Wise Japan-Trip Signup: Complete Walkthrough
Start 7 days before departure. Full flow from zero account to a virtual card in Apple Wallet, end-to-end in 15 minutes. The physical card ships in 7-14 days, but the virtual card covers ~95% of Japan-trip moments.
Why Wise for a Japan trip
- 0.40-0.65% FX (about a quarter of a bank card's spread)
- Up to ¥30,000/month in ATM withdrawals fee-free
- Instant virtual card, ready for Apple Pay in minutes
- ATM cash works even before the physical card arrives
- Typical savings: ~¥6,000 vs a bank card on a $1,500 trip
Signup steps
Download the Wise app
Search "Wise" on the App Store or Google Play. The official app has a green logo.
Sign up with your email
Personal account. Country of residence = your home country, NOT Japan.
KYC: passport photo
Photograph the passport ID page. Avoid overhead fluorescent reflections — flat on a desk, shot straight down.
Selfie verification
Follow the on-screen prompts to turn your head. 30 seconds. Approval usually within 3-10 minutes.
Issue the virtual card (instant, free)
Get a card → Virtual (free) → set a 4-digit PIN. The card number and CVV appear immediately.
Add to Apple Wallet
Tap "Add to Apple Wallet" → Face ID → done. Convenience stores and cafés now accept the tap-to-pay.
Test deposit (optional but recommended)
Send ¥5,000 from your home bank into Wise. Lands in 5-30 minutes. Confirms the flow works before you fly.
What to do after signup
Convert to USD (or other home currency) on a weekday so you lock in the rate before departure. After landing, use the 7-Bank ATM's "Smartphone" QR option — full walkthrough at [the ATM tutorial](/tutorial/wise-virtual-card-atm).