Step‑by‑Step Guide to Opening a Japanese Bank Account as an International Student

Moving to Japan for your studies is exciting, but life on campus quickly reminds you that cashless payments, rent transfers, and scholarship deposits all flow through the banking system. A local bank account is therefore one of the first practical tasks you will have to complete. This guide walks you through the process step by step, explains the best timing for each action, and shares tips from universities and banks so you can avoid the usual pitfalls.

1. Prepare Key Documents Before You Fly

Most Japanese banks will not even start the application if you are missing a single document, so putting together the right folder before departure saves days of back‑and‑forth later. The minimum set usually includes:

• Valid passport and student visa (or Certificate of Eligibility)
• Letter of acceptance or student ID (for proof of study)
• Resident card (在留カード) – issued at the airport on arrival
• Proof of address in Japan (dorm contract or utility bill)
• Personal seal (印鑑) – not mandatory everywhere but speeds up in‑branch paperwork

Check the bank’s foreign‑language guide in advance—for example, Mizuho Bank’s English outline for foreign customers lists required items with helpful photos. Equally, the Japan Post Bank “Yucho Tetsuzuki” app page shows how to open an account entirely on your smartphone.

Timing

Aim to collect and scan everything at least two weeks before departure. That way you can complete any online pre‑application forms while you still have stable internet and time to troubleshoot.

2. Choose the Right Bank for Students

Japan hosts more than 400 financial institutions, but only a handful cater to newly arrived students in English. Below is a quick comparison.

Bank	English Support	Online Opening	Minimum Residence Period
Japan Post Bank	Full website & app	Yes (App)	None
Mizuho	Branch interpreters	Yes	6 months (waived for students)
SMBC	Email & phone	Yes (pilot)	6 months

University scholarship offices often recommend Japan Post Bank because the branch network reaches every prefecture and the ATM interface can be switched to English. For campus jobs that pay your salary to a megabank, opening a secondary account with Mizuho or SMBC later is easy once you pass the six‑month residence mark, according to this 2025 Metropolis guide.

Timing

Review options during your first weekend in Japan. The sooner you decide, the sooner you can book a branch appointment, which fill quickly during April and September intake seasons.

3. Visit the Branch (or App) and Submit Your Application

If you choose an in‑person route, arrive early; counters switch to appointment‑only by midday in large cities. Bring all originals and one photocopy just in case. The staff will:

• Photocopy your passport, resident card, and proof of address
• Ask you to fill a short application (Roman alphabet is fine)
• Invite you to choose a cash card PIN
• Offer optional services such as debit card or currency remittance

Online openings usually require a selfie video and IC‑chip scan of your resident card. Japan is tightening identity checks; the National Police Agency confirmed in June 2025 news reports that IC‑chip verification will be mandatory by 2027.

Timing

Plan to submit within your first 10 days in Japan. Most universities, including the University of Tokyo in its Welcome Guide for International Students, need a domestic account number to register scholarship or tuition payments by week 3 of the semester.

4. Wait for Your Cash Card and Activate Digital Banking

Unlike many countries, Japan mails the cash card to your registered address—usually within 3–7 business days. Once it arrives:

• Visit any ATM to set a four‑digit PIN (if not chosen in branch)
• Download the bank’s mobile app and link your new account
• Register for “furikomi” (domestic transfers) to pay rent or club dues

Japan Post Bank’s English video guide shows the activation flow step by step (see here). Remember to update the bank whenever you extend your visa—accounts can be frozen after expiry, as covered by this April 2025 Japan Times report.

Timing

Activate the app the same day the card arrives. Some scholarships disburse on fixed dates; missing activation could postpone your first stipend by a whole month.

5. Keep Your Account Healthy and Future‑Proof

Once your card is in your wallet, routine maintenance is simple but essential:

• Notify the bank of visa renewals within 14 days
• Enable push alerts for large withdrawals
• Build a small balance—some banks close zero‑balance accounts after one year
• Switch to a student credit card only after six months of local income history

Good habits today make life easier when you graduate and need to convert the account into a full‑time worker plan. Future regulations such as IC‑chip ID verification (2027) mean that keeping your information current will save extra trips to the branch.

Timing

Review your account settings each semester – set a recurring calendar reminder for the first week of classes.