How much money should I bring to Japan? A complete guide from currency exchange budget to Japanese Yen allocation

Update Time: December 10, 2025

The Taiwan dollar continues to strengthen against the Japanese yen, reaching 4.85. Many people are planning to travel and invest in Japan this year or next. But the most critical question before departure is: How much money should I bring to Japan? What’s the most cost-effective way to exchange for yen?

Instead of blindly exchanging currency, it’s better to understand your actual needs first. We have compiled a comparison of four currency exchange channels and their costs, along with different planning options based on your budget, so you can choose the optimal plan before going abroad.

How much cash do you need to prepare for Japan?

Although electronic payments are gradually becoming popular in Japan, cash is still king. According to tourism bureau data, credit card penetration is only 60%, and many places only accept cash.

Estimated currency exchange budgets for different trips:

• 3-day short trip (Tokyo/Osaka): NT$15,000-20,000 (about ¥73,000-97,000), including accommodation, food, shopping
• 7-day medium trip: NT$30,000-40,000 (about ¥145,000-194,000), recommended to use ATM withdrawals
• Over 10-day long trip: NT$50,000-60,000 (about ¥242,000-291,000), better to exchange in installments

Note: Japan has a strong cash spending habit, so it’s recommended to prepare cash. Also, large exchanges (over NT$100,000) require declaration of source of funds.

Four ways to exchange yen, with vastly different costs and convenience

Many think they can only exchange currency at bank counters, but just the difference in exchange methods can save you hundreds or even thousands of NT dollars. We break down the latest four channels one by one.

Option 1: Bank counter cash exchange

The most traditional method—bring NT$ cash to a bank or airport to exchange for yen notes. It sounds convenient, but actually the most expensive.

Banks quote the “cash selling rate,” which is usually 1-2% worse than the international market rate. For example, Taiwan Bank’s cash selling rate on December 10, 2025, is about NT$0.2060 per yen (i.e., NT$1 exchanges for about ¥4.85). Plus some banks charge handling fees. Exchanging NT$50,000 before departure, the difference and fees could cost NT$1,500-2,000.

Suitable for: Those unfamiliar with online operations, needing small amounts temporarily (e.g., urgent airport cash)

Latest bank rates comparison (2025/12/10):

Option 2: Online exchange, ATM withdrawal or counter pickup

No need to visit the bank physically; complete currency exchange via app or online banking. This method uses the “spot selling rate,” which is about 1% better than cash rates. After exchange, you can choose to pick up cash at the counter or withdraw from foreign currency ATMs, with the latter incurring additional exchange spread fees (from NT$100).

Advantages include 24-hour operation and the ability to split into multiple transactions to average costs. If your budget is NT$50,000-200,000, this “online exchange + foreign ATM withdrawal” combo is the most cost-effective—costs only NT$500-1,000.

Suitable for: Those with foreign currency accounts, wanting to observe favorable rates; also suitable for investing in yen deposits (current annual interest rate about 1.5-1.8%)

Option 3: Online currency settlement, pick up at airport

No need to open a foreign currency account. Simply reserve online via bank website, fill in currency, amount, branch, and date. After completion, bring ID and transaction notification to the counter to pick up cash. Taiwan Bank and Mega Bank offer this service, with the option to pick up at airport branches.

Taiwan Bank’s “Easy Purchase” online settlement is fee-free (pay NT$10 via TaiwanPay), with a 0.5% better rate. Taoyuan Airport has 14 Taiwan Bank outlets (including 2 open 24 hours). No need to visit city banks before departure; pick up directly at the airport.

Estimated cost: NT$50,000 exchange results in a loss of NT$300-800, making it a moderate-cost plan.

Suitable for: Travelers with a fixed schedule and confirmed departure date

Option 4: Foreign currency ATM, 24/7 cash withdrawal

Use a chip-enabled financial card to withdraw yen from foreign currency ATMs, supported 24 hours. Deducted directly from NT$ account, with a cross-bank fee of NT$5. There are about 200 foreign currency ATMs nationwide, supporting major currencies.

Sinopac Bank’s foreign currency ATM allows NT$ withdrawal from NT$ accounts, with a daily limit of NT$150,000 and no exchange spread fee. Note: Japan ATM withdrawal services will be adjusted by the end of 2025, requiring an international card (Mastercard/Cirrus).

