How to Send Money to Japan from Abroad (2026)

Sending Money to Japan: Your Options in 2026

Whether you receive a salary from abroad, repay a loan at home, or send money to family, international transfers are a regular part of expat life in Japan. Traditional banks make this expensive. Here is an honest comparison of the best alternatives.

Wise: The Go-To for Most Japan Expats

Wise (formerly TransferWise) uses the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup. This makes it consistently the most competitive option for transfers to Japan.

Typical fees EUR to JPY:

• Fixed fee: approximately 0.40 EUR + 0.47% of the amount
• For a 1,000 EUR transfer: around 5 to 6 EUR total in fees
• Transfer time: instant to 24 hours for most currencies

Receiving on a Japanese bank account: Wise supports transfers to most Japanese banks. You will need your 3-digit branch code (店番), 7-digit account number (口座番号), and account type (普通 for standard savings). Rakuten Bank, PayPay Bank and Shinsei Bank receive Wise transfers without reception fees. For opening a Japanese bank account, see our guide to opening a bank account in Japan.

Revolut: Best for Frequent Small Amounts

The free Revolut plan offers up to 1,000 EUR of currency exchange per month at the interbank rate (excluding weekends). The Premium plan at 7.99 EUR per month removes this cap.

Strengths: simple interface, JPY virtual card available, instant notification.

Limitation: on weekends, Revolut adds a 0.5 to 1% markup on the exchange rate. For large transfers, Wise remains more competitive.

Traditional Bank Wire (SWIFT): Avoid If Possible

A standard SWIFT transfer from a UK, US or French bank to a Japanese bank typically costs:

• 25 to 45 EUR in fixed outgoing fees
• A 2 to 4% exchange rate margin
• 1,000 to 2,000 ¥ in reception fees at the Japanese end

For a 1,000 EUR transfer, you lose 60 to 90 EUR more than with Wise. Over a year with monthly transfers, the difference exceeds 700 EUR.

Comparison Table

Best Japanese Accounts for Receiving International Transfers

PayPay Bank: accepts SWIFT and Wise transfers, fully English interface, can be opened online with a residence card. Best option for new arrivals.

Rakuten Bank: well integrated with Wise, bilingual interface, no reception fees.

Shinsei Bank: historically the expat bank of choice in Tokyo. English customer support available, free international incoming transfers.

Tax Considerations

If you live in Japan and receive income from abroad, this income is generally subject to Japanese income tax depending on your residency status. Tax returns are filed each March for the previous calendar year. See our complete Japan income tax guide for foreigners for details on your obligations.

FAQ

Can I use Wise to send money from Japan back to Europe?

Yes. Wise works in both directions. The JPY to EUR direction is available with similar competitive fees.

Are there transfer limits?

Wise allows up to the equivalent of 1 million GBP per transfer. Free Revolut caps currency exchange at 1,000 EUR per month at the interbank rate.

Do I need to declare international transfers received in Japan?

The transfers themselves are not automatically reported, but the income they represent is. The NTA (National Tax Agency) may request justification for large or regular incoming transfers.

For banking setup in Japan, our [bank account opening guide](/blog/open-bank-account-japan-foreigner) covers the best banks for expats. For your full relocation to Tokyo, see our [complete moving checklist](/blog/moving-to-tokyo-checklist-2026).