Quick Answer
| Major services | Wise, SBI Remit, GoRemit (Shinsei Bank), Western Union, Japan Post Bank international transfer |
|---|---|
| Speed | Online services: typically 1–3 business days; bank wire: 2–5 business days — varies by provider and destination |
| Fees | Vary significantly by provider, destination corridor, and amount — compare at time of transfer; fees change frequently |
| ID requirements | Residence Card (在留カード) required; some services also require My Number card or passport for registration |
| Key caution | Exchange rates fluctuate daily; transfer limits and availability vary by provider and destination country |
Sending money from Japan to your home country — or receiving salary from abroad — is routine for foreign residents. This guide compares the major transfer services available in Japan by fee, exchange rate margin, speed, and ease of use, with step-by-step instructions for the most popular options.
Which service is right for you?
Find your situation below — each links to the official site so you can verify the current fee before sending.
Disclosure: The links above go directly to each service’s official website. JapanWiseLife earns no commission from these links. See our affiliate disclosure for details on how this site is funded.
Full Service Comparison Table
| Service | Transfer fee (JPY→USD example) | FX rate margin | Speed | App / English | Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | ~¥300–¥800 fixed + 0.41% variable | Mid-market rate (best) | Minutes–1 day | Full English app | 80+ |
| SBI Remit | ¥0 (USD/AUD/THB/PHP) or ¥1,000 | Slightly above mid-market | Same day–2 days | Japanese-primary | 240+ |
| Western Union Japan | ¥1,200–¥4,000 | 1–3% above mid-market | Minutes (cash) – 2 days | English available | 200+ (cash pickup) |
| Japan Post | ¥2,500 flat | Fixed TTM rate | 3–5 days | Counter; some English | 100+ |
| SMBC / MUFG / Major banks | ¥2,500–¥5,000 | 1–3% above mid-market (TTS) | 2–5 days (SWIFT) | Japanese-primary | Worldwide |
Amount-Based Cost Simulation: JPY → USD
The following shows estimated total cost (transfer fee + FX rate margin) for sending Japanese yen to a USD bank account, at common transfer amounts. These are illustrative estimates based on May 2026 rates — actual costs vary daily. Always run the calculation on each service’s official site before sending.
| Service | ¥50,000 | ¥100,000 | ¥300,000 | ¥500,000 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise Mid-market rate + fee |
~¥510 ✓ Best |
~¥720 ✓ Best |
~¥1,540 ✓ Best |
~¥2,370 ✓ Best |
Fixed ~¥300–400 + 0.41% variable. FX rate is mid-market (no hidden markup). |
| SBI Remit USD route (¥0 fee) |
~¥250–500 FX margin only |
~¥500–1,000 | ~¥1,500–3,000 | ~¥2,500–5,000 | ¥0 transfer fee to USD/AUD/some routes. FX margin ~0.5–1% above mid-market. Competes with Wise at higher amounts. |
| Western Union Online (bank delivery) |
~¥2,800–3,500 ✗ Expensive |
~¥4,200–5,000 ✗ Expensive |
~¥8,000–12,000 ✗ Expensive |
~¥13,000–20,000 ✗ Expensive |
High fixed fee + 1–3% FX margin. Only justified for cash pickup (no bank account on recipient side) or very urgent transfers. |
| Japan Post Bank SWIFT international |
~¥3,500–4,000 | ~¥4,500–5,500 | ~¥8,500–12,000 | ~¥12,500–18,000 | ¥2,500 flat fee + ~2–3% FX margin (TTS rate). Useful if you have no other Japanese banking relationship. |
| Major bank SWIFT MUFG, SMBC, etc. |
~¥5,000–7,500 | ~¥7,000–10,000 | ~¥11,000–18,000 | ~¥15,000–25,000 | ¥2,500–5,000 fixed + 2–3% FX margin. Slowest (2–5 business days). Only use if you must for compliance or employer requirement. |
⚠ Costs are illustrative estimates for JPY→USD. Actual amounts depend on daily exchange rates and your specific amount. Run real calculations at wise.com and sbiremit.co.jp before sending.
Which Amount Changes the Decision?
- Under ¥50,000: Wise wins easily. The fixed fee (~¥400) is small relative to the total, and the mid-market FX rate saves more than SBI Remit’s ¥0 fee with a slightly worse rate.
