【2026】International Remittance Compared: Wise vs SBI Remit vs Bank Transfer
📋 Contents
There are several ways to send money abroad from Japan. Compare fees, exchange rates, and arrival speed to pick the best option.
① Major Remittance Services Compared
| Service | Fee (approx.) | Exchange rate | Speed | Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise (cheapest) | 0.4–1.5% | Mid-market (real market rate) | Hours–1 day | 80+ |
| SBI Remit | Free–¥748 | Bank rate (slightly worse) | Same day–1 day | 200+ |
| Bank wire (megabanks) | ¥2,500–5,000 | TTS rate (worst) | 2–5 business days | 200+ |
| Japan Post Bank | ¥2,500~ | TTB rate | 3–5 business days | 120+ |
※Fees and rates are indicative and vary by amount, destination, and timing. Check official sites for the latest.
② Wise — Cheapest for Small to Mid-size Transfers
Why Wise is cheapest: Banks and other services add an exchange-rate margin, while Wise uses the interbank mid-market rate as-is and charges only a transparent fee. Sending ¥100,000 can be thousands of yen cheaper than a bank. Verify with your residence card; no minimum amount (from ¥1).
③ SBI Remit — Handy for Direct Deposits to China & Vietnam
SBI Remit specializes in direct deposits to bank accounts in China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Brazil and more, with low fees (free–¥748). Recipients can also pick up cash via MoneyGram. Its rate can be slightly worse than Wise — compare both for larger amounts.
④ Bank Wires & Japan Post — For Large or Formal Transfers
Bank wires are costly (around ¥2,500–5,000 plus rate spread) but suit payments to large companies or formal transfers needing strong audit trails. For small personal remittances, Wise or SBI Remit is strongly recommended.
⑤ Recommended Method by Country
- 🇨🇳 China: 1st Wise (to bank account) / 2nd SBI Remit. Over ¥1M per transfer triggers reporting
- 🇻🇳 Vietnam: 1st Wise / 2nd SBI Remit (VietcomBank etc.)
- 🇵🇭 Philippines: Wise / SBI Remit (BDO, BPI). Cash pickup via MoneyGram available
- 🇰🇷 Korea: Wise (lowest fees). Requires the 24-digit Korean account number
- 🌏 Other countries: Check Wise first; if unsupported, use SBI Remit's 200-country network
* Fees, rates and supported countries change; check the official sites. Availability may depend on residence status/verification.