What you need to open a Japanese bank account

Japanese banks require a valid passport, proof of a current address in Japan, and a personal seal called an inkan (a carved stamp with your name). Most banks will not open an account without all three. Your address proof can be a rental contract, utility bill, or residence certificate issued by your local ward office — anything dated within the last three months. The inkan does not have to be registered; an unregistered seal works for bank purposes.

You will also need a Japanese phone number. Banks use this for account verification and fraud alerts. If you do not have one yet, you can get a prepaid SIM card at any convenience store or phone shop before you visit the bank. Some banks ask for a juminhyo (residence certificate) instead of a utility bill, which you can obtain from your ward office for a small fee, usually under ¥300.

If you are not yet registered as a resident of Japan, you cannot open a bank account. Registration happens at your ward office after you arrive and secure housing. This step takes a few days and must come before banking.

Key Takeaways

  • You must register as a resident at your ward office before any bank will open an account for you.
  • Bring your passport, proof of address dated within three months, an inkan (personal seal), and a Japanese phone number.
  • Major banks like Mitsubishi UFJ, Sumitomo Mitsui, and Mizuho have English-speaking staff at main branches in Tokyo, Osaka, and other large cities.
  • Online-only banks like Rakuten Bank and Sony Bank have simpler processes but may require a visit to a convenience store to verify your identity in person.
  • The whole process takes 30 minutes to an hour at the bank, and your account opens the same day or within one business day.

Which banks accept foreign residents

All major Japanese banks accept foreign residents, but the experience varies by branch and bank size. Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Mizuho Bank are the three largest and have English-speaking staff at their main branches in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Kobe. Smaller regional banks may require a Japanese speaker or take longer to process your application.

Online-only banks like Rakuten Bank and Sony Bank have streamlined processes for foreigners and often do not require an inkan. However, they still require proof of address and a phone number, and most require you to visit a convenience store (usually Seven-Eleven or Lawson) to complete identity verification in person before the account activates.

Post Bank (Japan Post Bank) also accepts foreign residents and has branches in every post office across the country. The process is similar to major banks, and staff are accustomed to working with foreigners, though English support varies by location.

Step-by-step process at a major bank branch

Walk into the branch during business hours (usually 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays; many close on weekends). Take a number from the ticket machine and wait to be called. Tell the staff member you want to open a new account. They will hand you an application form in Japanese; ask for an English version if one is available, though the form is straightforward enough to complete with a translation app.

Fill in your name, address, phone number, and occupation. You will be asked whether you want a regular savings account (futsu yokin) or a checking account (当座預金, tosagoyokin). Most foreigners choose savings. Hand over your passport, address proof, and inkan. The staff member will make copies and ask you to sign the application in front of them.

They will then issue you a bank book (passbook) and a debit card on the spot, or tell you the card will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. Your account number appears in the passbook immediately. You can begin using the account the same day for transfers and deposits, even if your card has not arrived yet. The entire process takes 30 to 45 minutes.

Opening an account online or by mail

Online-only banks allow you to start the process on their website, but you must still verify your identity in person. With Rakuten Bank, you fill out the online form, then visit a Seven-Eleven or Lawson with your passport and phone number. A staff member scans your passport using a machine, and your account opens within a few hours. You receive a temporary card number by email the same day and can use it for online purchases immediately.

Sony Bank follows a similar process: complete the online application, visit a convenience store for identity verification, and receive your account details by email. Both banks charge no monthly fees and offer competitive interest rates on savings.

Some banks also allow you to mail in your application if you cannot visit a branch in person. Contact the bank directly to request a mail application kit. This route takes longer — typically two to three weeks — because the bank must verify your documents by post and mail your passbook and card back to you.

What happens after your account opens

Your bank will issue you a bank book (passbook) that records all deposits and withdrawals. You can check your balance at any ATM by inserting your passbook, or online through the bank's website or app. Most banks provide free online banking access; you set up a username and password during your first visit or receive login details by mail.

Your debit card arrives within one to two weeks if you did not receive it at the branch. You can use it at any ATM in Japan to withdraw cash, and at most shops for purchases. International transfers out of Japan are possible but come with fees; most banks charge ¥2,000 to ¥3,000 per outgoing transfer, plus a currency conversion fee if you are sending money abroad.

Set up direct deposit (furikomi) for your salary if your employer offers it. This requires giving your employer your bank account number and branch code, both printed on your passbook. Deposits typically arrive on the 25th of each month, though timing depends on your employer's payroll schedule.

Common problems and how to fix them

If a bank refuses to open an account, the most common reason is that you are not yet registered as a resident. Solve this by visiting your ward office first. Bring your passport, proof of housing (rental contract or lease), and fill out the residence registration form. Registration is free and takes one day.

If you do not have an inkan, you can buy one at any convenience store or stationery shop for ¥500 to ¥2,000. Bring your passport to the shop and tell them you need an inkan with your name in katakana (the phonetic alphabet used for foreign names). They carve it on the spot or within a few hours.

If your address proof is older than three months, get a new one. A residence certificate (juminhyo) from your ward office costs under ¥300 and is dated the day you request it. A utility bill works if it shows your name and current address; if your name does not appear on the bill, ask your landlord or roommate for a copy of theirs, or use your rental contract instead.

If you are denied because of your visa status, ask which visa types the bank accepts. Some banks restrict accounts to people on work visas or long-term resident visas. If your visa does not may have access to, try a different bank or an online-only bank, which often have fewer restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a bank account on a tourist visa?

Most major banks will not open an account for someone on a tourist visa because you are not registered as a resident. You must have a residence registration (juminhyo) first, which requires a long-term visa or status of residence. Online-only banks sometimes have fewer restrictions; contact them directly to ask.

What if I do not have a Japanese phone number yet?

Buy a prepaid SIM card at any convenience store or phone shop before you visit the bank. You will receive a phone number immediately. The SIM costs ¥2,000 to ¥3,000 and includes a small amount of credit. You do not need an active plan; the bank just needs a number to contact you.

Do I need to speak Japanese to open an account?

At major bank branches in large cities, English-speaking staff are usually available. Call ahead or visit during mid-morning when staff are less busy. Online-only banks have English websites and customer support. If you speak no Japanese and cannot find English support, bring a Japanese-speaking friend or hire an interpreter for the hour-long appointment.

How much money do I need to open an account?

Most Japanese banks have no minimum opening deposit. You can open an account with zero balance. Some regional banks may require a small deposit (¥1,000 to ¥10,000), so ask when you call or visit.

Can I use my inkan from my home country?

No. Japanese banks require an inkan carved with your name in katakana or kanji. Buy one in Japan at a convenience store or stationery shop for ¥500 to ¥2,000. The seal does not need to be registered with the government; an unregistered seal works for banking.