Sending Money from Japan 2026 — Wise vs Remitly vs Banks: Best Rates by Destination Country | VisaSHOGUN

💸 MONEY Guide 📅 Last updated: June 2026 💴 Stop overpaying on bank transfers

Sending Money from Japan
Best Services & Rates 2026

Japanese banks charge ¥3,000–5,000 per transfer plus bad exchange rates. Foreign residents in Japan sent home an estimated ¥500 billion last year — most of it through overpriced channels. Here's how to do it better.

  • Wise vs Remitly vs SBI Remit vs Japanese banks — honest comparison
  • Best service by destination country (Philippines, USA, India, China, and more)
  • Why the "low fee" advertised isn't the real cost — exchange rate markup explained
  • How to send salary home regularly with minimum friction
  • Large transfers (¥500,000+) — what's different and what to watch for
  • Tax reporting obligations when sending large amounts internationally
🔍 Best for My Country 📋 All Services Compared 💚 Wise — Best Overall
💡 Transparency: This page contains affiliate links. If you sign up through our links, VisaSHOGUN may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences our recommendations — we recommend these services because they are genuinely best for most users. Full disclosure →
Rates and fees verified by foreign residents in Japan. Exchange rates fluctuate — always check the live rate before sending. Last updated: June 2026.
Real Cost By Destination All Services Cost Table How to Send Large Transfers FAQ
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📋 Rates and comparisons verified by foreign residents in Japan

Service fees and exchange rates change frequently. All figures are approximate and based on checks in June 2026. Always verify the live rate before sending.

The Fee You Don't See

Why "Low Fee" Transfers Often Cost More Than You Think

The biggest mistake people make when comparing international money transfer services is looking only at the advertised fee. The real cost of a transfer has two components — and the second is often larger than the first.

Cost Component 1
Transfer fee (送金手数料)
The flat fee charged per transfer. Ranges from ¥0 (Wise small transfers) to ¥5,000+ (Japanese bank international wire). Easy to compare — but only tells half the story.
Cost Component 2 — The Hidden One
Exchange rate markup
The spread between the real market rate and what you're offered. A 2% markup on ¥300,000 = ¥6,000 in hidden cost — more than most advertised "low fees." This is how banks make most of their money on transfers.
💡 The only fair comparison: "total cost" = fee + exchange rate loss

To compare transfer services accurately, calculate how many units of your destination currency you receive for a fixed JPY amount — e.g., "how many USD do I get for ¥300,000?" A service with zero fees but a 3% exchange markup may cost more than a service charging ¥800 but offering mid-market rates. Wise shows you the mid-market rate and charges a transparent fee on top — making the total cost clear upfront.

Real Example: Sending ¥300,000 to the USA (June 2026 rates, approximate)

Service Fee Exchange rate USD received (approx.) Total cost vs. mid-market
Wise ~¥800–1,200 Near mid-market ~$1,998 ~¥1,000 total cost
Remitly (Express) ~¥0 ~0.8% markup ~$1,982 ~¥2,400
Sony Bank ¥0–2,500 ~1.5% markup ~$1,970 ~¥5,000–6,500
Major city bank (MUFG etc.) ¥3,500–5,000 ~2% markup ~$1,944 ~¥9,000–11,000

* Illustrative figures based on approximate market conditions June 2026. Actual rates vary — always check live before sending.

Find Your Best Option

Best Service by Destination Country

The "best" service depends on where you're sending. Select your destination for a tailored recommendation.

