When can I send money to Japan with Peanut?

Peanut is actively working on expanding to Japan with Zengin-Net integration. Sign up to get notified when the service launches — you will be among the first to know.

What payment methods will be supported in Japan?

Peanut plans to integrate with Zengin-Net, Japan's real-time interbank network connecting over 1,000 financial institutions. This will enable instant bank transfers to virtually any bank account in Japan, 24/7.

How do I get early access?

Sign up at peanut.me to join the notification list. When Peanut launches in Japan, early sign-ups will be the first to get access.

Will the recipient need a My Number or Japanese bank account?

No. Peanut will not require a My Number or local bank account for receiving funds. Recipients will verify with any passport, making it accessible to tourists and short-term visitors who normally cannot open Japanese bank accounts.

Will QR payments be available in Japan?

Japan has multiple competing QR payment systems (PayPay, LINE Pay, Rakuten Pay, and others) with no single dominant player. Peanut's initial integration focuses on Zengin-Net for bank transfers. QR payment support may follow as the market evolves.

Is Peanut available in Japan right now?

Japan currently supports deposit and withdrawal of digital dollars via supported networks. Local transfers via Zengin-Net are the feature that is coming soon.

Send Money to Japan with Peanut — Coming Soon

Peanut is expanding to Japan. Soon you'll be able to send money and have recipients access funds via Zengin-Net — Japan's 24/7 real-time interbank network.

Send Money to Japan with Peanut — Coming Soon

Japan welcomes over 30 million visitors annually and has a unique payment landscape. Despite being a tech-advanced country, cash remains deeply embedded in daily life — many restaurants, temples, local shops, and rural areas are cash-only. International bank transfers to Japan take 1-5 business days, charge significant fees, and use exchange rates that leave money on the table. Even Wise and PayPal charge per-transfer fees plus rate markups.

Peanut is building a better way. Soon you will be able to send money to Japan and have the recipient access funds instantly through Zengin-Net — Japan's real-time interbank network connecting over 1,000 financial institutions, operating 24/7. No fees, no My Number required, no multi-day wait.

Why Peanut Will Be the Best Way to Send Money to Japan

Better Exchange Rate

The JPY/USD pair is one of the most liquid currency pairs in the world. Yet traditional transfer services still add their own markup. Wise charges a variable fee plus a rate markup. PayPal takes 3-4% through fees and conversion charges. Bank wire transfers add intermediary charges on top of unfavorable rates. Peanut converts digital dollars directly to local currency at a competitive market rate, without layered markups.

No Fees

Peanut charges nothing on deposits, sending, or local access. Compare that to the JPY 100-800 per-transaction fees that Japanese banks charge for domestic Zengin transfers, or the $5-$15 that Western Union charges per international transfer plus a terrible exchange rate. Every step through Peanut — deposit, send, and access — is free.

Instant via Zengin-Net

Zengin-Net is one of the world's oldest real-time payment networks, connecting over 1,000 financial institutions across Japan — megabanks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho), regional banks, online banks (Rakuten Bank, PayPay Bank), and Japan Post Bank. Since 2018, the system operates 24/7. When Peanut launches, recipients will access funds through Zengin-Net in real time rather than waiting days for an international wire transfer.

No My Number Required

Japan's My Number system is required for banking, tax, and financial services — and it is only available to registered residents, not short-term visitors. Opening a bank account as a non-resident is notoriously difficult. Peanut removes that barrier. Recipients will verify with any passport, no My Number or Japanese bank account required.

How It Will Work

1
Sign up and verify
Create a Peanut account and complete identity verification with your passport. Takes under 2 minutes for most users.
2
Deposit funds
Fund your Peanut account via bank transfer (SEPA from Europe, ACH from the US) or send digital dollars from any major exchange.
3
Send to your recipient
Your recipient creates a Peanut account or receives funds to an existing one. Peanut-to-Peanut transfers arrive instantly.
4
Recipient accesses funds via Zengin-Net
The recipient transfers funds to any Japanese bank account through Zengin-Net in real time, 24/7.

What the Recipient Will Be Able to Do

Instant Bank Transfers via Zengin-Net

Zengin-Net connects virtually all banks in Japan for real-time interbank transfers. Recipients will be able to move funds from their Peanut account to any Zengin-participating bank — MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho, Rakuten Bank, SBI Sumishin, Japan Post Bank, or any regional bank. The 24/7 operation means transfers settle in real time, day or night.

Cash Access

Given Japan's strong cash culture, recipients may withdraw yen to a bank account and then access cash at convenience store ATMs (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) which are available 24/7 across the country. This is important for spending at the many cash-only establishments.

Bank Withdrawal

Direct withdrawal to a Japanese bank account, converting digital dollars to yen at the point of transfer. Zengin-Net's real-time settlement means the recipient gets access in seconds.

Who This Is For

Tourists Visiting Japan

Japan welcomes over 30 million visitors annually, and the cash-heavy culture creates real friction. Many small restaurants, temples, local shops, and rural areas only accept cash. International credit cards work at larger establishments, but convenience store ATM withdrawals (7-Eleven, Lawson) are essential for visitors. Peanut's Zengin-Net integration will let tourists move funds to a bank account instantly, providing seamless access to yen through Japan's extensive ATM network.

Business Travelers and Remote Workers

Japan's tech sector and business culture attract professionals from around the world. Traditional international wire transfers charge $25-$80+ and take 1-5 business days. Peanut will eliminate those fees and delays, giving business travelers instant access to yen through any of Zengin-Net's 1,000+ connected institutions.

Families and Students

International students in Japan and families supporting them face regular transfer costs that add up over months and years. Peanut's no-fee model and competitive exchange rate will mean more yen for tuition, rent, and daily expenses.

How Much Will It Cost?

Peanut charges no fees on any operation. The exchange rate converts digital dollars directly to JPY at a competitive market rate.

Service	Fee	Exchange Rate	Recipient Gets
Peanut (planned)	$0	Market rate	More yen
Wise	~$4-7	Mid-market with markup	Less
PayPal	~$5 + 3-4%	Below mid-market	Significantly less
Western Union	$5-15	Worst rate	Least
Bank wire	$25-80	Bank markup	Variable

Get Notified

Sending from Specific Countries

Send Money from the United States to Japan

The US-Japan corridor serves tourists, business travelers, and families with ties across the Pacific. US senders will deposit via ACH (free, 1-3 business days) or digital dollars from an exchange (arrives in minutes). The recipient accesses funds through Zengin-Net in real time — a dramatic improvement over the 1-5 day international wire transfer plus $25-80 in fees.

Send Money from the United Kingdom to Japan

UK-Japan transfers serve both personal remittances and business payments. UK senders will deposit via SEPA (free, 90% arrive in under 20 minutes) and send to Japan. The recipient accesses funds instantly through Zengin-Net.