How to open a Resona Bank bank account online | Step-by-step guide

This article was reviewed on July 25, 2025. Information may have changed since publication, please verify with the relevant provider. Wise Payments Japan is not affiliated with Resona Bank. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please use your own judgment when making decisions.

Once you have decided to live in Japan, the next step after getting your visa is a bank account. But remember, you would need to be a resident in Japan—have a legal residence confirmed on your Residence Card (Zairyu Card). After getting your address and phone number set up, you can finally open a bank account in Japan.

Can a foreigner open a bank account with Resona Bank in Japan?

Yes! A foreigner can open a Resona Bank account online by downloading their app. The Resona Bank app, “りそな口座開設アプリ” can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Resona is the first major Japanese bank that started offering International money transfers through an app. Its comprehensive service lets users manage their finances online— anywhere, anytime.

Another great news! Since launching the app in 2018, Resona Bank app has received multiple awards for its excellence in simple design and user-friendly functions. Their English versions make it more attractive for non-Japanese users as well.

Fees charged by Resona Bank

Standard fees

Resona Bank does not require any fee when opening an account. No maintenance fee is required as well, however, a maintenance fee will be charged for inactive accounts with no transactions for two consecutive years.¹

ATM withdrawal fees

Domestic transfer

International transfer

As of 27 February 2025, Resona Group App has suspended their overseas money transfer service, and there is currently no projected date for resuming the service.⁴

However, if you visit the designated branch, you can apply to send funds overseas by paying the fee mentioned below. In that case, you need to apply at least 3 business days (weekdays) prior to your visit date, which is your preferred date to transfer funds. Urgent applications cannot be made with this service.⁵

*TTS rate on the day of remittance

How to open a bank account with Resona Bank

Opening a bank account online with Resona Bank is quite simple—it only takes a few steps, and the process is completed quickly.

The good part about Resona is that you don’t need inkan to open a bank account, which is a personal seal usually required for signing housing contracts or other documents.

Basic steps and required documents are listed below. Make sure you check the bank’s opening hours before you ever visit the bank.

Required documents⁶

When opening a bank account online, one of the following is required:

• Japanese Driver’s License
• My Number Card
• Residence Card (Zairyu Card)
• In this case, there is a possibility that one of these may be required too:
  • Employee ID card / Health Insurance Card / Student ID Card
  • For Health Insurance Card, hide the Insurer Number, Insured Person’s ID number and QR code when taking the picture.

Notes:

• Please be sure to use a document within its valid period.
• If there are any changes to your name or address, please complete the necessary procedures with the relevant public institution before applying.

Steps of opening a bank account with Resona Bank⁶

1. Download the Resona Opening Bank Account app. In Japanese it is written as “りそな口座開設アプリ”.
2. Enter your email address.
3. A code will be sent to the email.
4. Open the email, check the code, and enter the code into the app.
5. Following the guide, input the required information.
   • Follow the instructions when taking pictures of the IDs.
   • Take a selfie photo of your face (the person who is applying).
6. After registering through the app, you will receive a completion notification by email as early as 7 PM on the next business day.
7. If you register a debit card, it will be delivered within two to three weeks.

Resona Bank bank opening hours⁷

Resona Bank generally is open between 9 AM - 5 PM on weekdays (Mon to Fri). However, the opening hours can vary depending on the branch. Refer to the List of branches and find the opening hours of your nearest branch.

Resona Bank contact numbers

Click on the link below to access contact numbers of Resona

Contact number for Inquiries regarding product and services
List of Resona branches in Japan

Wise for people without borders

As one of the options for international money transfer, you could also consider a Wise account that lets you hold multi-currencies and exchange with a competitive fee. Wise card is a debit card you can use to withdraw cash and pay in different currencies. It surely makes your travels and life in Japan more convenient!

Easy steps to open Wise account:

1. Register with Wise online or download the Wise app
2. Add account details
3. ID verification (Passport, National ID card, Driver’s license)
4. Add funds to your currency
5. Set up your payment: Enter the amount you want to send and you will get a quote and estimated delivery time.
6. Order a Wise debit card

In summary, you can enjoy the following benefits by using Wise card:

Sign up for a free account

Some key takeaways from this article:

• As of 27 February 2025, Resona Group App has suspended international transfer service. To apply to send funds overseas, visit the branch counter 3 business days before the transfer date.
• Using Resona’s online banking “MyGate” would be beneficial since transfer fees are lower compared to ATMs.
• You need a legal residence in Japan to open any Resona Bank account in Japan. For those needing quicker access to international account features, Wise offers an alternative that supports multi-currency accounts and fast online onboarding.

Disclaimer: This article is not sponsored by or affiliated with Resona Bank and has only been reviewed by Wise, not the bank. For more information, please be sure to visit their website