Best Way to Send Money from Italy to Japan
Because banks shouldn't hide your money in spreads.
We expose the real cost of every transfer — the spread, the fees, the delivery time — and rank providers by what actually lands in your recipient's account. No sponsored ordering. Ever.
Which provider is cheapest to send money from Italy to Japan in 2026?
Hover any card to see exactly what it costs you.
How has the EUR/JPY exchange rate changed recently?
vs Traditional Banks
You save up to JPY 13680
on a EUR 900 transfer
Wise
BEST RATEBank of America
+5% markup + $35 wire fee
Wells Fargo
+4.5% markup + $25 wire fee
Sending euros to Japan doesn't have to drain your wallet on hidden fees. This step-by-step guide walks you through choosing the right provider, timing your transfer, and getting funds into a Japan Post Bank or MUFG account at the best possible rate.
In Japan, recipients can access funds directly at MUFG — Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, the country's largest financial institution. By using Wise instead of a traditional bank wire, your recipient gets approximately 7,790 JPY more on a $1,000 transfer — because digital providers pass the real exchange rate directly. Worth knowing about the local currency: Japan's ¥10,000 note has featured industrialist Shibusawa Eiichi since 2024 — the first redesign since 1984 and the first note to use holographic portraits.
Our verdict: Use a digital provider like Wise or Revolut instead of an Italian bank — you'll save 3-8% on the EUR/JPY exchange rate every single time.
Understanding the EUR to JPY Corridor
The Italy-to-Japan money transfer corridor serves a specific community: Italian expatriates working in Tokyo or Osaka, families supporting students at Japanese universities, businesses paying Japanese suppliers, and Japanese nationals returning home after working in Italian fashion, automotive, or hospitality industries. Whether you're sending €500 for a family member's monthly expenses or €10,000 for a property down payment in Kyoto, following the right steps will save you significant money on every transfer.
Step 1: Identify the Hidden Fees Before You Send
Before clicking "send" on any platform, you need to look at two separate costs. First, check the flat transfer fee — this is usually displayed clearly, ranging from €0 to €25. Second, and more importantly, compare the exchange rate offered against the mid-market rate (the real rate you see on Google or XE.com). The difference is called the exchange rate markup, and this is where banks quietly extract most of their profit. A bank might advertise "zero fees" while applying a 3-5% markup on the EUR/JPY rate, costing you €150 on a €3,000 transfer without you ever seeing a line item.
Step 2: Choose a Digital Provider Over Your Italian Bank
Your second action should be to skip Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, or BPER for international transfers. Digital specialists like Wise, Remitly, Revolut, and WorldRemit consistently beat traditional Italian banks by 3% to 8% on the EUR to JPY exchange rate. Wise typically uses the mid-market rate with a transparent fee around 0.4-0.6%. Revolut offers free transfers up to a monthly limit on standard plans. Remitly and WorldRemit often run promotional rates for first-time senders. Open accounts with two providers so you can compare quotes side-by-side every time you transfer.
Step 3: Pick the Right Delivery Speed
Once you've chosen a provider, select your speed tier carefully. Instant or express transfers (often arriving within minutes to a few hours) carry premium fees and are worth it only for emergencies — medical situations, missed rent deadlines, or urgent business payments. For routine transfers like family support or tuition, choose the economy option, which typically settles in 1-2 business days at a fraction of the cost. Keep in mind Japan operates on JST (UTC+9), so a transfer initiated Friday afternoon in Milan may not credit until Monday in Tokyo regardless of speed tier.
Step 4: Confirm the Recipient's Bank Details Carefully
Before submitting, verify the recipient's full bank details: branch code, seven-digit account number, account holder name in Latin characters (romaji), and SWIFT/BIC code. The two largest receiving banks in Japan are Japan Post Bank (Yucho) and MUFG Bank, and most digital providers can deliver directly to accounts at either institution. This matters because Japan Post Bank (Yucho) is the largest bank by depositors in Japan, and many migrant workers and students use it as their primary receiving account for international transfers thanks to its dense branch network across rural and urban Japan. Confirm whether the recipient holds an "ordinary" (futsu) or "savings" (chochiku) account, as this affects routing.
Step 5: Understand the Regulatory Side
Standard banking regulations apply for sending from Italy to Japan, so most personal transfers proceed without complications. However, transfers above €15,000 may trigger additional source-of-funds documentation under EU anti-money-laundering rules, and Japanese banks may request a brief explanation for incoming amounts above ¥1 million. Have a payslip, contract, or invoice ready as proof if you're sending larger sums.
Step 6: Time Your Transfer for Better Rates
Finally, apply a few timing tricks. The EUR/JPY pair tends to be most liquid (and spreads tightest) during the European afternoon when both London and Tokyo desks overlap briefly. Avoid weekends — rates lock at Friday close and digital providers add weekend buffers. For non-urgent transfers, set up rate alerts on Wise or Revolut to notify you when EUR/JPY moves in your favor by 1-2%. If you transfer regularly, consolidate smaller amounts into larger monthly transfers to dilute flat fees, but split very large transfers (above €20,000) across two days to reduce single-transaction scrutiny.