# Send money from Japan to the US: cheapest ways compared

URL: https://japanhow.com/money/remittance/send-money-japan-to-usa/
Author: JapanHow editors
Updated: Oct 24, 2026

## Summary

As of October 2026, Wise gave the most dollars on our ¥100,000 sample to a US bank account: $631.28 after a ¥987 fee, paid by bank transfer. Remitly gave about $629 at its regular price ($638.00 for a new customer's first ¥100,000), SBI Remit $625.57 and Western Union $621.47. Japan Post Bank and MUFG charge ¥3,000 before their exchange rates. You need your residence card and My Number to sign up.

## Key facts

- Most received on our sample: $631.28 (Wise)
- Mid-market rate used: 1 JPY = 0.00637572 USD
- Cash pickup in the US: Remitly, SBI Remit, Western Union
- Japan Post Bank fee: ¥3,000

To send money from Japan to the USA, use a **registered money transfer company (資金移動業者)** from its app or website. On our sample of **¥100,000 sent on October 24, 2026**, **Wise** put **$631.28** into a US bank account after a ¥987 fee, and **Remitly** gave about **$629** at its regular price. SBI Remit and Western Union gave less. Japan Post Bank and MUFG charge ¥3,000 before their own exchange rates. You need your residence card (在留カード) and My Number (個人番号), as of October 2026.

## How much does ¥100,000 to the US cost?

We priced ¥100,000 paid in total by bank transfer, using quotes captured between 23:02 and 23:10 JST on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Where a provider adds the fee on top, we took it out of the ¥100,000 first. Wise's mid-market rate at that moment was 1 JPY = 0.00637572 USD, so ¥100,000 was worth $637.57. Rates change every day, and weekday rates may differ from a Saturday quote.

| Provider | Fee | Rate (1 JPY =) | Recipient gets (bank) | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | ¥987 | 0.00637572 USD | $631.28 | 0.99% |
| Remitly | ¥330 | 0.00631 USD | $628.42–$629.42 | 1.28–1.43% |
| SBI Remit | ¥1,500 | 0.006351 USD | $625.57 | 1.88% |
| Western Union | ¥1,480 | 0.0063081 USD | $621.47 | 2.53% |

Total cost compares what arrives with ¥100,000 at the mid-market rate. Remitly's figure is its regular price. A new customer gets a promotional rate of 0.00638 and no fee on the first ¥100,000, which gave **$638.00** on our sample, slightly above the mid-market rate. Remitly shows its regular rate to three significant figures only (0.00631), so we give a range: the true rate could be anywhere from 0.006305 to 0.006315. Either way, Wise gave more dollars.

Western Union's cash pickup (Money in Minutes) used the same fee and rate as its bank deposit. SBI Remit's cash pickup costs ¥1,480 for ¥30,001 to ¥250,000, at a rate of 1 USD = ¥158.53, which gave about $621.46.

Paying Wise by debit card or Apple Pay raised its fee on our sample to ¥4,129, and the recipient got $611.25. Pay by bank transfer if you can.

### Fee only, rate not captured

| Provider | Fee for ¥100,000 | Payouts in the US |
|---|---|---|
| Seven Bank with Western Union | ¥1,950 | Cash pickup only |
| Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) | ¥3,000, plus possible intermediary charges | Bank |
| MUFG Bank (三菱UFJダイレクト) | ¥3,000, plus possible paying and intermediary bank charges | Bank |
| Brastel Remit | Not captured | Cash pickup at Walmart (Ria), up to $2,500 |

Banks also apply their own exchange rate, which we couldn't record, so their total cost is likely higher than the fee alone suggests. KYODAI Remittance (now Ria Kyodai, part of Ria Money Transfer) also sends to the US in dollars. We didn't price it at our sample time, so it isn't scored; check its [estimator](https://online.kyodai.co.jp/rates/calculator) on the day.

## Which provider is best for the US?

We score each provider with a full price on the sample, using our [remittance method](/money/remittance/send-money-from-japan/): total cost (30%), speed (15%), payout options (15%), sign-up for foreigners (15%), support (10%) and regulation (15%). "n/a" means no evidence, and it's left out of the average.

| Provider | Cost | Speed | Payouts | Sign-up | Support | Regulation | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Wise](https://wise.com/jp/send-money/send-money-to-the-usa) | 7.0 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 10 | **7.1** |
| [Remitly](https://www.remitly.com/jp/en/money-transfer/send-money-to-united-states) | 5.9\* | n/a | 6 | 8 | 7 | 10 | **7.1**\* |
| [SBI Remit](https://www.remit.co.jp/en/kaigaisoukin/exchangeratecommission/commission/) | 4.4 | n/a | 6 | 7 | 7 | 10 | **6.4** |
| [Western Union](https://www.westernunion.com/jp/en/home.html) | 2.4 | n/a | 6 | 7 | 7 | 10 | **5.7** |

\* Remitly's cost score uses the middle of its range (1.36%). Across the whole range it is 5.7 to 6.2, and its overall score 7.1 to 7.2.

