So, you find yourself in Japan, soaking in the beauty of cherry blossoms and embracing the rich culture. But there's a twist – you've got loved ones or commitments back home that require a dash of yen. Sending money from Japan may seem like a puzzle at first, but we're here to guide you through the process. 

From the get-go, recognize the two main players in this game: utilizing your reliable Japan bank account or opting for the services of international remittance wizards. Let's make the journey of international remittances as smooth as a ride on the Shinkansen.

Using a Japanese Bank Account

Alright, let's talk about the classic move – using your good ol' Japan bank account. JP Post, MUFG, SMBC – they've got your back, offering international transfer services for that yen-sending adventure. But, hang on, it's not all smooth sailing.

First, get ready for a bit of paperwork drama. It's either you're tackling a mind-boggling form at the branch or enduring an epic phone call to spill all the necessary details. And get this – those transfer fees? They might hit you up to ¥7,500. Plus, the exchange rates? Well, they might not be your wallet's best friend. 

Case in point: JP Post throws in a fixed fee of 7,500 yen, along with registration fees, exchange rates, and a waiting period of up to 7 business days.

Using International Remittance Service

Now, let's talk about the cool kid on the block – international remittance services. Think Wise (formerly TransferWise), GoRemit, DCOM, SBI Remit, and a bunch more. These services are like the budget-friendly, speedier cousins of traditional banks, especially when you're dealing with smaller amounts.

For instance, sliding JPY 200,000 to USD with Wise? You're looking at around 1,500 yen (amount varies based on your transfer). And guess what? It's done in 1-2 working days, and the exchange rates play nice. Similar vibes from other cool kids on the block.

Should I Go the Cool Kid Route?

It's a "depends on your vibe" situation. If you're moving serious cash, like over 5 million yen, the old-school direct transfer from your Japanese bank account might make more sense.

However a heads-up, when you use services like Wise, there's a cap of 1 million yen per transaction, and fees can shoot up for bigger amounts. So, if you're looking at 10 million yen spread across ten transfers, you might end up with around 80,000 yen in fees. On the flip side, SBI Remit is another option that could be more budget-friendly, but they also have a 1 million yen limit per transfer.

However, it's essential to note that Wise and similar services have a transfer limit of 1 million yen per transaction, and fees can escalate significantly for larger sums. For example, utilizing Wise for ten transfers to reach 10 million yen might incur fees of approximately 80,000 yen. Alternatively, options such as SBI Remit could be more cost-effective, though they also have a 1 million yen limit per transfer.

Also, keep in mind – using international remittance services means you have to move money from your Japanese bank account to the remittance service account first before actually sending your money abroad. But here's the hiccup: local transfers or withdrawals from Japanese banks are usually capped at lower amounts. For example, JP Post lets you transfer a max of 100,000 yen daily. So, picture this: transferring all your money 100 times just to move that 10 million yen to your remittance account. It's like a money-moving marathon! 

What's the Next Move?

Alright, you've made your call on the route to take, but what's the next move? We won't dive into the nitty-gritty details here because the transfer process depends heavily on the platform you've chosen. We hesitate to provide step-by-step instructions in case there are updates we can't keep up with in this article.

But to simplify the steps, when using an international remittance service, the typical drill involves creating an account, transferring your money into it, and making the transfer. strongly recommend heading to their respective websites, whether you're inclined towards Wise, GoRemit, DCOM, or any other player in the game. Check out not just the transfer process but also get a grip on their pricing. 

Choose carefully based on your specific situation, deal?

This blog post was accurate at the time of publication.