## Is the NT dollar rushing to exchange for Japanese Yen? Understand the four major channels in one article — how much is 1 NT dollar in Japanese Yen to be cost-effective

The year-end travel rush is here, and the Japanese Yen exchange rate is also soaring. As of December 10, 2025, 1 NT dollar can already be exchanged for 4.85 Yen, an increase of 8.7% from the beginning of the year’s 4.46. Planning to travel or take the opportunity to hedge with Yen? The question is: at banks, online apps, airport ATMs… with so many ways to exchange, which one is the most cost-effective?

Don’t worry, we’ll explain the latest four major channels for exchanging Yen, including real rates, hidden fees, and even how many Yen you get for 1 NT dollar to determine when it’s worth taking action.

### Why is it worth exchanging Yen? Not just for travel, but also for investment hedging

When it comes to foreign currencies, Taiwanese people’s first reaction is Yen. There are two reasons behind this.

**For daily use**, Japan’s credit card penetration rate is only 60%, meaning airports, stores, and restaurants still rely on cash. Buying cosmetics, shopping at drugstores, mailing postcards… all require Yen cash. Plus, scenarios like purchasing from Japan, online shopping, studying abroad, and part-time work also involve Yen.

**From a financial perspective, it’s even more interesting**. The Yen is one of the three major safe-haven currencies globally (the other two are USD and Swiss Franc), because Japan’s economy is stable and debt levels are low. When global stock markets fluctuate or geopolitical risks rise, funds flow into Yen. For example, during the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, Yen appreciated by 8% in a week, buffering a 10% stock market decline. For Taiwanese investors, exchanging Yen isn’t just for travel; it can also hedge Taiwan stock market risks.

Plus, the Bank of Japan is on the verge of raising interest rates (Governor Ueda Kazuo is expected to raise to 0.75% on December 19, a 30-year high), and Japanese government bond yields have hit a 17-year high of 1.93%. These factors support Yen in the short term.

### Four major exchange channels comparison: which one really saves money?

Many think exchanging Yen is just going to a bank counter, but the difference in exchange rates alone can cost you several cups of bubble tea. We tested all mainstream channels, estimating costs with 50,000 NT dollars exchanged.

**First: Bank counter cash exchange (highest cost)**

Bring NT cash to a bank or airport to buy Yen cash — convenient but costly. Because they use the “cash selling rate,” which is about 1-2% worse than the market spot rate. For example, Taiwan Bank’s cash selling rate is about 0.2060 NT$/Yen (roughly 4.85 Yen/NT$), plus a handling fee of 100-200 NT dollars.

Exchanging 50,000 NT dollars? Estimated loss of 1,500-2,000 NT dollars, suitable only for small, urgent needs or airport emergencies.

| Bank | Cash Selling Rate | Fee |
|------|-------------------|-------|
| Taiwan Bank | 0.2060 | Free |
| E.SUN Bank | 0.2067 | 100 NT$ |
| Taipei Fubon | 0.2069 | 100 NT$ |
| Cathay United | 0.2063 | 200 NT$ |

**Second: Online exchange + cash pickup (mid-range value)**

Use bank app or online banking to convert NT dollars into Yen in a foreign currency account, using “spot selling rate” (about 1% better than cash rate). If you want cash, pick it up at counter or ATM, which incurs an additional 100-200 NT$ “spread fee.”

Cost for 50,000 NT$ exchange? About 500-1,000 NT$. Best for those who understand rates and can buy in batches, waiting for the NT$ to Yen rate to drop below 4.80 for lower average costs.

**Third: Online currency exchange + designated pickup location (highest recommendation)**

No need to open a foreign currency account in advance. Just book on the bank’s website, specify currency and amount, choose a pickup branch, and pick up cash with ID at the counter. Taiwan Bank’s “Easy Purchase” online exchange is fee-free (using Taiwan Pay costs only 10 NT$), and offers a 0.5% rate discount. Even better, Taoyuan Airport has 14 Taiwan Bank branches (2 open 24 hours), allowing airport pickup.

Cost for 50,000 NT$? Only 300-800 NT$, and no need to match bank hours. Perfect for planned travelers who want to pick up cash at the airport before departure. This might be the most cost-effective choice for budget travelers.

