RatesRemit LogoRatesRemit
Back to Blog
Guides

Cash Pickup in the Philippines from Japan: Best Services Compared 2026

ByRatesRemit Team

If you’re one of the 300,000+ Filipinos living in Japan, you already know the drill: every yen counts when you’re supporting family back home. But when an emergency strikes—think medical bills, school enrolment, or typhoon repairs—bank deposits can be too slow. That’s when cash pickup becomes a lifeline. Your recipient in Manila, Cebu, or Davao can walk into a branch or partner outlet and leave with pesos in hand, often within minutes.

Below, we compare the six Japan-licensed remitters that let you send JPY for cash pickup in PHP—Wise, SmileRemit, JpRemit, BrastelRemit, CityRemit, and KyodaiRemit—so you can choose the fastest, cheapest, and safest option without scrolling through 20 browser tabs.

Why Cash Pickup Still Matters in 2026

  • No bank account needed – 44 % of Filipino adults remain unbanked (BSP 2025 survey).
  • Instant liquidity – Recipients collect pesos even on weekends or holidays.
  • Emergency-ready – Typhoons or power outages can knock out inter-bank systems; cash counters stay open.

How Cash Pickup Works from Japan

  1. You initiate the transfer online or at a kiosk in Japan.
  2. Provider converts JPY → PHP and issues a unique transaction number (TN).
  3. You share the TN and a secret code (if any) with your recipient via SMS/Viber.
  4. Recipient walks into a pickup location with one valid Philippine ID.
  5. Cash is counted and handed over; both sides get an SMS confirmation.

Side-by-Side Comparison (JPY 50,000 transfer, 29 Jan 2026)

Provider Fee (JPY) FX Rate (1 JPY→PHP) PHP Delivered Speed Main Pickup Partner # of Locations
Wise 590 0.385 18,909 5 min–2 h Cebuana Lhuillier 3,500+
SmileRemit 0 0.378 18,900 30 min–4 h M Lhuillier 3,000+
JpRemit 700 0.383 18,815 15 min–3 h Palawan Pawnshop 3,300+
BrastelRemit 500 0.380 18,775 1–6 h LBC 1,500+
CityRemit 400 0.379 18,745 2–12 h RD Pawnshop 2,200+
KyodaiRemit 880 0.382 18,692 20 min–5 h Cebuana + GCash 3,500+

Rates frozen at 14:00 JST 29 Jan 2026; live spreads vary by the minute.

Deep Dive: Each Service Explained

Wise – Best for Transparent Mid-Market Rate

  • Cash pickup launched 2024; still the only non-bank in Japan to use the real mid-market rate.
  • Flat fee JPY 590 regardless of amount; no FX margin hidden.
  • Cebuana Lhuillier handles payout; open daily till 20:00 even in provincial malls.
  • Auto-notifications in English & Tagalog; recipient needs only the 9-digit “Wise code” + ID.
  • Catch: You must pay via Japanese online banking (no konbini cash).

SmileRemit – Zero-Fee Hero

  • No transfer fee on amounts above JPY 30,000; FX markup is a modest 0.8 %.
  • M Lhuillier branches are everywhere—from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi.
  • Optional door-to-door delivery for PHP 250 extra (useful for seniors).
  • First-time users get JPY 1,000 Amazon JP voucher after 3 sends.
  • Catch: Daily limit is JPY 200,000; larger amounts split into next-day batches.

JpRemit – Speed Demon via Palawan

  • 15-minute average payout time during Palawan operating hours (8 am–5 pm).
  • Fee drops to JPY 500 if you schedule recurring sends (weekly/monthly).
  • Palawan Express has 3,300+ counters inside 7-Eleven stores—perfect for recipients commuting home.
  • English & Tagalog phone support until 22:00 JST.
  • Catch: Palawan closes on Good Friday & Christmas—plan ahead.

BrastelRemit – Old Reliable with LBC

  • LBC branches double as courier desks; recipients can collect cash and a balikbayan box in one stop.
  • Brastel phone card holders can pay remittance fee using leftover call credits—handy for OFW caregivers.
  • FX markup 1.3 %, but first transfer fee waived when you top up Brastel VoIP account with JPY 3,000.
  • Catch: LBC counters shut at 18:00 in many provinces; rural recipients may need to ride into town.