Note: Cash at peak times (especially airports) may run out quickly. Don’t wait until the last minute to withdraw.

Suitable for: Urgent needs, readers with no time to visit banks

Cost comparison and suitable scenarios for the four options

Is it cost-effective to exchange yen now?

Short answer: Yes, but splitting the operations yields better results.

On December 10, 2025, the NT$ to yen rate hit 4.85, appreciating 8.7% from the start of the year at 4.46. In the second half of the year, forex demand in Taiwan increased by 25%, mainly due to tourism recovery and hedging strategies. For investors, the forex gains are quite attractive, especially under NT$ depreciation pressure.

However, risks exist. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is on the verge of raising interest rates—recent hawkish comments by Governor Ueda Kazuo pushed market expectations to 80%. The December 19 meeting is expected to raise rates by 0.25 basis points to 0.75% (a 30-year high), with Japanese government bond yields reaching 17-year highs of 1.93%. USD/JPY has fallen from the high of 160 at the start of the year to around 154.58 now. Short-term may rebound to 155, but medium to long-term forecasts are below 150.

As one of the three major safe-haven currencies (USD, CHF, JPY), the yen is suitable for hedging against Taiwan stock market volatility. But short-term risks include arbitrage unwinding, with potential fluctuations of 2-5%. It is recommended to split into multiple entries, avoiding all-in one-time exchange.

How to use the yen after getting it? Don’t let it sit idle

After exchanging yen, instead of letting it earn interest passively, consider the following four options:

1. Yen fixed deposit
A conservative choice. Open a foreign currency account with E.SUN Bank or Taiwan Bank, transfer online. Minimum NT$10,000 yen, annual interest rate 1.5-1.8%, suitable for short-term parking.

2. Yen insurance policy
Mid-term holding. Savings insurance from Cathay Life or Fubon Life, with guaranteed interest rates of 2-3%, also providing protection.

3. Yen ETF
Growth-oriented. For example, Yuanta 00675U tracks the yen index, can be bought as fractional shares via brokerage apps, suitable for dollar-cost averaging. Management fee 0.4% annually, diversifies risk.

4. Forex swing trading
Trade yen currency pairs directly, such as USD/JPY or EUR/JPY, on forex platforms. Advantages include long and short positions, 24-hour trading, and small capital requirements.

Quick FAQs

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

Cash rate is the bank’s quote for physical banknotes, payable on the spot, convenient to carry, but more expensive (1-2% difference plus fees). Spot rate is the foreign exchange market’s T+2 settlement price, used for electronic transfers, more favorable but requires waiting for settlement. In short: cash is expensive, electronic is cheaper.

Q: How much yen do I get for NT$10,000?

Calculate using the current rate: Yen amount = NT$ amount × exchange rate. Using Taiwan Bank’s cash selling rate of 4.85, NT$10,000 ≈ ¥48,500. Using spot selling rate of 4.87, ≈ ¥48,700. Difference of about ¥200 (~NT$40).

Q: What ID do I need to exchange at the counter?

Taiwanese: ID card + passport; foreigners: passport + residence permit. For company accounts, business registration proof. For online reservation pickup, bring transaction notification. Under 20 need parental consent and ID; exchanges over NT$100,000 require source of funds declaration.

Q: What’s the daily withdrawal limit at foreign currency ATMs?

After 2025 adjustments, limits vary by bank. CTBC, Taishin Bank: NT$120,000-150,000 equivalent; E.SUN Bank: NT$50,000 (50 banknotes). It’s recommended to split withdrawals or use your own bank card to avoid cross-bank fees (NT$5 per transaction). Cash may run out quickly during peak times; plan ahead.

Summary

The yen is no longer just for travel “pocket money”; it also has hedging and investment value. Whether for travel or asset allocation, mastering the principles of “split exchange” and “invest after exchange” can minimize costs and maximize returns.

Beginners are advised to start with “Taiwan Bank online settlement + airport pickup” or “foreign currency ATM,” then transition into fixed deposits, ETFs, or forex swing trading based on needs. This way, you not only enjoy cost-effective travel but also add a layer of asset protection during market turbulence.