🔍 Where are you sending money to?
Select your destination country or region. Rankings based on exchange rate competitiveness, fees, speed, and reliability as of June 2026.
🇺🇸 USA — Best Options
1
Wise
Near mid-market USD rate, transparent fee (~¥800–1,500). Bank transfer delivery in 1–2 days. Best total value for USD transfers of any size.
Open →
2
Remitly
Competitive for USD, often zero fee on first transfer. Good for regular salary remittances. Express (minutes) or Economy (1–3 days) options.
Open →
* Avoid: Japanese city banks for regular USD remittances — ¥3,500–5,000 flat fee + poor exchange rate.
🇬🇧 UK — Best Options
1
Wise
Wise is a UK company — GBP transfers are extremely competitive. Near-mid-market rate, same-day delivery common for GBP. Best option for UK hands down.
Open →
2
Revolut
Good GBP rates if you already have Revolut. Occasional exchange rate limits on weekends — watch for these.
Open →
🇪🇺 Europe (EUR) — Best Options
1
Wise
EUR is one of Wise's strongest corridors. SEPA transfers within Europe are very fast (same day / next day). Competitive rates for all major EU currencies.
Open →
🇵🇭 Philippines — Best Options
1
Remitly
Philippines is Remitly's strongest corridor globally. Cash pickup at 7-Eleven, SM, Palawan Pawnshop, and thousands of agents. Often best PHP rate of any service. Regular promotion rates for first-time users.
Open →
2
SBI Remit
Strong PHP rates from Japan specifically. Popular among Filipino workers in Japan. BPI, BDO, and many bank delivery options.
Open →
3
Wise
Good PHP rates but Remitly and SBI Remit usually beat Wise for this specific corridor. Use as a backup or for bank transfers specifically.
Open →
🇮🇳 India — Best Options
1
Wise
Very strong INR rates. Direct to any Indian bank account (IMPS/NEFT). Fast delivery — often same day. Strongly recommended for India.
Open →
2
Remitly
Good INR corridor, competitive with Wise. Check both for large transfers — rates fluctuate.
Open →
🇨🇳 China — More Complex
1
Wise
Wise supports CNY transfers but China has more restrictions on incoming international transfers than most countries. Bank account recipient required — no Alipay/WeChat Pay. Verify with recipient bank first.
Open →
2
Japanese city banks (for large amounts)
For large CNY transfers where documentation is important, traditional SWIFT wire via a Japanese bank may be more reliable despite higher fees.
⚠️ China's foreign exchange controls mean CNY transfers above certain amounts require documentation. Verify limits with your chosen service before sending large amounts.
🇰🇷 South Korea — Best Options
1
Wise
Strong KRW rates. Direct bank transfer to Korean accounts. Fast and reliable. Best for regular transfers.
Open →
2
SBI Remit
Competitive KRW rates from Japan. Popular for Japan-Korea corridor.
Open →
🇻🇳 Vietnam — Best Options
1
Remitly
Very strong VND corridor. Cash pickup available at thousands of locations in Vietnam. Good bank transfer rates to Vietcombank, Techcombank, VPBank, and others.
Open →
2
SBI Remit
Popular for Vietnam among workers in Japan. Competitive rates, strong distribution network in Vietnam.
Open →
🇧🇷 Brazil / Latin America — Best Options
1
Wise
Good BRL rates. PIX instant payment delivery to Brazilian bank accounts. Very fast for Brazil specifically. Also covers Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and other LatAm currencies.
Open →
2
Remitly
Cash pickup options useful for recipients without bank accounts. Mexico is a particularly strong corridor for Remitly.
Open →
🇦🇺 Australia / New Zealand — Best Options
1
Wise
Excellent AUD/NZD rates. NPP PayID instant bank transfers in Australia. One of Wise's strongest corridors globally.
Open →
🇨🇦 Canada — Best Options
1
Wise
Strong CAD rates. Interac e-Transfer delivery available for Canadian recipients. 1–2 business days. Best overall option for Canada.
Open →
2
Remitly
Good CAD corridor. Sometimes beats Wise for specific amounts — always compare both for large transfers.
Open →
🌍 Other Destinations

For destinations not listed above: Wise supports 80+ countries and is the recommended starting point. Remitly covers 170+ countries with a focus on developing economies and cash pickup options.

For any destination, the best approach: (1) Check Wise's live rate. (2) Check Remitly's rate for the same amount. (3) Use whichever gives more destination currency. Rates vary week to week.

