What you need to open a Japanese bank account

You can open a Japanese bank account if you have a valid visa and a residence card (or equivalent proof of legal stay). Most banks require you to be physically present in Japan to open an account — you cannot do it remotely from outside the country. The process takes 20 to 40 minutes in-branch, and you will walk out with a passbook and debit card the same day.

The documents you need are your passport, residence card, and a personal seal (called an inkan). If you do not have an inkan yet, you can buy one at a convenience store or stationery shop for 500 to 2,000 yen. Some banks accept a thumbprint instead, but having a seal makes the process smoother. You will also need a Japanese address — this can be your apartment, a hostel, or even a share house where you are registered.

Banks do not require a minimum deposit to open an account, though some charge a small monthly fee (typically 110 yen) if your balance falls below a certain threshold. This fee is waived if you maintain a balance or set up direct deposits.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be in Japan with a valid visa and residence card to open a bank account; remote applications from abroad are not possible.
  • Bring your passport, residence card, personal seal (inkan), and proof of a Japanese address to your bank visit.
  • The account opens the same day, and you receive a passbook and debit card when ready.
  • Major banks like Mizuho, MUFG, and Sumitomo Mitsui have English-speaking staff at main branches, while regional banks may have limited English support.
  • Some banks charge monthly fees if your balance drops below 10,000 to 100,000 yen, depending on the institution.

Which banks accept foreign residents

The three largest banks — Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation — all accept foreign residents and have English-speaking staff at their main branches in Tokyo, Osaka, and other major cities. These banks are the easiest option if you need language support. Regional branches may have limited English, so calling ahead to confirm is worth the time.

Smaller regional banks and credit unions (called shinkin banks) also accept foreign residents, but their English support varies widely. Some have no English staff at all. If you plan to stay in a smaller city, ask your employer or housing provider which local bank they recommend — they often have relationships with banks that handle foreign accounts regularly.

Post Bank (Japan Post Bank) is another option. It operates through post offices across the country and has a simpler account opening process than commercial banks, though it offers fewer services. The account is useful for receiving salary deposits and paying bills, but not for international transfers.

What happens during your bank visit

When you arrive at the bank, go to the counter and tell staff you want to open an account. They will hand you an process form in Japanese, though you can ask for an English version at major branches. The form asks for your name, address, phone number, occupation, and the reason you are opening the account (usually "living in Japan" or "work").

Staff will verify your documents — they will photocopy your passport and residence card and confirm your address. They will ask you to sign the form and use your inkan to stamp it. This takes about 15 minutes. You will then choose your account type (most people open a regular savings account called a futsuu yokin) and decide whether you want online banking access.

Before you leave, staff will give you your passbook (a small booklet that records all transactions), your debit card, and instructions for setting up online banking. Your debit card works when ready at ATMs and shops. Online banking access typically activates within one to three business days.

Timing and what to expect after opening

Your account is active the moment you leave the bank. You can deposit money and use your debit card at ATMs and stores the same day. However, if you set up online banking, you will need to wait one to three business days before you can log in — the bank sends you a temporary password by mail, which arrives within a week.

Your first statement arrives by mail about one month after opening. Statements come monthly, though you can view transactions online once your account is active. If you are expecting a salary deposit, tell your employer your account number and branch code (both printed on your passbook) — they can set up direct deposit when ready, and the money will arrive on the scheduled payday.

ATM fees vary by bank and time of day. Withdrawals at your own bank's ATM are usually free during business hours. Withdrawals at other banks' ATMs or convenience store ATMs (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) typically cost 110 to 220 yen per transaction. Online transfers between accounts at the same bank are usually free; transfers to other banks cost 50 to 200 yen depending on the amount.

International transfers and currency exchange

You can send money out of Japan and receive money from abroad through your Japanese bank account, but the process is slower and more expensive than domestic transfers. Outbound transfers take three to five business days and cost 2,500 to 4,500 yen per transaction, depending on the bank and destination country. The receiving bank may also charge a fee on their end.

Currency exchange happens at the bank's mid-market rate plus a markup of 1 to 3 percent. This is more expensive than using a specialist money transfer service like Wise (formerly TransferWise), which charges a flat fee and uses the real exchange rate. If you regularly move money between Japan and another country, opening a Wise account alongside your Japanese bank account often saves money.

Receiving money from abroad is simpler. You give the sender your bank account number, branch code, and SWIFT code (which your bank can provide). The money arrives in three to five business days. Your bank will notify you by mail when the transfer arrives, and you can withdraw it when ready.

Keeping your account open while you travel

Your Japanese bank account remains active as long as you maintain your residence card status. If you leave Japan temporarily — for a holiday or work trip — your account stays open and you can continue using it when you return. You can withdraw money at ATMs before you leave and deposit money when you return.

If you plan to leave Japan permanently, you should close your account before you go. To close an account, visit your bank in person with your passbook, debit card, and residence card. The bank will return any remaining balance to you in cash or by transfer. Some banks charge a small closure fee (usually 1,000 yen or less), though many do not.

If your residence card expires and you do not renew it, the bank may freeze your account after a period of inactivity — typically six months to one year. You can reactivate it by visiting the bank with a renewed residence card, but it is simpler to keep your status current if you plan to use the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a job to open a bank account?

No. Banks do not require proof of employment. You only need a valid visa, residence card, and Japanese address. If the form asks for your occupation, you can write "student", "freelancer", or "unemployed" — the bank does not verify this information.

Can I open an account with a tourist visa?

Most banks require a residence card, which you only receive after registering at your local ward office. Tourist visas do not may have access to for a residence card. If you are on a tourist visa, you cannot open a standard bank account. However, some banks offer special accounts for tourists with a passport alone — ask at major branches in tourist areas.

What if I do not have a personal seal?

You can buy an inkan at any convenience store or stationery shop for 500 to 2,000 yen. Some banks accept a thumbprint instead if you do not have a seal, but having one makes the process faster. You can also order a seal online, though it will not arrive in time for your first bank visit.

Can I use my account to send money to my home country?

Yes, but it is expensive. International transfers cost 2,500 to 4,500 yen and take three to five business days. The exchange rate includes a bank markup of 1 to 3 percent. For regular international transfers, a specialist service like Wise is usually cheaper.

What happens to my account if I leave Japan?

Your account stays open as long as your residence card is valid. If you leave temporarily, you can use it when you return. If you leave permanently, visit your bank to close the account and withdraw your balance. If your residence card expires and you do not renew it, the bank may freeze your account after six months to one year of inactivity.