The cheapest way to receive money from abroad in Japan is Wise: the sender pays a small transparent fee, you receive yen at the real exchange rate, and the money lands in your Japanese bank account in 1–2 days. A traditional SWIFT bank wire costs ¥2,500–7,500 in receiving fees alone, plus a 2–4% exchange rate markup.
Your family sends you ¥100,000 worth of money from home. By the time it reaches your Japanese bank account, ¥94,000 arrives — and nobody can tell you exactly where the missing ¥6,000 went. Intermediary bank fees, receiving bank fees, and a padded exchange rate all took a slice, and none of them were shown upfront.
Receiving money in Japan doesn’t have to work this way. Here’s every method compared, and how to keep nearly all of what’s sent.
Method 1: Wise — Cheapest for Most People
How it works: The sender uses Wise in their country. Wise converts at the mid-market rate (the one you see on Google) and deposits yen directly into your Japanese bank account as a domestic transfer — so your Japanese bank charges no receiving fee.
- Total cost: ~0.4–0.7% of the amount, shown upfront
- Speed: Usually 1–2 business days, sometimes hours
- Receiving fee on your side: ¥0
- Works with: Any Japanese bank account (Yucho, Rakuten, SMBC, etc.)
The key trick: because Wise pays out from its own Japanese bank network, your bank sees a normal domestic deposit — not an international wire. That’s what eliminates the ¥2,500–7,500 lifting fee.
Receive money from abroad at the real exchange rate — your Japanese bank sees a domestic deposit, so no receiving fees.
Set Up Wise Free →Method 2: Traditional Bank Wire (SWIFT)
How it works: Sender’s bank → intermediary bank(s) → your Japanese bank.
- Sender’s fee: $15–50 typically
- Intermediary fees: $10–30, silently deducted mid-route
- Your bank’s receiving fee: ¥1,500–7,500 depending on the bank
- Exchange rate markup: 2–4% if converted by the banks
- Speed: 2–5 business days
When it makes sense: Very large transfers (¥5M+) where your bank offers preferential rates, or when the sender’s bank requires it. For everyday amounts, SWIFT is the most expensive option on this list.
Japanese bank receiving fees (typical):
| Bank | Receiving fee |
|---|---|
| Japan Post (Yucho) | ¥2,000 |
| MUFG | ¥1,500 + lifting charge |
| SMBC | ¥1,500 + lifting charge |
| SMBC Prestia | ¥0–2,000 (waived on some accounts) |
| Sony Bank | ¥0 |
| Rakuten Bank | ¥2,450 |
Method 3: Revolut
If both you and the sender have Revolut, transfers between accounts are instant and free. The catch: moving money from Revolut Japan to your Japanese bank account, and Japan-specific top-up/withdrawal limits. Works well as a supplement, less well as your main rail. See our Revolut Japan guide.
Method 4: PayPal
Convenient but expensive: 3–4% in combined fees and exchange markup, plus a withdrawal fee to a Japanese bank (¥250 under ¥50,000). Use only when the sender can’t use anything else.
Which Method for Which Situation
| Situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| Family sending living support | Wise |
| Salary from an overseas employer | Wise (or SWIFT if employer insists) |
| Freelance clients paying you | Wise Business or Wise |
| One-time large sum (¥5M+, e.g. property) | Compare Wise vs your bank’s SWIFT rate |
| Small favors between friends | Wise or Revolut |
Tax Note: Is Received Money Taxable?
- Living support from family (reasonable amounts, for living costs): generally not taxed
- Gifts over ¥1.1M/year: may trigger gift tax — see our inheritance and gift tax guide
- Payment for work: income — declare it. See filing taxes in Japan
When in doubt about large sums, confirm with a tax professional before the money moves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to receive money from overseas in Japan? Wise. The sender pays roughly 0.4–0.7% in transparent fees, the exchange rate is the real mid-market rate, and the money arrives as a domestic deposit — so Japanese banks charge no receiving fee.
Why did my Japanese bank take a fee for an incoming international transfer? SWIFT wires arrive as international transfers, and most Japanese banks charge ¥1,500–7,500 in receiving/lifting fees, plus an exchange markup if the money arrives in foreign currency. Services like Wise avoid this by paying out domestically.
How long does it take to receive money from abroad in Japan? Wise: usually 1–2 business days. SWIFT wire: 2–5 business days. PayPal: instant to the PayPal balance, plus 1–3 days to withdraw to a bank.
Do I pay tax on money my parents send me in Japan? Reasonable living support from family is generally not taxable. Gifts exceeding ¥1.1 million per year may be subject to gift tax.