Japan has a dense, well-regulated banking system, with everything from huge “megabanks” to online-only providers and the nationwide Japan Post Bank network.
For foreign residents, the answer to what is the best bank in Japan really comes down to what you value most. That might be easy ATM access, English-friendly service, or strong digital banking.
In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the top banks in Japan, how they work for expats and international students, and how to match their strengths to the way you move money.
Key takeaways
- Japan offers a mix of megabanks, regional banks, and online banks.
- For non-citizens, English-friendly options like Japan Post Bank, SBI Shinsei Bank, Sony Bank, and Rakuten Bank can make everyday banking easier.
- The big three groups—MUFG, Mizuho, and SMBC—are among Japan’s largest banks and offer wide ATM networks and global links.
- Most foreign residents need a residence card and proof of address to open an account, and short-stay visitors generally can’t open standard bank accounts.
- If you also support family back home, Western Union can complement your account when you send money to Japan.
Comparing the best banks in Japan
| Bank name | Best for | Products | Special features |
| Japan Post Bank | Everyday banking and ATM access across Japan | Yen deposit accounts, cards, some loan products | Huge network of post-office branches and ATMs; multilingual call center for non-Japanese customers; widely used for salary deposits |
| MUFG | Customers who want a large “megabank” with global reach | Deposit accounts, cards, loans, wealth and corporate services | Japan’s largest financial group by assets, with a global network in 40-plus countries; full range of retail and corporate banking services |
| Mizuho | Full-service banking with branches nationwide | Current and savings accounts, cards, loans, international transfers | One of Japan’s three megabanks; serves over 20 million retail customers and has branches in every prefecture |
| Rakuten Bank | Online-first banking and rewards | Yen deposit accounts, debit cards, payments | Online bank with English-language site and app; integrates with the wider Rakuten points ecosystem |
| Resona Bank | Retail banking and small and medium enterprises in major urban areas | Personal and business accounts, loans, trust services | Part of Resona Group, a large retail-focused banking group with a strong base among small and midsize businesses |
| SBI Shinsei Bank | English-friendly banking and foreign currency products | Yen accounts, foreign currency deposits, loans, cards | Known for English online banking and support; offers 24/7 foreign currency exchange and deposits |
| Sony Bank | Digital banking and foreign currency use abroad | Yen and foreign currency accounts, Visa debit, remittances | Online bank with English interface, foreign currency savings, and international remittance services in multiple currencies |
| SMBC Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation | Customers needing a megabank plus foreign-currency options | Deposit accounts, loans, multi-currency Visa debit, international transfers | One of Japan’s three megabanks; SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA offers English support and multi-currency accounts for foreign residents |
Top banks in Japan
Below, you’ll find more details on some of the best banks for foreigners in Japan. We’ll cover how they work, what they offer, and the customers they tend to suit, from long-term expats to international students.
1. Japan Post Bank
Japan Post Bank is one of Japan’s biggest retail banks by assets and customer accounts. It launched in 1875 as a postal savings system to let people deposit and save money through their local post offices.
Today, Japan Post’s services remain available at thousands of post offices, in addition to more than 30,000 ATMs across the country. The bank offers standard yen deposit accounts, cash cards, and access to domestic and international ATM networks.
For non-Japanese customers, Japan Post Bank provides a multilingual call center in English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Indonesian that explains how to open accounts and use services.
Strengths:
- Extensive branch and ATM network, including rural areas
- Familiar choice for salary deposits and everyday payments
- Multilingual call center support for non-Japanese customers
Ideal for:
- New residents who want basic banking and reliable ATM access
- People living outside big cities
- Foreigners who prefer a bank with some support in languages other than Japanese
2. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG)
MUFG is Japan’s largest financial group and one of the world’s biggest banks by assets, with a network of around 2,000 locations in more than 40 countries. Established in 1927, MUFG Bank provides everyday deposit accounts, cards, loans, and international services, and it is a primary “main bank” for many Japanese companies.
Foreign residents usually need a valid residence card and at least six months’ residence history, and non-residents face restrictions on products like internet banking and cards.
Strengths:
- Japan’s largest megabank with strong global ties
- Full range of retail and corporate banking services
- Extensive ATM and branch network in major cities
Ideal for:
- Long-term residents working in Japan who want a megabank
- Customers paid in yen who also deal with global companies
- Those comfortable handling most paperwork in Japanese at a branch
3. Mizuho
Mizuho Bank is the retail and corporate banking arm of Mizuho Financial Group and one of Japan’s three megabanks. Founded in 1873, it serves more than 20 million retail customers and has branches in all 47 Japanese prefectures, plus offices in dozens of countries.
Mizuho offers current and savings accounts, cards, loans, and international money transfers. An English-language call center can help explain products, including online banking and membership services.
Strengths:
- Nationwide branch network and large customer base
- Full set of retail and corporate banking products
- English call center for help with key services
Ideal for:
- Residents who want a big, nationwide bank
- Employees of Japanese companies with salary deposits at Mizuho
- Foreigners comfortable with mostly Japanese interfaces, but occasional English phone support
4. Rakuten Bank
Rakuten Bank is an online-only bank that lets you open and manage your account entirely through the web or mobile app. It offers yen savings and current accounts, a debit card, and integration with other Rakuten services, including point rewards. The bank provides an English-language site for account opening information and online banking, although most customer support is still in Japanese.
