Taka to Yen: The Best Way to Send Tuition & Living Costs to Japan

I remember the week my COE arrived. I was thrilled — until I realised I had no idea how to actually send the tuition money from Dhaka to a school in Fukuoka. The deadline was 10 days away. That panic is something I see in almost every student I counsel. So let's walk through it properly.

First, understand the taka to yen exchange rate

The taka to yen exchange rate moves every day. In 2024–25 it hovered around 1 yen = 0.75–0.85 BDT, but it shifts with the dollar, Japan's economy, and Bangladesh Bank policy. Always check the rate on the day you send money — not the rate your cousin saw last month.

Second, Japanese schools usually want tuition in two or three instalments. Many set a Japan tuition payment deadline of 2–4 weeks after issuing your COE. Miss it and your seat can be given away. So the transfer process needs to be ready before that clock starts.

Wire transfer vs money transfer app: which is best?

There are two main ways to send money to Japan from Bangladesh: bank wire transfer and remittance apps or exchange houses.

Bank wire transfer

• Pros: Safe for large amounts (say 5–10 lakh taka). You get a bank statement, which is useful for visa files and school records.
• Cons: Takes 2–5 working days. Charges are higher — roughly 2,000–5,000 taka per transfer. You also need to follow Bangladesh Bank remittance rules for students.
• Bangladesh Bank remittance rules for students: You can send up to a certain annual limit (often around USD 5,000–10,000 equivalent), but you must submit your admission letter and fee structure.

Remittance apps / exchange houses

• Pros: Fast — sometimes same day. Lower fees, often 500–1,500 taka.
• Cons: For large amounts the rate may be slightly worse. Not all apps can send directly to a Japanese bank account.

My advice: Use bank wire for tuition fees to the school's account. For monthly living costs, smaller amounts through an app or exchange house work fine.

What will it actually cost?

Language school tuition in Japan is roughly 700,000–900,000 yen per year (about 5.5–7 lakh taka). University first-year fees are around 500,000–800,000 yen (4–6 lakh taka). Living costs: Tokyo 80,000–120,000 yen/month, Osaka or Fukuoka 60,000–90,000 yen/month.

Compared to the US or Australia, Japan is far more affordable. Tuition is often half, and scholarships like MEXT and JASSO are realistic if you apply early.

Here's a real example. Nusrat, a student from Dhaka, first sent 3 lakh taka through an app. The charge was 1,200 taka, but the school received it after 5 days. Later she used a bank wire — 3,500 taka charge, but it arrived in 2 days and she had a receipt for her visa file.

Documents you'll need

Before sending money, banks or exchange houses usually ask for:

• Passport and visa copy
• School admission letter or COE
• Fee structure or invoice
• Bangladesh Bank approval if above the limit

Some banks offer special student remittance rates, but not all branches. Call your branch first.

Mistakes to avoid

1. Don't chase the best rate with someone you don't know. 2. Keep at least 2–3 months of living costs in hand before you fly. 3. Your student visa application needs proof of funds — keep your bank statement clean. 4. Always save the receipt and bank confirmation after sending money.

One more thing: part-time work in Japan (up to 28 hours/week) can bring in 80,000–120,000 yen a month, which covers a lot of living costs. But the first three months of language school are tough — classes, assignments, new country. So keep your finances light at the start.

If you haven't chosen a country yet, read our guide on study in Japan after HSC. If you're torn between a language school and a university, this comparison will help. And to understand visa types, see student visa vs SSW vs work visa. For scholarships, browse our scholarship page.

Sending money feels complicated, but with the right info and a little planning, it's manageable. I sit with students every day at our Barishal office on Nobogram Road, Muslim Para, and we go through these numbers together. You can find the Barishal branch address and drop by, or read about our visa and COE support service.