Wise Review

Finding an affordable, transparent, and convenient financial tool that works across borders is often easier said than done. This Wise review explores how Wise can simplify life for expats in Japan, offering a reliable way to hold, send, and spend multiple currencies at low cost. It will cover its main features, services, and pricing, and why it has become a go-to solution for internationally mobile people.

Before diving into the details, here is an overview of what you will find in this guide:

Wise: Key points

• Founded in 2011: Wise has grown rapidly and now serves around 12 million+ active customers worldwide;
• Secure funds: Your money is protected with industry-leading security systems, giving you peace of mind when sending or holding money;
• Multi-currency management: You can hold and manage 40+ currencies in a single account, making it easy to live or work internationally;
• Global transfers: Send money to 40+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate, without hidden fees;
• No monthly fees for a personal account: Wise personal accounts come without maintenance fees, keeping costs low for everyday use.

What is Wise?

Wise is an international payment, account and card provider, which launched in 2011, that lets you hold multiple currencies in one place and convert them within seconds. With account details available in 20+ currencies, receiving money from abroad is seamless. You can also send money to 40+ countries using the mid-market exchange rate. Wise is widely recognised for its transparency, with no hidden fees and clear, upfront pricing, making it a convenient and cost-effective solution for expats and international travellers.

Wise products and services

Wise offers a range of options that can make travelling and living abroad easier and more affordable. Get to know the top products and services the company offers, and visit Wise’s website to learn all the details:

• International money transfer: Send money abroad to 40+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate, with no exchange rate markups and low fees. 70%+ of transfers arrive within seconds.*
• Multi-currency account with account details: Manage 40+ currencies in a single account and access account details for 20+ currencies. This allows you to receive money conveniently in different parts of the world.
• Wise debit card: Use the physical card to spend at home or abroad and withdraw cash from ATMs. This multi-currency card is linked to your Wise account, allowing you to hold funds in various currencies. If needed, the card automatically converts to the required currency.
• Business account: For businesses, the Wise business account makes it easy to pay and get paid in different currencies. It helps you collaborate, sell, and buy internationally with greater efficiency, all while benefiting from Wise’s low fees and the mid-market exchange rate.

*The speed of transaction claims depends on individual circumstances and may not be available for all transactions

Is Wise safe?

Yes, Wise takes multiple measures to protect your money. The platform uses two-factor authentication and strong encryption to secure your account. You also receive instant transaction notifications in the Wise app, and cards can be frozen or cancelled at any time if needed. Manual and automatic anti-fraud systems operate 24/7 to detect and prevent unauthorised activity. Wise also provides dedicated customer support via in-app chat, email, or phone.

As with any financial account, active vigilance is essential. Do not share your login details, and regularly check your account to ensure no unusual activity has occurred.

Is Wise available in Japan?

Yes, Wise is available in Japan. Residents can easily open an account by visiting the website or downloading the app, clicking “Register”, and following the prompts. Once the account is set up and verified, it can be used immediately. You can also order a Wise debit card if desired. This lets you make purchases, withdraw cash, send funds within Japan and abroad, and receive money in 20+ currencies.

It’s helpful to know that while the Wise card can be used for local JPY withdrawals in Japan, it’s only supported at AEON, E-net, and Daily Yamazaki ATMs.

Your Wise card will continue to work seamlessly when travelling outside Japan, except in countries or regions restricted due to global sanctions or practical limitations, including: Afghanistan, Belarus, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Republic of South Sudan, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Venezuela, and the Ukraine regions: Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia.

Many expats in Japan choose Wise because it makes travelling, managing multiple currencies, and handling international transfers simple, fast, and cost-effective. At the same time, it remains practical for everyday life in Japan, supporting local payments, purchases, and cash withdrawals.

Wise pricing

Wise’s pricing is structured to be transparent and fair, with no hidden fees or exchange rate markups.

When converting money, the company uses the mid-market exchange rate – you can find it when you google currency pairs – and applies a small upfront fee that varies depending on the currency and payment method. When sending money, all fees are clearly displayed before you confirm a transfer, so you always know exactly how much you are paying and how much your recipient will receive. Discounts automatically apply when sending larger amounts, starting from 25,000 USD (or equivalent), helping you save more on high-value transfers.

