How to Send Money From Japan in 2026: Wise vs SBI Remit vs Revolut (Real Fees Compared)

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Sending money out of Japan used to mean a trip to the bank, a stack of paperwork, and fees that quietly ate 5-8% of your transfer. In 2026, that era is over — if you know which service to use. This guide compares the real costs of Wise, SBI Remit, and Revolut with actual numbers, explains the paperwork Japan requires, and shows you how to avoid the classic mistakes that cost expats tens of thousands of yen every year.

Quick answer: which service should you use?

Heads up: GoRemit — long the go-to for English-speaking expats — was discontinued in October 2025. If you were a GoRemit user, Wise is the natural replacement.

The real cost comparison (¥100,000 sent abroad)

Fees are only half the story — the exchange rate markup is where banks quietly take their cut. Here is what actually arrives when you send ¥100,000 to a USD account:

On a ¥200,000 transfer, switching from a Japanese bank to Wise typically saves ¥5,000-8,000. If you send money home monthly, that is close to ¥100,000 a year back in your pocket.

Option 1: Wise — the default for most people

Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate (the one you see on Google) and charges a transparent fee of roughly 0.4-0.8% depending on the currency. Sending ¥100,000 to the UK costs around ¥600-900 total. Everything happens in the app: you transfer yen to Wise's Japanese bank account, and they pay out from their local account abroad — which is why it is fast (often same-day) and cheap.

Setup: you will need photo ID (residence card) and your My Number for the initial verification. Once verified, transfers take minutes to set up.

Get your first transfer fee-free with Wise →

Option 2: SBI Remit — king of Asia remittances

SBI Remit is a Japan-based service with flat fees of ¥0-500 and deep partnerships across Southeast Asia — local bank deposits and cash pickup counters in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and more. The trade-off: a small exchange-rate markup, which makes it slightly less competitive than Wise for plain bank-to-bank transfers, but unbeatable when your family collects cash at a local counter.

Option 3: Revolut — for the multi-currency lifestyle

Revolut's free plan lets you exchange up to roughly ¥750,000 per month at excellent rates on weekdays (a 1% markup applies on weekends — never exchange on a Saturday!). It shines if you hold multiple currencies, travel often, or want a card that spends in any currency. For pure "send yen to my home bank account" jobs, Wise is usually still cheaper.

What Japan requires (the paperwork bit)

Three things surprise first-time senders: 1) My Number — all remittance services must collect it under Japanese law; this is normal, not a scam. 2) Purpose of transfer — you will be asked to select a reason (family support, savings, etc.); answer honestly, it is a compliance formality. 3) Annual reporting — transfers over ¥1,000,000 are automatically reported to the tax office by the provider. If you are sending your own already-taxed salary, this is nothing to worry about — but large gifts can have tax implications for the recipient, so check our Japan tax guide.

Step-by-step: your first Wise transfer from Japan

1. Sign up and verify identity (residence card + My Number, ~1-2 days).
2. Enter the amount and destination — you see the exact fee and arrival amount upfront.
3. Send yen to Wise's Japan bank account via furikomi (regular domestic transfer from your bank or ATM).
4. Track the transfer in the app; most major currencies arrive within hours.

FAQ

Is Wise safe?
Wise is registered with Japan's Kanto Local Finance Bureau as a funds transfer provider and safeguards customer funds separately from its own. It moves the equivalent of billions of dollars monthly worldwide.

Can I send money TO Japan the same way?
Yes — Wise works in both directions and is usually the cheapest way to fund your Japanese account from abroad too.

What about PayPal?
PayPal's international fees and exchange markups are significantly higher — fine for small marketplace payments, poor value for remittances.

Do I need a Japanese bank account first?
Yes, for sending money out. If you are still setting up, read our bank account guide for foreigners.

Compare your transfer cost on Wise →

Related guides: Japan Cost of Living 2026 · Best Cards for Foreigners · Opening a Bank Account