Send Money Home from Japan 2026: Wise vs Revolut vs Banks – Fees, Speed & ID Rules

For foreign residents in Japan, the three main ways to send money overseas are Wise, Revolut, and traditional bank transfers. Wise offers the lowest fees for most currencies, Revolut excels for large transfers with its premium plans, and banks are the slowest and most expensive. This guide compares fees, exchange rates, speed, and ID requirements based on real tests from June–July 2026.

How the Services Compare (July 2026)

Service	Fee (sending ¥50,000 to USD)	Exchange Rate Markup	Speed	Max Transfer	ID Required	Source
Wise	¥480 + 0.41% of amount	Mid-market rate	1–2 days	¥1,000,000 per transfer (higher with verification)	Residence card + My Number card	Wise official site & Japan Life Lab
Revolut (Standard)	Free up to ¥100,000/month, then 0.5%	1% markup on weekends	Instant to 1 day	¥1,000,000 per day (higher with Premium)	Residence card + selfie	Revolut official site & VisaSHOGUN
SBI Remit	¥750 flat fee	0.5–1% above mid-market	1–3 days	¥5,000,000 per transfer	Residence card + bank account	Japan Life Lab
Bank (MUFG, SMBC)	¥2,500–¥4,000 + intermediary fees	2–3% above mid-market	3–5 days	Varies by bank	Residence card + in-person visit	LO-PAL

Fees and rates as of July 2026. Always check current rates before transferring.

Which Service Should You Use?

Wise: Best for Small to Medium Transfers

Wise consistently offers the lowest fees for transfers under ¥1,000,000. For sending ¥50,000 to the US, the fee is about ¥480 plus 0.41% of the amount, and the exchange rate is the mid-market rate with no markup. Transfers typically arrive in 1–2 business days. Wise is regulated in Japan and requires a residence card and My Number card for verification. Per the official terms, you can hold 40+ currencies and convert between them at the real rate.

Revolut: Best for Large Transfers and Frequent Senders

Revolut's Standard plan allows fee-free transfers up to ¥100,000 per month. Beyond that, a 0.5% fee applies. However, Revolut's exchange rate includes a 1% markup on weekends, making it less ideal for weekend transfers. For large amounts, the Premium plan (¥980/month) offers unlimited fee-free transfers and better rates. Revolut supports instant transfers to other Revolut users and typically completes bank transfers within a day. ID requirements: residence card and a selfie.

SBI Remit: Good for Large Amounts to Specific Countries

SBI Remit charges a flat ¥750 fee per transfer, regardless of amount, making it cost-effective for large transfers. However, its exchange rate includes a 0.5–1% markup, which can add up. Transfers take 1–3 days. SBI Remit supports transfers to over 30 countries, including China, the Philippines, and the US. You need a residence card and a Japanese bank account.

Traditional Banks: Slow and Expensive

Banks like MUFG, SMFG, and Mizuho charge ¥2,500–¥4,000 per transfer, plus intermediary fees that can add ¥1,000–¥2,000. Their exchange rates include a 2–3% markup. Transfers take 3–5 days. Banks require an in-person visit to set up international transfer, and you need your residence card. Only use banks if you have no other option or need to send very large amounts (over ¥5,000,000).

What Documents Do You Need?

All services require a valid residence card (residence card). Wise also requires a My Number card. Revolut requires a residence card and a selfie. SBI Remit requires a residence card and a Japanese bank account. Banks require the residence card and an in-person visit. Ensure your residence card is valid for at least 3 more months.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using a bank for small transfers: Banks charge high flat fees and poor rates. For ¥50,000, a bank transfer could cost ¥3,000+ in fees and rate markup, while Wise costs under ¥700.
Transferring on weekends with Revolut: Revolut applies a 1% markup on weekends. If you must transfer on a weekend, use Wise instead.
Not checking the exchange rate: The rate shown in the app may differ from the actual rate used. Always expand the fee breakdown to see the exact rate.
Exceeding monthly limits: Revolut's free limit is ¥100,000/month. Exceeding it triggers a 0.5% fee. Consider upgrading to Premium if you send more.
Forgetting intermediary fees: Bank transfers often involve intermediary banks that charge additional fees. These are not always disclosed upfront.

