- A Practical Money Guide for Students and Foreign Workers in Japan
- Can Students and Foreign Workers Use Wise in Japan? (TransferWise Japan)
- Why Money Disappears Quickly in Japan
- What Wise Is (Explained Simply)
- Purpose of This Guide: Save Money Every Month with Wise
- How to Save Money When Sending Money Home
- Receiving Money from Home with Wise
- How Students and Trainees Commonly Use Wise
- Everyday Ways to Save Money with Wise
- Is Wise Safe?
- Important Things to Know Before Using Wise
- Who Benefits Most from Wise?
- How to Start Using Wise
- Final Message: Wise Makes Life in Japan More Affordable
A Practical Money Guide for Students and Foreign Workers in Japan
Managing your finances in Japan can feel difficult, especially if it’s your first time living abroad. You need to pay rent, buy food, sometimes send money home, receive support from family, travel, or pay tuition.
For many international students, technical trainees, and new workers, the biggest challenge is handling money that moves between Japan and another country.
This guide explains how to use Wise to make everyday money management simpler and cheaper—without complicated financial terms.
The goal is simple: help you save money and avoid unnecessary fees while living in Japan.
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you choose to use them, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These partnerships help support this site and allow us to provide accurate, independent, and up-to-date financial guidance for foreign residents in Japan.
Can Students and Foreign Workers Use Wise in Japan? (TransferWise Japan)
Yes. Wise works fully in Japan for international students, technical trainees, and foreign workers.
Many people still search for “TransferWise Japan”, but Wise is the current official brand and is widely used by residents living in Japan.
If you need to send money home, receive support from family, or manage multiple currencies while living in Japan, Wise is one of the simplest and cheapest options available.
Why Money Disappears Quickly in Japan
Expensive overseas bank transfers
Sending money abroad using a Japanese bank often costs much more than people expect:
- approx. 2,000–5,000 yen per transfer
- Extra receiving fees
- Hidden exchange-rate markups can be significant, and delivery can take several business days depending on the route, currency, and bank checks.
Most people don’t realize how much they lose every month.
High cost of sending salary home
Many trainees and workers support their families. But using banks often means:
- Losing approx. 6,000–12,000 yen per 100,000 yen
- Paying monthly fees again and again
- Poor exchange rates that reduce the amount received
Needing multiple currencies
Foreign residents often need to:
receive money from family, pay tuition, travel, or prepare to move home.
Japanese banks work well domestically, but not internationally.
Why International Transfers Cost More with Japanese Banks
Here is a simple comparison showing why international transfers feel more expensive with Japanese banks.
| Point | Wise | Japanese Banks |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Fees | Low and shown upfront | High and often unclear |
| Exchange Rate | Real market rate | Bank rate with markup |
| Speed | Minutes to 1 day | 1–5 business days |
| Final Amount | Known before sending | Often unclear until received |
| Language Support | English app | Mostly Japanese |
| Best For | Sending money home | Domestic banking only |
You can check the exact fee and exchange rate for your transfer from Japan instantly with Wise before sending any money.
What Wise Is (Explained Simply)
Wise is an international money service that works fully in Japan, allowing residents to send, receive, exchange, and hold multiple currencies at low cost.
Think of it as:
- A fast way to send money home
- A cheaper alternative to bank remittances
- An international multi-currency wallet
- A simple English-language app with clear fees
Wise is especially helpful for students, trainees, caregivers, teachers, and anyone sending or receiving money across borders.
Everything can be done from your phone—no need to visit a bank.
Purpose of This Guide: Save Money Every Month with Wise
Most guides only teach “how to send money with Wise.”
This guide teaches how to reduce everyday financial losses in Japan.
Simple changes—like sending at the right time—can save:
- approx. 1,000–5,000 yen monthly
- Time and stress
- Unexpected charges
These are real, practical tips used by foreign residents.
How to Save Money When Sending Money Home
Why Japanese banks cost too much
Banks use the expensive SWIFT system, add hidden exchange-rate markups, and charge multiple fees. They also take longer and don’t show the final amount the recipient gets.
Why Wise is cheaper
With Wise:
- Fees are usually only a few hundred yen
- You see the exact amount your family receives
- Rates match Google’s rate
- Money often arrives within minutes or hours
Great for monthly support, small transfers, and emergencies.
Two simple ways to reduce Wise fees further
- Send once per month instead of many small transfers
- Send during Japanese business hours (Mon–Fri, 9:00–17:00)
Receiving Money from Home with Wise
When parents or relatives send money directly to your Japanese bank, fees can be high.
With Wise:
- Your family pays lower fees
- Money arrives faster
- You receive more yen
- No Japanese paperwork needed
It makes life easier on both sides.
How Students and Trainees Commonly Use Wise
Technical interns
- Monthly remittances with lower fees
- Emergency transfers that arrive quickly
- Safely moving savings home before returning
International students
- Parents paying tuition from abroad
- Preparing foreign currency for travel
- Paying for online services in different currencies
Wise helps avoid terrible airport rates and unnecessary card conversion fees.
Everyday Ways to Save Money with Wise
Check rates before sending
If the yen gets stronger, you get more value.
Stronger yen → send more.
Weaker yen → wait if possible.
Prepare currency before travel
Airport exchange counters are expensive.
Exchange inside Wise or use the Wise card abroad to save 5–10%.
Use Wise for payments between friends
Useful for groceries, rent, utilities, or shared meals.
Pay international services without card fees
Wise lets you pay in the correct currency, avoiding Japanese card conversion charges.
Use automatic monthly transfers
Schedule monthly remittances for convenience and predictable budgeting.
Is Wise Safe?
Wise is used by 20+ million people worldwide.
Security features include:
- Encryption
- ID verification
- Login alerts
- Account/card lock
- Regulation inside Japan
It’s as safe as major banks for international transfers.
Important Things to Know Before Using Wise
1. You cannot receive Japanese salary into Wise
A Japanese bank account is still required for salary, rent, and utilities.
2. Large transfers may require verification
3. Cash deposits are not supported
You must transfer from a bank account.
4. Wise Debit Card Availability for Japan-Based Accounts
Depending on your account region, a Wise debit card may not be available for Japan-based accounts. Check your Wise app for current eligibility.
Who Benefits Most from Wise?
Wise is ideal for:
- Technical interns sending money home
- Students receiving support from parents
- People who travel internationally
- Anyone paying for foreign online services
- People preparing to return home
- Anyone tired of expensive Japanese bank fees
If you live between two countries—even temporarily—Wise can save you a lot.
How to Start Using Wise
- Download the Wise app
- Enter your personal information
- Upload ID (passport or residence card)
- Add money from your Japanese bank
- Enter the recipient’s details
- Tap “Send”
Most people finish setup in 10 minutes.
Final Message: Wise Makes Life in Japan More Affordable
Japan is a great place to live, study, and work—but international money can be stressful.
Wise helps you:
- Save money
- Send and receive faster
- Avoid bad exchange rates
- Travel more easily
- Manage money in simple English
For foreign students, workers, and trainees, Wise is one of the most useful tools to make everyday life in Japan cheaper and smoother.
