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Wise
Rate 159.0574 · Fee $7.26
You send
$1,000
Recipient gets
¥157,903
Affiliate link · No extra cost to you
Quick answer: The cheapest way to send money from United States to Japan in May 2026 is Wise, which delivers 157,902.62 JPY on a 1,000 USD transfer with a fee of $7.26.
Last reviewed: by Awais Imran, Reviews Editor
Based on 60 days of data (2026-03-13 to 2026-05-20)
Sending $1,000 from United States to Japan. Sorted by best value — most money received.
Source: SendMoneyCompare · Data updated every 6 hours from live provider APIs
WiseBest value
159.0574
$7.26
¥157,902.62
154.5561
Free
¥154,556.06
154.1584
Free
¥154,158.41
155.2082
$6.99
¥154,123.29
152.9337
Free
¥152,933.67
Find the best way to send money from United States to Japan. Our comparison tool shows live rates from 15+ providers — see exactly how much JPY your recipient will receive after all fees.
Whether you're supporting family in Japan or paying for business services, finding the cheapest way to send money from United States matters. Exchange rate markups and transfer fees add up — especially on regular transfers. Our real-time comparison helps you cut costs by showing the exact amount your recipient gets from each provider.
Different providers excel at different things. Here's who's best for each use case on the United States to Japan route.
Cheapest transfer
Wise
Delivers the most JPY for your money
Fastest transfer
Remitly
Delivers in Minutes to 3-5 days
Cash pickup
Remitly
Widest cash pickup network
Bank transfer
Wise
Best rate for bank deposit to Japan
Sending money to Japan is straightforward with the right provider. Here's how it works in 3 simple steps.
Choose how much USD you want to send, compare providers above, and pick the one offering the best JPY amount for your transfer to Japan.
Enter your recipient's details in Japan — you'll need their bank account number. Most providers verify details instantly.
Pay using bank transfer, debit card, or credit card. Track your money in real-time until it arrives — bank deposit typically takes 1–2 business days.
Make sure you have these details from your recipient before starting your transfer.
Full name
Recipient's name in katakana or romaji as registered with the bank
Bank account number
7-digit Japanese bank account number
Example: 1234567
Branch code
3-digit branch code identifying the specific bank branch
Example: 001
Bank code
4-digit bank code (e.g. 0001 for Mizuho, 0005 for Mitsubishi UFJ)
Example: 0001
Account type
Ordinary (futsu) or current (toza) account type
Note: Japan does not use the IBAN system. Japanese bank transfers require a 4-digit bank code, 3-digit branch code, and 7-digit account number. The recipient's name must be in katakana — romaji (Latin letters) may cause delays if the bank requires katakana matching.
See how much your recipient would get for common transfer amounts.
Wise
159.06 · 58 min
OFX
155.62 · 1-3 business days
Bank of America
154.56 · 2-5 business days
Wells Fargo
154.16 · 2-5 business days
XE
158.13 · 1-4 business days
Remitly
155.21 · Minutes to 3-5 days
Wise
159.06 · 58 min
OFX
155.62 · 1-3 business days
Bank of America
154.56 · 2-5 business days
Wells Fargo
154.16 · 2-5 business days
Remitly
155.21 · Minutes to 3-5 days
XE
158.13 · 1-4 business days
Wise
159.07 · Instant to 2 days
XE
158.13 · 1-4 business days
OFX
157.88 · 1-3 business days
Remitly
157.40 · Minutes to 3-5 days
Bank of America
154.56 · 2-5 business days
Wells Fargo
154.16 · 2-5 business days
Transfer fees from United States to Japan vary by provider. Specialist services charge $0–10 per transfer, while banks charge $25–50 plus a 2–5% exchange rate markup. The exchange rate markup is usually the bigger cost — always compare the total JPY your recipient receives, not just the advertised fee.
The true cost of a money transfer has two components:
Transfer fee
The upfront charge — typically $0–$10 with specialist providers.
Exchange rate markup
The hidden cost — the difference between the provider's rate and the mid-market rate (159.0574).
Choose how you want to pay for your transfer. Each payment method has different costs and speeds.
Bank deposit via the Zengin (Japanese Bankers Association) payment system is the primary method. Japan's banking system is highly reliable but can be strict about name matching — ensure the recipient's name exactly matches their bank records.
Speed: 1–3 business days
Usually the cheapest option — lowest fees and no card processing charges
Speed: Minutes to hours
Fast and convenient — small card processing fee applies
Speed: Minutes to hours
Fastest option but highest fees — card issuer may charge cash advance fee
Speed: Minutes to hours
Convenient mobile payment — linked card fees apply
Your recipient in Japan can receive money through these delivery methods. The best option depends on their location and preferences.
