Find the best way to send money to Japan

Looking for the best way to send money from the United States to family, friends or businesses in Japan (or even to your own overseas bank account)?

Don't head straight to your American bank – compare specialist money transfer services instead. They nearly always offer better JPY exchange rates and lower fees, so for the same amount of US dollars you send, your recipient will receive more yens.

Of the companies we've compared, MoneyGram is among the cheapest, with competitive exchange rates and fees starting from $0. Need a really fast transfer? Wise (TransferWise) can get money to your recipient in Japan within minutes.

Best ways to send money to Japan from the US

The best way to send money to Japan depends on your payment method, how you want your money to be received and how fast you need it to arrive.

• Online money transfer provider. When buying US dollars or yens money transfer specialists typically offer better rates and cheaper fees than a local bank.
• Bank transfer. Bank transfers are an easy way to send money to Japan but they charge extra for the convenience and are often slower than other methods. US banks generally add a 3% to 6% markup onto exchange rates.
• Cash pickup. If you need your money to arrive fast, cash pickup gives your recipient instant access to the money you've sent when they collect it from their agent location in Japan.
• Mobile wallet. Essentially an electronic wallet service, mobile wallets allow users to store, send and receive eligible currencies using their phone, often with fees attached.
• Home delivery. If your recipient may struggle to get to a cash pickup location, you may be able to opt for door-to-door cash delivery.

Compare the best money transfer companies to send money to Japan

Use our table to compare the best money transfer companies to send money to Japan. You can compare deposit and receiving options, fees and transfer speeds, then click the "Go to site" button when you've found the best one to get your money to Japan.

Cheapest way to send money to Japan

Bank transfers are typically the cheapest way to get your money to Japan. MoneyGram and Western Union have some of the lowest bank transfer fees of the brands we've compared.

When you're hunting down the cheapest ways to send money to Japan, it's more important to look at the overall cost of your transfer. This has a couple of elements:

• Transfer fees. While still cheaper than your American bank, some money transfer services charge either a fixed or percentage-based fee for making your transfer.
• Exchange rates. Another way money transfer providers make money is to add a margin to the mid-market USD/JPY exchange rate.

Some providers may charge the mid-market rate but add fees on top. Others may have very low fees but apply a markup on the exchange rate. This means it is important to compare exactly how many yens your recipient will end up with.

Fastest way to send money to Japan

Many online providers can offer transfers to Japan within minutes, although you're likely to pay a premium for the convenience.

Here are some of the fastest average transfer speeds to Japan:

• Wise (TransferWise) — within minutes
• MoneyGram — within minutes
• Western Union — within minutes

Actual transfer times from the United States to Japan can depend on several different factors including transfer amount, payment method and currency.

Safest way to send money to Japan

The safest way to get your money to Japan is to use a provider registered with the United States's industry regulator, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. All of the companies we've compared in our table are overseen by a local regulator and comply with the relevant laws and regulations in both the United States and Japan.

A great way to dive deeper is by reading our extended reviews of each transfer service and researching first-hand customer feedback on Trustpilot and similar platforms.

Large money transfers to Japan

If you need to make a sizable money transfer to Japan, consider using a provider such as OFX or Xe to benefit from its expertise in handling larger transfer amounts.

Using a large transfer specialist can have the following advantages:

• Tax guidance. Large transfers to Japan may have tax implications for you or your recipient. A transfer specialist can help get you up to speed on IRS's latest advice.
• Foreign exchange (forex) tools. Advanced tools such as forward contracts, limit orders and stop-loss orders can help you lock in the JPY exchange rate you want.
• Account manager. Some money transfer providers assign a personal account manager who can help and advise you on your transfer needs.
• Phone service. If you want to talk your transfer through with someone, providers such as Airwallex and Wise (TransferWise) can give you support over the phone.

How to send money to Japan from the US

To send money to Japan, you'll need the necessary documentation, your recipient's details and a way to pay.

1. Compare your options.
   
   Use our table to find a money transfer provider that sends funds to Japan. One may be better for cash pickups while another may suit a bank transfer. Once you've found the best one for your requirements, click "Go to site".
2. Create an account.
   
   You'll need to give your name, address, contact details, proof of ID and method of payment.
3. Provide your recipient's details.
   
   Enter your recipient's name and contact information. If you're sending straight to their Japanese bank account, you'll need the account number, SWIFT or IBAN plus their bank branch's address.
4. Enter your transfer amount.
   
   Check you're happy with the fees, exchange rates and transfer speed, then enter the amount you wish to send. Double-check the total yens your recipient gets.
5. Complete your transfer.
   
   Send your money transfer to Japan. Keep your transaction reference number safe so you can track your transfer. Your recipient may need it too.

