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When sending your Japan salary home, online apps and specialist remittance services are usually the cheapest everyday choice, bank transfers are the most traditional but often the most expensive, and cash counters are the fastest but rarely the best value. The single most important rule is to compare the amount your family actually receives, not just the fee. A service that advertises “¥0 fee” can still cost you more if its exchange rate is 3–5% worse than the mid-market rate.
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For foreign workers in Japan, whether on a Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa in a factory, a care home or a construction site, remittance is often the main reason for working abroad. Even small differences add up. On a transfer of ¥100,000, a 3% weaker exchange rate quietly costs you about ¥3,000, which over a year of monthly transfers can add up to roughly ¥36,000 — more than many people spend on a month’s food.
This guide compares the three main options, explains hidden costs, lists the documents you will need, and shows how to work out a realistic monthly amount to send from a typical Japanese salary.
Bank vs App vs Remittance Service at a Glance
| Option | Examples | Typical cost | Speed | Best for |
| Bank wire transfer | MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho, Japan Post Bank | About ¥3,000 – ¥7,000 fee plus an exchange-rate markup, often 2–5% below mid-market | About 2–4 business days | Large one-off transfers where you prefer a bank |
| Online app / digital service | Wise, Remitly, SBI Remit, GoRemit (SBI Shinsei), Smiles | Low fees; some rates close to mid-market, but check each one | About 1–3 business days to a bank account | Regular monthly transfers |
| Counter / cash and ATM services | Western Union, MoneyGram, Seven Bank ATM (MoneyGram network) | Fee plus a rate often 2–5% below mid-market | Minutes to hours for cash pickup | Emergencies, or families without a bank account |
Costs and rates change constantly, so treat these as general patterns and check each provider’s current quote before sending.
Option 1: Bank Transfers
Major Japanese banks such as MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho and Japan Post Bank can send international wire transfers. They are familiar and trustworthy, which is why many new arrivals use them first.
- Pros: well-known institutions, suitable for larger sums, clear paper trail.
- Cons: a fixed fee of around ¥3,000 – ¥7,000, plus a weaker exchange rate; intermediary banks may deduct extra charges; branch procedures can involve Japanese-only forms.
- Tip: ask the bank how much the recipient will receive in their local currency, not just the sending fee.
Option 2: Apps and Online Remittance Services
Digital services have become the default for many foreign workers in Japan. You register, verify your identity, and then send from your phone, often by bank transfer to the provider’s account in Japan.
- Wise is known for using a rate close to the mid-market rate and showing its fee separately.
- Remitly, SBI Remit, GoRemit and Smiles are popular with workers sending money to Asian countries, and some offer cash pickup as well as bank deposit.
- Pros: lower total cost in many cases, transparent quotes, fast delivery, convenient for monthly use.
- Cons: identity checks at registration; promotional “first transfer free” offers may not reflect normal pricing.
Option 3: Counters, Cash Pickup and ATMs
Western Union and MoneyGram let you send money that can be collected in cash, sometimes within minutes. Seven Bank ATMs in Japan connect to the MoneyGram network, which is convenient if you live near a 7-Eleven.
- Pros: very fast, useful in emergencies, the recipient does not need a bank account.
- Cons: the exchange rate is often 2–5% below mid-market, so the real cost can be high for regular transfers.
The Hidden Cost: How to Compare Properly
- Decide the exact yen amount you want to send, for example ¥100,000.
- Open two or three providers’ calculators at the same time.
- Note the final amount the recipient will get in their currency.
- Compare that with a mid-market rate from a neutral source.
- Choose the provider that delivers the most money, at a speed you are comfortable with.
A rough rule: every 1% of exchange-rate difference on ¥100,000 equals about ¥1,000. Over 12 monthly transfers, a 3% gap equals about ¥36,000.
How Much Can You Realistically Send?
Start from take-home pay, not your gross salary. Indicative monthly pay for common roles held by foreign workers:
| Position | Indicative Monthly Salary |
| SSW Worker (all-field average) | around ¥200,000 – ¥210,000 |
| Warehouse Worker (Saitama, part-time) | ¥210,000 (hourly ¥1,298 average) |
| Caregiver | ¥253,000 (base and regular allowances) |
| Welder | ¥260,000 |
| Car Assembly Contract Worker | ¥323,000 – ¥345,000 (examples incl. shift and overtime allowances) |
From gross pay, expect deductions for Employees’ Pension (9.15%), health insurance (about 5%), employment insurance (0.5%), income tax and, from June of your second year, resident tax of roughly ¥5,000 – ¥15,000 per month. An illustrative example: ¥210,000 gross can become about ¥169,000 take-home. Then subtract rent or dormitory charges, food, phone and transport before deciding your transfer amount.
