Money & Cards
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Last updated: July 27, 2026
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Readers who understand fees, FX rates, and payout methods can move straight to Wise, Revolut, or SBI Remit.
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Great for LINE / WhatsApp sharing
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.
【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] |
Banks and some services advertise "0 Yen Transfer Fees," but in reality, they add a markup to the exchange rate.
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.
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.
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.
Zero hidden costs. The only option for sending money at the real exchange rate.
To use Wise or SBI Remit, you need a Japanese bank account to receive your salary. If you are struggling to open one because of the "6-month stay requirement," please check this guide. 👉 Japan Bank Account Guide 2025: How to Open an Account as a Foreigner
Here, we introduce not just the specs, but the "Real Voices" of international residents actually using these services.
The global standard for money transfer services.
📢 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
Very popular among technical interns and skilled workers. Partnered with MoneyGram.
📢 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
A next-generation financial app that is also great for travel.
📢 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
Revolut is great for overseas transfers and travel, but for daily shopping in Japan (supermarkets and convenience stores), the Rakuten Card is often better for earning points. 👉 Complete Guide to Applying for a Rakuten Card for Foreigners
An internet bank with perfect English support.
📢 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)
"I want to send money as cheaply as possible" (Under 1 million JPY) 👉 Wise (First transfer fee free with referral link)
"My family wants to receive Cash" (Philippines, Vietnam, etc.) 👉 SBI Remit (Convenient MoneyGram partnership)
"I want to use it for travel & send money on weekdays" 👉 Revolut (Worth trying the Premium free trial)
"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!
Before sending money
For readers who get stuck on source accounts, payout methods, or SMS checks, these setup guides stay close at hand.
Related money task
This internal guide does not decide individual eligibility; it helps organize document prep and software options.
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![[2026 Comparison] Rakuten Point vs V Point vs d POINT](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fs5zbl9nu%2Fproduction%2F64764f87e0bd63725773de1998f35969485517e2-1200x630.jpg%3Fauto%3Dformat%26q%3D72%26fit%3Dmax%26w%3D640&w=3840&q=75)
A: Wise (formerly TransferWise) consistently offers the best exchange rates with transparent fees — typically 0.4–1.2% of transfer amount. SMBC Trust PRESTIA and SBI Remit are bank-based alternatives with competitive rates. Avoid Japan Post international transfers and standard bank telegraphic transfers (電信送金), which charge ¥2,500–4,000 per transfer plus poor exchange rates.
A: Yes. Wise accepts foreigners with a Japanese Residence Card. You verify your identity with a Residence Card photo upload. Wise supports transfers from Japan via bank transfer (振込) or debit card. Monthly limit without full verification is typically $2,000 equivalent; full verification raises it substantially.
A: Transfers over ¥1 million require a transaction report to the Bank of Japan. Over ¥2 million requires additional documentation. There is no hard cap, but anti-money laundering rules mean larger transfers trigger more verification. Regular remittances of salary to family abroad are standard and well-supported by services like SBI Remit and Wise.
A: Typically required: Residence Card (front and back), Japanese bank account for funding, and proof of recipient's account (bank name, SWIFT/BIC code, account number, IBAN if applicable). Some services require proof of the purpose of transfer for large amounts.
A: Wise: typically 1–2 business days to most major currencies. SBI Remit: 1–3 business days depending on destination country. Bank telegraphic transfer (電信送金): 2–5 business days. SEPA (Europe) transfers via Wise can arrive same day. Transfers to Southeast Asia via SBI Remit or ANA X Money are often next day.
CEO / Native Japanese Expert
Updated on: July 27, 2026
※ The information in this article is accurate as of the time of writing. Laws and regulations may change, so please always check official sources for the latest information. We assume no liability for any damages resulting from the content of this article.
