6 Banks Where Foreigners Can Open Accounts in Japan【2026】
📋 Table of Contents
- Right after arriving in Japan, Japan Post Bank and Seven Bank are easiest to open with just a residence card.
- Many online banks like DOCOMO SMTB Net Bank let you complete everything online, but usually require 6+ months of residence and your My Number.
- If you also want to send money abroad, choosing based on multilingual support and remittance features helps you avoid rejection.
Key Notes Before Opening a Bank Account
To open a bank account in Japan, you need a valid residence status and residence card (zairyu card). Short-stay visas generally do not qualify; eligibility depends on your residence status, period of stay, and each bank's screening.
Most banks require at least 6 months of residence in Japan (with exceptions). Prioritize banks that allow foreigners to open accounts soon after arrival.
For the application flow, required documents, and common reasons applications are declined (with fixes) that apply across banks, see our step-by-step guide to opening a bank account as a foreigner.
If you'll make overseas transfers after opening an account, also see how to use Wise, which can often be cheaper than banks.
6-Bank Comparison Table
| Bank | Difficulty | Residence Requirement | How to Open | English Support | Int'l Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Post Bank Open right away | Easy | Under 6 months OK | Branch only | △ | ○ |
| Seven Bank | Easy | Under 6 months OK | Mobile app | ○ 8 languages | × |
| DOCOMO SMTB Net Bank | Moderate | 6 months+ recommended | Mobile app | ○ English | ○ |
| Rakuten Bank | Moderate | 6 months+ recommended | Online | △ | × |
| SBI Shinsei Bank | Easier | 6 months+ recommended | Online | ○ English | ○ |
| MUFG Bank | Stricter | 6 months+ required | Branch / App | △ | ○ |
We don't rank based on whether a bank advertises with us. We compare objectively using the following criteria for foreign residents in Japan.
- Account-opening requirements: whether a residence period and residence card alone are enough
- Availability right after arrival: whether accounts can be opened in under 6 months of residence
- Multilingual support: whether sign-up, the app, and support are available beyond Japanese
- App/ATM convenience: whether it's mobile-only and how many ATMs you can use
- Fit with overseas remittance: whether international transfers are supported and integrate with other services
- Japan Post Bank and Seven Bank are representative examples of banks where you may be able to open an account even if you have been in Japan for less than 6 months.
- Major banks such as MUFG Bank often require at least 6 months of residence, so you may be turned down right after arriving in Japan.
- Seven Bank supports multiple languages, and applications can be completed entirely through its smartphone app (supporting Vietnamese, Chinese, and more).
- If you also want to use international remittance services, banks that support transfers — such as DOCOMO SMTB Net Bank, SBI Shinsei Bank, Japan Post Bank, and MUFG Bank — can be options.
① Japan Post Bank (Post Office)
- Screening difficulty
- Easy (particularly accommodating to foreign residents)
- Residence period
- Can be opened even with less than 6 months of residence
- Required documents
- Residence card + passport (optional)
- How to open
- Post office counter only (not available online)
- Fees
- ATM withdrawals: free on weekdays during daytime hours
- International transfers
- ○ (a separate application is required)
- Notes
- Issued as an ordinary account with a passbook and cash card. A debit card function is available.
Japan Post Bank is a bank that foreign residents find particularly easy to open an account with. You can apply as soon as you arrive in Japan as long as you have a residence card. Procedures can be completed at post offices nationwide, and you can also use convenience-store ATMs (7-Eleven, FamilyMart).
② Seven Bank
- Screening difficulty
- Easy (has a service dedicated to foreign residents)
- Residence period
- Can be opened even with less than 6 months of residence
- Required documents
- Residence card (photographed with your phone)
- How to open
- Completed entirely in the smartphone app
- Language support
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese
- ATMs
- Seven-Eleven ATMs (27,000 nationwide)
- Notes
- No international transfer function. Comes with a cash card and a debit card function.
Seven Bank offers an account-opening service designed specifically for foreign residents. You can apply simply by photographing your residence card in the smartphone app, and its support for 8 languages is a major strength.
