How to Open a Rakuten Bank Account Online | Required documents and fees

This article was reviewed on August 13, 2025. Information may have changed since publication, please verify with the relevant provider. Wise Payments Japan is not affiliated with Rakuten Bank. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please use your own judgment when making decisions.

Rakuten Bank is Japan’s largest online bank that offers a wide range of banking services and benefits. Its cost-effective service lets you spend your Rakuten points on various platforms.

Here are some other Rakuten services and apps:

• Rakuten Pay
• Rakuten Rakuten Ichiba (online shop)
• Rakuten Mobile
• Rakuten Books
• Rakuten Travel
• ROOM
• Rakuten RaCoupon
• Rakuten Securities

There are still many more services to find. Luckily, you can earn reward points when you use these services along with your Rakuten Bank account.

This guide will cover information on how to open a Rakuten bank account, listing required documents, various fees such as ATM fees and international transfer fees. An alternative multicurrency account, Wise is also introduced in this article.

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

Yes, you can. As long as you are over 18 years old and a resident of Japan, you may be eligible to open a personal account with Rakuten Bank through their online application process. Rakuten Bank also offers an English-language website and digital banking interface to help you manage your finances online.¹

However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Rakuten customer support is only in Japanese. To contact support, there is an AI chatbot and email too, which you can utilize translation tools if necessary.

Remember—Rakuten Bank has no physical branch or counter to visit. Since everything is done online, all procedures need to be completed by you. Also, corporate application is ineligible.

Fees charged by Rakuten Bank

Standard fees

Rakuten Bank has no maintenance fees for opening an account.

ATM withdrawal fees²

Rakuten Bank offers free ATM withdrawal fees up to 3 times per month for the month you open the account and for the next 2 months. Depending on your Happy Program Membership rank, you will have a maximum of 7 free withdrawals.

How to check how many free withdrawals you have left:

1. Log in to Rakuten Bank
2. Go to MyAccount
3. Check under “Happy Program（ハッピープログラム）”

ATM fees for affiliated companies (from October 1st 2029 to today) - tax incl.

Domestic transfer

International transfer

How to open a bank account with Rakuten Bank online

You can open a Rakuten Bank account online by downloading the Rakuten Bank App, but it is important to remember that it can only be downloaded at Japanese App stores only. The best is to open a Rakuten Bank account once you move to Japan.

Notes:

• Foreigners are not eligible for corporate application.
• If you have Japanese nationality, you need to apply with a Japanese application form.
• Customer support is only available in Japanese after registering the account application.
• If you leave Japan and move to another country after opening the account, you must close your account.

Required documents⁴

• Residence card or Special permanent resident certificate
• One of these:
  • Japanese Driver’s License
  • MyNumber Card (with photo)
  • Basic Resident Registration Card (with photo)
  • Health insurance card (with address)
  • Passport with the holder’s information
  • Any pension or welfare books
  • Receipts for public utility bills / national or local tax receipts, etc.
  • Small Vessel Operator’s License

Steps of opening a bank account with Rakuten Bank¹

1. Apply with your PC or Smartphone
2. Enter necessary information
3. Submit the identification document by using the smartphone App or by Post
4. Receive your Cash card and initial setting guidebook
5. Log-in and complete the initial setting

Rakuten Bank opening hours⁵

Rakuten Bank is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Customer support with an operator is available everyday from 9 am - 5 pm. Reports of lost or stolen cards, wire transfer fraud, and other incidents will be available and handled 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Rakuten Bank contact numbers

There is no English service at Rakuten customer support.

If you wish to communicate in Japanese, here is the support service.

お問い合わせ｜楽天銀行

Manage your money online: Wise account

Another online service you can check out is Wise, a multicurrency online account. English application and customer support provided, so you wouldn't need to ask for assistance in Japanese. Since Wise uses mid-market rate, you can exchange currencies with a competitive fee. Keep your cost low and travel wherever you want with a Wise card!

Easy steps to open Wise account:

1. Register online / download the Wise App
2. Add account information
3. ID verification (Passport, National ID card, Driver’s License, documents that contain your My Number and current address on them)
4. Add funds to your currency
5. Set up payment: Enter the amount you want to send and you can check the cost and estimated delivery time.
6. Order and wait for the Wise debit card to arrive
7. Start using the Wise debit card everywhere!

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

Sign up for a free account

Some key takeaways from this article:

• Rakuten Bank doesn’t have an actual branch or physical store. Everything must be completed online.
• Rakuten is affiliated with many companies, making the ATM transactions convenient with many options and lower withdrawal fees.
• To open a Rakuten Bank account, you need to be living in Japan and must have two IDs with a Japanese address.

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

Sources:

1. Account Opening - Rakuten Bank
2. 手数料一覧：ATM利用手数料｜個人のお客さま｜楽天銀行
3. 送金手数料｜外国への送金なら楽天銀行
4. 口座開設 本人確認書類｜楽天銀行
5. ご利用時間･システムメンテナンス