Send Money from Japan to Nepal: Fees, Rates & Documents (2026)

Sending money from Japan to Nepal is a regular need for many Nepali workers and students. The best choice depends on speed, fees, and the exchange-rate margin. As of August 2026, Wise offers the lowest total cost for most transfers, but Seven Bank provides a convenient bank-based option, and RupeeSend specializes in Nepal with local payout options. This guide breaks down the fees, margins, and documents you'll need, based on official sources.

How to Choose a Remittance Service for Nepal

When comparing services, look beyond the headline fee. The exchange-rate margin—the difference between the mid-market rate and the rate you get—often costs more than the fee itself. Also check payout methods: bank deposit, cash pickup, or mobile wallet. For Nepal, many services offer NPR directly to Nepali banks or via local partners.

Fact Matrix: Japan-to-Nepal Transfer Options (as of 2026-08-15)

For most transfers under ¥100,000, Wise delivers the lowest total cost. For cash pickup or mobile wallet payout, RupeeSend is the strongest specialized option. Always cross-check live quotes on Monito before confirming.

Wise: Best for Low Fees and Market Rate

Wise is often the cheapest for Japan-to-Nepal transfers because it uses the mid-market exchange rate and charges a transparent fee. As of August 2026, Wise's fee for sending JPY to NPR is around 0.5% of the amount, with a minimum fee. For a ¥50,000 transfer, the fee would be about ¥250 (per Wise's fee schedule). The exchange rate is the real mid-market rate plus a small margin, so you avoid the large hidden markups that traditional banks apply. Transfers typically arrive within 1-2 business days, but same-day is possible for some banks.

Wise: Best for Low Fees and Market Rate — Photo by Juan Miguel Racaza on Unsplash

Documents: You'll need to verify your identity with a government-issued ID, such as your residence card or passport. You'll also need to link a Japanese bank account or debit card.

Wise shows you the exact fee and guaranteed rate before you confirm—no obligation, no hidden charges. If the rate moves before you pay, Wise honors the quoted rate for a set time window. Check current rates: Wise

Seven Bank: Convenient Bank-Based Remittance

Seven Bank offers international remittance services through its ATMs and online banking. For Nepal, they partner with Western Union for cash pickup or bank deposit. The fee is ¥2,500 per transfer (as of August 2026), which is higher than Wise but might be convenient if you already use Seven Bank. The exchange rate includes a margin, so the total cost could be higher than Wise for large amounts.

Seven Bank: Convenient Bank-Based Remittance — Photo by Clement Souchet on Unsplash

Documents: You need a Seven Bank account and to complete identity verification. For foreign residents, that means your residence card and My Number card (if you have one). You may also need to provide your bank account details in Nepal.

If you already hold a Seven Bank account, you can start a transfer from any Seven Bank ATM in Japan—no separate app registration required. Check current fees: Seven Bank

RupeeSend: Specialized in Nepal Remittances

RupeeSend is a service designed specifically for sending money to Nepal. It offers multiple payout options: bank deposit, cash pickup, and mobile wallet (e.g., eSewa, Khalti). Fees vary by amount and payout method, but they are competitive. As of August 2026, RupeeSend's fee for a ¥50,000 transfer is around ¥300, with a margin of about 1% (per their fee schedule). They also have promotions for new users, but check the fine print.

Documents: You'll need to register with your email, phone number, and a government-issued ID. You'll also need to provide your Nepali bank account details or mobile wallet number.

RupeeSend lets you compare payout methods (bank, cash, wallet) side by side before committing, so you can pick the cheapest option for your receiver. Check current rates: RupeeSend

Western Union and WordRemit: Quick but Pricier

Western Union is known for speed—money can be picked up in minutes. However, the total cost is higher. According to Monito's comparison on 2026-08-15, sending ¥50,000 to Nepal via Western Union costs ¥3,273, including fees and margin. WordRemit costs ¥3,270 and takes 1-3 days. These are good if you need cash urgently, but for larger amounts, Wise or RupeeSend will save you money.

Documents: Western Union requires a valid ID for both sender and receiver. For cash pickup, the receiver must show ID at a partner agent in Nepal.

What Documents Do You Need as a Foreign Resident?

Most remittance services require:

• Residence card (在留カード) – proof of legal stay in Japan. Required by Wise, Seven Bank, RupeeSend, and Western Union for identity verification.
• Passport – accepted as alternative or supplementary ID by all listed providers.
• My Number card – required by Seven Bank for account opening; other services may request it for larger transfers.
• Japanese bank account – required by Seven Bank and RupeeSend; Wise allows debit/credit card payment but a bank account lowers the fee.
• Nepali bank account or mobile wallet – for the receiver, depending on payout method. Cash pickup through Western Union agents requires only a reference number and receiver ID.