A simple budgeting habit is to transfer a fixed amount soon after payday, and keep an emergency reserve in Japan for at least one month of expenses. Remember the year-two resident tax so your remittance plan does not suddenly become unaffordable.
Which Option Suits Your Situation?
You send a fixed amount every month
An online service is usually the most practical. Set up your family member as a saved recipient, check the quote each payday and send soon after salary arrives so the money is not spent elsewhere.
You are sending a large amount once
For example, savings at the end of a contract or a family event. Compare a bank wire and two online services for that exact amount. Bank fixed fees matter less on large sums, but the exchange-rate markup matters more, so the recipient amount is still the deciding number.
Your family has an emergency
Cash pickup through a counter service or an ATM network can deliver money within minutes or hours. Accept the higher cost for speed, then return to cheaper methods for normal transfers.
Your family does not have a bank account
Choose a service that offers cash pickup or mobile wallet delivery in your home country, and confirm the recipient’s ID requirements before sending.
Setting Up Your First Transfer Step by Step
- Open a Japanese bank account using your residence card, ideally soon after arriving.
- Keep your My Number notice or card safe; you will need it for registration.
- Download one or two remittance apps from the official app store.
- Register and complete identity verification, which can take a few days.
- Add your recipient’s full name and bank details exactly as on their account.
- Send a small test amount first and confirm it arrives correctly.
- Save receipts or screenshots of every transfer for your records.
Documents and Rules You Should Know
- Residence card: needed to open accounts and register with providers.
- My Number: most remittance services in Japan require your My Number (individual number) for identity and reporting.
- Japanese bank account: most apps take payment by bank transfer from your account.
- Large transfers: international transfers of ¥1 million or more are reported to the National Tax Agency (NTA). This is a report, not a tax.
- Recipient details: double-check the name, account number and bank code; mistakes can delay or lose funds.
- Home-country rules: ask your family’s bank which account type is suitable for receiving overseas funds.
Safety: Scams and Informal Channels
- Use only registered providers and official apps downloaded from official app stores.
- Avoid informal “hand the cash to a friend” networks; unregistered money transfer may be illegal and offers no protection if money is lost.
- Never share passwords or one-time codes, even with someone who claims to be from your bank.
- Be careful of anyone who asks you to receive and forward money for them; this can involve you in fraud.
- The same caution applies to job offers: never pay an unlicensed agent, and remember that a job advertisement is not a visa guarantee.
Typical Monthly Pay for Common Roles
The figures below are indicative monthly amounts drawn from published job listings and wage data. Actual pay depends on the employer, region, shifts and allowances.
| Position | Indicative Monthly Salary |
| Car Assembly Contract Worker | ¥330,000 |
| Welder | ¥260,000 |
| Caregiver | ¥250,000 |
| Warehouse Worker | ¥210,000 |
| SSW Worker | ¥210,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest way to send money from Japan?
It changes over time. Online services close to the mid-market rate are often cheapest, but compare the recipient amount each time.
Is a “¥0 fee” transfer really free?
Not always. The cost may be built into a weaker exchange rate, sometimes 3–5% worse than mid-market.
How long does a transfer take?
Online services usually take 1–3 business days to a bank account, bank wires about 2–4 days, and cash pickup can be minutes or hours.
Do I need a My Number to send money?
Most remittance services in Japan ask for it, so apply for and keep your My Number notice safe.
Will I be taxed for sending ¥1 million?
The transfer is reported to the NTA, but the report itself is not a tax.
Should I send money every month or every few months?
With low-fee services, monthly is usually fine. With fixed-fee bank wires, fewer, larger transfers may cost less in fees.
Final Words
The best way to send your Japan salary home is the one that delivers the most money safely at a speed you need. For regular transfers, online services usually win; banks suit larger, occasional transfers; counter services are useful mainly in emergencies. Always compare the final received amount, keep your My Number and residence card ready, plan for resident tax from your second year, and use only registered providers.
Disclaimer: All salary figures mentioned in this article are indicative estimates based on published job listings and industry data and may vary by employer, location, experience, and contract terms. They do not represent a guaranteed salary, job offer, or visa approval. This website is not affiliated with any bank, app or remittance service mentioned in this article.