| 🏛️ |
Peter Chen — 18 Years in Tokyo · TIFE Founder
The Quick Answer: Use Wise. Stop paying bank fees.
|
I’ve been sending money internationally from Japan for 18 years. I’ve watched thousands of TIFE members overpay by ¥5,000–¥10,000 per transfer using their Japanese bank account. In 2026, there is no reason to do this. Wise gives you the real exchange rate with fees starting at 0.4% — the most transparent, cheapest option for most expats.
| ✅ Real mid-market exchange rate | ✅ Fees from 0.4% — shown upfront |
| ✅ 40+ currencies supported | ✅ Works on mobile & desktop |
| ✅ Transfers often same-day or next day | ✅ Accepts Japanese bank accounts |
Sending money from Japan to another country is something almost every expat, foreign worker, and international student in Japan needs to do. Whether you’re supporting family back home, repaying a loan, or moving savings abroad — the difference between the right service and the wrong one can cost you ¥5,000–¥15,000 per transfer.
I’m Peter Chen, founder of TIFE — Tokyo’s largest international community with 35,000+ members from 69 countries. I’ve been living in Japan for 18 years and have personally tested every major transfer service available. This guide gives you the real numbers so you can make the smartest choice every time.
Why Sending Money from Japan Feels Expensive
Japan’s banking system is still catching up with the rest of the world for international transfers. Most people default to their Japanese bank — and pay heavily for it.
Complete Comparison: All Money Transfer Options from Japan (2026)
Here is how the major services compare on a real transfer of ¥100,000 to USD (based on 2026 rates):
Option 1: Wise — Best for Most Expats in Japan ⭐
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is the gold standard for international money transfers from Japan in 2026. It uses the real mid-market exchange rate — the same rate you see on Google or XE.com — with a small, fully transparent fee.
Why Wise Wins for Japan Expats
| ✅ | Real exchange rate — zero hidden markup. What you see is what recipient gets. |
| ✅ | Fee: 0.4%–1.5% depending on currency. Shown before you confirm — no surprises. |
| ✅ | 40+ currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, PHP, THB, INR, TWD, HKD, and more. |
| ✅ | Transfer limit: Up to ¥150,000,000 per transfer. Ideal for large remittances. |
| ✅ | Speed: Most transfers complete in hours to 1–2 business days for major currencies. |
| ✅ | Multi-currency account — hold 50+ currencies, receive payments in USD/EUR/GBP/AUD with local bank details. |
| ✅ | Wise debit card — spend abroad at the real exchange rate. |
| ❌ | Not ideal for: Recipients who need cash pickup (no physical pickup option). |
How to Send Money from Japan with Wise: Step by Step
- Create your Wise account: Go to wise.com and sign up with your email. Free to create — first transfer may be fee-free.
- Verify your identity: Upload your Residence Card (Zairyu Card) plus My Number Card or notification slip. Verification takes 1–2 business days.
- Link your Japanese bank account: Add your bank account to fund transfers. Wise accepts major Japanese banks including Rakuten Bank, SBI Shinsei, Japan Post, and others.
- Enter the transfer details: Choose the destination country and currency, enter the amount. Wise shows you the exact fee and the amount your recipient will receive before you confirm.
- Add recipient details: Enter the recipient’s name, bank account number, and routing or SWIFT details. Wise walks you through exactly what’s needed per country.
- Confirm and track: Approve the transfer and track it in real-time through the Wise app. You’ll receive notifications at each step.
👉 Ready to get started? Create your free Wise account → No monthly fees. No surprises.
Option 2: SBI Remit — Best for Southeast Asia Cash Pickup
SBI Remit is a Japan-based remittance service with competitive rates for sending money to Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, Vietnam, China, South Korea, and Indonesia. Unlike Wise, SBI Remit offers cash pickup at partner locations, making it ideal when your recipient doesn’t have a bank account.
| ✅ | Fee: Often ¥0–¥500 flat fee with competitive exchange rates |
| ✅ | Cash pickup available — recipient can collect cash without a bank account |
| ✅ | Available at Seven Bank ATMs inside 7-Eleven stores across Japan — no app needed |
| ✅ | Supports 18+ countries including Philippines, Vietnam, China, South Korea, USA |
| ❌ | Exchange rates not always as competitive as Wise for bank-to-bank transfers |
| ❌ | Best suited for specific corridors (Philippines, Vietnam) — not globally competitive |
Option 3: Revolut — Best for Regular Monthly Remittances
Revolut is a multi-currency digital banking app that lets you hold, exchange, and send money in dozens of currencies. For expats who send money home regularly and can schedule weekday transfers, Revolut can be very cost-effective.
| ✅ | Weekday transfers: Free exchange up to ¥750,000/month at the real mid-market rate (free plan) |
| ✅ | Great for regular senders — ideal if you send part of your salary home each month on weekdays |
| ✅ | Travel spending card — use the Revolut card abroad at competitive rates |
| ❌ | Weekend surcharge: +1% on all currency exchanges Saturdays and Sundays |
| ❌ | Free plan has monthly limits; paid plans required for higher volumes |
⚠️ Revolut tip: Always schedule your Revolut transfers on weekdays to avoid the 1% weekend markup. For occasional or urgent transfers, Wise is more straightforward.
Option 4: Japanese Bank International Transfers — When to Use Them
Major Japanese banks — MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho, Rakuten Bank, Japan Post Bank — all offer international SWIFT transfers. They’re secure and familiar, but they are consistently the most expensive option for regular expat use.