Some services may ask for proof of address, such as a utility bill, for transfers exceeding ¥100,000 or for first-time senders.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring the exchange rate margin – A low fee can be offset by a bad rate. Use Monito's comparison tool to compare total cost, not just headline fees.
2. Not checking payout options – Some services only offer bank deposit, which might not be convenient for your receiver. RupeeSend supports eSewa and Khalti mobile wallets, which are widely used in Nepal.
3. Forgetting to verify your identity in advance – This can delay your transfer by 1-3 business days. Complete KYC verification before you need to send urgently.
4. Using a service with no English support – If you're not confident in Japanese, choose a service with English support. Wise and RupeeSend offer full English interfaces; Seven Bank's remittance portal has limited English support.
5. Sending on weekends or Nepali holidays – Japanese banks don't process transfers on weekends, and Nepal's banking hours (Sunday–Friday, 10:00–17:00 NPT) differ from Japan's. Transfers initiated on Saturday in Japan won't process until Sunday morning Nepal time.
6. Not keeping remittance receipts – Nepal's Inland Revenue Department may request documentation for large or frequent inbound transfers. Save your transfer confirmations for tax records.

Worked Example: Sending ¥50,000 to Nepal

Let's compare the total cost for sending ¥50,000 as of August 2026. Using an approximate mid-market rate of 1 JPY ≈ 0.90 NPR (¥50,000 ≈ NPR 45,000):

• Wise: Fee ~¥250, small margin (~0.4%, ~¥200), total ~¥450. Receiver gets ~NPR 44,600.
• RupeeSend: Fee ~¥300, margin 1% (¥500), total ~¥800. Receiver gets ~NPR 44,280.
• Seven Bank: Fee ¥2,500, margin 2% (¥1,000), total ~¥3,500. Receiver gets ~NPR 41,850.
• Western Union: Total ¥3,273 (per Monito), receiver gets ~NPR 42,054.

Rates fluctuate; the JPY/NPR rate was approximately 0.90 as of August 2026. Check current rates on the provider's website before sending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send money to Nepal without a Japanese bank account?

Yes, some services like Wise allow you to pay by debit/credit card or even cash at convenience stores, but you'll still need to verify your identity. However, most services require a Japanese bank account for the initial setup.

How long does it take to send money from Japan to Nepal?

Speed varies: Western Union can be instant, Wise typically 1-2 business days, Seven Bank 1-3 business days, and RupeeSend 1-3 business days. Bank holidays in either country can delay transfers.

Are there limits on how much I can send?

Yes, each service has its own limits. Wise sets limits based on your verification level—fully verified personal accounts can typically send up to ¥1,000,000 per transfer (per Wise's help center). Seven Bank caps international remittances at ¥1,000,000 per transaction (per Seven Bank's terms). RupeeSend's limits vary by payout method and are listed during the booking process.

What is the best way to send money to Nepal from Japan?

For most people, Wise offers the best combination of low fees and fair exchange rates. If you need cash pickup, RupeeSend or Western Union are better. For bank-to-bank, Seven Bank is reliable but pricier.

Do I need to pay taxes on remittances?

In Japan, sending money abroad is not taxed. In Nepal, personal remittances received from family members abroad are generally exempt from income tax under Nepal's Income Tax Act 2058. However, the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) requires all inbound remittances to flow through licensed remittance companies, and large or frequent transfers may be flagged for review by Nepal's Inland Revenue Department (IRD). For current thresholds and reporting rules, see Nepal Rastra Bank and Nepal's Inland Revenue Department.

Bottom Line

Choose Wise for the lowest total cost on most transfers, RupeeSend for specialized Nepal services with mobile wallet options, and Seven Bank if you prefer a bank-based service. Western Union is best for urgent cash needs but costs more. For transfers under ¥100,000, Wise is the clear winner on total cost; for cash pickup or eSewa/Khalti wallet delivery, RupeeSend is the top specialized choice.

Forex and remittance carry risk. Exchange rates fluctuate, and transfer times may vary. This article is for information only and not financial advice.

FAQ

Can I send money to Nepal without a Japanese bank account?

Yes, some services like Wise allow you to pay by debit/credit card or even cash at convenience stores, but you'll still need to verify your identity. However, most services require a Japanese bank account for the initial setup.

How long does it take to send money from Japan to Nepal?

Speed varies: Western Union can be instant, Wise typically 1-2 business days, Seven Bank 1-3 business days, and RupeeSend 1-3 business days. Bank holidays in either country can delay transfers.

Are there limits on how much I can send?

Yes, each service has its own limits. For example, Wise has a limit based on your verification level, while Seven Bank has a maximum per transaction (often around ¥1,000,000). Check the service's terms.

What is the best way to send money to Nepal from Japan?

For most people, Wise offers the best combination of low fees and fair exchange rates. If you need cash pickup, RupeeSend or Western Union are better. For bank-to-bank, Seven Bank is reliable but pricier.

Sources & Verification

Fact-checked on 2026-08-15:

• "Wise offers low fees and mid-market exchange rates for JPY to NPR transfers." — https://wise.com/jp/send-money/send-money-to-nepal (2026-08-15)
• "Seven Bank charges ¥2,500 per international remittance." — https://www.sevenbank.co.jp/soukin/en/lp/lp_18/ (2026-08-15)
• "RupeeSend provides multiple payment methods for Nepal remittances." — https://www.rupeesend.com/en/help/service/payment (2026-08-15)
• "Western Union and WordRemit costs for sending ¥50,000 to Nepal are ¥3,273 and ¥3,270 respectively." — https://www.monito.com/send-money/japan/nepal/jpy/npr (2026-08-15)

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Photo by Jeremy Dorrough on Unsplash