Example: Sakura sends money to Japan

Sakura is working in the United States as a digital marketer and she stays in regular contact with her elderly parents back home in Japan. Her parents need some funds to help pay off a mortgage, so Sakura plans to send them $2,000 from the United States.

She decides to compare a bank and a money transfer specialist to see which one can save the most money on her transaction.

	Bank	Money transfer company
Exchange rate	1 USD = 151.88 JPY	1 USD = 153.89 JPY
Transfer fee	$10	$2.50
Transfer method	Bank account deposit	Bank account deposit
Processing time	2 - 5 working days	Next day
Amount received	302,237.39 JPY	307,392.66 JPY

The money transfer company enables Sakura to send an extra ¥5,155.27, which is transferred straight to her parents' MUFG Bank account.

How to choose the best money transfer companies to send money to Japan

When choosing a money transfer provider to send money from the United States to Japan, it's important to consider the cost, how you want your recipient to receive the funds and the turnaround time. Here are other features to review:

• Exchange rates. Banks and transfer services use the mid-market rate to trade with one another. It is the best rate you can get. However, not all money transfer providers offer you this mid-market rate so compare the JPY you're offered to the mid-market rate and look for the smallest difference.
• Transfer fees. Are you being charged a flat fee or a percentage of your transfer amount? For example, a provider offering to transfer your money to Japan for a flat or low fee might work out better if you plan to send a large amount.
• Transfer type. Does your recipient have a Japanese bank account or is cash or cell phone top-up a better option? Each transfer type will have different fees. For example, instant cash pickups tend to be more expensive than bank transfers.
• Transfer speed. If you need your transfer to arrive quickly, you can pay for an express delivery. Companies such as Western Union offer instant cash pickups but may charge more. If you're not in a rush, online money transfer services offer the best value and get your money to Japan faster and cheaper than banks.
• Transfer limits. Find out how much you can send with each service. For example, MoneyGram has a transfer limit of $25,000 while Instarem allows unlimited transfers.
• Discounts. Some providers may offer you a free transfer simply for signing up. Others may offer a discount if you transfer more than a specific amount of yens.

Is this a good time to send money to Japan?

Compared to a month ago, the US dollar is stronger against the yen. Currently $5,000 is equivalent to ¥773,310.00, whereas a month ago, $5,000 was equivalent to ¥744,600.00. That's an increase of 3.86% over the past month.

Similarly, compared to a year ago, the US dollar is again stronger against the yen. A year ago, $5,000 was equivalent to ¥669,920.00. That's an increase of 15.43% over 12 months.

So based on those two quick glances back, yes, it's a relatively good time to send money to Japan, and your US dollars will go further than they would have. But what's more important, however, is where the strength of the US dollar against the yen goes from here – which is harder to call.

Frequently asked questions

• How can I pay for my transfer to Japan?

  There are multiple ways to pay for your money transfer to Japan. The most common payment methods include bank transfer, credit card and debit card.

  How you pay can influence how quickly your yens arrive and the total cost of your transfer, so consider both when deciding.

• What details do I need to send money to Japan?

  • Photo identification: Most providers require a driver's license, passport or other American government-issued ID.
  • A way to pay: Your options depend on the provider's services. Popular methods include cash, debit or credit card and bank account transfers.
  • Recipient information: You'll need their name (matching their ID) plus contact details. If sending to a Japanese bank account, you'll need their account number, SWIFT and branch details.

• What is required to receive money in Japan?

  • Transfer number: The reference number – sometimes called a PIN, MTCN or tracking number.
  • Government-issued ID: An official ID, such as a Japanese passport or driver's license.
  • The transfer amount: To know how much has been sent, usually to within 10% of the total.
  • Sender information: The sender's name and address and the transfer's country of origin.

• How much money can I send online to Japan?

  This depends on the provider you choose as each will have its own sending limit. For example, services such as Wise (TransferWise) and Instarem allow you to transfer as little as $1 while others will have a significantly higher minimum threshold.

  Remember that some providers will have maximum transfer amounts as well, either as a result of American tax policies or because their service is more limited. If you need to send a large transfer, look for a provider that has higher or no sending limits to Japan.

• How long will it take for my money to arrive in Japan?

  The turnaround time for a money transfer to Japan depends on the provider and how you pay for the transfer. Expect your transfer to arrive within minutes if you pay using cash or with a debit or credit card. Paying by bank transfer can take longer – usually 2–5 days.

• Can I send money to Japan without a bank account?

  Yes, you can still send a money transfer if neither you nor your recipient in Japan has a bank account. Look at cash transfer providers such as Instarem where you can pay with cash and your recipient can collect it as cash or as mobile phone reload on the other end.