Full Reviews

All Major Transfer Services — Honest Reviews

1
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Best overall — near mid-market rates, transparent fees, 80+ currencies
✓ Mid-market rates Full English 80+ countries Transparent fees
Fee (¥300K)
~¥800–1,500
Exchange rate
Mid-market
Speed
Same day–2 days
Limits
Up to ¥5M+
What's great The mid-market exchange rate with a transparent, low fee is genuinely the best combination available. No hidden markup — you see exactly what you're paying. Multi-currency account also useful as a Japan bank account. Full English interface. Mobile app is excellent.
Limitations Not always cheapest for Philippines / Vietnam / some Southeast Asian corridors where Remitly and SBI Remit may beat it. Fee is slightly higher than zero-fee services that make up for it with exchange rate markup.
Best overall for most foreign residents. The most transparent, most English-friendly service. Especially strong for USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, INR, and BRL.
Open Wise Account →
* Affiliate link — VisaSHOGUN may earn a commission if you sign up.
2
Remitly
Best for Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico — cash pickup + promotional rates
✓ Best for Philippines Cash pickup 170+ countries Rates vary by corridor
Fee (¥300K)
¥0–500
Exchange rate
~0.5–1.5% markup
Speed
Minutes (Express)
Cash pickup
✅ Available
What's great Best-in-class for Philippines, Vietnam, India, and Mexico. Cash pickup at thousands of agents is invaluable when recipients don't have bank accounts. "Promo" rates offer better-than-standard exchange on first few transfers. Express option is genuinely fast.
Limitations Exchange rate markup varies and is less transparent than Wise. App and account management is partially in Japanese for Japan-based users. Not always best for USD/EUR/GBP — check Wise for comparison.
Best choice for Filipino, Vietnamese, Indian, and Mexican workers in Japan. Always check vs Wise before sending — compare on the same transfer amount.
Open Remitly →
* Affiliate link — VisaSHOGUN may earn a commission if you sign up.
3
SBI Remit (SBIレミット)
Japan-specific service — strong for Asian corridors, 7-Eleven sending
✓ 7-Eleven cash send No bank account needed Japanese interface Asia-focused
Fee (¥300K)
¥0–800
Exchange rate
Varies by corridor
Speed
1–3 days
Cash send
✅ 7-Eleven
What's great Can send cash from any 7-Eleven ATM in Japan — useful if you don't have a Japanese bank account yet. Strong PHP, VND, KRW rates specifically. Popular among Filipino, Vietnamese, and Korean workers in Japan.
Limitations App and website primarily in Japanese. Customer support in Japanese. Not competitive for USD/EUR. Limited to Asia-focused corridors for best rates.
Good for Philippine, Vietnam, Korea corridors. Uniquely useful for cash sends via 7-Eleven. Compare rates against Remitly before each transfer.
SBI Remit (Official) →
✗
Japanese City Banks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho etc.)
Avoid for regular remittances — high fees, poor rates
✗ High fees ✗ Poor exchange rates Documentation trail
Fee (¥300K)
¥3,500–5,000
Exchange rate
1.5–3% markup
Speed
2–5 business days
Total cost
¥8,000–15,000
Only use Japanese bank international wire when: sending very large amounts (¥10M+) where banking documentation is important, or when a specific business/legal transfer requires bank-to-bank wire. Never for regular salary remittances.
Side by Side

Full Comparison for ¥300,000 Transfer (June 2026)

All figures approximate. Exchange rates fluctuate — always check the live rate before sending.

Service Fee Rate markup USD received PHP received Speed Open
Wise ~¥1,000 ~0% ~$1,998 ~₱111,000 Same day–2 days Open →
Remitly (PH) ~¥0 ~0.8% ~$1,980 ~₱113,500 Minutes (Express) Open →
SBI Remit (PH) ~¥0–500 ~0.7% — ~₱112,000 1–2 days Site →
Sony Bank ¥0–2,500 ~1.5% ~$1,970 — 1–3 days Open →
City bank (MUFG etc.) ¥3,500–5,000 ~2–3% ~$1,944 ~₱105,000 2–5 days —

* Figures illustrative only based on approximate June 2026 rates. USD: ~¥150/dollar. PHP: ~¥0.27/peso assumed. Always check live rates before each transfer. Affiliate links marked.

