Revolut in Japan: Setup, Transfers & FX for Foreigners

Quick answer (30 seconds): Revolut is a money app you can set up entirely on your phone, in English, using your Japanese address and your residence card — no credit history and no branch visit needed. That makes it one of the fastest financial tools to get running after you arrive. It is great for holding multiple currencies, spending abroad, and sending money overseas, but note: in Japan it is a regulated money-transfer provider, not a bank, so it is not covered by Japan's deposit insurance. Always confirm current fees on Revolut's own pages before you rely on them.

This is general information, not financial advice. Fees, limits, and product availability change often — check the official Revolut Japan fee and help pages for the current terms before making decisions.

What Revolut is (and what it is not) in Japan

Revolut is a financial "super-app": you keep money in the app, get a debit-style card, exchange currencies, and send transfers. In Japan it is operated by Revolut Technologies Japan, a company registered with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau as a Funds Transfer Service Provider (資金移動業者, shikin idougyousha), registration number 00060.

That legal status matters for one practical reason:

• Revolut is not a bank in Japan. Your balance is not protected by Japan's deposit insurance (the scheme that protects bank deposits up to a limit).
• Instead, money-transfer providers must safeguard customer funds through a legally required guarantee-deposit system, so funds are protected differently from a normal bank account.

The takeaway for newcomers: Revolut is excellent as a spending, exchange, and transfer tool, but it is not a one-to-one replacement for a Japanese bank account (you will still usually want a local bank for salary, rent auto-debits, and utilities). See our bank account guide for that side.

Why it is popular with foreigners

If you have just arrived and cannot get a Japanese credit card yet (no credit history), Revolut sidesteps most of the usual pain:

• No credit check — it is not a credit card, so there is nothing to approve.
• In-app, in English — no kanji-heavy paperwork and no in-person branch visit.
• Multi-currency — hold and switch between many currencies in one app.
• Built for travel and overseas spend — strong exchange rates and a card that works worldwide.
• Fast setup — for many people it is the quickest financial tool to get running in their first weeks.

How to open a Revolut account in Japan

You generally need to be 18 or over and a resident of Japan, with a Japanese address and a Japanese mobile phone number.

The whole process runs in the app:

1. Download the app and sign up with your Japanese phone number and email.
2. Enter your details — name and Japanese residential address.
3. Verify your identity (eKYC) — photograph an accepted ID and take a selfie in the app.
4. Submit My Number information when prompted (explained below).
5. Order your card and/or add money once verification clears.

Accepted ID for foreign residents

For identity verification, Revolut accepts the Residence Card (在留カード, zairyuu card) or the Special Permanent Resident Certificate for non-Japanese nationals. (Japanese nationals can use a driver's license or My Number card instead.) You upload the document plus a selfie through the app.

Verification timing varies — it can be quick, but it sometimes takes longer if a photo is unclear. Use good lighting, capture the whole card with no glare, and make sure the name and address match what you typed in.

Why Revolut asks for your My Number

Revolut also asks for your My Number (個人番号), the 12-digit individual number issued to residents. Financial providers in Japan are required to collect it for certain account and tax-reporting purposes, so this step is normal. Revolut typically accepts a My Number card, or a My Number notification slip / residence record showing your number, together with a photo ID. New to this number? See our My Number card guide.

Fees: exchange, ATM, and card

Revolut uses free plan tiers (commonly Standard, plus paid tiers such as Premium and Metal). The free allowances below are for the Standard plan and are the figures most newcomers care about. Paid tiers raise or remove several of these limits.

Every number here changes over time and by plan. Treat them as a guide and confirm on Revolut's official Standard fee page before relying on them.

Currency exchange

• Weekdays: exchange up to a monthly Standard allowance of ¥300,000 (or equivalent) with no extra Revolut fee.
• Above the allowance: a 0.5% fee applies to the amount exchanged over ¥300,000 in the monthly cycle.
• Weekends: a 1% markup typically applies on the Standard plan (paid tiers remove this). This exists because currency markets are closed at weekends.

ATM cash withdrawals

• Free up to ¥25,000 per monthly cycle on the Standard plan.
• Above that: withdrawals are charged at 2% of the amount.
• Separately, the ATM operator may add its own fee — that is the machine's charge, not Revolut's.

The card itself

• The first Standard card is typically free, but a delivery fee may apply — roughly ¥500 (standard) or ¥2,000 (express).
• A virtual card is usually available in-app so you can start paying online before the physical card arrives.

Here is the Standard-plan picture at a glance:

Item	Standard plan (free tier)
Monthly fee	Free
FX free allowance (weekdays)	Up to ¥300,000 / month
FX fee above allowance	0.5%
Weekend FX markup	~1%
Free ATM withdrawals	Up to ¥25,000 / month
ATM fee above limit	2% (+ any ATM operator fee)
Card delivery	~¥500 standard / ~¥2,000 express

If you exchange or withdraw a lot, a paid tier can pay for itself — compare the live numbers on Revolut's pricing page before upgrading.

Sending money overseas with Revolut

Revolut can send money abroad from the app, and for many currencies the in-app exchange uses the interbank-style rate within your free allowance, which can make small and mid-size transfers competitive.

A few practical points:

• Fees and speed depend on the destination, currency, and method (Revolut-to-Revolut is usually instant and free; bank payouts vary).
• Your plan's FX allowance applies — large transfers may cross the ¥300,000 weekday allowance and pick up the 0.5% fee, and weekend transfers may hit the weekend markup.
• It is not always the cheapest for every route. For larger or recurring transfers, it is worth comparing dedicated remittance services.

If sending money is your main goal rather than spending, compare options side by side in our overseas money transfer comparison, and for money coming the other way see the cheapest way to send money to Japan from abroad.

Limits and good-to-knows

• Identity verification is mandatory before most features work — you cannot meaningfully use the app until eKYC clears.
• Top-up and transfer limits can apply, especially before full verification; they vary by account status.
• Funds are not bank deposits — keep your main savings in a bank; use Revolut for spending, FX, and transfers.
• Customer support is in-app (chat), which suits people who prefer not to phone a branch.
• Keep your app updated — features, plans, and fees are rolled out over time and differ by region.

How Revolut fits with your other money tools

Think of Revolut as one layer in a simple newcomer stack:

• Japanese bank account for salary, rent, and utility auto-debits — see the bank account guide.
• A no-credit-check card for everyday spending — Revolut is a strong pick; compare it with others in best debit and prepaid cards for foreigners.
• A plan to build credit so you can get a Japanese credit card later — see building credit history in Japan.

FAQ

Can a foreigner open a Revolut account in Japan? Yes. If you are 18 or over and a resident with a Japanese address and phone number, you can sign up in the app and verify with your residence card (or special permanent resident certificate). No credit history is required.

Is Revolut a bank in Japan? No. It is a registered Funds Transfer Service Provider, not a bank, so your balance is not covered by Japan's deposit insurance. Funds are safeguarded under the rules for money-transfer providers instead.

Why does Revolut ask for my My Number? Financial providers in Japan are required to collect your My Number for certain account and tax-reporting purposes. Submitting it is a normal part of setup; check the in-app prompt for the exact documents accepted.

Is Revolut free? The Standard plan has no monthly fee and free allowances for weekday currency exchange and ATM withdrawals. Fees apply above those limits, at weekends, and for card delivery. Paid tiers raise or remove some limits. Confirm the current numbers on Revolut's official fee pages.

Is Revolut good for sending money abroad from Japan? It can be competitive for small and mid-size transfers within your free FX allowance, especially Revolut-to-Revolut. For larger or recurring transfers, compare it against dedicated remittance services before deciding.