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Which Bank Should You Choose?

Opening a bank account is one of the first things you need to do in Japan — you will need it for salary, rent, utilities, and phone payments. Here is an honest comparison of the best options for foreign residents.

Bank	Best For	Opening Fee	ATM Access	English	Seal Required
Japan Post Bank ★	New arrivals (easiest)	Free	24,000+ ATMs	Limited	No
Sony Bank	Online banking / Multi-currency	Free	7-Eleven / JP Post	Full	No
SBI Shinsei	Free ATM withdrawals	Free	Convenience stores	Full	No
MUFG / SMBC / Mizuho	Full-service (mortgage etc.)	Free	Own ATM network	Some	Yes (usually)

💡 Our Recommendation

Start with Japan Post Bank — it is the easiest to open for newcomers, has the most ATMs in Japan, and does not require a personal seal. Once you are settled, consider adding Sony Bank or SBI Shinsei as a second account for better online banking features and free convenience store ATM access.

→ Japan Post Bank guide → Online banks guide → Opening tips → Full comparison

The "6-Month Myth"

You may have heard that you need to live in Japan for 6 months before opening a bank account. This is partially true for mega banks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho), but Japan Post Bank and online banks typically accept new residents immediately. Do not let this myth delay getting your account set up.

What About Personal Seals (印鑑)?

Traditional Japanese banks require a registered seal (印鑑 / inkan) instead of a signature. However, Japan Post Bank, Sony Bank, and SBI Shinsei Bank all accept signatures — making them much easier for foreign residents. If you do need a seal, you can get one made at a 100-yen shop or specialty seal shop for ¥500-3,000.

てじゅん

Choose a bank. Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) is the easiest option for newcomers — it has over 24,000 ATMs nationwide and typically accepts applications from foreign residents immediately, without a 6-month waiting period. Sony Bank is a strong alternative if you prefer online banking with English support and multi-currency features. For in-person banking in your local area, check which bank has the most branches near your home or workplace.

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Prepare your documents and visit a branch (or apply online for Sony Bank/SBI Shinsei Bank). At Japan Post Bank, the process typically takes 30-60 minutes. Staff may not speak English, but the forms are straightforward. Some banks require a personal seal (inkan/印鑑) — Japan Post Bank and online banks generally do not.

📄 Residence Card📄 Passport📄 My Number notification📄 Personal seal (some banks)

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Complete the application. Your cash card will arrive by mail in 1-2 weeks. In the meantime, you can deposit and withdraw money using your passbook (通帳). Set up online banking (ダイレクト) at the same time — this allows you to check your balance, transfer money, and manage your account from your phone.

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Once your account is active, consider setting up automatic payments (口座振替) for rent, utilities, and phone bills. This is the standard way to pay recurring bills in Japan and can save you trips to the convenience store.