Direct transfer to any Japanese bank account via the Zengin system. The standard method for domestic and international transfers.
Collect cash at convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart), post offices, and agent locations across Japan.
Important rules and requirements to know before sending money to Japan.
Regulatory body
Financial Services Agency (FSA) of Japan
Inbound transfer limits
Transfers over JPY 1,000,000 (approx. $7,000) must be reported to the Bank of Japan
Documentation you may need
Most transfers from United States to Japan arrive within 1–2 business days with specialist providers. Bank wires take 3–5 business days. Some providers offer instant or same-day delivery to Japan for a small premium.
These are the most commonly used banks for receiving international transfers in Japan.
MUFG Bank (Mitsubishi UFJ)
BOTKJPJT
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC)
SMBCJPJT
Mizuho Bank
MHCBJPJT
Japan Post Bank (Yucho)
JABORJPJ
Resona Bank
DIWAJPJT
Rakuten Bank
RAKTJPJT
Daily best exchange rates from top providers over the last 60 days. Rates shown are for sending $100.
| Date | Wise | __mid Market__ | Xoom (PayPal) | Wells Fargo | Bank of America |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trend | |||||
| May 20 | 159.0600✓ | 154.1567 | 152.9406 | 154.1567 | 154.5586 |
| May 19 | 158.9550✓ | 154.2968 | 152.6931 | 153.8782 | 154.2968 |
| May 18 | 158.9100✓ | 154.3114 | 152.5586 | 153.8927 | 154.3114 |
| May 17 | 158.7700✓ | 152.5250 | 152.5250 | 153.7571 | 154.1754 |
| May 16 | 158.7700✓ | 154.1754 | 152.5250 | 153.7571 | 154.1754 |
| May 15 | 158.5200✓ | 154.7422 | 152.3906 | 153.4720 | 154.0067 |
| May 14 | 158.1250✓ | 153.4336 | 151.7372 | 152.9010 | 153.4336 |
| May 13 | 157.6750✓ | 153.1374 | 151.5115 | 152.6058 | 153.1374 |
| May 12 | 157.5550✓ | 152.5233 | 151.3674 | 152.5233 | — |
| May 11 | 157.0650✓ | 152.0973 | 150.7306 | 152.0973 | — |
| May 10 | 156.6800✓ | 152.8700 | 150.5243 | 151.7052 | 152.3729 |
| May 9 | 156.6800✓ | 152.8700 | 150.5243 | 151.7052 | 152.3729 |
| May 8 | 156.9400✓ | 150.7525 | 150.7525 | 152.0058 | 152.5869 |
| May 7 | 156.1700✓ | 149.6557 | 149.6557 | 151.1968 | 151.7748 |
| May 6 | 157.6850✓ | 151.3199 | 151.3199 | 152.7372 | 153.3211 |
| May 5 | 157.1950✓ | 157.1950✓ | — | — | — |
| May 4 | 157.0550✓ | 157.0550✓ | — | — | — |
| May 3 | 157.0550✓ | 150.7320 | 150.7320 | 152.1415 | 152.5987 |
| May 2 | 157.0550✓ | 153.2400 | 150.7320 | 152.1415 | 152.5987 |
| May 1 | 157.1550✓ | 153.8392 | 150.9000 | 152.1970 | 152.7524 |
| Apr 30 | 160.2600✓ | 155.1605 | 153.8371 | 155.1605 | 155.7267 |
| Apr 29 | 159.5850✓ | 156.2381 | 153.3164 | 154.5891 | 155.1532 |
| Apr 28 | 159.5450✓ | 155.0140 | 153.1628 | 152.1727 | 155.0140 |
| Apr 27 | 159.3150✓ | 152.8462 | 152.8462 | 151.9724 | 154.8100 |
| Apr 26 | 159.3600✓ | 152.0010 | 152.9973 | 152.0010 | 154.8391 |
| Apr 25 | 159.3600✓ | 152.9973 | 152.9973 | 154.3565 | 154.8391 |
| Apr 24 | 159.7750✓ | 153.4389 | 153.4389 | 154.7633 | 155.5350 |
| Apr 23 | 159.3650✓ | 154.3807 | 152.9925 | 154.3807 | 155.1505 |
| Apr 22 | 159.2750✓ | 155.0873 | 152.8845 | 154.3177 | 155.0873 |
| Apr 21 | 158.9550✓ | 152.5797 | 152.5797 | 153.9111 | 154.5291 |
