How to Bank in Japan

You need a bank account in Japan if you wand to buy a car, get a job, or rent an apartment. You will need your school, or a Japanese speaking friend, to help you open a bank account. Japan Post Bank is the easiest bank for new foreigners to open an account. However, their online banking system is privative, and you can only electronically transfer money into your account. You CAN NOT send funds internationally (back home) from your JP bank account. You might not want to keep money in your account, but it is convenient to be able to use ATMs. FYI: You must carry cash with you. Most restaurants, food trucks, laundry mats, car parking lots, and rural public transportation only take cash. Don’t learn that lesson the hard way.

Japan Post Bank Account
(Required Documents)

  • Passport

  • Residency card (You should have already registered your address, and the city hall has printed that address on the back of the card. You can use your school dorm address or share house address)

  • Registered Address Document (Juminshou)

  • Hanko (Personal stamp)

  • Japanese phone number (You can use your school’s phone number)

  • Japanese friend (Someone to translate)

  • Initial deposit (Bring around $500 in yen)

Go to the branch closest to your house, complete the application, and select your pin #. After your account is setup, they will give you a “bank book.” It’s kind of pointless, so use the Yucho online banking website to check your bank balance / information. The bank will mail you a debit card a week later, and the school can help you activate it.