Banking

Japan is still a cash-heavy country, and finding an ATM that actually accepts your foreign card is not as simple as it sounds. The wrong ATM will decline you at the most inconvenient moment. Here’s exactly which ATMs work for foreigners and how to use them. Which ATMs Accept Foreign Cards? ✅ 7-Eleven ATMs (Seven Bank) — Best Option Seven Bank ATMs are the most foreigner-friendly in Japan. Accept: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay, and most international cards Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, and more Available: 24/7 at most 7-Eleven stores (27,000+ locations nationwide) Withdrawal limit: ¥50,000 per transaction, ¥300,000 per day Fee: ¥110–220 per transaction (charged by Seven Bank) plus any fee from your home bank Seven Bank ATMs are found in 7-Eleven convenience stores and at some Ito-Yokado, Sogo, and Seibu department stores. ...

Quick Answer Best banks for foreigners in Japan: Japan Post Bank (most accessible — accepts new arrivals, branches everywhere), Rakuten Bank (best online bank, links to Rakuten Card for rewards), Sony Bank (English support, good exchange rates), SBI Shinsei Bank (English interface, no ATM fees abroad). Most banks require at least 3–6 months of Japan residency. If you can’t open a bank account yet, use Wise — no Japan residency requirement, real exchange rate, works immediately. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Which Japanese savings accounts pay the highest interest in 2025 Which accounts foreigners can actually open (eligibility by visa type) How Japanese bank interest rates compare to your home country Step-by-step process for opening each account How to transfer savings abroad efficiently using Wise Japan’s interest rates have been near zero for decades — but 2024–2025 brought a significant shift. The Bank of Japan raised rates for the first time since 2007, and savings account rates are now meaningfully above zero. If you’re keeping yen in a Japanese account, choosing the right bank matters more than it did a few years ago. ...

Quick Answer Best credit cards for foreigners in Japan: Rakuten Card (free, ¥5,000 bonus, most foreigner-friendly — apply after 6+ months in Japan), Epos Card (apply in-store at Marui for faster approval), SAISON Card (no annual fee, flexible). You need: residence card, Japanese address registered at city hall, Japanese bank account. Initial credit limits are low (¥100,000–300,000). If rejected, use the Wise debit card as a substitute — no credit check, works worldwide. ...

The post office in Japan is quietly one of the most useful institutions a foreigner can access. Banking, savings, package pickup, and international shipping all under one roof. Here’s everything you need to use it effectively. Finding a Post Office Red and white logo — easy to spot on any street Over 24,000 post offices nationwide — including in the smallest rural towns Even train station mini-post offices (駅内郵便局) offer core services Hours: Standard branches — weekdays 9am–5pm; some open Saturday 9am–12pm or 3pm ATMs often have extended hours: 7am–11pm (or 24/7 in some locations) Core Services 1. Sending Mail and Packages Domestically Letters and postcards: ...

You’ll encounter hanko within your first week in Japan — on rental contracts, bank forms, and official documents. Many foreigners don’t realize they need one until they’re standing at a counter unable to proceed. Here’s what hanko is, when you need it, and how to get one. Types of Hanko Type Japanese Use Jitsu-in 実印 Officially registered seal — required for big transactions (property, car, large loans) Ginko-in 銀行印 Bank seal — registered with your bank Mitome-in 認印 Everyday seal — for deliveries, work documents, minor forms Do Foreigners Need a Hanko? For most everyday needs: No. Since Japan’s 2021 digital reform push, many procedures now accept signatures instead. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Why Rakuten Card is the most foreigner-friendly credit card in Japan Step-by-step application process (with English tips) How the Rakuten Points system works and how to maximize rewards Approval requirements for foreigners and visa holders How Rakuten Card compares to other options If you’re a foreigner living in Japan and you want your first Japanese credit card, Rakuten Card is almost always the right starting point. It has the highest approval rate for foreigners, a solid rewards program, and a genuinely useful ecosystem. Here’s everything you need to know. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Whether Revolut works in Japan and what features are available How to open a Revolut account as a foreigner living in Japan Fee comparison: Revolut vs Wise vs Japanese bank transfers The key limitations of Revolut in Japan you need to know Which app is better for your situation Revolut is one of the most popular fintech apps in the world — but Japan is a complicated market for it. Here’s the honest picture of what Revolut can and can’t do for foreigners in Japan. ...

What you'll learn in this guide What SMBC Trust Prestia is and why it’s the top English-language bank in Japan Who is eligible to open a Prestia account as a foreigner Account types, fees, and minimum balance requirements Foreign currency accounts: how they work and when they’re useful SMBC Prestia vs Japan Post Bank vs Rakuten Bank: honest comparison Quick Answer SMBC Trust Prestia is Japan’s leading English-language bank for foreigners. It offers full English service, foreign currency accounts (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD), and global ATM access. The main catch: it requires a minimum balance (¥1,000,000 or equivalent) to avoid monthly fees, making it better for mid-to-high income expats than new arrivals. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Wise vs Revolut: side-by-side fee and rate comparison for Japan Which is better for sending large amounts internationally Which is better for daily spending in Japan ATM withdrawal comparison in Japan Key limitations of both apps in the Japanese market The verdict: which app to prioritize and when to use both Quick Answer Use Wise for international money transfers (sending money home or receiving foreign income) — it offers the true mid-market rate with transparent fees. Use Revolut for daily multi-currency spending and travel within Asia. For most foreigners in Japan, you want both, but Wise should be your primary tool for moving money internationally. ...