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Answer 4 questions, get a personalised recommendation
01What's your visa type?
02How comfortable are you in Japanese?
03Do you have a hanko (personal seal)?
04How long have you lived in Japan?
Your bank account journey
Japan's banking onboarding is strict for foreigners. Follow this path to avoid the residence-card / address / bank-account trilemma.
Day 0
Get your residence card
Issued at airport (90+ day visa) or ward office (within 14 days of moving in).
Day +14Recommended
Open a foreigner-friendly account
Accepts new residents with residence card alone — no 6-month wait.
Shinsei
Sony Bank
PRESTIA (SMBC Trust)
Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ)
7-Bank (ATM-based)
Day +180
Transfer to a mega-bank
Required by some employers for salary transfer (給与振込). After ~6 months residency you qualify.
Mizuho
MUFG
SMBC
The residence-card × address × bank-account trilemma
Residence card needs an address. Address needs a lease. Lease sometimes needs a JP bank account. The escape: ward office within 14 days of move-in → foreigner-friendly bank (Shinsei et al.) accepts your card alone → use that to sign the lease.
How to open an account — in order
Register your address at city hall
File your 転入届: the new address goes on the back of your residence card and you can get a 住民票. Most banks need this first.
Pick a foreigner-friendly bank
Shinsei or SMBC Trust (Prestia) online, Yucho or a branch bank in person. Bring your residence card, passport, My Number and an inkan if you have one.
No inkan? Get one for about ¥1,000
A simple name seal from a 100-yen or stationery shop works for most banks; some accept a signature.
Open it — the card comes 1–2 weeks later
Online (Shinsei) or at a branch, where staff fill in the forms. The passbook is often same-day; the cash card arrives by mail. Don’t panic.
Some banks ask for ~6 months' residence first. Shinsei, Prestia and Yucho are usually the most flexible for newcomers — try those first.
On a short visa (under 1 year / Working Holiday)?
- Japan Post Bank (Yucho, at the post office) is the one that reliably accepts Working Holiday and under-1-year visas. Start there.
- Big banks (Shinsei, MUFG…) often refuse visas under 1 year. If you are turned away, do not take it personally — just try the next one.
- A small neighbourhood branch is often more flexible than a big "English-speaking" head office — try your local counter.
- While you wait or as a backup: Wise or Revolut give you a usable balance and card with no Japanese account.
When you renew your visa later, tell your bank your new residence-card details promptly — your account then keeps working smoothly through the change.
Foreigner-Friendly Banks
Not all banks in Japan welcome foreign residents equally. Here are your best options, ranked by accessibility for newcomers.
- Recommended
SBI Shinsei Bank
The most foreigner-friendly option. Full English online banking, no minimum balance requirement, and a relatively simple application process. Often the first choice for new arrivals.
- English online banking
- No minimum balance
- Easy application
- Full English support
SMBC Prestia
Full English support including phone banking. Strong international transfer capabilities. Requires an in-person appointment at a branch, but staff are accustomed to foreign clients.
- International transfers
- Appointment required
- Widest ATM network
Japan Post Bank (Yucho Bank)
The widest ATM network in Japan with branches in every post office. Lower residency requirements than major banks. Limited English support, but simpler procedures overall.
- Lower requirements
- Limited English
- Best once established
SMBC / MUFG (Major Banks)
Japan's largest banks with the most services. However, they are stricter with new foreign residents and often require 6+ months of residency. Best once you are established.
- Most services
- Harder for newcomers
Two traps, two fixes
The 6-Month Problem
Many banks in Japan will refuse to open an account if you have been in the country for less than 6 months. This creates a frustrating Catch-22: you need a bank account to receive your salary, but banks will not give you one because you just arrived.
How to get around it Ask your employer for a letter confirming your employment — some banks will waive the 6-month rule with employer sponsorship. Otherwise, try SBI Shinsei Bank or SMBC Prestia first, as they are more flexible with new arrivals. Japan Post Bank is also known to be lenient in some branches.
SIM & Bank: The Chicken-and-Egg Problem
You need a phone number to open a bank account, but some phone contracts require a bank account for payment. This circular dependency catches many newcomers off guard.
Solution: Get a prepaid SIM first (Sakura Mobile, Mobal, or a convenience store SIM). These accept credit card payment and do not require a Japanese bank account. Then use that phone number to open your bank account.
Break the loop: get a SIM without a bank account →Digital Alternatives While Waiting
If you cannot open a bank account right away, these services can bridge the gap for daily transactions and international transfers.
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Multi-currency account with a debit card. Excellent exchange rates for international transfers. Can receive salary in some cases. Sign up online before arriving in Japan.
Revolut
Digital banking app with competitive exchange rates. Useful for spending in Japan with a foreign-issued card while waiting for a local account.
PayPay
Japan's most popular mobile payment app. Can be linked to a credit card (including foreign cards) for cashless payments at millions of stores, restaurants, and vending machines.
International Money Transfer
Sending money back home? These services consistently offer better rates than bank wire transfers. Compare and pick based on your corridor and urgency.
Fees and speed are typical ranges as of 2026 — always check the live rate on the provider's site before sending. Listed here as a convenience; Keigo is not affiliated with any of these providers.