Best Banks in Japan for Foreigners: Account Comparison
Hereโs a clear, updated comparison of Japanโs most foreigner-friendly banksโwhat you can open, how to open it, English support, fees, ATMs, and whether theyโre good for remittances or multi-currency savings. Practical steps and documents are included so you can open an account with confidence today.
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Quick picks by situation
- I just arrived and need a salary account fast: Japan Post Bank (JP Bank) or Seven Bank for straightforward onboarding and huge ATM access.
- I want easy English and lots of convenience-store ATMs: SBI Shinsei Bank (great English support; clear ATM fee rules).
- I need a multi-currency account for saving/FX: SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA (MultiMoney up to 17 currencies) or Sony Bank (12 currencies, debit).
- I bank online and live in the Rakuten ecosystem: Rakuten Bank (solid app, debit, points perks; has overseas transfer service).
Update you should know: SBI Shinsei GoRemit (their old international transfer service) was discontinued on October 20, 2025. SBI now directs customers to SBI Remit Co., Ltd. instead.
Throughout this guide youโll also find helpful internal resources like Salary in Japan, moving and address registration, Exchange student life essentials, and working in Japan.
What documents youโll need (and what to expect)
Most foreign residents can open a standard account once they have:
- Residence card (ๅจ็ใซใผใ / zairyลซ card) confirming visa status/period of stay
- Passport
- Proof of address in Japan (often your jลซminhyล certificate from city hall)
- A Japanese phone number (many banks verify via SMS)
- My Number (often requested; more on this below)
Japanโs Financial Services Agency (FSA) publishes a concise guide for foreign residents on opening accounts and sending money; itโs a good first stop for official expectations and process.
Is My Number โmandatoryโ to open a bank account?
Japan has introduced systems to link your My Number to bank accounts, but the Digital Agency explains the deposit account numbering is a voluntary registration by the depositor (separate from the โpublic money receiving accountโ registration for benefits). Banks may still request your number for tax/AML checks, but the governmentโs scheme itself is opt-in.
Best banks for foreigners in Japan โ head-to-head
Fee tables change often; always check the bankโs latest schedule before you decide. The snapshot below focuses on what matters most to newcomers: English support, ATMs, remittances, multi-currency, and debit.
Summary comparison
| Bank | English support | Opening method | ATM access & fees (high-level) | International transfers | Multi-currency savings | Debit card |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Shinsei Bank | Strong English site & app | Online + branch | Partner convenience ATMs; Standard tier = 5 free withdrawals/month; then ยฅ110 each; higher tiers more free | GoRemit discontinued 20 Oct 2025; they point to SBI Remit Co., Ltd. | FX products available; check current lineup | Cash card; (credit/debit separate) |
| SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA | English service & branches | Branch + online | City bank/Prestia ATMs; standard city-bank fees | Traditional outgoing/incoming wires | PRESTIA MultiMoney (up to 17 currencies) | Debit via separate products |
| Seven Bank | English pages; multilingual app | Web or even ATM onboarding options | ~28,000 Seven Bank ATMs nationwide | Western Union-based service; 24/7 in principle; typical limits ยฅ1M/day, ยฅ3M/year | No multi-currency savings | JCB debit available |
| Japan Post Bank (JP Bank) | Basic English pages; in-branch support | Branch + app | Huge network of JP Bank ATMs; also friendly for overseas cards | Limited cross-border services | No multi-currency savings | JP Bank Debit available |
| Sony Bank | English site; note: English account-opening online ended June 30, 2025 | Online (Japanese flow) | Convenience ATMs; standard online-bank fees | No in-house wires; use external options | 12 currencies (FX deposits) | Visa debit (Sony Bank WALLET) |
| Rakuten Bank | English corporate pages + some product info | Online | Wide partner-ATM access; app-centric | Overseas remittance service available | FX deposits/products in Japanese | Rakuten debit; strong ecosystem perks |
Sources: SBI Shinsei fee tables and program; SBI GoRemit discontinuation notice; SMBC PRESTIA MultiMoney and fee pages; Seven Bank onboarding/intl transfer pages and investor figures; JP Bank ATM and onboarding info; Sony Bank foreign-currency products and account-opening update; Rakuten Bank English/opening page and overseas transfer page.
