[Fee Comparison] Top 4 Money Transfer Services from Japan: Wise, SBI Remit, Revolut, Bank Transfer

When sending your hard-earned salary from Japan to your family back home or to your own overseas account, which service do you use?

If you are sending money directly from a bank, you could be losing thousands to tens of thousands of yen every time.

Behind the "Zero Transfer Fee" advertisements promoted by banks, there is a trap called "Exchange Rate Markup (Hidden Cost)."

In this article, based on the latest data from 2025, we simulate "how much money actually arrives" and propose the best money transfer service for you.

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【Conclusion: The Best Way to Send Money】

🏆 Best Overall	🇵🇭🇻🇳 Cash Pickup	💳 Daily Use
Wise	SBI Remit	Revolut
Zero hidden costs. Far cheaper than banks.	Family can pick up cash. Strong in Asia.	Free exchange fees for small amounts on weekdays.
[Visit Official Site]	[Visit Official Site]	[Visit Official Site]

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1. The Truth About "Hidden Costs": Why Are Bank Transfers So Expensive?

Banks and some services advertise "0 Yen Transfer Fees," but in reality, they add a markup to the exchange rate.

• Real Rate (Google Search): 1 USD = 150 JPY
• Bank Rate: 1 USD = 151 JPY (1 JPY Markup)

It may look like a difference of only 1 yen, but if you send 1 million yen, you lose about 6,600 yen. This is the "Hidden Cost."

On the other hand, Wise uses the "Real Rate" (Mid-market rate) and shows fees transparently, making the total cost overwhelmingly cheaper.

Trap 2: The "Bucket Relay" (SWIFT) and Intermediary Fees

Overseas bank transfers (SWIFT transfers) often go through multiple banks before reaching the destination: Sending Bank → Intermediary Bank(s) → Receiving Bank.

The problem here is that "Intermediary Bank Fees" are often deducted along the way. These fees are invisible at the time of sending, causing the recipient to receive less than expected.

Furthermore, bank application screens often show fee payment options like OUR / SHA / BEN. Generally, "OUR = Sender pays," "SHA = Shared," and "BEN = Recipient pays." Depending on the setting, fees may be deducted from the received amount, so please be careful.

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2. Real Simulation: What Happens If You Send 100,000 JPY?

Let's look at the proof. If you send 100,000 JPY from Japan to the US (USD), how much will actually arrive? We simulated this using the latest data for 2025.

(Standard Rate: 1 USD = 150 JPY)

Service	Transfer Fee	Exchange Cost (Hidden)	Final Amount Received	Difference vs Bank
Wise	859 JPY	0 JPY	$660.94	(Baseline)
SBI Remit	1,980 JPY	Approx. 1,000 JPY	$647.00	-$13.94
Seven Bank	1,950 JPY	Approx. 1,500 JPY	$644.01	-$16.93
Sony Bank	3,000 JPY	Approx. 100 JPY	$626.04	-$34.90
Traditional Banks (MUFG, etc.)	5,500 JPY~	Approx. 170 JPY	$608.96	-$51.98

Conclusion: For transfers to bank accounts, Wise is the strongest option.

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3. Service Reviews & Real User Feedback

Here, we introduce not just the specs, but the "Real Voices" of international residents actually using these services.

A. Wise (Formerly TransferWise)

The global standard for money transfer services.

• Pros: Zero hidden costs. Fast arrival (Minutes to 1 day).
• Note: Residents in Japan must provide a "My Number Card" (or Notification Card + ID).

📢 User Voices

• 👍 Good: "At first, the fee looked 15% higher than the bank, but because Wise uses the market rate, it was actually the cheapest in the end. No hidden costs is the best." (Reddit)
• 👎 Bad: "If you keep more than 1 million yen in the account, they warn you to move it (due to Japanese law). It's a bit inconvenient for holding large amounts." (Reddit r/JapanFinance)

👉 Get a Discount Coupon for Your First Wise Transfer

B. SBI Remit

Very popular among technical interns and skilled workers. Partnered with MoneyGram.

• Pros: You can send money for "Cash Pickup" to family members in the Philippines or Vietnam who do not have bank accounts.
• Note: The exchange rate is slightly worse than Wise.

📢 User Voices

• 👍 Good: "It's a godsend that my family in the countryside can pick up cash in 10 minutes. Even if the rate is slightly worse, this convenience is irreplaceable." (Facebook Community)
• 👎 Bad: "The ID verification during registration required a lot of documents and was a hassle. The app usability feels a bit old." (Reddit)

👉 Visit SBI Remit Official Site

C. Revolut

A next-generation financial app that is also great for travel.

• Pros: No exchange fees for up to 750,000 JPY per month on weekdays. Excellent as a debit card.
• Note: There is a trap where a 1% fee is added if you exchange/send money on weekends (Sat/Sun).

📢 User Voices

• 👍 Good: "If you exchange money on weekdays, you don't pay fees when using the card on weekends. It's the best for traveling." (Reddit r/JapanTravelTips)
• 👎 Bad: "I rushed to send money on Friday night and got hit with the 1% weekend fee. If you use Revolut, you have to watch the calendar." (Twitter/X)

👉 Revolut Premium 3-Month Free Trial

D. Sony Bank

An internet bank with perfect English support.

• Pros: The English online banking system is easy to use. For large transfers over 1 million yen, it can sometimes be cheaper than Wise.
• Note: Intermediary Bank Fees (Lifting Charges) of around 2,500 JPY or more may be deducted on the receiving end.

📢 User Voices

• 👍 Good: "The only Japanese bank that is actually usable in English. I use Sony Bank when sending tuition fees over 1 million yen." (Reddit r/JapanFinance)
• 👎 Bad: "I thought the fee was 3,000 yen, but another $25 was deducted on the receiving end. So this is the intermediary bank fee..." (Reddit)

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4. Summary: Which Service Should You Choose?

1. "I want to send money as cheaply as possible" (Under 1 million JPY) 👉 Wise (First transfer fee free with referral link)

2. "My family wants to receive Cash" (Philippines, Vietnam, etc.) 👉 SBI Remit (Convenient MoneyGram partnership)

3. "I want to use it for travel & send money on weekdays" 👉 Revolut (Worth trying the Premium free trial)

4. "I am sending a large amount (over 1 million JPY)" 👉 Sony Bank or Wise (High volume discounts available)

Choose the service wisely and save on unnecessary fees!

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🇯🇵 Recommended Articles for Money Life in Japan

• Don't forget before leaving Japan: Pension Refund Guide: How to Get Your Money Back When Leaving Japan
• How much does it cost to live in Tokyo? Cost of Living in Tokyo 2025: Real Breakdown of Rent and Utilities
• Get 20,000 JPY right now: Quick Cash Guide: How to Get 20,000 JPY Immediately After Arriving in Japan