It’s one of the first things everyone worries about before moving to Japan. You need a bank account to pay rent, receive a salary, and set up utilities — but Japan’s banking system was not designed with foreigners in mind. The good news: it’s genuinely manageable if you know what you’re doing.
Which Bank to Go to First
Japan Post Bank (Yuucho Ginkou) is the most accessible option for new arrivals. Every post office in Japan has a branch. The sign-up process is more foreigner-friendly than high-street banks, and approval is usually same-day.
Rakuten Bank is a strong second choice — it has some English-language online interfaces and is fully digital. It requires a Japanese phone number and address, but no in-person visit.
What You Need to Bring
- Your residency card (zairyuu kaado) — you must have this before attempting opening an account with any bank
- Your passport
- A Japanese phone number — even a prepaid SIM works, as long as it comes with an actual local number
- Your registered address — the one on your residence card
💡 NB Insight: The single biggest mistake new arrivals make is trying to open an account before registering at the ward office (区役所, ku-yakusho). You must register your address first — your residence card won’t show an address until you do, and banks won’t accept a blank address field. Ward office first, bank second.
The Hanko Question
Traditionally, Japanese banks required a personal seal called a hanko/ inkan instead of a signature. Many banks now accept signatures from foreign nationals — but having a cheap inkan (personal seal) from a ¥300 100-yen shop can speed things up and avoid complications at smaller branches.
🎌 Cultural Note: Japan Post Bank staff at smaller branches may have limited English. Bringing a printed copy of your address in Japanese — your ward office registration slip works perfectly — removes most of the friction.
How Long It Takes
Japan Post Bank: same-day, 30–60 minutes in branch. Rakuten Bank: online application takes 15 minutes; card delivery takes 7–10 days. Most relocation clients have a working account within 2 weeks of arrival.
The process feels intimidating before you do it. Once you’re standing in the post office with the right documents, it’s straightforward. We promise.
Want a full week-one checklist?
Book a free 30-min consultation — we walk every relocation client through exactly this, before they arrive.
