If you want the short answer on the cheapest way to send money from Japan to your family back home, here it is: for most people, specialist services like Wise and Remitly are far cheaper than a bank wire transfer from a Japanese megabank. Banks usually charge high fees and add a poor exchange-rate margin, so you lose money twice. Below we explain why, how to compare the true cost, and how to choose the right option for your situation.
The quick conclusion: which is cheapest?
In general:
- Wise — usually the cheapest and most transparent. It uses the real mid-market exchange rate (the rate you see on Google) and charges a low, clearly shown upfront fee. It is a licensed and regulated service.
- Remitly — very competitive, and often offers a special promotional rate on your first transfer. It also gives you a choice between a cheaper "economy" speed and a faster "express" option, plus cash pickup in many countries.
- Bank wire transfer (megabanks, Yucho, etc.) — usually the most expensive. The advertised fee is high, and the exchange rate they apply is worse than the mid-market rate.
Exact fees and exchange rates change constantly, so treat everything here as a guide and always check the live quote in the official app before you send.
How to compare the true cost (not just the fee)
This is the single most important habit. Many people only look at the advertised transfer fee, but that is not the real cost. The true cost is:
Transfer fee + exchange-rate margin = what you actually lose.
The exchange-rate margin is the gap between the real mid-market rate and the rate the service gives you. A "low fee" can hide a bad rate. The easiest way to compare fairly is simple:
- Decide the exact amount you want to send (for example, the amount in yen, or the amount your family should receive).
- Open each app and get a live quote for that same amount.
- Compare the final number your recipient will actually receive in their currency.
Whichever delivers the most money to your family for the same yen is the cheapest — regardless of how the fee is labelled.
Beyond price: what else to check
The cheapest option is not always the best for your situation. Also compare:
- Delivery speed: Some transfers arrive in minutes; cheaper "economy" options can take a few days.
- Payout method in the destination country: bank deposit, cash pickup, or mobile wallet. Not every method is available in every country, so check what works for your family.
- Sending limits: Services have minimum and maximum amounts per transfer and per period. Large transfers may need extra verification.
- Verification time: Your first transfer may take longer because of identity checks. After that it is usually fast.
Comparison at a glance
Real numbers, checked in July 2026. Fees and exchange rates change often, so always confirm the current price on the official pages linked below before you send.
| Service | Transfer fee (typical) | Exchange rate | Speed | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Shown upfront before you send. Roughly 0.6%–2% depending on amount and destination — for example about ¥177 on a ¥10,000 transfer to a Philippine bank account, with the percentage dropping as the amount grows. | Mid-market rate (the one you see on Google), no markup | Minutes to 1–2 days | wise.com |
| Remitly | Your first transfer is often fee-free as a welcome promotion (with a sending cap). After that, a small fee that depends on the corridor — “Economy” is cheaper, “Express” costs more. | Remitly’s own rate (includes a margin) | Express: minutes / Economy: 3–5 business days | remitly.com |
| SBI Remit | From ¥460 per transfer, depending on amount and destination. A popular choice in Japan for the Philippines and Vietnam. | SBI Remit’s own rate (includes a margin) | As fast as about 10 minutes for cash pickup | remit.co.jp |
| Megabank wire (e.g. MUFG) | Typically several thousand yen in total: the remittance fee plus a JPY handling fee of 0.05% (minimum ¥2,500) and a ¥3,000 correspondent-bank charge if you cover the recipient side — often ¥5,500 or more in visible fees alone. See the official fee page for the exact current schedule. | Bank TTS rate (includes a margin — for USD typically about ¥1 per dollar) | 1–5 business days | bk.mufg.jp |
Example: sending ¥100,000 to the Philippines. With Wise you typically lose around ¥1,000–¥1,800 in total, because the fee is the whole cost — there is no exchange-rate markup. With a megabank wire, the visible fees alone can exceed ¥5,500 (handling fee + correspondent charge) before the exchange-rate margin, so the total cost is often three to five times higher than a specialist service.
For an independent comparison of every provider on your corridor, the World Bank’s Remittance Prices Worldwide tool tracks the true total cost (fee + exchange-rate margin) of each service every quarter.
| Option | Typical cost | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Low, transparent fee + real mid-market rate | Often fast (varies by country) | People who want the clearest, fairest pricing |
| Remitly | Competitive; promo on first transfer | Economy (cheaper) or Express (fast) | Cash pickup and first-time bonuses |
| Bank wire | Usually highest (fee + poor rate) | Often slower | When you must use a bank for specific reasons |
This table is a general guide. Real costs and speeds depend on the destination country and the amount, so always confirm the latest details in the official app or website.
What you need to send money from Japan
As a foreign resident, the documents are usually straightforward. To open and use a transfer service you normally need:
- Your residence card (zairyu card) for identity verification.
- A Japanese bank account or card to fund the transfer.
- Your recipient's details — full name (exactly as on their ID/bank account), bank or wallet details, or the cash-pickup location.
Small mistakes in the recipient's name or account number are the most common cause of delays, so double-check everything before you confirm.
Simple steps to your first transfer
- Download the official app (Wise or Remitly) and create an account.
- Verify your identity with your residence card. Allow some time for this on the first transfer.
