A Japanese bank account is one of the first things you'll want after settling in Tokyo — your salary, rent, utilities and phone bill all tend to flow through it. The process can feel a little opaque at first (forms in Japanese, talk of seals and passbooks), but it's very learnable, and the basics are the same whichever bank you choose. This guide walks through how it generally works so you know what to expect before you go.
The main types of banks
- Megabanks (e.g. MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho) — large nationwide branch and ATM networks, full services. Counter service is mostly in Japanese, though some big-city branches and apps offer English.
- Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ / Yūcho) — often the most newcomer-friendly. Branches sit inside post offices almost everywhere, application materials come in several languages, and it runs a multilingual call centre for account questions.
- Online / 'neo' banks (e.g. Rakuten, Sony, SBI) — no physical branches; you apply and bank through an app or website, sometimes with an English interface. Convenient if you're comfortable doing everything on your phone.
- Regional banks and credit unions (信用金庫) — local institutions that can be a good fit if you're outside the city centre or your employer recommends one.
What to expect when you open one
- 1Pick a bank that fits how you live — branch access, app/online banking, English support, and whether it's easy to use near your home and work.
- 2Bring your Residence Card (在留カード) — it's the standard ID every bank will ask foreign residents for. Some banks also want a Certificate of Residence (住民票) from your ward office, plus a phone number and (often) proof you've lived here long enough; exact documents vary by bank, so check the list with your chosen bank first.
- 3Apply at a branch counter, or through the bank's app or website if it offers remote opening. A staff member or the app walks you through the form.
- 4Some banks ask for a personal seal (印鑑 / inkan); many now accept a signature instead. Check your bank's current rule before you go.
- 5Once approved, you'll be set up with an ordinary savings account (普通預金 / futsū yokin), the everyday account most people use.
- 6You'll receive a cash card (キャッシュカード) — often mailed to your registered address a week or two later — and, depending on the bank, a paper passbook (通帳 / tsūchō) or a digital passbook in the app.
Rules differ by bank, and some have a minimum-residency requirement before you can open a standard account. Don't assume what one bank told a friend applies to yours — check that specific bank's current conditions and required items directly, ideally before your visit. The FSA's multilingual guide below is a good, official place to start.
Cash card, passbook, ATMs and fees
- Cash card — your PIN-protected card for ATM withdrawals, deposits and transfers. Treat it like cash and report loss to the bank immediately.
- Passbook (通帳) — a printed record of your transactions; many banks now offer a paperless 'digital passbook' in the app instead.
- ATMs — found at branches, post offices and convenience stores. Many display English and other languages. Watch the operating hours and any time-of-day or weekend fees.
- Fees — using your own bank's ATM in the daytime is often free, but off-hours, other-bank, or convenience-store ATMs may charge a small fee. Fees vary by bank, so check yours.
- Furikomi (振込) — the standard bank transfer used to pay rent, friends or businesses. You can do it at an ATM, in the app, or at the counter; a per-transfer fee usually applies and varies by bank and amount.
- Mistake: assuming every bank is equally easy in English — confirm language support before choosing.
- Mistake: forgetting a seal (inkan) when the bank still requires one — check the rule in advance so you don't have to come back.
- Mistake: ignoring ATM hours and fees, then paying surcharges for late-night or holiday withdrawals.
- Mistake: mistyping the recipient's bank, branch or account details on a furikomi — double-check, as transfers are hard to reverse.
- Mistake: letting your residence card information lapse — banks may ask you to update it, and some account services can pause until you do.
- Which bank is easiest as a newcomer?
- There's no single answer, but Japan Post Bank is frequently chosen for its wide reach and multilingual support, and online banks suit people who prefer to do everything by app. Compare branch access, English support and fees, then pick what fits your life.
- Do I really need a personal seal (inkan)?
- It depends on the bank. Many now accept a signature, while others still want a seal. Check your chosen bank's current requirement before you apply so you're not turned away.
- How do I send money to someone in Japan?
- Use a furikomi (振込) bank transfer — at an ATM, in your banking app, or at the counter — entering the recipient's bank, branch and account number. A small transfer fee usually applies. For sending money abroad, ask your bank about its international remittance service.