- ¥50,000–200,000: Wise still leads, but SBI Remit (for USD/AUD/PHP routes) is close. Compare both with a real-time calculation on the day you send.
- ¥300,000–500,000+: SBI Remit may edge out Wise on specific routes (zero transfer fee matters less at high amounts when FX margin is similar). Run both calculators.
- Cash pickup required (recipient has no bank account): Western Union is effectively the only practical option, despite the higher cost.
- Same-day / urgent: Wise (minutes on major corridors), Western Union (minutes for cash pickup). Japan Post and bank SWIFT take 2–5 business days.
Wise: Step-by-Step
- Create an account at wise.com — email, password, select Japan as your country.
- Verify your identity: upload your residence card (在留カード) or passport plus a selfie. Approval takes minutes to a few hours.
- Add your Japanese bank account as the funding source (bank name, branch code, account number, account holder name in katakana).
- Set up the transfer: enter amount in JPY, choose target currency and destination country.
- Enter recipient bank details: IBAN or account number, SWIFT/BIC code, recipient full name and address.
- Review the total: Wise shows the exact fee and exchange rate before you confirm.
- Send the JPY to Wise’s Japanese bank account (they show you the account details for the transfer).
- Track delivery in the app — most transfers complete in minutes to 24 hours.
SBI Remit: Step-by-Step
- Register at sbiremit.co.jp — residence card details, email, and Japanese mobile number required.
- Identity verification: submit residence card scan + face photo; takes 1–3 business days for first-time approval.
- Register your recipient: bank name, account number, SWIFT code, recipient name and address.
- Create a transfer: enter amount, choose destination. Zero-fee routes are clearly marked.
- Pay via bank transfer from your Japanese bank account to SBI Remit’s account.
- Check delivery status in your SBI Remit dashboard.
Documents Required
| Document | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residence card (在留カード) | Identity verification | Required for all services; must be valid |
| Japanese bank account details | Funding source | Bank name, branch code, account number, katakana name |
| Recipient bank details | Destination account | IBAN (Europe), account + routing (US), SWIFT/BIC code, full name + address |
| My Number (optional) | Large transfers / tax reporting | May be required for transfers over ¥1,000,000/year via some services |
See the Japan Bank Account Guide — Japan Post Bank and Seven Bank are the easiest to open for new residents.
FAQ
Is there a limit on how much I can send abroad from Japan?
No legal cap for personal remittances, but individual services have their own limits. Wise allows up to ~¥1,000,000 per transaction for verified accounts; higher with additional verification. Banks can process any amount but may require documentation for large transfers.
Do I need to pay tax on money I send home?
Sending money you already earned and paid income tax on in Japan is not itself taxable again. However, if you have overseas assets exceeding ¥50 million, you may need to file an overseas asset report. Consult a tax accountant (税理士) for your specific situation. (R2: general information, not tax advice.)
Can I use Wise without a Japanese bank account?
Wise requires a Japanese bank account or a Japanese credit/debit card to fund transfers. If you have neither, Western Union via 7-Eleven accepts cash payments for transfers to 200+ countries.
Why is the exchange rate at my bank worse than Wise?
Banks use their own “TTS” (telegraphic transfer selling) rate, which includes a margin of roughly 1–3% above the mid-market rate. Wise uses the mid-market rate and charges a transparent fee instead. For a ¥200,000 transfer, the difference can be ¥2,000–¥6,000.
How long does it take for the recipient to receive the money?
Wise: minutes to 24 hours for major currency routes. SBI Remit: same-day to 2 business days. SWIFT bank transfers: 2–5 business days. Western Union cash pickup: often within minutes of confirmation.
Sources & Official References
- Financial Services Agency of Japan (FSA) — regulates money transfer operators in Japan
- Wise Japan — current fees and exchange rates
- SBI Remit — current fee schedule
- Western Union Japan
- National Tax Agency — Individual Taxation
Related Guides
- Living in Japan — practical guides for daily life and financial services
- Cashless Payments in Japan — IC cards, QR payments, credit cards, and mobile wallets
- Opening a Bank Account in Japan — required for most international transfer services
- Japan Credit Cards for Residents — earning points and managing finances in Japan
Important: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Transfer fees, exchange rates, limits, supported corridors, and service availability change frequently. Regulatory requirements may also apply to certain transfer amounts. Verify all current details directly with the provider before initiating a transfer. This page does not recommend specific services over others.