What you’ll need for a Japanese bank transfer:
- Recipient’s full name and address
- Recipient’s account number
- Bank name, branch, and full address
- SWIFT / BIC code
- Corresponding bank details (sometimes required)
When to use a Japanese bank: If you have an extremely large transfer (¥10M+) and your bank offers a negotiated rate, or if there is a legal/compliance reason requiring a bank-to-bank SWIFT transfer. For most regular expat transfers, avoid the bank and use Wise.
📌 Important: GoRemit Has Been Discontinued (October 2025)
🚫 GoRemit by Shinsei Bank closed in October 2025.
GoRemit was one of the most popular international transfer services among English-speaking expats in Japan. If you were using GoRemit, you need to switch to an alternative. Wise is the recommended replacement for most former GoRemit users. SBI Remit is a good alternative for Southeast Asia corridors.
Which Service Should You Use? — Decision Guide
| Your Situation | Best Service |
|---|---|
| Standard bank-to-bank transfer, any country | ⭐ Wise |
| Sending to Philippines or Vietnam (cash pickup) | SBI Remit |
| Regular monthly remittance on weekdays | Revolut or Wise |
| Emergency cash pickup for recipient | Western Union / SBI Remit |
| Freelancer/remote worker receiving foreign income | ⭐ Wise (multi-currency account) |
| Very large transfer (¥10M+, compliance required) | Japanese bank or Wise (verify limits) |
| Former GoRemit user | ⭐ Wise (recommended replacement) |
What Documents Do You Need?
For Wise
📍 Residence Card (Zairyu Card) + My Number Card or My Number notification slip + photo ID. Verification takes 1–2 business days. US citizens may need additional FATCA documentation.
For Japanese Banks
📍 Bank passbook + Residence Card + recipient’s full name, account number, bank name/address, SWIFT/BIC code, and sometimes a correspondent bank code. Forms are often available in Japanese only at branch counters.
For SBI Remit
📍 Online or in-person registration. Residence Card + My Number required for registration. Seven Bank ATM transfers do not require a smartphone app — accessible even without a Japanese bank account once registered.
Peter’s Personal Experience: Why I Use Wise
I’ve tried almost every service available in Japan over 18 years. For years I used Japanese bank SWIFT transfers and watched ¥5,000–¥8,000 disappear in fees every single time. When I switched to Wise, I immediately noticed the difference — not just in the fees, but in the transparency. You see exactly how much your recipient will receive before you hit confirm. No surprises.
For the TIFE community — expats from 69+ countries living in Tokyo — Wise is consistently the recommendation I give for regular international transfers. For our Filipino and Vietnamese community members, SBI Remit is often the better choice for cash pickup routes.
🔗 Ready to Stop Overpaying on Transfers?
Real exchange rate. Transparent fees. Send money from Japan to 40+ countries.
Join millions of expats worldwide who use Wise for international transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sending Money from Japan
What is the cheapest way to send money from Japan?
Wise is the cheapest option for most bank-to-bank transfers with fees starting at 0.4% and zero exchange rate markup. For sending to the Philippines or Vietnam with cash pickup, SBI Remit may be cheaper. Japanese banks are the most expensive option and should be avoided for regular remittances.
How do I send money from Japan with Wise?
Create a free account at wise.com, verify your identity with your Residence Card and My Number Card, link your Japanese bank account, then enter the amount and recipient details. Wise shows the exact fee and recipient amount before you confirm. Most transfers complete in hours to 2 business days.
Can foreigners send money from Japan?
Yes. Foreigners living in Japan with a valid Residence Card can send money internationally using Wise, SBI Remit, Revolut, or their Japanese bank. You need a Japanese bank account or credit card to fund transfers, plus valid ID verification for each service.
How much does it cost to send money from Japan to the US?
With Wise: approximately ¥600–¥900 on a ¥100,000 transfer (0.6–0.9% fee). Japanese banks charge ¥3,000–¥7,000 in transfer fees plus a 2–4% exchange rate markup, totalling ¥5,000–¥11,000 on the same amount. Wise delivers approximately $28 more per ¥100,000 sent.
Is GoRemit still available in Japan in 2026?
No. GoRemit by Shinsei Bank was permanently discontinued in October 2025. Former GoRemit users should switch to Wise (recommended replacement) or SBI Remit for Southeast Asia corridors.
What documents do I need to send money from Japan?
For Wise: your Residence Card plus My Number Card or notification slip. For Japanese banks: bank passbook, recipient’s full name, account number, and SWIFT/BIC code. Most services complete identity verification within 1–2 business days.
Can I use PayPal to send money from Japan internationally?
Yes, but PayPal charges 3–4% currency conversion fees with opaque exchange rate markups, making it one of the most expensive options. For large transfers, the cost difference compared to Wise is significant. PayPal is only worth considering for very small, convenience-driven transfers.
Quick Reference: Transfer Services from Japan
| Best overall | Wise — real rate, low fees, 40+ currencies |
| Best for Southeast Asia cash pickup | SBI Remit — Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia |
| Best for regular weekday senders | Revolut — free exchange up to ¥750K/month |
| Emergency cash pickup | Western Union / SBI Remit |
| Avoid for regular remittances | Japanese banks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho) — too expensive |
| Discontinued | GoRemit — closed October 2025 |
| Peter’s recommendation | Wise → for most expats in Japan |
🌐 Living in Japan? Connect with 35,000+ Expats at TIFE
Managing money, navigating Japanese banking, and sending money home are topics the TIFE community discusses all the time. Join Tokyo’s largest international community — 35,000+ members from 69 countries — for real advice from people who live the same expat life you do.
Send Money from Japan the Smart Way 🔗
Real exchange rate. Transparent fees. No hidden costs.
Join millions of expats who use Wise to send money internationally from Japan.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to Wise. TIFE earns a small commission if you sign up through our link, at no extra cost to you. This never influences our honest recommendations.