Living in Japan and need to send tuition money to Dhaka, emergency cash to Sylhet, or monthly support to your family in Chattogram? You’re probably staring at two familiar names: JpRemit and CityRemit. Both brands flash Bengali signage in Shin-Okubo and circulate in Facebook groups, but which one actually leaves more taka in your recipient’s wallet?
Below, we unpack every hidden fee, FX margin, and transfer speed for the JPY→BDT corridor—so you can pick the cheaper, faster, and safer option without learning the hard way.
TL;DR – Quick Verdict
- Best for large amounts (¥100,000+): CityRemit edges ahead with a flatter fee curve.
- Best for small, frequent transfers (¥20,000–¥50,000): JpRemit’s lower fixed fee wins.
- Fastest documented delivery: JpRemit (2 h to bKash during banking hours).
- Best promo rate this month: CityRemit is offering +0.15 BDT/¥ on weekends.
- English support: JpRemit 24/7 chat; CityRemit mainly Japanese/Bengali phone.
Bottom line: The gap is razor-thin; always punch today’s numbers into RatesRemit's Comparison Tool before you lock in.
1. Who Are JpRemit and CityRemit?
JpRemit
- Tokyo-based, licensed by Kanto Finance Bureau (No. 00059).
- Specialises in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Philippines corridors.
- 22 partner banks & 8 mobile wallets in Bangladesh (bKash, Nagad, Rocket, Upay, etc.).
CityRemit
- Osaka HQ with Kanto branch; same legal category (takarakin).
- Covers Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal.
- 19 partner banks & 6 wallets; strongest tie with Sonali Bank & bKash.
Both are NOT banks; they are Japan “funds transfer operators” allowed to send max ¥1 million per transaction without a banking license—plenty for most Bangladeshi households.
2. Fee Structures Head-to-Head
| Transfer Amount (¥) | JpRemit Fee | CityRemit Fee | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20,000 | ¥390 | ¥490 | JpRemit |
| 50,000 | ¥690 | ¥790 | JpRemit |
| 100,000 | ¥990 | ¥990 | Tie |
| 200,000 | ¥1,290 | ¥1,190 | CityRemit |
| 500,000 | ¥1,990 | ¥1,490 | CityRemit |
Key insight: JpRemit keeps the fee staircase gradual; CityRemit discounts aggressively above ¥100 k. If you send ¥300 k every quarter, CityRemit saves you ¥1,600 a year in fees alone.
3. Exchange-Rate Mark-up Reality Check
Fees are only half the story—FX margin is the silent budget eater.
We sampled JPY→BDT mid-market (Google) at 1.30 BDT per ¥ on 25 Nov 2025, 11:00 JST:
- JpRemit offered 1.273 → margin 2.1 %
- CityRemit offered 1.268 → margin 2.5 %
On a ¥100 k transfer, that 0.005 difference equals ¥500 more that JpRemit delivers. Combine that with the fee tie at ¥100 k, and JpRemit nets your family ¥500 extra.
But promos flip the script. CityRemit’s weekend “BDT Boost” (+0.015) pushes their rate to 1.283—1% better than mid-market. Moral: timing beats loyalty.
4. Speed & Delivery Options
| Channel | JpRemit | CityRemit |
|---|---|---|
| bKash/Nagad | 10 min–2 h | 30 min–3 h |
| Rocket/Upay | 30 min–4 h | 1–5 h |
| Sonali Bank | Same day 15:00 | Next day 11:00 |
| Islami Bank | Next day | Next day |
Cut-off for same-day: Both 14:00 JST. Miss it and you wait until the following Bangladesh banking day (Sun–Thu).
Pro tip: If your recipient needs money for Friday groceries, send before 11 a.m. Japan time; Bangladesh banks close for the weekend and Friday is a public holiday there.
5. Account Opening & KYC
Documents you need
- Residence Card (both sides)
- MyNumber card OR MyNumber notification + passport
- Japanese phone number (SMS verification)
- Bangladeshi recipient’s NID (for wallet) or bank account number + routing info
JpRemit
- Fully online via smartphone app (English UI).
- Video selfie verification; approved in 15 min–2 h on business days.
CityRemit
- Web upload + phone call in Japanese or Bengali.
- Approval typically same day if docs clear before 15:00.
