【2026】Send Money from Japan: Wise vs PayForex vs Bank Compared
- There are several ways to send money from Japan abroad, and fees, exchange rates and transfer speed differ by method.
- This article introduces the main remittance services in a comparison table.
- It also explains points to watch when sending money.
There are several ways to send money from Japan abroad. Compare fees, exchange rates, and speed to find the best option.
① Comparison Table
| Service | Fees | Rate | Speed |
| Wise※1 | ~0.4-1% | Mid-market | Hours to 1 day |
| Bank Transfer | ¥2,000-5,000 | Bank rate | 1-3 business days |
| PayForex (via PayPay Bank)※2 | Free~ (varies by destination & receiving method) | See official site | Within 24 hours |
| Post Office (Japan Post Bank) | ¥3,000 | Bank's published rate | 3-5 business days |
※1 Wise uses the mid-market rate; the fee is a variable rate (about 0.4-1%) plus a small flat fee in some cases. ※2 PayForex is a remittance service introduced by PayPay Bank; it is actually provided by Queen Bee Capital Co., Ltd. (a registered Funds Transfer Service Provider, Kanto Local Finance Bureau No. 00010) — not by PayPay Bank itself. Fees are flat amounts that vary by destination country, receiving method and amount band, and some bands are free (e.g. from ¥400 for up to ¥30,000 to Vietnam; free for bank-account transfers of ¥180,000+ to China — UnionPay card/e-wallet is not included). The minimum transfer amount is ¥7,000. Official wording is "within 24 hours"; first-time users cannot use same-day transfer because a password is mailed after sign-up. Please check the official site for the latest fees and exchange rate.
② Our Recommendation: Wise
Wise is usually the cheapest for transfers up to about ¥100,000. It uses the mid-market exchange rate with very low fees. For larger amounts, PayForex or other services can be cheaper depending on the destination country (see ④).
Verify your identity and send money entirely from the app. Because Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate, the fee is easy to understand.
※Identity verification is required to send money. Fees and exchange rates vary by amount and currency. Please check the official site for the latest terms. This site provides information and comparisons only; we are not a money-transfer operator. In Japan, Wise is provided by Wise Payments Japan K.K., a registered Funds Transfer Service Provider (Kanto Local Finance Bureau No. 00040). Sending money abroad does not affect your residence status.
③ Things to Watch When Sending Money
- The per-transaction and annual limits differ by service
- Identity verification can take a few days the first time you use a service
- Remittances of more than 1,000,000 yen may be reported by the financial institution to the competent tax office
④ Approximate Fee Amounts (by Transfer Size)
The overall cost of a transfer is the sum of a "flat transfer fee" and an "exchange-rate cost" added on top of the rate. Even for the same amount, the approximate real-world cost differs by service as shown below (these are rough estimates based on each provider's general published rates; actual amounts vary by transfer size, currency and promotions, so please check each provider's official site for the latest quote before using the service. Estimates as of August 2026, based on each provider's published rates).
| Amount | Wise (approx. 0.4-1%) | Bank Transfer (flat fee + exchange cost) | PayForex (via PayPay Bank)※3 |
| ¥50,000 | Approx. ¥200-500 | ¥2,000-5,000 + exchange cost | Varies by destination country, receiving method & amount band (see official site for details) |
| ¥100,000 | Approx. ¥400-1,000 | ¥2,000-5,000 + exchange cost | Varies by destination country, receiving method & amount band (see official site for details) |
| ¥300,000 | Approx. ¥1,200-3,000 | ¥2,000-5,000 + exchange cost | Free to approx. ¥1,500 (e.g. free for bank-account transfers of ¥180,000+ to China; ¥950 to Vietnam; ¥1,000 to the Philippines) |
※Bank transfer typically adds the bank's own exchange rate (often less favorable than the market rate) on top of the flat fee shown above, so the real cost is usually higher than the table amount. Wise uses the mid-market rate; the fee is a variable rate plus a small flat fee in some cases. ※3 PayForex is a remittance service introduced by PayPay Bank; it is actually provided by Queen Bee Capital Co., Ltd. (a registered Funds Transfer Service Provider, Kanto Local Finance Bureau No. 00010). Fees are a flat amount by destination country, receiving method and amount band rather than a percentage rate, and some bands are free (e.g. free for bank-account transfers of ¥180,000+ to China; UnionPay card/e-wallet receiving is not included and costs ¥1,980 even above ¥180,000). The minimum transfer amount is ¥7,000. Please check the official site for exchange-rate details. The above are rough examples only and do not guarantee any specific amount.
⑤ Receiving Methods
How the recipient receives the money also differs by service.
- Wise: Transfer to the recipient's local bank account (check the official site for supported countries and currencies)
- Bank transfer: Funds arrive in the recipient's bank account via the international interbank network
- PayForex (via PayPay Bank): Depending on the destination country, supports multiple receiving methods such as a local bank account, e-wallet, cash pickup, or home delivery (check the official site for supported countries/regions and methods)
⑥ Transfer Limits and Identity Verification Documents
Most services set per-transaction, daily, and annual transfer limits depending on the level of identity verification (KYC) completed. Limits vary by service and by each country's regulations, so please always check the official site before using a service.
Identity verification generally requires submitting or presenting documents such as:
- An ID document such as a residence card or passport
- You may be asked to present your My Number (individual number)
- You may be asked to submit proof of address (such as a utility bill)
When travelling abroad or visiting your home country, see our guide to overseas Wi-Fi & eSIM options.
Before sending money abroad, first open a Japanese bank account.
If you send money to China, it helps to compare the fees and exchange rates of each method. Our sister site Zainichi Money Navi compares sending money from Japan to China in detail in How to send money from Japan to China (fees compared).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to send money from Japan overseas?For transfers up to about ¥100,000, Wise (formerly TransferWise) is usually the most economical. It uses the mid-market exchange rate and charges a fee of about 0.4-1%. For larger amounts, PayForex or other services can be cheaper depending on the destination country.
How do I send money with Wise?Install the Wise app, verify your identity with your residence card etc. (1-3 days), deposit Japanese yen, then register the recipient's account and send the money.
Which is cheaper, a bank transfer or Wise?In most cases, Wise is cheaper. A bank transfer typically costs 2,000-5,000 yen per transfer plus an exchange fee, while Wise charges only about 0.4-1% of the amount sent.
Is there a limit on overseas remittances?For Wise, the limit depends on your identity verification level. Banks have per-transaction and per-day limits. Remittances of more than 1,000,000 yen may be reported by the financial institution to the competent tax office.
Sources
※Rules may change. Please check the official sites for the latest information.
💸 海外送金をもっと詳しく💸 More on overseas remittance💸 海外汇款更详细💸 Chuyển tiền quốc tế chi tiết hơn
Wise・SBIレミットなどサービス別の使い方・中国送金の特集は、姉妹サイト「在日マネーナビ」が詳しいです。For step-by-step Wise / SBI Remit guides and a China-remittance feature, see our sister site Zainichi Money Navi.Wise·SBIレミット等各服务的使用方法、中国汇款特集，请见姊妹站「在日マネーナビ」。Hướng dẫn Wise / SBI Remit, chuyên đề chuyển tiền về Trung Quốc chi tiết hơn — trang đồng hành Zainichi Money Navi.
在日マネーナビを見る →Visit Zainichi Money Navi →访问在日マネーナビ →Đến Zainichi Money Navi →Ask our AI Concierge
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