CityRemit – Budget Option for Small Sends

  • Flat JPY 400 fee even if you send only JPY 10,000—cheapest percentage-wise.
  • RD Pawnshop payout points inside Puregold & NCCC malls; open 09:00–19:00 including Sundays.
  • Instant SMS in Taglish the moment cash is released.
  • Catch: RD requires the original SMS—screenshots not accepted; tell your recipient to keep the message.

KyodaiRemit – Dual Payout (Cash + GCash)

  • Only provider that lets the sender split the remittance: 50 % cash pickup, 50 % to GCash wallet.
  • GCash credit lands in real time; recipient can then pay bills or buy load instantly.
  • Cebuana counters handle the cash half; same 3,500+ network as Wise.
  • Loyalty card gives 1 % cashback in Ponta points after 10 transfers.
  • Catch: Highest flat fee (JPY 880) and slightly lower FX rate; best for tech-savvy recipients.

Hidden Costs & How to Avoid Them

  1. ID mismatch – Philippine middle names often cause hiccups. Enter the exact name on the recipient’s primary ID (passport, UMID, driver’s licence).
  2. Peso shortage – Rural outlets occasionally run out of small bills. Ask your recipient to call ahead or choose a mall branch.
  3. SMS delays – Japan→PH cross-carrier lag can hold up the TN. Screenshot the confirmation screen and send via Viber/WhatsApp as backup.
  4. Promo stacking – SmileRemit and BrastelRemit both run JPY 0 fee campaigns during Golden Week & Christmas. Time your transfers to overlap.

Step-by-Step: Sending Your First Cash Pickup Transfer

We’ll use Wise as the example (fastest mid-market rate), but the flow is similar across all six providers.

1. Create Your Account

  • Download Wise (iOS/Android) or visit wise.com.
  • Verify My Number card + passport—takes 3 min via app camera.

2. Enter Transfer Details

  • Send JPY 50,000 → PHP cash pickup.
  • Choose “Cebuana Lhuillier”; enter recipient’s full name & mobile number.

3. Pay in JPY

  • Select “Bank transfer”; Wise shows a virtual account at MUFG.
  • Send JPY 50,590 (50 k + 590 fee) via your online banking or ATM.

4. Share the Code

  • Once Wise receives yen, you get a 9-digit pickup code.
  • Screenshot & send to your recipient with:
    “Bring UMID + code 987654321 to any Cebuana before 20:00 today.”

5. Track & Confirm

  • Recipient gets SMS once pesos are counted.
  • You receive email confirmation; Wise marks transfer “Complete.”

Pro Tips for Frequent Senders

  • Batch vs. single: If you send weekly, JpRemit’s recurring plan cuts fee by 29 %.
  • Rate alerts: Set a Wise rate alert at 1 JPY = 0.39 PHP; transfer only when triggered.
  • Emergency kit: Keep a BrastelRemit account as backup—its LBC network stays open during long Philippine holidays when banks close.
  • Receipt vault: Ask recipients to photograph the cash-payout receipt; you’ll need it for any refund claim within 180 days.

Security Checklist

✅ Never share the pickup code on social media.
✅ Double-check branch opening hours on the partner’s official FB page—many scammers clone them.
✅ Use 2FA on your remit app; Japanese SIM-swap fraud is rising.
✅ Keep the transfer receipt (PDF) until the pickup SMS arrives.

Bottom Line: Which Should You Choose?

  • Need the absolute most pesos? Wise’s mid-market rate wins even after the JPY 590 fee.
  • Hate fees? SmileRemit’s zero-fee above JPY 30 k is unbeatable.
  • In a mad rush? JpRemit’s 15-minute Palawan payout is the fastest tested.
  • Sending to a province with no malls? BrastelRemit’s LBC + courier combo saves a second trip.
  • Want flexibility? KyodaiRemit’s cash + GCash split covers both digital and physical needs.

Still unsure? Run your exact amount and preferred pickup city through our real-time engine to see live fees, rates, and estimated arrival for all six providers in one screen.

RatesRemit's Comparison Tool

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I pay in cash at a Japanese convenience store?
A: Only SmileRemit and BrastelRemit accept konbini payments (Lawson, FamilyMart).