Post Bank as interim, then major bank after 6 months.

Student or working holiday: Japan Post Bank, the only one with no minimum residence period.

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