## How much Japanese Yen should you bring to Japan? The latest 4 major exchange options revealed

**NTD to JPY exchange rate hits 4.85, more people want to exchange Yen.** But the key question is: how much cash JPY should you bring for travel? What's the most cost-effective way to exchange? Using the latest 2025 rates, we break down all exchange channels.

## How much cash JPY do travelers need?

According to on-site surveys, the demand for JPY cash varies with stay duration:

**3-5 days free travel**: Prepare 80,000-150,000 JPY (equivalent to NT$16,000-31,000). Most attractions in Tokyo and Osaka support card payments, but small shops, traditional markets, public toilets, and vending machines still only accept cash.

**7-10 days in-depth trip**: 200,000-300,000 JPY is more prudent. In Hokkaido and rural Kyoto, credit card usage is only 30-40%, cash remains dominant.

**Long-term working holiday or studying abroad**: No need to carry all cash; opening a local bank account in Japan is smarter—get a withdrawal card upon arrival to reduce currency exchange costs.

**Investment allocators**: Over 500,000 JPY, usually deposited into fixed-term yen accounts (annual interest 1.6-1.8%) or invested in yen ETFs; cash is a minority.

Practical reminder: ATM withdrawal services in Japan will be adjusted by the end of 2025. International cards (Mastercard/Cirrus) can withdraw at convenience store ATMs, but plan ahead.

## Real-world comparison of Taiwan’s 4 major JPY exchange channels

### Option 1: Bank counter cash exchange—most traditional but most costly

Bring NT$ cash to a bank or airport counter to exchange for JPY cash. Simple operation, but using "cash selling rate" (1-2% worse than spot rate), incurs the highest cost.

For example, Taiwan Bank’s rate on December 10, 2025, is about NT$0.2060 per JPY (1 NT$ = 4.85 JPY). Some banks charge an extra NT$100-200 handling fee, which is quite costly.

Exchanging NT$50,000: estimated loss NT$1,500-2,000—like giving away two large drinks at a cafe.

**When to use?** Emergency at the airport or if you’re not familiar with online operations.

---

### Option 2: Online currency exchange + foreign currency account—best for balanced players

Use banking app to convert NT$ into JPY and deposit into a foreign currency account, enjoying "spot selling rate" (~4.87), about 1% cheaper than counter exchange. To withdraw cash, use ATM or counter, with handling fees starting at NT$100.

E.g., E.SUN, Bank of Taiwan, CTBC support this. Those interested in JPY fixed deposits can operate directly in the app, no need to visit the bank.

Exchanging NT$50,000: estimated loss NT$500-1,000.

**When to use?** If you have forex investment experience, want to average costs over time, or plan to hold JPY long-term.

---

### Option 3: Online currency settlement + airport pickup—most convenient before departure

Fill out forms on bank websites to schedule pickup at designated branches (airport branches most convenient). Bring ID and notification letter when collecting in person. Taiwan Bank’s "Easy Purchase" online settlement is fee-free (using TaiwanPay costs only NT$10), with a 0.5% favorable rate.

Taoyuan Airport has 14 Taiwan Bank counters, 2 of which operate 24 hours—super convenient.

Exchanging NT$50,000: estimated loss NT$300-800.

**When to use?** Planning within a week before departure, travelers who prefer to pick up cash directly at the airport.

---

### Option 4: Foreign currency ATM instant withdrawal—fast for last-minute needs

Use a chip-enabled financial card to withdraw cash at foreign currency ATMs, operable 24/7, with cross-bank fee of NT$5. SF Bank’s foreign currency ATMs deduct directly from NT$ accounts, with a daily limit of NT$150,000, no currency exchange fee.

Disadvantage: only about 200 units nationwide, with fixed denominations (1,000/5,000/10,000 JPY). During peak times (airports, shopping centers), cash may run out.

Exchanging NT$50,000: estimated loss NT$800-1,200.