**Fourth: Foreign currency ATMs (most flexible)**

Use chip-enabled debit cards at foreign currency ATMs to withdraw Yen 24/7, with only a 5 NT$ interbank fee deducted from your NT account. E.SUN Bank’s foreign currency ATMs have a daily limit of 150,000 NT$, with no exchange fee.

Disadvantages: fewer than 200 ATMs nationwide, only major currencies (Yen, USD, Euro, etc.), fixed denominations (1,000/5,000/10,000 Yen), and cash may run out during peak times. Cost for 50,000 NT$? About 800-1,200 NT$. Suitable for urgent needs or busy professionals who don’t want to visit a bank.

### How much is 1 NT dollar in Yen? Is now a good time to exchange?

This is the key point. As of December 10, 2025, 1 NT dollar is about 4.85 Yen. Compared to 4.46 at the start of the year, Yen has appreciated by 8.7%, which is a significant gain for those exchanging Yen.

The real question: is now the best time to exchange? **The answer: you can do it in batches, but don’t exchange everything at once.**

Currently, the Yen exchange rate is quite volatile, supported by the US rate hike cycle and expectations of BOJ rate increases. Short-term fluctuations may hover around 154-155, but medium to long-term targets are below 150. For investors, Yen hedging is strong, but short-term arbitrage carries risks of 2-5% fluctuation.

Newcomers are advised to adopt a “batching strategy”:
- Exchange 30-50% of your needed amount first to lock in costs
- If the rate continues to appreciate (NT$ depreciates), add more in batches
- Avoid exchanging everything at once to prevent losses

### After exchanging Yen, don’t let your money sit idle

If you’ve already exchanged Yen, make sure to put your money to work and prevent it from losing value. Four common options:

**1. Yen fixed deposit** — Most stable
E.SUN, Taiwan Bank open foreign currency accounts, with a minimum of 10,000 Yen, annual interest rate 1.5-1.8%. Suitable for capital preservation.

**2. Yen insurance policies** — Medium-term gains
Cathay, Fubon life’s Yen savings insurance, with guaranteed interest rates of 2-3%, suitable for holding 3-5 years.

**3. Yen ETFs** — Growth potential
Yuan Tai 00675U tracks Yen index, with 0.4% annual management fee, can be bought as fractional shares via broker apps for dollar-cost averaging. Higher risk but more growth potential than deposits.

**4. Yen forex trading** — Swing trading
Trade USD/JPY or EUR/JPY directly, 24/7 long/short, with small capital. Suitable for experienced traders sensitive to rate movements.

### Common questions answered

**Q: How much is the difference between cash rate and spot rate?**
Cash rate is the bank’s price for physical cash, paid on the spot but at a worse rate (1-2% below market). Spot rate is the FX market’s T+2 settlement price, closer to real-time international rates, but takes 2 business days. In short, want cash immediately? Pay the cash rate. Want to save money? Use the spot rate and wait 2 days.

**Q: How much Yen can I get with 10,000 NT$?**
Using the formula “Yen amount = NT$ amount × current rate.” At 4.85, 10,000 NT$ ≈ 48,500 Yen. With a better spot rate (around 4.87), about 48,700 Yen.

**Q: What documents are needed for in-person exchange?**
ID card + passport. For companies, business registration. If booked online, also bring transaction notice. Under 20? Must be accompanied by a parent. Over 100,000 NT$? Might need to declare source of funds.

**Q: What is the daily withdrawal limit at foreign currency ATMs?**
Post-new rules, many banks limit to 100,000-150,000 NT$ per day. China Trust equivalent is 120,000 NT$, Taishin 150,000 NT$, E.SUN 150,000 NT$ (including credit card). It’s recommended to split withdrawals or use your own bank card to avoid cross-bank fees. During peak hours, cash may run out; plan ahead.

### Summary: How much is 1 NT dollar in Yen? The key is choosing the right method

Yen is no longer just for travel pocket money but also a hedge and small investment asset. Currently, 1 NT dollar can exchange for 4.85 Yen, which is relatively favorable, but the crucial part is “how to exchange.”

Beginners are advised to start with “Taiwan Bank online exchange + airport pickup” or “foreign currency ATMs,” which are the cheapest and most convenient. After exchanging, diversify into fixed deposits, ETFs, or swing trading. This way, you not only enjoy cost-effective travel but also add a layer of protection during global market fluctuations.

Stop asking “when is the best time to exchange,” and learn “how to exchange most cheaply.” Only then is Yen truly worth exchanging.