Non-Japanese speakers: JpRemit’s English chat is more comfortable; CityRemit staff try hard but may switch to Japanese during verification calls.
6. Payment & Funding Methods
| Method | JpRemit | CityRemit |
|---|---|---|
| Japan bank transfer (any bank) | Free | Free |
| 7-Eleven ATM cash | ¥220 | Not offered |
| Convenience store (Lawson) | Not offered | ¥220 |
| Credit card | 2.9 % (Visa only) | Not accepted |
| Debit card | 1.5 % | Not accepted |
Cash lovers: JpRemit’s 7-Eleven footprint is handy if you finish work after bank hours; just scan the barcode at the ATM, insert bills, done.
7. Safety & Customer Care
- Funds safeguarded: Both park customer money in segregated Japanese trust banks—required by law.
- Dispute resolution: JpRemit offers in-app ticket tracking; CityRemit uses email with a case number.
- Refund policy: If a Bangladesh bank rejects the deposit, both return full principal + fee within 5 business days.
Social proof: In the 2025 Bangladesh Society survey (n = 1,248), JpRemit scored 4.6/5 for speed; CityRemit 4.5/5 for rate satisfaction—statistically tied.
8. Real-Life Scenarios: Which Should You Tap?
Scenario A – Monthly ¥30 k to mother’s bKash
- JpRemit: fee ¥490 + rate 1.273 → 38,190 BDT
- CityRemit: fee ¥590 + rate 1.268 → 37,914 BDT
Winner: JpRemit (+276 BDT, ~¥400 saved every month).
Scenario B – Semester fee ¥400 k to Sonali Bank
- JpRemit: fee ¥1,690 + rate 1.273 → 509,200 BDT
- CityRemit: fee ¥1,290 + promo rate 1.283 → 512,680 BDT
Winner: CityRemit (+3,480 BDT, ~¥1,600 more).
Scenario C – Emergency ¥80 k on Sunday night
Only JpRemit accepts credit card funding and still delivers to bKash within 2 h. CityRemit won’t open verification until Monday.
9. Step-by-Step: Sending Your First Transfer
JpRemit
- Download “JpRemit” from App Store/Google Play.
- Register with email → upload Residence Card & MyNumber.
- Add recipient (bKash wallet + Bangladesh mobile).
- Enter amount, check live BDT preview.
- Pick funding: bank or 7-Eleven.
- Confirm & share the 12-digit tracking number with your family.
CityRemit
- Visit cityremit.jp → “新規登録”.
- Fill form & upload docs; wait for approval call.
- Log in → “送金申請” → select Bangladesh.
- Input bank/wallet details & purpose (family support).
- Transfer yen from your Japanese bank to CityRemit’s Mitsubishi UFJ account with your membership code in the memo.
- Funds delivered next banking hour once JPY is credited.
10. Hidden Gotchas Most Users Miss
- Summer bonus season: Both providers lower margins in July to capture big transfers—schedule then.
- Wallet limits: bKash personal accounts can hold max 300 k BDT at a time; stagger transfers.
- Tax home trap: If you send >¥1 million per year to one person, Japan’s NTA may ask for gift-tax paperwork—keep invoices if it’s family support.
- Bangladesh 1 % cash-out fee: bKash charges the recipient ~1 % to cash out; sending an extra ¥1,000 covers this pain.
11. Alternatives Worth a Glance
Even though JpRemit vs. CityRemit dominates Bangladeshi circles, Wise now reaches 80 % of Bangladeshi banks with real mid-market rates and transparent fees—useful when sending >¥500 k. SmileRemit runs zero-fee campaigns every quarter; BrastelRemit offers home delivery in Dhaka for the elderly without smartphones. Always benchmark these side-by-side before you hit “send.”
Final Checklist Before You Send
☐ Compare today’s exact BDT payout with RatesRemit's Comparison Tool
☐ Confirm recipient’s wallet is under the balance cap
☐ Note Japan & Bangladesh holidays (no banking days)
☐ Keep transfer receipt for Japanese tax & rebate records
☐ Share tracking ID via WhatsApp so family can monitor
Choose the corridor that maximises taka, minimises stress—and come back to RatesRemit every time rates move. Happy sending from Japan to Bangladesh!