**When to use?** No time to visit banks, urgent needs, or willing to accept slightly higher costs for convenience.

---

## Key comparison table: based on NT$50,000

| Exchange Method | Instantaneous | Rate Favorability | Estimated Loss | Best Scenario |
|------------------------------|----------------|-------------------|----------------|------------------------|
| Counter cash exchange | ★★★ | ★☆☆ | NT$1,500-2,000 | Emergency backup |
| Online exchange + ATM | ★★☆ | ★★☆ | NT$500-1,000 | Long-term investment |
| Online settlement + airport pickup | ★☆☆ | ★★★ | NT$300-800 | Confirmed trip plan |
| Foreign currency ATM withdrawal | ★★★ | ★★☆ | NT$800-1,200 | Last-minute emergency |

## Is it worth exchanging Yen now? Investment perspective analysis

**Timing assessment:** NT$ to JPY is currently 4.85, up from 4.46 at the start of the year—JPY has appreciated 8.7%. Compared to the same period last year, the increase is even more significant. Simply put: **exchanging Yen now yields good returns**.

**Expectations of rate hikes:** The Bank of Japan’s Governor Ueda recently made hawkish comments, with market expectations of a 0.25 bps rate hike at the December 19 meeting to 0.75% (a 30-year high). Japan’s 10-year government bond yield has broken 1.93%, a 17-year high, providing real support for the Yen.

**But risks remain:** USD/JPY has fallen from 160 at the start of the year to 154.58. Arbitrage unwinding, global conflicts (Taiwan Strait, Middle East) could temporarily weaken the Yen. Short-term, it may rebound to 155, but medium to long-term (6-12 months), it should stabilize below 150.

**Investor advice:**
- **Dollar-cost averaging:** Don’t exchange all at once; do 3-5 times weekly or monthly to average costs.
- **Don’t just hold cash:** Convert into Yen fixed deposits (1.6-1.8%) or Yen ETFs (e.g., Yuanta 00675U) to hedge and grow assets.
- **Hedge against Taiwan stocks volatility:** Yen is a major safe-haven currency, suitable for shifting assets into during Taiwan stock fluctuations.

## How to use Yen after exchange? 4 value-enhancement options

### 1. Yen fixed deposit—most stable
Open a foreign currency account online, deposit from NT$1,000 minimum, with annual interest 1.5-1.8%. E.SUN, Taiwan Bank, and SF Bank offer competitive products.

### 2. Yen insurance policy—mid-term growth
Cathay, Fubon life’s Yen savings insurance, with guaranteed interest rates of 2-3%, suitable for medium-term holders.

### 3. Yen ETF—cyclical growth
Yuanta 00675U tracks the Yen index, can be bought as fractional shares via broker apps with a 0.4% annual management fee. Suitable for those optimistic about Yen appreciation in the medium term.

### 4. Forex swing trading—high risk, high return
Trade USD/JPY or EUR/JPY on forex platforms (e.g., Mitrade), with zero commission, low spreads, and tools for stop-loss and take-profit. Suitable for experienced traders.

---

## Essential FAQ for traveling to Japan

**Q: What's the difference between cash rate and spot rate?**

Cash rate is for physical banknotes, with a 1-2% premium over spot rate. Spot rate is the FX market rate settled T+2, more favorable but takes two days. In short: cash is convenient but costly; spot is cheaper but slower.

**Q: How much JPY can NT$10,000 buy?**

Using Taiwan Bank’s cash selling rate 4.85: NT$10,000 × 4.85 ≈ 48,500 JPY. Using spot rate 4.87: about 48,700 JPY—difference of roughly 200 JPY (NT$40).

**Q: What to bring for counter exchange?**

ID + passport. Under 20 needs parent’s consent and declaration. Large amounts (>NT$100,000) may require source declaration. For online booking, bring transaction notification.

**Q: Daily withdrawal limit at foreign currency ATMs?**

Post-2025 adjustments: CITIC, Taishin about NT$120,000-150,000/day; E.SUN about NT$50,000-150,000/day. It’s recommended to split withdrawals and avoid cross-bank NT$5 fees.

**Q: Does Taiwan Bank have counters at Japanese airports?**

Taoyuan Airport has 14 Taiwan Bank counters (2 24-hour). You can pre-arrange online settlement and pick up cash directly. But within Japan, no Taiwan Bank branches—use international debit/credit cards at convenience store ATMs.

## Final summary

The Yen has upgraded from "travel pocket money" to an asset with hedging and investment value. How much Yen to bring? Based on stay duration (3-5 days, NT$8-15万), but more importantly, **control exchange costs + utilize post-exchange growth strategies**.

Beginners can start with "Taiwan Bank online settlement + airport pickup" or "foreign currency ATM," then gradually move into fixed deposits or ETFs. This way, traveling becomes more cost-effective, and assets are protected during global turbulence. Remember: split your exchange, don’t just hold—minimize costs, maximize returns.