| Apr 20 | 158.8550✓ | 154.4660 | 152.5029 | 153.8482 | 154.4660 |
| Apr 19 | 158.6150✓ | 154.1986 | 152.2726 | 153.5819 | 154.1986 |
| Apr 18 | 158.6150✓ | 154.1986 | 152.2726 | 153.5819 | 154.1986 |
| Apr 17 | 159.3350✓ | 155.8798 | 152.9301 | 154.3333 | 154.8959 |
| Apr 16 | 158.7550✓ | 153.8055 | 152.4190 | 153.8055 | 154.3662 |
| Apr 15 | 158.9150✓ | 154.5100 | 152.4554 | 153.9265 | 154.5100 |
| Apr 14 | 159.1750✓ | 152.6304 | 152.6304 | 154.0851 | 154.6850 |
| Apr 13 | 159.6850✓ | 155.3266 | 153.2277 | 154.7242 | 155.3266 |
| Apr 12 | 159.2950✓ | 154.8600 | 152.8104 | 154.2594 | 154.8600 |
| Apr 11 | 159.2950✓ | 152.8104 | 152.8104 | 154.2594 | 154.8600 |
| Apr 10 | 159.1850✓ | 152.6881 | 152.6881 | 154.0837 | — |
| Apr 9 | 158.8450✓ | 153.6723 | 152.3235 | 153.6723 | — |
| Apr 8 | 158.5150✓ | 154.0894 | 152.2056 | 153.4981 | 154.0894 |
| Apr 7 | 159.8100✓ | 154.7937 | 153.3572 | 154.7937 | 155.3089 |
| Apr 6 | 159.4150✓ | 152.9927 | 152.9927 | 154.4644 | 154.9785 |
| Apr 5 | 159.6700✓ | 154.6339 | 153.1414 | 154.6339 | 155.1486 |
| Apr 4 | 159.6700✓ | 153.1414 | 153.1414 | 154.6339 | 155.1486 |
| Apr 3 | 159.6450✓ | 154.4982 | 153.1294 | 154.4982 | 155.1146 |
| Apr 2 | 159.5950✓ | 154.5078 | 153.4152 | 154.5078 | 155.5063 |
| Apr 1 | 158.7850✓ | 154.6686 | 152.8358 | 153.6755 | 154.6686 |
| Mar 31 | 158.8450✓ | 153.7980 | 152.6708 | 153.7980 | 154.7270 |
| Mar 30 | 159.5950✓ | 156.0000 | 152.9878 | 154.5048 | 155.1093 |
| Mar 29 | 160.3750✓ | 155.2745 | 153.9401 | 155.2745 | 156.1862 |
| Mar 28 | 160.3150✓ | 153.7985 | 153.7985 | 155.2023 | 156.0936 |
| Mar 18 | 158.9700✓ | 158.9700✓ | 152.4578 | 153.9891 | 154.5760 |
| Mar 17 | 159.3550✓ | 159.3550✓ | 152.9111 | 154.2960 | 154.8989 |
| Mar 16 | 158.9750✓ | 158.9750✓ | 152.3072 | 153.9280 | 154.5295 |
| Mar 15 | 159.7350✓ | 159.7350✓ | 153.2445 | 154.6639 | 155.2683 |
| Mar 14 | 159.7350✓ | 159.7350✓ | 153.2445 | 154.6639 | 155.2683 |
| Mar 13 | 159.7350✓ | 159.7350✓ | 153.2445 | 154.6639 | 155.2683 |
The cheapest option changes daily based on exchange rates. Use our comparison table above to see today's rates from every provider. Specialist services like Wise, Remitly, and OFX consistently offer better value than banks.
Most specialist providers deliver to Japan within 1–2 business days. Some offer instant delivery for certain payment methods. Bank wires typically take 3–5 business days.
Costs depend on the provider's fee and exchange rate markup. Compare all providers in our table above to see exactly how much JPY your recipient would receive from a $1,000 transfer today.
Yes, all the providers we compare support online transfers from United States to Japan. Most also offer mobile apps. You can typically pay by bank transfer, debit card, or credit card.
Money transfer services are almost always cheaper. Banks typically charge $25–50 per wire plus a 2–5% exchange rate markup. Specialist providers charge $0–10 with markups under 1%, saving you significantly on every transfer to Japan.
Everything about sending money to Japan
Recipient requirements, delivery methods, regulations, popular banks, and more.
Enter your exact amount to see personalised quotes from every provider on this route.
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