Strengths:
- Fully online account opening for eligible residents of Japan
- English-language website and interface for core features
- Links to the wider Rakuten ecosystem and points program
Ideal for:
- Tech-savvy residents who are comfortable banking by app or browser
- People already using Rakuten for shopping or mobile services
- Students and workers who mainly need low-cost, digital banking
5. Resona Bank
Resona Bank is the core bank of Resona Group, a major retail-focused banking group with a strong base in the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Kansai region. It offers personal accounts, housing and personal loans, business financing, and trust services.
Resona’s customer base includes individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and recent reporting highlights growing SME loan demand as companies invest in equipment and digital tools.
Strengths:
- Large retail and SME-focused banking group
- Mix of personal banking, loans, and trust services
- Strong presence in major urban regions
Ideal for:
- Long-term residents in Resona’s main service areas
- Small business owners needing local relationship banking
- Customers looking for a traditional bank with a focus on SMEs
6. SBI Shinsei Bank
SBI Shinsei Bank is known among foreign residents for its English-language online banking and customer support. It offers yen deposit accounts, foreign currency deposits, loans, and cards, with 24/7 foreign currency exchange available for multiple currencies. The bank has also been experimenting with tokenized, multicurrency payments for cross-border transactions, reflecting a strong focus on digital innovation.
Strengths:
- English online banking and support for many services
- Wide selection of foreign currency products and 24/7 foreign exchange (FX)
- Digital-first mindset with ongoing payment innovation
Ideal for:
- Expats who want English interfaces and support
- Customers who hold or use multiple currencies
- People sending or receiving money internationally through their bank
7. Sony Bank
Sony Bank is an online bank backed by the Sony Group, offering yen accounts, foreign currency savings, a Visa debit card (Sony Bank WALLET), and international remittances. All foreign currency deposits and remittance procedures can be handled through its English online banking interface. Customers can use their foreign currency balance for card payments or ATM withdrawals outside Japan in supported currencies.
Strengths:
- English online banking for foreign currency and remittances
- Visa debit card linked to yen and foreign currency accounts
- Fully online processes for many cross-border transactions
Ideal for:
- Foreign residents comfortable with online-only banking
- People who travel or spend abroad and want foreign currency balances
- Users looking for a digital bank with strong FX capabilities
8. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC)
SMBC is one of Japan’s three megabanks (alongside Mizuho and MUFG) and acts as the “main bank” for a large number of Japanese companies. It provides retail, corporate, and investment banking services, along with a wide ATM and branch network in Japan and overseas.
For foreign residents, SMBC Trust Bank’s PRESTIA brand offers English-language banking, multi-currency accounts, and services such as a multi-currency Visa debit card and international wire transfers.
Strengths:
- Major megabank with broad domestic and international reach
- PRESTIA services with English support and multi-currency options
- Range of products from everyday banking to mortgages and investments
Ideal for:
- Foreign residents who want megabank stability plus English support
- Frequent travelers and people holding multiple currencies
- Professionals and business owners dealing with international payments
How to choose the right bank in Japan
Choosing among the top banks in Japan is easier if you first think about how you’ll actually use your account. Foreign residents usually need a residence card and proof of address, and true non-residents or tourists generally can’t open standard accounts under Japan’s banking and anti-money-laundering rules.
- If you’re a new resident or student, Japan Post Bank and English-friendly banks like SBI Shinsei Bank, Sony Bank, or Rakuten Bank can make basic banking and online access simpler.
- If you’re working for a Japanese company, your employer may prefer to pay your salary into a megabank like MUFG, Mizuho, or SMBC, or into Resona in certain regions.
- If you run a business or plan to stay long term, you might prioritize broader product sets—loans, business services, or foreign currency options—offered by the megabanks or regional groups.
It also helps to watch the yen exchange rate if you move money in and out of Japan. Tools like Western Union’s USD-to-JPY exchange rate page can give you a quick snapshot of how far your money may go before you send or receive funds.
Send money abroad
Your Japanese bank is useful for salary, bills, and local spending. For sending money internationally, many people add a specialist provider for more choice in how and where money is received.
Western Union can complement your bank account and give you extra options, like paying by card or bank transfer and choosing cash pickup or bank deposit in many countries. Use the app to send money or send money online whenever you need to move money across borders.
FAQs
Many expats look for English support and simple digital banking. Japan Post Bank, SBI Shinsei Bank, Sony Bank, Rakuten Bank, and SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA are often mentioned because they provide English interfaces or support alongside standard yen accounts.
There’s no single “best” bank for foreigners, but online-friendly options like SBI Shinsei Bank, Rakuten Bank, and Sony Bank are popular with long-term residents who want English-friendly, app-based banking. Some foreign workers might also use megabanks such as MUFG, Mizuho, or SMBC if their employer prefers those for salary payments.
In practice, most banks require you to be a legal resident of Japan with a residence card and registered address before opening an account. Tourists and short-stay visitors generally can’t open standard accounts, though some banks and money transfer services may provide limited alternatives such as prepaid cards.
Megabanks like MUFG, Mizuho, and SMBC, as well as SBI Shinsei Bank and Sony Bank, offer international transfer services or foreign currency remittances through their branches and online platforms. Many people also use Western Union to send money internationally alongside their Japanese bank account, giving them choices for payout locations and methods.
