Sending money to Nepal from Japan can feel overwhelming—different providers, confusing fees, and the fear your rupees won’t arrive on time. Whether you’re supporting family in Kathmandu, paying tuition in Pokhara, or topping up a medical bill, this first-time checklist walks you through every step so your JPY→NPR transfer lands safely, cheaply, and fast.
1. Know Your “Why” and “How Much”
Before you open any app, write down:
- Purpose: family support, loan repayment, donation, investment
- Amount in JPY you can comfortably send this month
- Nepali rupee (NPR) amount your recipient expects to receive
Having these numbers stops you from over-sending or under-sending and helps you compare total cost (fee + exchange-rate margin) instead of just the upfront charge.
2. Double-Check Legal Limits & Tax Rules
Japan side
- Annual ¥1 million gift-tax exemption per recipient (calendar year).
- MyNumber verification required for any single transfer ≥JPY 1 million or cumulative transfers ≥JPY 2 million per year.
Nepal side
- NPR 1 million per remittance without additional Nepal Rastra Bank paperwork.
- Cash pickup capped at NPR 50,000 per transaction; larger sums must go to a bank account.
Tip: If you plan to send more than ¥500,000 in one go, ask your provider in advance for the MyNumber form—it saves 24–48 h of delay.
3. Choose the Right Delivery Speed
| Delivery Type | Typical Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Instant cash pickup | 5–30 min | Emergencies, rural areas |
| Same-day bank | 2–6 h | Cities with Nabil, NIC Asia, Everest Bank |
| Next-day bank | 12–24 h | Standard family support |
| Economy | 2–3 days | Scheduled school fees, low-cost priority |
SmileRemit and KyodaiRemit offer instant cash to 1,400+ IME agents; Wise and CityRemit default to next-day bank credit but cost less.
4. Compare Total Cost, Not Just the Fee
Example: sending JPY 50,000 to NPR today
| Provider | Fee | FX Rate | NPR Received | Total Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | ¥350 | 0.985 (mid-market) | NPR 48,250 | Low |
| SmileRemit | ¥290 | 0.975 | NPR 47,850 | Medium |
| BrastelRemit | ¥0 | 0.965 | NPR 48,250 | Medium |
| JapanRemit | ¥490 | 0.980 | NPR 47,550 | High |
*Total cost = (JPY sent) – (NPR received ÷ FX Google rate).
Takeaway: A “zero-fee” deal can still be expensive if the FX mark-up is wide.
RatesRemit's Comparison Tool updates live spreads so you never have to guess.
5. Verify Recipient Details—Once, Twice, Forever
Cash pickup
- Exact name on recipient’s citizenship card (Devanagari spelling is OK).
- Mobile number with Nepal country code (+977).
Bank deposit
- Full 14-digit Nepal bank account (Nabil, NIC Asia, Siddhartha, etc.).
- Bank’s full SWIFT/BIC (e.g., NARBNPKA for Nabil).
- Branch address—some providers ask for it on large transfers.
Common first-timer mistake: using a shortened name like “R. Sharma” instead of “Ram Hari Sharma”→ pickup denied, fee lost.
6. Pick Your Provider: 6 Japan→Nepal Options
Only these six providers operate legally from Japan to Nepal under current FSA guidelines:
- Wise – best mid-market rate, bank-to-bank only, transparent fee.
- SmileRemit – 5-min cash pickup via IME, app in Japanese & English.
- JpRemit – flat ¥390 fee, lock-in rate for 48 h, good for large amounts.
- BrastelRemit – zero fee days twice a month, rewards points.
- CityRemit – same-day to Nabil & NIC Asia, phone support in Nepali.
- KyodaiRemit – largest agent network outside Kathmandu Valley.
How to decide in 30 seconds:
- Need cash in village? → SmileRemit or KyodaiRemit.
- Want cheapest overall? → Wise or BrastelRemit on zero-fee day.
- Sending >¥1 million? → JpRemit (rate lock) or CityRemit (dedicated desk).
7. Complete KYC Before You Send
Japan-regulated providers require:
- MyNumber card or notification card + passport/residence card.
- Selfie liveness check (Wise, SmileRemit).
- Proof of address <90 old (utility bill, ward office certificate).
Upload documents during weekday mornings (JST); most providers approve within 2 h. Once verified, you can send 24/7.
Bonus Tips for First-Timers
- Start small: send JPY 10,000 as a test; confirm receipt, then scale up.
- Track the transfer: every provider gives a 9-digit PIN or URL—share it with your recipient so they can monitor too.
- Save receipts: Japanese tax office may ask for remittance proof if you claim dependent deduction.
- Use rate alerts: Wise and BrastelRemit let you set JPY→NPR rate alerts; transfer only when you hit your desired level.
- Bundle monthly sends: one ¥100,000 transfer is cheaper than four ¥25,000 transfers.
Quick Recap Checklist
- Purpose & amount decided
- Legal limits checked
- Delivery speed chosen
- Total cost compared on RatesRemit's Comparison Tool
- Recipient details triple-checked
- KYC documents uploaded & approved
- First small test transfer completed
Tick every box and your maiden voyage from Japan to Nepal will be smooth, low-cost, and stress-free. Welcome to confident remitting!