Sending Money Home
At some point during your stay here you will probably want to send money home. You can do so from banks and post offices. However, it is worth mentioning that none of the methods are entirely fail-proof, so it is worth checking the conditions concerning the transfer and confirming the safe arrival of your money.
Bank remittances: You should be able to send money from your local bank branch, even if they do not display an ‘authorised for foreign transactions’ sign. However, it may take a little longer than usual, as the transaction will be routed via a branch that is authorised for foreign transactions. The following transaction types are available through banks:
Transaction Type/Method/Fee/Days Required
bankers draft (送金小切手sôkin kogitte)/Remitter sends international remittance cheque through post./approx. ¥2,500*/10~14
mail transfer (普通送金 futsû sôkin)/Bank sends money by post to a specified bank account overseas./approx. ¥2,500*/10~20
telegraphic transfer (電信送金 denshin sôkin)/Bank sends money by telegraph to a specified bank account overseas./approx. ¥4,500*/approx. 7
* These figures are a guide only. Fees for bank remittances vary depending on which country money is sent to and the receiving bank’s charges.
Post office Remittances: these can be either by mail, in the form of a money order, or telegraphic, in the form of a telex or telegram.
(Note: telegraphic remittances are not available to some countries.)
Transaction Type/Method/Fee/Days Required
mail remittance (通常扱い送金 tsûjô atsukai sôkin)/A money order is issued by the post office and sent either by the post office or the customer. /From ¥700 to ¥2,000 (depending on amount sent)./generally 10~14
(times may vary for certain countries)
telegraphic remittance (電信扱い送金 denshin atsukai sôkin)/Details of remittance are transmitted by telex or telegram to the destination country./By telex¥1,000 - By telegram¥4,400/2~4
(This method is not available to some countries)
Apart from the methods detailed in the above table, JET’s with ‘giro’ post office accounts in their home countries can use this system to transfer money through post offices in Japan. (Countries where this service is available include, among others, United Kingdom, Austria and France.)
For further information on the Post Office remittances, a booklet with detailed explanations of international remittances in English and Japanese is available from most post offices. Ask for 国際送金のご案内(kokusai sôkin no goannai).