Getting Started

How to Send Your First Transfer

For Wise (Recommended)
Step Action Notes
1 Open a Wise account Download the app or go to wise.com. Takes 10–15 minutes with residence card verification.
2 Add JPY funds Transfer from your Japanese bank account to your Wise JPY balance. Or receive salary directly into Wise's Japan account number.
3 Create a transfer Enter amount, select destination currency and country. Live rate shown before confirmation — no hidden fees.
4 Enter recipient details Bank name, account number, SWIFT/BIC, recipient full name. For first-time recipients, Wise saves them for future transfers.
5 Confirm and send Review the total including fees. Confirm. Track delivery in the app.
💚 Pro tip: Schedule regular transfers on the same date each month

Most services allow you to set up recurring transfers on a fixed date. This is ideal for salary remittances — set it once, and a fixed amount transfers automatically each month. Wise and Remitly both support recurring transfers. This also helps you smooth out exchange rate fluctuations over time.

Sending Large Amounts

Large Transfers (¥1,000,000+) — What's Different

Sending large amounts internationally from Japan involves additional considerations around documentation, limits, and Japanese tax reporting.

Amount Requirements Best Service
Under ¥1,000,000 Standard ID verification. No special documentation required. Wise or Remitly — standard process
¥1,000,000 – ¥3,000,000 May require source of funds documentation at some services. Purpose of transfer may be asked. Wise handles this well — source of funds declaration in app
Over ¥3,000,000 Japan Customs requires reporting for international transfers over ¥3M per transaction (外為法). The financial institution typically handles this reporting — you just need to provide accurate information about the transfer purpose. Wise or Sony Bank with documentation
Over ¥10,000,000 Stricter AML checks. Documentation of fund source likely required. Traditional bank wire may be more appropriate for documentation purposes. Sony Bank or city bank wire + specialist advice
⚠️ Japan income tax: overseas transfers don't hide income

Sending salary overseas does not reduce your Japan tax liability. Your Japan-sourced income is taxable in Japan regardless of where you transfer it. Japan has automatic information exchange agreements with 100+ countries — bank accounts you hold overseas are increasingly visible to Japan's National Tax Agency if you are a Japan tax resident. File your taxes correctly and declare foreign accounts if required.

Frequently Asked

Send Money FAQ

Yes — Wise works fully from Japan. You don't need a Japanese bank account to use Wise as a sending account. You can open a Wise account with just your residence card, add funds from your Japanese bank, or use Wise as your Japanese bank account (it provides a Japanese account number for salary deposits). Wise is available in English, which makes it significantly easier for foreign residents than most Japanese services.
Exchange rates move constantly. The only reliable way to know the current best rate is to check both Wise and Remitly (and SBI Remit for Asia corridors) for your specific amount on the day you plan to send. Enter the exact JPY amount you want to send and see how many units of destination currency you receive — this is the only fair comparison. Many people bookmark both apps and check both before each large transfer. For small regular transfers, the difference is usually negligible.
Yes — both are regulated financial services companies. Wise is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA), and financial regulators in multiple jurisdictions. Remitly is licensed as a money transmitter in all US states and regulated in Japan. Both have processed billions of dollars in transfers and are considered safe and reliable. Customer funds are held separately from company operating funds in regulated accounts. For very large transfers (¥10M+), you may prefer the added documentation trail of a bank wire, but for typical remittances, both services are safe.
Yes — Remitly and Western Union both offer cash pickup options at agent locations in many countries. The recipient shows ID at an approved pickup point (convenience stores, pawnshops, bank branches) and receives cash. This is particularly useful for Philippines (7-Eleven, SM, Palawan), Vietnam (many agents), Mexico, and developing economies with large cash economies. Wise is primarily bank-to-bank — it does not offer cash pickup in most destinations.
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Stop paying ¥5,000 per transfer to your bank

Open Wise — Japan's most-used remittance service for foreign residents

Mid-market exchange rates. Transparent fees. Full English. Works with your Japanese salary account. Takes 10 minutes to open.

Affiliate disclosure: Wise and Remitly links are affiliate links — VisaSHOGUN may earn a commission if you sign up. Rates shown are approximate and subject to change.

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