The table below summarises the main Wise personal account fees for clients living in Japan:

Features	Wise personal account fees
Opening a Wise account	Free
Maintenance/monthly fees	Free
Receiving money from abroad	Free for domestic payments (non-Swift/non-wire) in 8+ currencies;Wire and Swift payments have a fixed fee per payment
Sending money abroad	From 0.73%A discount applies when sending over 25,000 USD (or equivalent)
Currency exchange	From 0.73%
Getting a Wise card	1,200 JPY
Wise card ATM withdrawal	No fee for up to 25,000 JPY/month withdraw*. After that, 100 JPY/withdrawal1.75% on any amount over 25,000 JPY *Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks

Wise pros and cons

Wise pros	Wise cons
✅ Opening a personal account has no fees or maintenance costs; ✅ Multi-currency account with 40+ currencies and the possibility of an associated debit card; ✅ Send money to 40+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees; ✅ 70% of transfers are instant, and most arrive within an hour;* ✅ Secure and regulated provider.	❌ Does not allow sending or receiving transfers in cash; ❌ Local withdrawals in Japan only supported at AEON, E-net, and Daily Yamazaki ATMs.

How to create an account with Wise

You can open a Wise account in just a few minutes, completely online. Follow these steps:

1. Visit https://wise.com/ or download the Wise mobile app;
2. Click “Sign up” or “Register”;
3. Enter your email address;
4. Choose whether you want a personal or business account;
5. Select the country where you live most of the year;
6. Enter your phone number and verify it with the code sent to your device;
7. Create a secure PIN for your account;
8. Start using your Wise account.

To unlock all features and activate your multi-currency account, you will need to complete a verification process by submitting some identification documents.

What documents you’ll need

The documents required for Wise verification may vary. Even if your account is already verified, you might be asked to provide additional documents later, for example when initiating a transfer in a certain currency.

In general, the following documents are required to gain full access to your personal Wise account:

• A valid Japanese photo ID
• A valid My Number document

You’ll be guided through the verification process, and will be asked to confirm your residency status in Japan and the photo ID you will use for verification. You’ll then generate a 4 digit code in the Wise app for verification before uploading images of your ID, the code and a selfie. You must also upload your My Number document.

For Wise business accounts, verification usually requires:

• Personal details and photo ID of the account owner;
• Proof of address for the account owner if they live outside of Japan;
• Business name;
• Business type;
• 13-digit Business MyNumber (法人番号);
• The details of the business;
• Business registered address and trading address;
• Business directors;
• Beneficial owners (name, date of birth, address));
• Certificate of Registered Matters (履歴事項全部証明書) issued within 6 months
• Details of anyone owning 25%+ of the company.

The more information you share about your business, the faster the verification process usually is.

How long does Wise verification take

Wise typically verifies personal accounts within 1 working day. To help speed up the process, ensure that:

• Your documents are valid and not expired;
• The names on your documents match the name registered on your account;
• Photos are clear and not blurred.

Following these tips can help your verification go smoothly and quickly.

Wise limits

Wise applies limits to transfers, withdrawals, and account activities, which can depend on factors such as your country of residence, the currencies involved, and the payment method.

For most personal accounts opened in Japan, the limits are fairly high:

• Holding money: no limit;
• Receiving money: no limit for most currencies;
• Card transaction (payments and withdrawals): 1,000,000 JPY maximum card transaction limit, additional limit information available by logging into your Wise account;
• Withdrawals: Limit information available by logging into your Wise account:
• No fee for up to 30,000 JPY*;
• 70 JPY/withdrawal after the 2nd withdrawal;
• 1.75% on any amount withdrawn over 25,000 JPY in a month.

*Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks

When logged into your account, you can set lower limits for each of your cards (Wise withdrawal limit and total limit) to help manage spending or enhance security. The platform also shows how much has been spent in the current month and how much remains before reaching the limit. You can also define daily spending limits, which match the monthly limits by default but can be adjusted at any time.

When sending JPY, Wise transfer limits vary depending on the destination currency and payment type.

