Wise: The Smart Way to Handle Money in Japan
- Olivier
- Dec 13, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: 11 hours ago
For decades, I’ve traveled the world, chasing light, culture, and the quiet beauty of minimalist landscapes. As a traveling photographer, managing money and currencies can be a constant challenge. High fees, poor exchange rates, and the hassle of cash can quickly become frustrating. Sound familiar? Here’s the solution.
As a resident of Japan, and for more than 10 years now, I rely on Wise, which offers the exact solution I have been looking for. No matter where I go, Wise lets me move through the world as if money had no borders. Here’s why I consider that this is the best solution for exchanging money, transferring funds, paying bills, and spending in Japan (or other countries) like a local.
What Is Wise
Wise is a global financial platform that lets you hold, exchange, and spend money in multiple currencies at the real, mid-market exchange rate (the same rate you see on Google or financial news). Unlike traditional banks or exchange services, Wise doesn’t hide fees or mark up rates. It’s transparent, fast, and designed for people who live, work, or travel across borders. Let's see why Wise stands out...
Exchange Rates
As I said, Wise uses the mid-market rate (also known as the interbank rate) for all currency exchanges. This is the real rate, with no hidden markup. When you convert USD to JPY, EUR to USD, or any other combination, you get the fairest deal available. For photographers and travelers in Japan, this means more yen in your pocket!
When it comes to exchanging money, you are instantly informed of the exchange rate and any transaction fees. What’s more, Wise offers some of the lowest currency exchange commissions available on the market. For example:
0.045% between EUR and JPY
0.03% between USD and JPY
0.035% between GBP and JPY
(Commission rates as of January 2026)
Additionally, you can even set up auto-conversions through the app. Your money is automatically converted as soon as your desired exchange rate is reached, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No extra cost!
Low, Transparent Fees
It’s rare enough to be worth highlighting: Wise maintains absolute transparency when it comes to fees. After all these years of using Wise daily, I’ve never encountered hidden fees of any kind, even when moving significant amounts through the app.
Currency conversion fees are far lower than banks or exchange counters.
Sending money between Wise users is free if it’s the same currency.
No monthly or annual fees for holding or managing your account.
ATM withdrawals in Japan (or anywhere) are affordable, with a small fee after your first free withdrawal each month.
Local Bank Details in 20 Currencies
Wise is also the only platform that provides you with your own bank details in over 20 countries (see list below). Simply add a balance in your desired currency via the app, and you instantly receive your local bank details, just as if you lived in that country. This includes everything you need for both national and international payments, such as account numbers and IBANs.
With your own bank details through Wise, you can receive money (or transfer) like a local in 20 currencies, including:
American Dollar USD
Euro EUR
British Pound GBP
Japanese Yen JPY
Australian Dollar AUD
Chinese Yuan CNY, Czech Koruna CZK, Danish Krone DKK, Hong Kong Dollar HKD, Hungarian Forint HUF, Israeli New Shekel ILS, New Zealand dollar NZD, Norwegian Krone NOK, Polish Złoty PLN, Singapore dollar SGD, South African Rand ZAR, Swedish Krona SEK, Turkish Lira TRY, Ugandan Shilling UGX, UAE Dirham AED (List as of January 2026).
This means you can get paid in USD, EUR, GBP, JPY and all the currencies above, directly into your Wise account. New countries are regularly added to the list. You can find all the details here.
Spend Like a Local With The Wise VISA Card
Virtual VISA card
Once your account is created for free, you are automatically assigned a virtual VISA card. This card allows you to pay online, book hotels, flights, or any other activity in the local currency (or any currency you hold in the app). By adding your VISA card to Apple Pay (via the app), you can make purchases directly in the currency of the country you are in.
Physical VISA card
I also recommend ordering your physical VISA card when traveling (in Japan, for example). While not all shops accept Apple Pay yet, nearly all accept credit or debit cards. You can order the Wise physical card directly through the app. It costs approximately USD 9, EUR 7, or GBP 7 (one-time fee).
The Wise VISA card is a game-changer for travelers and expats:
Spend in 150+ countries with no foreign transaction fees.
Auto-convert currencies at the best rate if you don’t have the local currency in your account.
Withdraw cash from ATMs in Japan (or anywhere) at a fair rate.
Freeze/unfreeze your card instantly via the app if it’s lost or stolen.
What happens if I don’t have enough money in a specific currency?
While you can instantly convert currencies via the app, I recommend making sure you have a sufficient balance before your trip. Internet access may not always be available everywhere you go.
If you still don’t have enough funds in the local currency to cover your purchases, Wise will automatically use the next currency in which you have a sufficient balance and convert the required amount. The exchange rate applied is the mid-market rate at the time of the transaction. No hidden fees!
Availability may vary by country according to Wise’s policies. Check it out here.
How Easy Is It to Open a Wise Account
Opening a Wise account takes about 10 minutes and can be done entirely online. Here’s what you need:
Sign up with your email, Google, or Apple account.
Verify your identity with a passport, ID card, or driver’s license.
Add funds via bank transfer, debit card, or another Wise account.
Order your Wise debit card (a one-time fee mentioned above).
Once verified, you can start using your account immediately. No waiting, no branches, no paperwork. Not to mention how practical the app is, allowing you to organize and track your expenses clearly and effortlessly.
Using Wise in Japan: A Photographer’s Perspective
Japan is a country where cash still holds cultural weight, but digital payments are rapidly expanding. With Wise, you’re prepared for both:
Stay in control of your money and currencies at all times by converting only what you need.
Pay in yen at shops, restaurants, ryokan, stations, taxis, or vending machines, just like a local.
Withdraw cash from 7-Eleven ATMs or Japan Post offices when needed.
Personally, I’ve used my Wise card everywhere in Japan, from bustling megacities to rural Hokkaido. It’s accepted anywhere Visa is, and I never worry about being overcharged. Just make sure you have enough JPY in your balance.
Tip for our Photo Tours:
Given the schedules and sometimes remote locations we visit on our Photo Tours, I recommend all my valued guests open a Wise account before arriving. It’s the simplest way to avoid the stress of currency exchange and searching for ATMs, so you can focus on what truly matters: the experience of photographing the country.
Final Thoughts: Who Should Use Wise
Wise is ideal for:
Travelers who want to avoid high exchange fees and carry less cash.
Expats and digital nomads who need to manage money in multiple currencies.
Freelancers and creatives (like photographers) who receive payments from abroad.
Anyone sending money internationally, whether to family, friends, or business partners.
I’ve used Wise for years, and it’s become as essential to my travels as my camera. It’s not just about saving money but it’s also about moving through the world with ease and confidence. The mid-market rates, low fees, and seamless card usage in Japan make it the best choice for anyone who values transparency and simplicity.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, consider opening a Wise account today and start spending like a local. Your wallet and your peace of mind will thank you.
For guests joining our Photo Tours, we happily accept payments via Wise in your own currency, to save you from international transfer fees.