Bank-by-bank deep dive
1) SBI Shinsei Bank โ the convenience king for everyday banking
Why itโs popular with foreigners: a clean English interface, friendly rules for convenience-store ATMs, and clear fee tiers.
- English support: Dedicated English pages and support.
- ATMs & fees: At partner convenience store ATMs (Seven Bank, E-net, Lawson, Aeon, etc.), Standard customers get 5 free withdrawals/month; from the 6th withdrawal itโs ยฅ110. Higher โSilverโ and above tiers can withdraw fee-free more often. Check the commission table and Step Up Program for details.
- Important remittance update: GoRemit ended on Oct 20, 2025; SBI directs customers to SBI Remit Co., Ltd. for international money transfers going forward. Plan accordingly if easy remittances are a must.
- Good for: Everyday cash needs, English UI, frequent convenience-store ATM use.
- Maybe not ideal if: You want an in-house international wire product (post-GoRemit), or if you mainly use JP Bank/Megabank ATMs (which often carry a small fee).
Internal reads: How to get a Japanese SIM quickly, Negotiating salary payments with HR.
2) SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA โ branch English + serious multi-currency
PRESTIA is the brand many long-term expats choose when they want branch English service and multi-currency savings/investments.
- Multi-currency: PRESTIA MultiMoney supports up to 17 currencies for deposits and transfers between USD sub-accounts at low/no internal fees.
- FX service fees: PRESTIA publishes its currency exchange service fees transparently; always check the current spread/fees before swapping currencies.
- Who it suits: Professionals paid in foreign currency, active FX savers, and customers who want in-branch English.
- Trade-off: Typically higher balance expectations and more traditional fee schedules versus online banks.
Related: Investing basics for residents.
3) Seven Bank โ โopen onlineโ or even at an ATM, with remittances baked in
Seven Bank is tightly integrated with 7-Eleven stores, so you get around 28,000 ATMs and genuinely convenient hours.
- Opening methods: Web onboarding and ATM account opening exist (with some feature limits if you open via ATM).
- International transfers: Their International Money Transfer Service runs on Western Union, available 24/7 in principle with clear caps (ยฅ1,000,000/day; ยฅ3,000,000/year). English-supported app too.
- Best for: People who value ATM ubiquity, English help, and quick cash pick-up transfers to family overseas.
- Watch-outs: If you opened the account via ATM, some customizations (like card type/design or applying for transfer service) must be done online later.
Helpful: Cash vs cashless in 2025.
4) Japan Post Bank (JP Bank) โ the โeverywhereโ bank
JP Bank remains one of the easiest banks for new residents thanks to its nationwide presence and clear processes.
- Onboarding flow: JP Bank publishes an English โprocedure flowโ with estimated time and supported languages (English/Chinese/Vietnamese/Japanese).
- ATMs: Huge network plus broad support for overseas cards at their ATMs (handy before your new accountโs card arrives).
- Debit card: JP Bank offers JP Bank Debit; if you plan to use debit for daily payments, confirm eligibility tied to your period of stay.
- Best for: Newcomers who want a salary account quickly and an ATM on almost every corner.
- Trade-offs: App/online banking English is more limited compared with purely digital banks.
Also read: Registering your address (jลซminhyล), Setting up utilities and rent payments.
5) Sony Bank โ online, multi-currency, Visa debit (with a 2025 caveat)
Sony Bank is an online-only bank known for multi-currency savings and its Visa debit โSony Bank WALLET.โ
- Multi-currency: 12 major currencies for foreign-currency depositsโgreat for travel or saving in USD/EUR.
- English opening change (important): As of June 30, 2025, Sony stopped accepting account-opening applications via the English online banking flow. You can still bank online, but the application itself must be completed via the Japanese flow/app.
- Perks: Regular FX promotions (e.g., limited-time reduced/zero FX fees).
- Best for: Online users who want a Visa debit and FX savings.
- Trade-offs: If you need everything in English from application to daily use, confirm current support before starting.
Related: Tips for using credit cards in Japan, Travel-money playbook from Japan.