When you’re sending from JPY the amount you can send depends on the way you want to pay. You can usually send:

• 1 million JPY, or equivalent, from your account
• 150 million JPY, or equivalent, using Send and paying from outside Wise — such as from a bank account or card

There may also be limits on the currency you’re sending to:

Currency you are sending money to	Wise minimum and maximum transfer limits (when paying with your Wise account)
AED	1 – 10 000,000 AED
BRL	50 – 250,000 BRL
CAD	0.02 – 1 000,000,000 CAD
CHF	0.51 – 250,000,000 CHF
EUR	0.01 – 1,200,000 EUR
GBP	0.02 – 1,000,000 GBP
INR	1.02 – 100,000,000 INR
SEK	0.11 – 1,000,000,000 SEK
USD	0.01 – 1,600 000 USD

Wise accessibility

Wise is available both on desktop and through a mobile app (for iOS and Android), making it easy to manage your money anytime and anywhere. The platform supports multiple languages, including English and Japanese, ensuring a smooth and localised experience. Its clean and intuitive interfaceis designed for accessibility, allowing users to navigate, send, and convert money with just a few taps. Wise also offers phone, email, and in-app support, as well as clear help articles online, so users can easily find assistance whenever needed.

Wise has implemented several features to make the platform accessible to as many people as possible, including those with disabilities:

• Zoom: You can zoom in up to 200% on both the website and the app;
• Customisable display: Change colours, contrast levels, and fonts using your browser or device settings;
• Keyboard navigation: Navigate the website using only a keyboard;
• Screen readers and speech recognition: Most of the website is compatible with modern screen readers and speech recognition software.

Wise for business

Wise offers two types of accounts: personal and business. The Wise business account is suitable for a wide range of businesses, from freelancers and startups to small and larger companies. It is particularly convenient for businesses that need to send and receive payments in multiple currencies.

Some of the key features of the Wise business account are:

• Global transfers: Send money to 40+ countries;
• Multi-currency account: Manage 40+ currencies in a single account;
• Local account details: Receive money like a local without fees in 8+ currencies, including EUR, USD, and GBP;
• SWIFT account details: Get paid in 20+ currencies including JPY with SWIFT account information
• Real-time operations: Manage all transactions online, and have full control over your company’s finances;
• Wise business debit or expense cards: Tailor each team member’s debit card according to their responsibilities.

Opening a Wise business account has a one-time registration fee of 3,000 JPY with no ongoing maintenance fees. For a full list of Wise business account fees, you can visit Wise’s pricing page.

Conclusion: Is Wise worth it?

Yes, Wise is worth it, especially for international money transfers and travel, thanks to its low fees and mid-market exchange rates. Its multi-currency account is a flexible and cost-effective way to spend money abroad. The fact that Wise is transparent about the fees of each transaction gives users the confidence of knowing exactly what they are paying for. It is a very convenient option for people who travel frequently, send and receive money across countries, or are looking for an affordable and secure account provider in Japan.

Wise review FAQs

Is it safe to transfer money with Wise?

Yes, transferring money with Wise is safe. The platform is trusted by 12 million users and has industry-leading security systems in place, including manual and automatic anti-fraud measures, two-step authentication, and encryption. You also receive real-time notifications on your app, so you can track exactly when and how much money is spent.

How does Wise apply exchange rates?

Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate in its transactions. This is also known as the interbank rate, middle rate, or wholesale exchange rate. It is the rate you find when you google currency pairs. Wise does not add exchange rate markups, charging only a clear and upfront fee. By contrast, banks or other providers may purposely give you a lower rate, meaning you could receive less or pay more than necessary, even if their advertised fees seem low or free. With Wise, what you see is what you get.

Does Wise have a mobile app?

Yes, Wise has a mobile app that can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play.

Is Wise safe to use for large amounts of money for expats in Japan?

Yes, Wise is safe for transferring and holding large sums of money. Wise follows strict rules to protect customers’ funds. Your money is kept in leading commercial banks and in low-risk liquid assets, ensuring it is secure and readily available for any transaction you need. Many expats in Japan use Wise to manage international transfers, pay local bills, and hold balances in multiple currencies safely and conveniently.

Useful resources

• Wise – Landing page for Wise Japan (last checked 2nd February 2026)
• Wise account – Wise personal account (last checked 2nd February 2026)
• Wise personal pricing – Wise pricing for personal accounts (last checked 2nd February 2026)
• Wise international money transfers – Wise international money transfers (last checked 2nd February 2026)
• Wise business – Wise business account (last checked 2nd February 2026)
• Wise business pricing – Wise pricing for business accounts (last checked 2nd February 2026)
• Wise registration page – Create your Wise account (last checked 2nd February 2026)