Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) offers passbook accounts, an English support site, and the country’s largest ATM footprint for residents registering a postal address.
MUFG Bank publishes bilingual guidance on ordinary accounts and outlines the identification and personal seal (inkan) requirements you present at the branch.
SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA markets the PowerFlex account with English online banking and multi-currency deposits that appeal to internationally mobile residents.
SBI Shinsei Bank supports online account applications, English customer service, and partner ATMs at convenience stores for cash access without surcharge windows.
Online banks such as Sony Bank and Rakuten Bank provide smartphone onboarding with eKYC plus debit cards that integrate with major QR payment apps.
Keep 41.01 Japan Life handy for remittance providers and embassy contacts when selecting a bank that accepts your visa category.
Schedule branch visits on weekdays between 09:00 and 15:00; most banks still require in-person signatures even when you begin the application online.
Bring your residence card, passport, inkan, and My Number notification. Banks such as Japan Post Bank and MUFG list those documents explicitly in their English guidance, and many now request a phone number that can receive one-time passwords.
Expect cash cards and passbooks to arrive by post several days after approval. Plan your first-week errands using 41.02 Arrival and First Months so you can receive the deliveries at your registered address.
When leaving Japan, close the account in person, return the cash card, and obtain a balance certificate if your next country requires proof of closure.
Domestic bank transfers (振込, furikomi) remain the default for rent and tuition. Japan Post Bank documents transfer procedures, fees, and cut-off times on its domestic transfer portal.
Convenience store chains partner with banks for 24-hour ATM access. Use the Japan Post Bank ATM locator or Seven Bank’s network map to confirm service hours and international card acceptance before travelling with visitors.
Cashless IC cards and QR wallets (Suica, PASMO, PayPay, Rakuten Pay) link to Japanese bank accounts for top-ups. Verify whether your bank offers real-time balance notifications to stay ahead of automatic deductions.
Bank remittances: SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA and MUFG operate international desks that handle SWIFT transfers and multi-currency accounts. Ask for the remittance fee schedule and exchange margins before you submit paperwork.
Specialist services:Wise Japan and SBI Remit offer app-based transfers with upfront fee calculators; both require identity verification with a residence card and My Number documentation.
Cash pickup networks: Services like Kyodai Remittance maintain multilingual counters around Kanto and Kansai. Register during business hours to avoid delays when you need to send emergency funds home.
Retain receipts and transaction numbers for every overseas transfer so you can substantiate fund sources if a tax office review or bank compliance check arises later.
Track spending with Japanese 家計簿 apps such as Money Forward ME, Zaim, and Moneytree. Each syncs with major banks and credit cards to categorise transactions automatically.
Credit Saison and other issuers publish English-language guides that outline documentation, income expectations, and the automatic withdrawal cycle for monthly statements.
Consider linking transport IC cards and QR wallets inside your budgeting app so cashless transactions appear alongside bank withdrawals.
Coordinate with 41.07 Mobile, Internet & Communications to register bank SMS alerts and postal e-notifications so you never miss compliance letters or card deliveries.
Teiki (定期券) purchases: Buy commuter passes through JR East, private rail, or subway ticket machines and request the printed receipt that shows the valid section and purchase price. Store a scanned copy with your employer’s reimbursement paperwork and log the expense inside the budgeting, credit, and household apps you already use for cashless tracking.
Employer reimbursement forms: Most companies require a route certificate (通勤経路申請書) plus proof of payment when submitting commuter subsidies. Attach the teiki receipt, note the validity period, and confirm the reimbursement cycle aligns with HR’s payroll calendar so your cash flow stays predictable.
Exporting IC transaction data: Register your Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA card with the operator’s online portal (e.g., JR East’s View Card + Suica) to download monthly CSV histories. Import the files into your household budgeting app or spreadsheet and cross-check against reimbursement totals.
Calendar alignment: Block reminder dates that match 55.01 National Tax Agency Payment Calendars so commuter subsidies, tax withholding adjustments, and transit renewals land in the same review window.
Renew the teiki before expiry and update stored routes in your budgeting app so auto-categorisation remains accurate.
Report lost or stolen cards to the issuing railway, pay the reissue fee, and provide the new card number to HR for subsidy continuation.
Reconcile employer reimbursement receipts and IC transaction exports during year-end tax season, attaching summaries to payroll or tax filings as needed.
The National Tax Agency details residency classifications, filing triggers, and deadlines. Salaried employees rely on year-end tax adjustments (年末調整), while freelancers file final returns (確定申告) by mid-March each year.
Prefectures invoice inhabitant tax (住民税) the following year in four instalments. Set calendar reminders or bank auto-debits so payments align with municipal due dates.
Leverage MyPortal and your bank’s e-statements to store digital receipts for childcare deductions, mortgage interest, or furusato nozei contributions.
Coordinate with tax professionals familiar with foreign assets if you retain overseas investments; Japan taxes worldwide income once you become a permanent resident under the tax code.
Separate your bank book and cash card, enable transaction alerts, and use strong passwords on every mobile banking app.
Register for lost card hotlines and confirm whether your bank offers emergency cash withdrawal codes at partner convenience stores.
Keep a written list of accounts and support numbers in your emergency kit alongside the disaster preparation resources in 41.01 Japan Life.
Store emergency contact numbers in the municipal LINE channels highlighted in 41.07 Mobile, Internet & Communications so alerts reach you even if voice networks are congested.