How the 0–10 scale maps, the same on every country page:

| Criterion | Scale |
|---|---|
| Cost | 10 minus 3 points per 1% of total cost (1% = 7, 2% = 4) |
| Speed | From published delivery times. 9: bank deposit in seconds. 8: a payout in about 10 minutes, and no bank time over a day. 7: within a few hours, or cash or wallet in minutes but bank deposits up to 3 business days. 6: within about a working day. 5: 1 to 3 business days. n/a: no published time |
| Payouts | 4: bank only. 6: bank and cash pickup. 8: bank and cash plus an unnamed wallet or mobile money, or bank plus wallets without cash. 9: bank, cash and a named local wallet (such as bKash, GCash or eSewa). 10: that, plus several wallets and home delivery |
| Sign-up | 8: residence card or My Number card checked in the app, no mailed step. 7: residence card accepted, with a courier step or fewer published details. Lower if you must visit a counter; 0 if foreign residents can't sign up |
| Support | 8: English app and site with a detailed English help center. 7: English app, site and customer service. Lower if support is in Japanese only |
| Regulation | 10: registered with the FSA as a funds transfer provider, or a licensed bank. 0: not registered |

- **Wise:** most dollars on our sample and the lowest total cost, but bank accounts only. ACH usually arrives in 0 to 3 working days.
- **Remitly:** second on price at its regular rate, best of all for a new customer's first ¥100,000, and adds cash pickup. It publishes no US delivery times.
- **SBI Remit:** a flat ¥1,500 fee to a US bank account since its June 2026 fee cut, and cash pickup at MoneyGram agents.
- **Western Union:** bank deposit or cash pickup, for ¥1,480 on top and a wider margin on the rate.

Wise and Remitly both score 7.1 overall, and Remitly's rounded rate means we can't separate them. Wise leads on cost. Remitly scores higher on payouts because it adds cash pickup. Its average also leaves speed out, as it publishes no US delivery time, while Wise's speed score of 6 pulls Wise's average down. If price matters most, Wise gave more dollars on our sample. All four are registered with the FSA: Wise Payments Japan (Kanto 00040), Remitly Japan (Kanto 00077), SBI Remit (Kanto 00008) and Western Union Japan (Kanto 00039).

**Best for:**

- **Most dollars to a US bank account:** Wise, paid by bank transfer.
- **Your first transfer:** Remitly's new-customer offer gave $638.00 on the first ¥100,000.
- **Cash pickup:** Remitly (partners include Walmart and Ria), SBI Remit through MoneyGram agents, or Western Union.
- **Larger amounts:** Wise and SBI Remit are Type 1 providers, so the ¥1,000,000 legal cap for Type 2 doesn't apply to them by law. SBI Remit still sets its own ¥1,000,000 per-transfer limit.

## What details do I need for a US bank account?

Wise's guide to USD transfers lists what you need for the recipient:

- **Full name** in Latin letters.
- **Full address.** Wise doesn't accept PO boxes.
- **Bank account number.**
- **ACH or wire routing number (ABA).** Some US banks use a different routing number for wires and for ACH, so ask the recipient which one matches the transfer type.
- **Account type** (for example checking or savings).

Wise can't pay into a US brokerage account or an intermediary bank. A wire usually arrives the same or next working day, but the recipient's bank may charge an incoming wire fee. If you are sending to your own US account, check its routing number for ACH before you start.

**Cash pickup limits in the US:** SBI Remit's US restrictions page says MoneyGram agents set their own limits, and large amounts may be paid by check or money order instead of cash. CVS, for example, pays only by money order, up to $2,000 a day. The recipient brings the reference number and ID.

## How do I send money to the US step by step?

## Can I pay in cash without a bank transfer?

Some providers take cash. This helps if your [Japanese bank account](/money/banking/bank-account-for-foreigners-japan/) isn't open yet.

- **SBI Remit:** pay cash at FamilyMart, up to ¥100,000 per deposit, for a deposit fee of ¥800 (¥50,000 to ¥100,000), or with its Remit Card at Japan Post ATMs for ¥330 up to ¥50,000 and ¥500 above. These fees come on top of the remittance fee.
- **Western Union:** you can pay at a convenience store (コンビニ払い), or send through an agent.
- **Seven Bank:** sends through Western Union from Seven Bank ATMs, but you need a Seven Bank account, and the US is cash pickup only.

Remitly accepts a Japanese bank account, Visa or Mastercard debit card or prepaid card, but not credit cards from Japan.

## What do I need to sign up in Japan?

- **Residence card (在留カード).** Wise, SBI Remit, Western Union and Remitly accept it as ID for foreign residents. Wise also takes a Japanese driver's license from permanent residents.
- **My Number.** The overseas transfer reporting law requires it for transfers abroad, including through money transfer companies. If you don't have the card, Wise accepts a resident record ([juminhyo](/life/admin/juminhyo-certificate-of-residence/)) issued in the last six months showing the number. See [My Number card for foreigners](/life/admin/my-number-card-foreigners/).
- **Matching details.** Wise says your name, date of birth and address must match exactly across your ID, My Number document and profile.