- Enter the amount and get a live quote — note the final amount your family will receive.
- Add your recipient's details and choose the payout method (bank deposit, cash pickup or wallet).
- Pay from your Japanese bank account or card and track the transfer in the app.
A quick honest note
This article is general practical information to help you compare your options — it is not financial, legal or immigration advice. Fees, exchange rates and rules can change at any time, and they differ by destination country. Please confirm the latest figures on each service's official site or app before sending.
How to send money from Japan: step by step
If this is your first time using a specialist service to send money from Japan, the process is straightforward. Here is how a typical first transfer works from start to finish.
- Download the official app and create an account. Use the official Wise or Remitly app. Creating an account takes only a few minutes.
- Verify your identity with your residence card. As a foreign resident in Japan, your residence card (zairyu card) is the standard document for identity verification. Allow some extra time for this step on your very first transfer — after that it is usually fast.
- Enter the amount and get a live quote. Decide whether you want to set the amount in yen you are sending or the amount in local currency your family should receive. The app will show you the final amount your recipient gets. This is the number that matters — use it to compare services.
- Add your recipient's details and choose a payout method. You will need your recipient's full name exactly as it appears on their ID or bank account, plus their bank details, mobile wallet information, or a cash-pickup location depending on what is available in their country. Double-check every detail — small mistakes in the name or account number are the most common cause of delays.
- Pay from your Japanese bank account or card. Fund the transfer using your Japanese bank account or card. Once payment is confirmed, you can track the transfer's progress directly in the app.
That is all there is to it. The whole process for subsequent transfers is even quicker once your identity is verified and your recipient's details are saved.
What you actually lose: Wise vs Remitly vs a bank wire
Understanding where your money goes is the key to choosing the cheapest way to send money from Japan. The true cost is always the combination of two things: the transfer fee and the exchange-rate margin. Focusing on only one of these is how people end up paying more than they expect.
Wise
Wise charges a low fee that is shown to you clearly and upfront before you confirm. On top of that, it applies the real mid-market exchange rate — the same rate you see when you search on Google. This means the exchange-rate margin is effectively zero, so you are not losing money a second time on the rate. The total cost is what the app displays, with nothing hidden.
Remitly
Remitly is also competitive on overall cost. It gives you a choice between an economy option, which is cheaper, and an express option, which is faster but typically costs more. If it is your first transfer, a promotional rate may reduce your cost further. As with any service, the rate Remitly applies may not be the exact mid-market rate, so checking the final amount your recipient will receive in the app — and comparing it with Wise — is the most reliable way to judge the true cost for your specific transfer.
Bank wire transfer
A bank wire from a Japanese megabank or Yucho tends to cost the most. You are hit twice: first by an advertised transfer fee that is already high, and then again by an exchange rate that is noticeably worse than the mid-market rate. Because both losses happen at once, the gap between what you send and what your family receives can be significantly larger than with a specialist service, even if the bank's fee sounds like a simple flat charge.
The bottom line
Fees, exchange rates and promotional offers change constantly and vary by destination country. The qualitative pattern above — Wise and Remitly cheaper than bank wires, Wise particularly transparent on the rate — holds as a general guide, but the only reliable comparison is a live quote for the same amount in each service on the day you want to send. Always confirm the latest figures in the official app or website before you transfer.
Summary: choosing your cheapest option
For most foreign residents, the cheapest way to send money from Japan is a specialist service rather than a bank. Wise stands out for its honest, mid-market pricing, while Remitly is great if you want cash pickup or a first-transfer promotion. Bank wires are usually the costliest. The golden rule never changes: get a live quote for the same amount in two or three apps and pick whichever delivers the most money to your family. Moving to a new country and supporting people back home is hard work — but with a few minutes of comparison, you can keep more of your money where it belongs. You've got this.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Wise or Remitly cheaper for sending money from Japan?
Both are significantly cheaper than a Japanese bank wire, but the answer depends on the amount and destination country. Wise is particularly transparent because it uses the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden margin, while Remitly can be very competitive and may offer a promotional rate on your first transfer. The most reliable way to find out is to get a live quote for the same amount in both apps on the day you want to send and compare the final amount your recipient will receive.
What documents do I need to send money from Japan as a foreign resident?
You normally need your residence card (zairyu card) for identity verification, a Japanese bank account or card to fund the transfer, and your recipient's full details — including their name exactly as it appears on their ID or bank account, plus their bank, mobile wallet, or cash-pickup information. Small mistakes in the recipient's name or account number are the most common cause of delays, so double-check everything before you confirm.
Why is a bank wire transfer from Japan more expensive than using Wise or Remitly?
A bank wire from a Japanese megabank or Yucho hits you twice: first with a high advertised transfer fee, and then with an exchange rate that is noticeably worse than the mid-market rate. This means the gap between what you send and what your family actually receives can be significantly larger than with a specialist service, even if the bank's charge sounds like a simple flat fee.
How long does it take to send money from Japan for the first time?
Your first transfer may take longer than usual because the service needs to verify your identity — so allow some extra time for that initial step. After your identity is verified and your recipient's details are saved, subsequent transfers are generally much quicker, and some can arrive in minutes depending on the destination country and the payout method you choose. Always check the current estimated delivery time in the official app before you send.