Yes, foreigners can open a bank account in Japan, but the process depends on your visa status and how long you plan to stay

Most major Japanese banks will open an account for a foreigner with a valid visa and proof of a Japanese address. You do not need to be a permanent resident or have Japanese citizenship. The catch: banks treat short-term visitors (tourist visas, typically 90 days) differently from people on longer visas like work permits or student visas. A tourist cannot open a regular account at most banks, but someone on a one-year work visa can.

The process itself is straightforward once you have the right documents. You walk into a branch, show your passport and visa, provide proof of address, and complete an application form in Japanese (or with help from staff). Most accounts open the same day or within a few business days. The real barrier is not the banks—it is the visa requirement and the address proof, which can be harder to get than the account itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Foreigners on work visas, student visas, or spouse visas can open a regular bank account at major banks like Mizuho, MUFG, or Sumitomo Mitsui; tourists on 90-day visas cannot.
  • You will need a valid passport, your visa, and proof of a Japanese address—usually a rental contract, utility bill, or residence certificate from your ward office.
  • Some banks require a My Number (individual tax ID), which you can obtain from your local ward office once you have registered your address.
  • Online banks like Rakuten Bank and Sony Bank have looser requirements and may open accounts for tourists, but you still need a Japanese address and phone number.
  • The entire process takes one to three weeks from start to finish, including the time to get proof of address if you do not have it yet.

Which visa types allow you to open a bank account

Banks in Japan sort foreigners into two groups: those on long-term visas and those on short-term visas. Long-term visas include work visas (most common), student visas, spouse visas, and permanent resident status. If you hold any of these, you can open a regular account at any major bank. Short-term visas—tourist visas, business visitor visas, and temporary visitor status—do not may have access to at traditional banks.

The reason is not discrimination; it is regulatory. Japanese banks must report account holders to tax authorities, and the system assumes short-term visitors will not file taxes or maintain the account long enough to justify the paperwork. If you are on a tourist visa and need a bank account, your options are limited to online banks or services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) that do not require a Japanese bank account at all.

If you are arriving on a tourist visa but plan to stay longer, you can change your visa status after arrival. This takes several weeks and requires a new application at immigration. Once your new visa is approved, you can then open a bank account. Do not wait until you have already changed status—apply for the account immediately after your new visa is stamped in your passport.

Documents you need before you walk into a bank

Bring your passport and the visa page showing your current status. Banks will photocopy both. You will also need proof of a Japanese address. This can be a rental contract, a utility bill (electricity, water, or gas) in your name, or a residence certificate from your ward office. If you just arrived and do not have any of these yet, go to your ward office first and register your address. This takes 15 minutes and produces a residence certificate you can use immediately.

Some banks now ask for a My Number—Japan's individual tax identification number. You do not need to have one before you apply, but the bank may ask you to get one during the process. You can obtain a My Number from your ward office at the same time you register your address. Bring your passport and proof of address (like your rental contract), and they will issue it on the spot or mail it to you within two weeks.

Have your contact information ready: a Japanese phone number (you can get a prepaid SIM card at any convenience store), your email address, and your employment details if you have a job. If you are a student, bring your student ID or enrollment letter. Banks ask for this to verify your visa status matches your stated purpose.

The step-by-step process at the bank

Go to a branch during business hours (usually 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays; many close on weekends). Tell staff you want to open an account. They will hand you an application form in Japanese. If you do not read Japanese, ask if they have English-language forms—most major branches do, though smaller branches may not. Fill out your name, address, phone number, employment status, and the type of account you want (most people choose a regular savings account).

Hand over your passport, visa page, and proof of address. Staff will photocopy everything. They will ask you to sign the form and may ask security questions to verify your identity. The whole process takes 20 to 30 minutes. You will receive a temporary account number on the spot, but your debit card and passbook (or online access) arrive by mail within one to two weeks. Some banks now skip the passbook and give you only online access.

If the bank asks for a My Number and you do not have one yet, ask whether you can provide it later. Most banks will let you open the account without it and add it to your file within 30 days. If they refuse, go to your ward office, get your My Number, and come back the next day.

Online banks and alternative routes for tourists

If you are on a tourist visa, traditional banks will turn you away. Your options are online banks like Rakuten Bank, Sony Bank, or Matsui Securities. These banks have looser visa requirements and sometimes accept tourists, though policies change. You still need a Japanese address and a Japanese phone number. You can get both within days of arrival: register at your accommodation's address with your ward office, and buy a prepaid SIM card at a convenience store.

The application is entirely online. You upload photos of your passport and visa, provide your address and phone number, and wait for approval. This takes three to five business days. You will not receive a physical debit card immediately; most online banks mail it within one to two weeks or let you use a virtual card number for online purchases right away.

If you need cash access and do not want to wait for a card, consider Wise (formerly TransferWise). It is not a Japanese bank, but it lets you hold a Japanese yen account and receive transfers from Japanese employers or friends. You can withdraw cash at 7-Eleven ATMs across Japan using your Wise card. This works for tourists and long-term residents alike.

What happens after your account opens

Once your account is active, you can receive salary deposits, pay bills, and transfer money domestically. Most employers in Japan require a bank account for direct deposit, so opening one is usually your first financial task after arrival. Your debit card works at ATMs and convenience stores nationwide.

If you plan to send money abroad, Japanese banks charge high fees (often 2,000 to 4,000 yen per transfer) and offer poor exchange rates. Wise, OFX, or other international transfer services are cheaper. Many foreigners keep their Japanese bank account for local payments and use Wise or similar services for international transfers.

If you leave Japan or your visa expires, you can keep your account open as long as you want, even if you are no longer in the country. However, if the bank detects no activity for several years, they may freeze or close it. If you plan to return, leave a small balance and do not close it.

Common reasons banks reject applications

Banks refuse accounts most often because the applicant is on a tourist visa or has no proof of address. Less common reasons include a history of fraud or money laundering (banks check international databases), or an address that the bank cannot verify. If your address is a hotel or a short-term rental, some banks may ask for additional proof, like a letter from the hotel or a booking confirmation.

If one bank rejects you, try another. Policies vary by branch and by bank. Smaller regional banks are sometimes stricter than major national banks, but not always. Online banks are your most reliable fallback if a traditional bank says no.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a bank account if I am staying in a hotel or Airbnb?

Most banks prefer a residential address, but some accept hotels or short-term rentals if you can show a booking confirmation or a letter from the accommodation. Online banks are more flexible. If you are staying short-term, register at your ward office using the hotel or rental address, get a residence certificate, and use that as proof.

Do I need a My Number to open an account?

No, but many banks ask for one during the application. If you do not have one, you can get it from your ward office in 15 minutes, or the bank may let you provide it within 30 days of opening the account. Ask the bank staff whether you can apply without it first.

How long does it take to get a debit card after I open an account?

Most banks mail your card within one to two weeks. You receive a temporary account number on the day you apply and can use it for online transfers or bill payments immediately. Some online banks issue a virtual card number the same day and mail a physical card later.

What if my employer wants to deposit my salary but I do not have an account yet?

Tell your employer you are opening an account and ask them to wait one to two weeks. If they cannot wait, ask whether they can pay you in cash temporarily or use a service like Wise to deposit money into an account you open before you arrive in Japan.

Can I close my account if I leave Japan?

Yes, you can close it in person at any branch or by mail. You will need to show your passport and the account holder's seal (or signature). If you do not close it, the account stays open indefinitely, though the bank may freeze it after several years of no activity.