③ DOCOMO SMTB Net Bank
- Screening difficulty
- Moderate (6 months or more of residence recommended)
- Required documents
- Residence card + My Number
- How to open
- Smartphone app (Smart Authentication NEO)
- English support
- ○ (English-language support available)
- International transfers
- ○ (foreign-currency transfers supported)
- Interest rates
- Comparatively high interest on time deposits
DOCOMO SMTB Net Bank provides support in English for foreign residents. It is especially worth considering if you have lived in Japan for 6 months or more and have a stable income.
④ Rakuten Bank
- Screening difficulty
- Moderate
- Required documents
- Residence card + My Number
- How to open
- Web or smartphone app
- Benefits
- Double points at Rakuten Ichiba (3–18× when combined with a Rakuten Card)
- ATMs
- Convenience-store ATMs nationwide (up to 5 free withdrawals per month)
Rakuten Bank is particularly convenient if you use Rakuten Ichiba or a Rakuten Card. A residence period of 6 months or more is recommended, but there are many reports of foreign residents successfully opening an account.
⑤ SBI Shinsei Bank
- Screening difficulty
- Easier (comparatively easy to apply for as a foreign national)
- Required documents
- Residence card + passport
- How to open
- Completed entirely online
- English support
- ○ (the online procedure is available in English)
- ATMs
- Convenience-store ATMs (free under certain conditions)
SBI Shinsei Bank provides extensive support for foreign national customers, and the procedure can be completed online in English. It is a bank that is easy to apply to even if you are not confident in Japanese.
⑥ MUFG Bank
- Screening difficulty
- Stricter (6 months or more of residence is required)
- Residence period
- 6 months or more of residence (required)
- Required documents
- Residence card + a utility bill or similar
- ATMs
- Nationwide network (fees apply at convenience-store ATMs)
- Advantages
- High reliability and convenience. Widely used for salary deposits and utility payments.
MUFG Bank offers the reliability of a megabank, but it checks the 6-months-or-more residence requirement strictly for foreign residents. It is best to apply once you have settled into life in Japan.
Common Required Documents
- Residence card (在留カード) – Required, must be valid
- My Number (Individual Number) – Usually required for online banks
- Passport – As additional ID
- Juminhyo (Certificate of Residence) – Some banks require it
After opening an account, also check tax procedures such as resident tax and annual tax filing. See the Tax Filing & Resident Tax Guide.
FAQ
A. Japan Post Bank (Yucho) and Seven Bank can often accept applications even within your first 6 months. Major banks like MUFG typically require 6+ months, so try these two first.
A. A residence card is required. Most banks also ask for My Number (especially mandatory at online banks), a certificate of residence (juminhyo), or a passport. Short-stay visas generally do not qualify.
A. Seven Bank supports 8 languages including Vietnamese and Chinese, with the full process done by smartphone app. DOCOMO SMTB Net Bank and SBI Shinsei Bank offer English support.
A. Seven Bank and Rakuten Bank do not support international transfers. If overseas transfers are important, consider DOCOMO SMTB, SBI Shinsei, Japan Post Bank, or MUFG.
A. Right after arrival, Yucho or Seven Bank are easiest to open. Once settled, DOCOMO SMTB or SBI Shinsei suit those who prefer English or online banking. MUFG works well as a salary and utilities account once you are more comfortable in Japan.
The bank account you open can also be used to top up and pay with PayPay. For details, see the PayPay guide.
Once your Japanese bank account is ready, a Wise account lets you send money to 80+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate, and receive or hold foreign currencies. No credit check needed — verify with your residence card and use it entirely online, alongside your bank account.
Open Wise (free sign-up) →We introduce licensed providers and may earn a commission (PR); we are not a money-transfer operator. In Japan, Wise is provided by Wise Payments Japan K.K., a registered Funds Transfer Service Provider (Kanto Local Finance Bureau No. 00040). Fees and exchange rates change — check the official site.
- Want to know if a residence card alone is enough
- Want a card with no annual fee
- Also want to use it for everyday payments like PayPay