6) Rakuten Bank โ fully online with strong ecosystem benefits
Rakuten is online-first: easy onboarding, solid app, and rewards when you connect with other Rakuten services.
- Account opening: English information page available; application is done online.
- Perks: Earn extra Rakuten points when you route salary/card payments via Rakuten Bank.
- International transfers: Overseas remittance service is available to 200+ countries (details on the Japanese page).
- Best for: People who use Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Card, and want a simple app-first experience.
Useful: Online shopping tips for residents.
How to choose: a simple framework
- What do you need in the first 30 days?
If your employer is pressuring you for a local account quickly, JP Bank or Seven Bank are the least fussy. If you already have all docs in order and want English plus convenience-store ATMs, SBI Shinsei is hard to beat. - Do you send money overseas often?
Seven Bankโs Western Union integration is simple. For SBI Shinsei customers, note the GoRemit shut-down and consider SBI Remit Co., Ltd. (separate signup). If you prefer fintech, you can pair a Japan bank + non-bank remittance service. - Do you save in foreign currencies?
Choose SMBC PRESTIA (17 currencies) or Sony Bank (12 currencies). FX spreads/fees matter; check bank tables before converting. - Do you want an English UI end-to-end?
SBI Shinsei and SMBC PRESTIA do well here. Sony Bank still has English support, but new account applications via English flow ended in 2025โworth noting.
Internal reads to help decide: Proof of address and city-hall paperwork, Getting a credit card in Japan.
Comparison table with practical details
โFeesโ here are simplified highlights. For exact, current fees (and time-of-day conditions), always confirm the bankโs official page before applying or transacting.
| Feature | SBI Shinsei | SMBC PRESTIA | Seven Bank | JP Bank | Sony Bank | Rakuten Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English interface | Yes | Yes | Yes (site/app) | Limited | Yes (note opening change) | Partial |
| Open without branch | Yes | Often needs branch for some services | Yes (web; ATM opening possible) | App + branch | Yes (Japanese flow) | Yes |
| Convenience-store ATM access | Strong (7-Eleven, Lawson, etc.) | Standard city-bank access | Native network (~28k) | Broad JP Bank ATMs | Strong via partner ATMs | Strong via partners |
| Typical ATM withdrawal fee at partner ATMs | 5 free/month on Standard; then ยฅ110; more free on higher tiers | Bank-standard fees | Native network fees | Bank-standard fees | Bank-standard fees | Bank-standard fees |
| International remittance | GoRemit ended; use SBI Remit Co., Ltd. | Yes (traditional wires) | Western Union; 24/7 in principle; caps apply | Limited | Use external options | Available (see JP page) |
| Multi-currency saving | FX products | 17 currencies | No | No | 12 currencies | Yes (Japanese pages) |
| Debit card | Cash card (pair with other debit) | Products vary | JCB debit | JP Bank Debit | Visa debit (WALLET) | Rakuten debit |
Sources: fee tables and programs (SBI Shinsei), Seven Bank onboarding & international transfer pages and investor digest, JP Bank ATM & debit docs, Sony Bank FX & 2025 English opening change, PRESTIA MultiMoney page, Rakuten Bank opening & remittance pages.
Step-by-step: opening your account smoothly
- Register your address at city hall and get your jลซminhyล. Youโll need it for KYC at most banks.
- Prepare your ID set: residence card, passport, Japanese phone number. Keep My Number handy if requested. See FSAโs official guide for newcomers.
- Pick your bank using the tables above. If you need English with lots of ATMs, try SBI Shinsei; if you need multi-currency, consider PRESTIA or Sony Bank.
- Apply online (or visit a branch).
- Seven Bank: online or even ATM (card design/IMT options differ for ATM applications).
- JP Bank: follow their English procedure flow.
- Sony Bank: note the English account-opening flow ended; use the Japanese application process.
- Activate online banking and set your transfer limits.
- Add My Number if you want to register your public benefits receiving account or participate in the deposit account numbering scheme. Both systems are described by Japanโs Digital Agency.
- Test a small transfer or deposit to confirm everything works before payday.
