Last updated: July 2026
In short
- Most banks want 6 months or more left on your residence card before they open an account for you. If you just arrived, this locks many people out.
- Japan Post Bank (yucho) is the exception: it accepts you with as little as 3 months left on your residence card, making it the realistic first choice for new arrivals.
- Online banks like Rakuten Bank need no personal seal (hanko) – a signature and phone-based verification are enough, and screening is generally easier than at the big city banks.
- You need a bank account before you can get a SIM plan or a credit card in most cases – this is usually your very first financial step in Japan.
- Before you leave Japan for good, close the account or update your address. Leaving it untouched can turn it into a dormant account.
Why open a bank account so early?
A Japanese bank account is the foundation everything else sits on: you need one to receive your part-time pay, to sign up for most SIM plans, and to apply for a credit card. Skip it, and you get stuck waiting on almost every other guide on this site.
The catch is timing. Most large banks will not open an account for someone who has just arrived – they usually want proof you plan to stay a while. Knowing which banks accept new arrivals, and which need you to wait, saves weeks of frustration.
The residence-period wall – and the one bank that skips it
Most banks require at least 6 months remaining on your residence card. Japan Post Bank is the practical exception: it accepts applicants with as little as 3 months remaining.
If you just landed and your visa is fresh, Japan Post Bank is usually your best first stop. Once you have a stable account history and your remaining stay is 6 months or longer, other banks open up as options too.
Compare the main options
| Bank type | Minimum residence period | Personal seal (hanko) | Screening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Post Bank | About 3 months | Often required | Relatively easy |
| Online banks (e.g. Rakuten Bank) | Often 6 months, varies | Usually not required – signature is enough | Relatively easy, mostly online |
| Regional banks, credit unions | 6 months, varies by branch | Often required | Moderate |
| Major city banks (megabanks) | 6 months or more | Required | Strictest |
Online banks are worth a close look even after your first 6 months: no trip to a branch, no personal seal to buy, and most of the process happens on your phone. The trade-off is that customer support is online-only, which can matter if your Japanese is still limited.
What you need to bring
Bring your residence card, your passport, proof of your registered address, and a Japanese phone number. Students may also need their student ID; workers may need proof of employment.
- Residence card (zairyu card): the main proof of identity and status
- Passport: as a second ID document
- Registered address: you need juminhyo registration done first – most banks will not accept an address that is not officially registered
- A Japanese phone number: get your SIM sorted if you can, though some banks accept the phone number of your school or employer as a temporary stand-in
- A personal seal (hanko): required by some banks, skippable at most online banks
What happens when you leave Japan for good?
The standard rule is that non-residents are asked to close their Japanese bank account. Leaving it open and unused for years can turn it into a dormant account.
- To close an account you generally need your passbook, cash card, residence card and personal seal (if you registered one)
- If you leave the account open and inactive, Japan Post Bank accounts become dormant after 5 years; most other banks use a longer window, often around 10 years – after that the balance can become hard to access
- Some banks will let you keep an account open after you leave if you have a genuine reason, such as receiving a Japanese salary – ask your bank directly before you leave
- If you move within Japan or plan to leave later, update your registered address with the bank as soon as it changes – an outdated address can freeze services like online banking
Whatever you decide, close the loop before you fly out: either formally close the account, or confirm with the bank exactly what you need to do to keep it open as a non-resident.
Related resource: Japan Post Bank – English guide
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a bank account right after arriving in Japan?
It depends on the bank. Most banks want 6 months or more remaining on your residence card, but Japan Post Bank accepts applicants with as little as 3 months remaining, making it the realistic first option for new arrivals.
Do I need a personal seal (hanko) to open an account?
Some banks require one, but many online banks such as Rakuten Bank accept a signature instead, so you can open an account without buying a hanko.
Can I open a bank account before I register my address?
Almost never. Register your address (juminhyo) first – banks need an officially registered address, not just where you happen to be staying.
What happens to my account if I leave Japan without closing it?
You are generally expected to close it as a non-resident. If it stays open and inactive, it can become a dormant account – as early as 5 years for Japan Post Bank, longer at most other banks – after which accessing the balance becomes harder.
Which bank is easiest for a student with a short remaining visa?
Japan Post Bank is usually the most realistic first choice, since it accepts applicants with as little as 3 months remaining on their residence card, unlike most banks that ask for 6 months or more.
Summary
- A bank account is usually your first financial step in Japan – SIM plans and credit cards often depend on it
- Most banks need 6 months or more remaining on your visa; Japan Post Bank accepts 3 months
- Online banks skip the personal seal and screen a little more easily
- Before you leave for good, close the account or confirm the rules for keeping it as a non-resident