Japan Post Bank's own international transfers need My Number registered on your account, and its limit is under ¥1,000,000 per transfer, ¥2,000,000 a day and ¥5,000,000 a month. Its page also warns that a transfer to the US can be frozen under US sanctions rules (OFAC), and you may then have to apply to release it yourself.

## Is the money reported or taxed?

Transfers over ¥1,000,000 are reported by the provider to the tax office in a statement (国外送金等調書). This is a report, not a tax. Whether money you send counts as a gift depends on who receives it and why; see [gift tax in Japan for foreigners](/money/tax/gift-tax-japan-foreigners/). US tax rules on the receiving side are separate. For your own case, ask a tax accountant (税理士) or the tax office in Japan, and a US tax professional for the US side.

If you are moving back to the US, also read the [leaving Japan checklist](/visa/leaving/leaving-japan-checklist/) and about [the pension refund](/money/pension/pension-refund-japan/).

More guides: [send money from Japan](/money/remittance/send-money-from-japan/) and [send money from Japan to the Philippines](/money/remittance/send-money-japan-to-philippines/).

## Questions people ask

### Can you send money from Japan to the USA?

Yes. Registered money transfer companies such as Wise, Remitly, SBI Remit and Western Union send yen from Japan to US bank accounts, and Remitly, SBI Remit and Western Union also offer cash pickup. Japanese banks such as Japan Post Bank and MUFG send international transfers too, for ¥3,000 or more per transfer.

### What is the cheapest way to send money from Japan to the US?

On our ¥100,000 sample on October 24, 2026, Wise gave $631.28 to a US bank account, paid by bank transfer. Remitly gave about $629 at its regular price, and $638.00 on a new customer's first ¥100,000. Rates change every day, so compare on the day you send.

### How do I transfer money from Japan to a US bank account?

Sign up with a registered provider using your residence card and My Number, then add the recipient's full name, address, account number, ABA routing number and account type. Pay in yen by bank transfer. Wise says ACH payments usually arrive in 0 to 3 working days.

### How much does Japan Post Bank charge to send money to the US?

Japan Post Bank charges ¥3,000 per international transfer, applied for online. Intermediary and receiving banks may take further charges from the amount. The limit is under ¥1,000,000 per transfer.

### Is there a limit on sending money from Japan to the US?

Type 2 money transfer companies, such as Remitly and Western Union, can handle up to ¥1,000,000 per transfer by law, and SBI Remit sets its own ¥1,000,000 limit per transfer. Transfers over ¥1,000,000 are reported to the tax office.

## Sources

- [資金移動業者登録一覧](https://www.fsa.go.jp/menkyo/menkyoj/shikin_idou.xlsx), 金融庁 (FSA) (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [資金決済に関する法律施行令, art. 12-2](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/422CO0000000019), e-Gov 法令検索 (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
- [国外送金等調書法 (Overseas Wire Transfer Statement Act)](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/409AC0000000110), e-Gov 法令検索 (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
- [国外送金等調書法施行令, arts. 2 and 8](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/409CO0000000363), e-Gov 法令検索 (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [Send money to the USA (calculator)](https://wise.com/jp/send-money/send-money-to-the-usa), Wise (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [Guide to USD transfers](https://wise.com/help/articles/2932150/guide-to-usd-transfers), Wise (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [Getting verified in Japan](https://wise.com/help/articles/2968293/getting-verified-in-japan), Wise (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [Send money to the United States from Japan (page and calculator)](https://www.remitly.com/jp/en/money-transfer/send-money-to-united-states), Remitly (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [Remitly Japan home page](https://www.remitly.com/jp/en), Remitly (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
- [Western Union Japan (home page and price calculator)](https://www.westernunion.com/jp/en/home.html), Western Union Japan (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [送金シミュレーション (United States, USD)](https://ires.remit.co.jp/IRESWeb/MainCommissionSimulator_Input.jsf), SBI Remit (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [Current exchange rates (2026/10/24 23:01)](https://ires.remit.co.jp/IRESWeb/ExchangeDirect.jsf), SBI Remit (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [Remittance fee](https://www.remit.co.jp/en/kaigaisoukin/exchangeratecommission/commission/), SBI Remit (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [銀行口座宛送金サービスにおける送金手数料大幅引き下げについて](https://www.remit.co.jp/kaigaisoukin/information/release20260602/), SBI Remit (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [UNITED STATES (receiving restrictions)](https://www.remit.co.jp/modal/restrictions-usa/), SBI Remit (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [Flow for individuals](https://www.remit.co.jp/en/kaigaisoukin/service/flowindividual/), SBI Remit (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
- [Deposit fee](https://www.remit.co.jp/en/kaigaisoukin/exchangeratecommission/deposit/), SBI Remit (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [Convenience store remittance](https://www.remit.co.jp/en/kaigaisoukin/sendremittance/method/famiport/), SBI Remit (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
- [Fees](https://brastelremit.jp/eng/fees), Brastel Remit (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [International Money Transfer Service (with Western Union)](https://www.sevenbank.co.jp/soukin/en/wu/), Seven Bank (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
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