Internal reads: City-hall checklist for new arrivals, Company benefits, Banking account in Japan.
International transfers from Japan: what changed in 2025
If you were planning on SBI Shinseiโs GoRemit, note that GoRemit was officially discontinued on October 20, 2025. SBI Shinsei now guides customers to SBI Remit Co., Ltd. for international money transfer services. If fast cash pick-up is your priority, Seven Bankโs Western Union rails are straightforward and widely available.
If you prefer a fintech route, you can always keep your salary account at a Japanese bank and use a specialized remittance provider for better FX and lower feesโcompare before sending.
ATM access in real life
- Seven Bank operates roughly 28,000 ATMs nationwide (inside 7-Eleven and other locations), making cash access easy in all prefectures.
- JP Bank ATMs are also everywhere and support many overseas cards, useful while youโre setting up your local account.
- SBI Shinsei is popular because convenience-store ATM withdrawals are largely free within tier limitsโ5 free/month at Standard; more at higher stagesโso you rarely need a branch network.
FAQs
Can tourists open a Japanese bank account?
Generally noโtourist/short-stay visas wonโt qualify you for a standard futsลซ (ordinary) account. You typically need to be a resident with proper address registration and KYC. See FSAโs newcomer guide for the official view.
Which banks are mostly English speaking?
SBI Shinsei and SMBC PRESTIA score well for English interfaces and support. Seven Bank has English pages and a multilingual money-transfer app. Sony Bank retains strong English content but ended English account-opening online in 2025.
I need a multi-currency account. Where should I go?
SMBC PRESTIAโs MultiMoney (up to 17 currencies) and Sony Bankโs FX deposits (12 currencies) are the go-to choices. Check current FX fees/spreads before you convert.
What if my company requires a specific bank?
Japanโs megabanks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho) have foreign-resident counters and guidance pages. If HR mandates a specific bank, bring your residence card and jลซminhyล and follow the bankโs checklist.
Practical templates (copy-paste)
- HR email to register salary account:
โAttached are my bank details. Bank: [Your bank], Account type: Ordinary (futsลซ), Branch: [Name/No.], Account No.: [#####]. Please schedule salary transfer from [Date].โ - Bank visit checklist:
Residence card, passport, jลซminhyล (or address certificate), Japanese phone, My Number (if requested), employer letter/student ID if applicable.
Internal reads: Resident registration terms in Japanese.
The bottom line
- Newcomers: Start with JP Bank or Seven Bank to get paid and pay bills quickly. Add a remittance service if you send money home.
- Everyday convenience + English: SBI Shinsei is a great defaultโjust remember the GoRemit change.
- Multi-currency savers: Pick SMBC PRESTIA or Sony Bank (check the 2025 English application change).
- Rakuten power users: Rakuten Bank integrates tightly with points and shopping; overseas remittance is available.
Before you commit, spend five minutes on each bankโs official English page to spot any fresh fee changes or promotions; Japanโs banks update these frequently.
Sources (selected)
- Financial Services Agency (FSA) โ Living in Japan: Open accounts & send money (official guidance).
- Digital Agency โ My Number & deposit account numbering (voluntary) (official explanation).
- SBI Shinsei โ Commission table & Step-Up Program; English banking; GoRemit discontinuation (Oct 20, 2025).
- SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA โ MultiMoney & exchange fees.
- Seven Bank โ Account opening (web/ATM) & Western Union transfers; investor digest on ATM network size.
- Japan Post Bank โ English procedure flow; ATM support for overseas cards; JP Bank Debit docs.
- Sony Bank โ Foreign currency products; 2025 notice ending English online account-opening; promos.
- Rakuten Bank โ English opening page; remittance page in Japanese; ecosystem perks (IR slides).
You might also like
- How to get your My Number card fast
- Moving checklist: housing, utilities, and city-hall visits
- Health insurance for residents explained
- Working in Japan: payroll, taxes, and benefits
Choose the bank that fits your first-month needsโsalary deposits, ATM access, remittances, or multi-currency savingsโso you can get set up quickly and confidently. Before you apply, check each bankโs latest fees and eligibility on its official page, then do a small test transfer or deposit to confirm everything works smoothly.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
