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日本語版はこちら / Japanese version → 母国への送金はWiseが一番安い
If you send money to Nepal or Sri Lanka every month, the method you choose is worth tens of thousands of yen a year.
Most people use whatever their friends told them about when they arrived. That is reasonable — but it is worth checking once, properly, because the difference is larger than most people expect.
The short version
Sending ¥100,000 to Nepal:
That yearly difference is close to one month’s rent. It is the single easiest saving available to most people reading this.
What people around you actually use
In the Nepali and Sri Lankan communities in Japan, four options come up again and again.
IME and Prabhu
These are Nepal-focused remittance companies with physical shops in areas with large Nepali communities — Shinjuku, Kawasaki, Osaka, Nagoya, Hamamatsu. Staff often speak Nepali, your family can collect cash, and you can pay over the counter.
They are popular for good reasons: trust, cash pickup, and being able to talk to a person in your own language. If your family has no bank account, or lives far from a branch, this may be the only practical choice.
Fees vary by amount and promotion, so compare on the day you send rather than assuming.
Bank transfer
Sending directly from a Japanese bank (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho and others).
- Good: safe, goes straight to the recipient’s account
- Bad: fees of ¥2,000–6,000, plus a poor exchange rate, and 2–5 days to arrive
This is almost always the most expensive option.
Western Union
- Good: cash pickup worldwide, no bank account needed
- Bad: fees of a few percent
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
- Good: uses the real exchange rate, fees around one eighth of a bank’s, arrives as fast as the next day, and you see the exact amount that will arrive before you confirm
- Bad: online only, and the recipient needs a bank account
Comparison
| Method | Cost | Speed | Recipient gets it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | High (¥2,000–6,000) | 2–5 days | Bank account |
| Western Union | Medium–high | Same day–few days | Cash at a shop |
| IME / Prabhu | Varies — compare | Fast | Cash or bank |
| Wise | Low (from a few hundred yen) | As fast as next day | Bank account |
Choose by your family’s situation, not only by fee. If they can receive into a bank account, Wise is usually cheapest. If they need cash in hand, IME, Prabhu or Western Union make more sense even at a higher fee.
Why Wise is cheaper: the hidden cost
Banks often advertise a low transfer fee, then add their margin to the exchange rate instead. You never see that cost as a line item — you only notice that less money arrived than you expected.
Wise uses the mid-market rate (the real rate you see on Google) and charges a visible fee. Same idea, but you can see what you are paying.
How to send with Wise
- Create a free account on the website or app, and upload your residence card (在留カード) or passport.
- Enter the amount — JPY to NPR or LKR. The amount your family will receive appears immediately.
- Add the recipient — name, bank account number, branch code.
- Pay by Japanese bank transfer, debit card or credit card.
If you do not have a card yet, see our guide on cards you can get as a foreign resident.
Bonus through this site
If you register through the link below, you get a fee-free transfer coupon for up to ¥75,000, or a free debit card, applied automatically.
Questions people ask
Do I need a credit card?
No. You can pay from a Japanese bank account or with a debit card.
Does my visa need to be long?
You generally need a residence status of six months or more, plus ID. Requirements can change, so check on the site when you register.
Which banks in Nepal and Sri Lanka work?
Major banks including NIC Asia, Nabil, Sampath and BOC are supported.
Is there tax on money I send home?
Sending money to your family is not taxed on your side. But the income you earn in Japan is taxable — see our guide on tax for part-time workers.
What if my family has no bank account?
Then use IME, Prabhu or Western Union for cash pickup. Wise requires a bank account on the receiving side.
What to do next
You do not have to switch anything today. Do this instead:
The next time you send money, check the amount that will arrive on two services before you pay. Whichever is higher, use that one. That single habit is worth more than any advice in this article.
Related guides
- Cards you can get as a foreign resident in Japan
- Tax rules if you work part-time
- The complete guide to part-time work
- Registering your address (juminhyo)
If this saved you money, send it to someone who sends money home every month. Most people never compare, and lose the same ¥5,000 every time.
