
弥生
: How to use it, features, and the business problems it solves
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What is 弥生?
Go-to cloud accounting software for Japanese SMBs and sole proprietors (Yayoi Co.), with AI that auto-categorizes bank statements and receipts ('Smart Transaction Import'). The flagship Yayoi Accounting Next adds AI transaction entry and cash-flow analysis (beta), with tax filing, invoice, and e-bookkeeping compliance. Free trial / first-year-free options.
Business problems it solves

【Accounting】
Electronic Bookkeeping Compliance
、Invoice System Compliance
、Budget vs. Actual Management Report Creation
、Fixed Asset Management Automation
、Payment Schedule Creation
、Tax Return Draft Creation Support
、Accounts Receivable and Payable Management Automation
、Monthly Closing Report Creation
、Bookkeeping Automation
、Expense Reimbursement Processing Automation
About "弥生"
What is Yayoi
Yayoi is a go-to cloud accounting software for Japanese SMBs and sole proprietors, featuring AI that auto-categorizes bank statements and receipts ("Smart Transaction Import"). Supporting small-business back offices since 1987, it now frames itself around "solving management challenges with the latest technology, including AI." It's operated by Yayoi Co., Ltd. (founded 1978).
Yayoi is fundamentally accounting/tax-filing software, but it has evolved into cloud accounting with AI auto-journalizing and document processing at its core. Its flagship cloud line is the "Yayoi Next" series (Yayoi Accounting/Payroll/Attendance/Labor/Expense Next), a more AI-driven successor to the older "Yayoi Accounting Online."

Yayoi's core is auto-importing transaction data and having AI infer account categories to journalize. Import bank statements and receipts (scanner or phone photo), and AI journalizes automatically, improving with use. Bank linking covers 1,100+ financial institutions and 2,500+ services, and it complies with the invoice system and Electronic Bookkeeping Act.
How to use
Import statements, review the AI journal entries, and take it through to books and filing.
Link accounts/receipts
Link banks/cards, and import receipts by phone photo/scan.
AI auto-journalizes
AI infers account categories for imported transactions (accuracy improves as you use it).
Review & fix
Check and adjust; also use AI transaction entry and document management.
File & report
Do tax filing (e-Tax), reports, and cash-flow analysis.
Yayoi Accounting Next has up to a 2-month free trial, and Blue-return Online is free for the first year (conditions apply; through applications by 2027/3/15).
Key features
01AI auto-journalizing (Smart Transaction Import)
Auto-import bank statements, receipts, POS (Airregi), and Suica, and AI infers account categories to journalize. Accuracy improves with use via its learning function — a common AI journalizing engine across the line.
02AI transaction entry, expenses, cash-flow
In Yayoi Accounting Next, type a transaction in plain text and AI creates the journal entry (up to 300/month). AI predicts expense types in expense management, and cash-flow analysis (beta) forecasts your cash position.
03Filing, compliance & support
Tax filing (blue/white returns, e-Tax), invoice-system and Electronic Bookkeeping Act compliance (JIIMA-certified), and document management. It also offers a 24/7 AI chat and a standalone "Yayoi Anytime Labor Consultation AI."
Pricing
There are free-trial and first-year-free options. Representative rates for the main cloud products are below (Yayoi Accounting Next excl. tax; Blue-return excl. tax).
| Product/Plan | Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yayoi Accounting Next Entry | ¥34,800 | Up to 2-month free trial |
| Yayoi Accounting Next Basic | ¥50,400 | AI transaction entry, support |
| Blue-return Online Self | ¥11,800 | First year free (conditions) |
| Blue-return Online Total | ¥39,600 | First year half-price (conditions) |
There's also Yayoi Payroll Next (from ¥9,000/yr) and Misoca invoicing (free plan available). Desktop versions include Yayoi Accounting 26 and Blue-return 26. First-year-free/half-price requires bank transfer/card registration, once per business. Prices change, so check the official site for the latest (as of August 2026).
How it differs from other cloud accounting software
Yayoi stands out for the reassurance of a long-standing standard, plus thorough AI auto-journalizing, tax filing, and compliance. Compared with other AI-using cloud accounting, its product lineup and support depth differ.
| Aspect | Yayoi | freee | Money Forward Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | AI auto-journalizing cloud accounting | Accounting & back office | Accounting & back office |
| Strength | Standard, tax filing, support | Designed for non-bookkeepers | Broad integrations & suite |
| Delivery | Cloud + desktop | Cloud-centric | Cloud-centric |
Alternatives to compare include cloud accounting tools freee and Money Forward Cloud. If you want to automate journalizing with AI while relying on a trusted standard through tax filing and compliance, Yayoi is a strong choice.
Information on this page is based on the official website as of August 2026. Please check the official site for the latest specs and pricing.
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