The documents, choices, and common snags when opening your first Japanese bank account.
With a residence card and a Japanese address you can open an account at most banks; online banks and English-friendly banks are the usual starting points.
The anchor document is your residence card (在留カード). Most banks also ask for a Japanese address and a phone number, and increasingly for a My Number. Some banks impose a waiting period (often six months of residency) before a new arrival can open certain accounts, while others open immediately — Japan Post Bank and some online banks are often accessible early.
Prepare a personal seal (hanko) or be ready to sign, and expect your name to be registered in katakana. Keep that katakana spelling identical across your employer, utilities, and cards to avoid transfer and verification problems later.
If you want low fees and a good app, start with an online bank such as Rakuten Bank or Sony Bank. If English support is essential, SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA and Sony Bank are the names people research first. If you need a branch network or expect official and corporate dealings, a megabank or Japan Post Bank can be the practical anchor. Many residents keep two accounts for different jobs.
Online bank · Sony Bank
An online bank popular with residents who want strong foreign-currency features, a well-regarded app, and comparatively English-friendly service.
Fees: No monthly account fee; ATM/transfer fees depend on tier — verify current schedule.
Bank (English support) · SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA
The bank most often recommended for English-language service, multi-currency accounts, and international needs, aimed at globally minded residents.
Fees: Account and transfer fees vary; balance-based fee waivers apply — verify current schedule.
Online bank · Rakuten Bank
Japan’s large online bank, tightly integrated with the Rakuten ecosystem (card, points, securities) and popular for everyday banking.
Fees: No monthly fee; ATM/transfer fees depend on account rank — verify current schedule.
Bank (nationwide) · Japan Post Bank
A bank with the widest branch and ATM network in Japan, often accessible for new residents and useful in rural areas.
Fees: Basic account has no monthly fee; some transfer/ATM fees apply — verify current schedule.
You generally need a residence card (在留カード), a Japanese address, and often a Japanese phone number and a personal seal (hanko) or signature. Some banks also ask for a My Number, and a few require six months of residency before opening. Online banks (Rakuten Bank, Sony Bank) and English-friendly banks (SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA) are common starting points. Requirements differ by bank, so confirm on the provider’s page before applying.
SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA and Sony Bank are the most commonly cited for English-language service, apps, and foreign-currency features. Rakuten Bank and SBI Shinsei Bank offer partial English support. Megabanks have limited English at most branches. If English support is essential, verify the current app language and support hours on the bank’s official site, because these change.
Yes, employment is usually not required to open a basic deposit account — a residence card and address are the core requirements. Students and dependents routinely open accounts. Employment matters more for credit cards and loans than for opening a bank account itself. Requirements vary, so check the specific bank.