Sending Money in Japan

If you plan on staying in Japan for any length of time, you will more than likely find one day that you need to send money from Japan to another country.

In recent years the banks here in Japan seem to have become more strict about helping you to send money. Even when you can send money, they will charge you an arm and a leg to do it.

If you didn't realize it the most efficient and cheap method to send money is through the Japan post office.

Some of you may have other suggestions, however many of them pose their own difficulties. I will go through several of the methods for a bit more explanation.

Bank Method
If you really want to get ripped off, then you can go to a bank to help you transfer money. Some of them will require that you have an account there in order for them to assist you.

What you need to do is go and ask for a denshin soukin fo-mu　電信送金　(wire transfer form). As always you'll be presented with a form completely in Japanese. Don't panic now ya here. Most of these forms are pretty standard. I suggest that you at least practice some of the kanji you might need to read the common items such as address (住所) or phone number denwa bango (電話番号). Bank Account Number (銀行口座). Try to take a notepad with you with some words like this related to what a normal bank might ask so you'll know. Some banks will have English speaking tellers who can help a bit, most won't.

At any rate, you'll need to bring a 運転免許 (unten menkyo-syo), 外国人登録証　(gaikoku-jin touroku-syo), or パスポート (passport), since they are very keen on knowing why, when and where people send money these days. (oh I long for the days before 911). Once you fill out this form, then they will ask you if you want to send it from your account or pay it in cash.

The good thing about sending money this way is that it's fastER than the other ways. 2 days. Yes that's turtle speed for the world, but super fast in Japan :)

Another way to send money (and better in my opinion) is via the local 郵便局 (yuubinkyoku or Post Office). The price is reasonable, and although the time is a little longer it will get the job done.


You will want to ask for 国際為替 (kokusai kawase) or 国際郵便為替 (kokusai yubin kawase), which is international money order or international postal money order respectively. They will give you a form which is 1 page carbon. It has 2 large sections, and a small section at the bottom.

The 1st sections can be filled in using English for sender and recipient. The last section you will need to write a reason for sending the money, and also your Address on the bottom right side in Japanese. I recommend you know or practice how to write your address in Japanese. You will do this frequently. Also look up your reason in a Japanese online dictionary and write down the Kanji for it so you can write that on the form too. If it's ambiguous or not in Japanese, they will make you redo it.

Side Note: The best online Japanese dictionary that I've found is ALC.

If you can't remember, just bring your 運転免許 (unten menkyo-syo), 外国人登録証　(gaikoku-jin touroku-syo), or パスポート (passport). You'll need to bring one of those anyway in order to show proof of identify before sending any money. Once you have the Money Order, just fill in the payee and sender info, detach the stub, and send the main portion in an envelope to me for all of my hard work :) hehe.

That's about all I can think of for now. There's many ways to skin a cat. If you are having trouble or have questions, just ask me I can help!