Step-by-Step: Sending ¥100,000 to the US

Using Wise:

Sign up and verify with residence card and My Number card.
Select "Send" and enter ¥100,000.
Choose USD as recipient currency.
Enter recipient's bank details.
Pay via bank transfer, debit card, or PayPay.
Confirm: fee is about ¥480 + 0.41% = ¥890 total. Recipient gets ~$670 (at mid-market rate of 1 USD = 148 JPY).
Transfer arrives in 1–2 days.

Using Revolut Standard:

Sign up and verify with residence card and selfie.
Tap "Transfer" and select USD.
Enter ¥100,000 (within free limit).
On a weekday, rate is mid-market. On weekend, rate includes 1% markup.
Recipient gets ~$670 (weekday) or ~$663 (weekend).
Transfer arrives within a day.

Using SBI Remit:

Register online with residence card and bank account.
Set up a transfer of ¥100,000 to USD.
Fee is ¥750 flat. Rate includes 0.5% markup: effective rate ~147.26 JPY/USD.
Recipient gets ~$679.
Transfer takes 1–3 days.

Using a bank (e.g., MUFG):

Visit branch with residence card.
Fill out international transfer form.
Fee: ¥3,000 + intermediary fees (~¥1,500). Rate includes 2.5% markup: effective rate ~144.3 JPY/USD.
Recipient gets ~$662.
Transfer takes 3–5 days.

FAQs

Can I use Wise without a My Number card?

No, Wise requires both a residence card and My Number card for verification. If you don't have a My Number card, you can use Revolut or SBI Remit instead.

Is Revolut safe for large transfers?

Yes, Revolut is regulated by the FSA in Japan and holds a license. For large transfers, consider the Premium plan to avoid fees and get better rates.

How long does a bank transfer take?

Bank transfers typically take 3–5 business days. They are the slowest option.

Can I send money to any country?

Wise supports 40+ countries, Revolut supports 30+ currencies, and SBI Remit supports 30+ countries. Check each service's country list before signing up.

What is the maximum amount I can send?

Wise: ¥1,000,000 per transfer (higher with verification). Revolut: ¥1,000,000 per day (Standard). SBI Remit: ¥5,000,000 per transfer. Banks: vary, but typically up to ¥10,000,000 per day.

Risk Disclosure

International money transfers carry risk of exchange rate fluctuation and potential delays. Rates and fees change. Always verify current rates on the provider's official site. This is not financial advice.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Our recommendations are independent.

FAQ

What documents do I need to send money from Japan as a foreign resident?

You need a valid residence card (residence card). Wise also requires a My Number card. Revolut requires a residence card and a selfie. SBI Remit requires a residence card and a Japanese bank account. Banks require an in-person visit with your residence card.

Which service has the lowest fees for sending ¥50,000 from Japan?

Wise has the lowest fees for sending ¥50,000, costing about ¥480 plus 0.41% of the amount (total ~¥690). Revolut Standard is free if within the ¥100,000 monthly limit, but weekend transfers incur a 1% markup. SBI Remit charges a flat ¥750. Banks charge ¥2,500–¥4,000 plus intermediary fees.

"Wise charges ¥480 + 0.41% for sending ¥50,000 to USD." — https://www.japanlifelab.com/send-money-from-japan-guide-2026/ (2026-07-18)
"Revolut Standard offers free transfers up to ¥100,000/month." — https://visashogun.com/en/blogs/japan-money/how-to-send-money-from-japan-2026 (2026-07-18)
"SBI Remit charges a flat ¥750 fee per transfer." — https://www.japanlifelab.com/send-money-from-japan-guide-2026/ (2026-07-18)
"Bank transfers from Japan cost ¥2,500–¥4,000 plus intermediary fees." — https://lo-pal.app/guide/en/cheapest-remit-japan-2026 (2026-07-18)