Guide
How to Send Money From Japan: Best Remittance Services Compared
Last updated: March 2026 · Based on official sources and service websites
Whether you're sending money to family, paying off student loans back home, or splitting finances between countries — international remittance is something almost every foreigner in Japan needs. The problem is that traditional Japanese banks charge ¥3,000-7,500 per transfer plus unfavorable exchange rates.
The good news: there are much cheaper options. This guide compares the best services available in Japan, what you need to sign up, and common pitfalls to avoid.
You'll need My Number
Japanese law requires My Number for international money transfers. Most services require it at registration. If you haven't applied for your My Number Card yet, do it now — it's the single biggest blocker for remittance setup.
Quick Comparison
| Service | Fee | Exchange Rate | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 0.5-1.5% | Mid-market (real rate) | 1-2 days | Best overall value |
| SBI Remit | From ¥460 | Bank rate + markup | 1 day | Philippines, Vietnam, SE Asia |
| Western Union | ¥990-2,000 | Markup (not transparent) | Minutes-5 days | Cash pickup, unbanked recipients |
| PayForex | From ¥0 | Varies | Varies | Budget option, wide coverage |
| Japanese banks | ¥3,000-7,500 | Markup (1-3%) | 3-7 days | Avoid if possible |
1. Wise — Best Overall
Fee
0.5-1.5% (shown upfront)
Exchange Rate
Mid-market rate (no markup)
Speed
1-2 business days
Currencies
40+
Max per transfer
¥1,000,000 (standard)
English
Full support
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is widely considered the best remittance option for most foreigners in Japan. The key advantage is that they use the real mid-market exchange rate — the same rate you see on Google — with no markup. Their fee is a small percentage that's shown transparently before you confirm.
Beyond transfers, Wise offers a multi-currency account and debit card. You can hold money in multiple currencies and make fee-free ATM withdrawals at 7-Eleven (monthly allowance applies).
Requirements to sign up
- Residence Card (在留カード)
- My Number Card or My Number notification + separate photo ID
- Japanese bank account (for funding transfers)
- Japanese address
For large transfers
Standard limit is ¥1,000,000 per transfer. With additional verification, you can send up to ¥150,000,000. You may need to provide proof of the source of funds for large amounts.
2. SBI Remit — Best for Southeast Asia
Fee
From ¥460
Exchange Rate
Bank rate + markup
Speed
Next business day
Countries
220+
SBI Remit is especially popular among Filipino and Vietnamese workers in Japan. They offer low fees for Southeast Asian corridors and multiple funding methods — including cash payments at convenience stores, which is useful if you don't have a bank account yet.
They also absorbed former GoRemit (Shinsei Bank) customers after that service was discontinued in October 2025.
Funding methods
- Bank transfer (furikomi)
- Convenience store cash payment
- Remit Card at ATMs
- Reserve account (online)
3. Western Union (via Seven Bank) — Best for Cash Pickup
Fee
¥990-2,000
Exchange Rate
Markup (not published)
Speed
Minutes (cash pickup)
Countries
200+
Western Union's main advantage is cash pickup. If your recipient doesn't have a bank account, they can pick up cash at a Western Union agent location worldwide — sometimes within minutes. In Japan, the service is operated through Seven Bank (7-Eleven's banking arm).
The downside is that fees and exchange rate markups combined tend to make it more expensive than Wise for bank-to-bank transfers. Best used when speed or cash pickup is critical.
Requirements
- Residence Card
- My Number Card or Juminhyo with My Number (issued within 6 months)
- Seven Bank account (for ATM/online transfers)
4. PayForex — Budget Option
Fee
From ¥0
Languages
9+ (including English)
Currencies
40+
Availability
24 hours online
PayForex (operated by Queen Bee Capital) is available through PayPay Bank and offers some of the lowest advertised fees. They support 9+ languages, making it accessible to non-English and non-Japanese speakers. The trade-off is that exchange rates may include a wider markup than Wise.
Why Not Your Japanese Bank?
Major Japanese banks charge significantly more for international transfers:
| Bank | Transfer fee | Exchange markup |
|---|---|---|
| MUFG | ¥3,000 (online) / ¥7,500 (counter) | ~1 yen per USD |
| Mizuho | ¥5,000 (online) | Similar markup |
| SMBC | ¥3,500-6,500 | Similar markup |
For a ¥100,000 transfer, you might pay ¥5,000+ in fees plus lose another ¥1,000-3,000 on the exchange rate. Wise would typically cost ¥500-1,500 total for the same amount.
The 6-Month "Non-Resident" Problem
Important for new arrivals
Under Japan's Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA), foreigners are classified as "non-residents" for their first 6 months. This means Japanese banks may treat your domestic transfers as international ones — adding extra fees (up to ¥7,500) and requiring additional paperwork.
The 6-month status does not automatically update. After 6 months, you need to visit your bank in person and request the status change to "resident." Bring your Residence Card showing you've been in Japan for over 6 months.
Services like Wise and SBI Remit are generally less affected by this rule since they're not traditional banks. This is another reason to use a dedicated remittance service rather than your bank.
How to Choose
Sending to a bank account in most countries → Wise
Best exchange rate, transparent fees, full English support. The default choice for most people.
Sending to Philippines, Vietnam, or SE Asia → SBI Remit
Optimized for these corridors. GCash integration for Philippines. Can fund via convenience store cash.
Recipient needs cash (no bank account) → Western Union
Cash pickup at agent locations worldwide. Fast — sometimes within minutes.
Need multilingual support → PayForex
9+ languages. Lowest advertised fees. Good for non-English speakers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not having My Number ready
This blocks registration for all services. Apply for your My Number Card as soon as you arrive.
Using your bank for international transfers
You'll pay 5-10x more in fees compared to dedicated services. Only use your bank as a last resort.
Wrong recipient bank details
Incorrect SWIFT codes or account numbers cause failed transfers and additional fees. Double-check everything.
Forgetting the 6-month bank status change
After 6 months in Japan, visit your bank and request the status change from "non-resident" to "resident."
Sending over ¥1,000,000 without documentation
Transfers above ¥1M trigger enhanced due diligence. Have proof of source of funds ready.
FAQ
Can I send money without a Japanese bank account?
Yes. SBI Remit accepts cash payments at convenience stores, so you don't need a bank account. Western Union via Seven Bank ATMs also works if you have a Seven Bank account (which has minimal requirements). Wise requires a Japanese bank account to fund transfers.
What happened to GoRemit?
GoRemit (Shinsei Bank's remittance service) was discontinued on October 20, 2025. Former customers have been directed to SBI Remit, which is part of the same SBI Group.
Can I use Remitly from Japan?
No. Remitly does not support sending money from Japan. You can use it to send money to Japan, but not from Japan.
Is there a limit on how much I can send?
Most services have a standard limit of ¥1,000,000 per transfer. Wise allows up to ¥150,000,000 with additional verification. Transfers above ¥1,000,000 require documentation proving the source of funds (anti-money laundering regulations).
What about the new integrated Residence Card + My Number Card?
Starting June 2026, a new "Tokutei Zairyu Card" will combine Residence Card and My Number Card functions into a single card. This will simplify the verification process for financial services including remittance. It's optional — your existing cards will continue to work.
Related Guides
Best Banks for Foreigners →
You need a Japanese bank account to fund Wise transfers and receive salary.
My Number Card Guide →
Required by law for international remittance registration. Apply early.
Tax in Japan for Foreigners →
Large international transfers may have tax reporting implications.
International remittance is Step 10 of settling in Japan
See all the steps you need to complete, tailored to your visa type.
Get Your Checklist