How to get the best exchange rate for Japanese Yen? Actual tests show that the costs vary greatly across 4 different methods.

December 2025, the NT dollar to Japanese Yen reaches 4.85. People planning to travel abroad or invest in Yen are starting to get excited. But did you know? The cost difference when exchanging 50,000 NT dollars through different channels can be over 1,700 NT dollars.

Which method should you choose: in-branch bank exchange, online currency exchange, or direct withdrawal from a foreign currency ATM? We tested the latest rates to help you save unnecessary expenses.

Practical Comparison of 4 Exchange Methods

Method 1: Foreign Currency ATM Withdrawal — Fastest but Most Limited

Use a chip-enabled financial card at a foreign currency ATM to withdraw Yen cash, available 24/7. Deducts from your NT account with a cross-bank fee of only 5 NT dollars. E.SUN Bank’s foreign currency ATM has a daily limit of 150,000 NT dollars, no exchange fee, and supports multiple currencies like Euro.

However, this method has a hidden cost: ATM denominations are fixed (1,000/5,000/10,000 Yen), which can lead to shortages during peak times. Estimated cost for 50,000 NT dollars is about 800-1,200 NT dollars.

• Best for: Urgent needs, busy professionals who can’t visit a bank
• Risk: No cash during peak airport hours

Method 2: Bank Online Exchange + Airport Pickup — Best for Commuters

No need to open a foreign currency account. Book online via the bank’s website (at least 1-3 days in advance), specify currency, amount, pickup branch, and date. Bring ID and transaction notification to pick up in person.

Taiwan Bank’s “Easy Purchase” online exchange is fee-free (pay with TaiwanPay, only 10 NT dollars), with about 0.5% better exchange rate. Taoyuan Airport has 14 Taiwan Bank branches, 2 of which operate 24 hours, making pre-trip pickup very convenient.

For 50,000 NT dollars, cost is only 300-800 NT dollars, making it the most cost-effective method.

• Best for: Planned travelers who want to save time before departure
• Note: Requires reservation, pickup time is fixed, branches cannot change it on short notice

Method 3: Online Currency Exchange + ATM or In-Branch Cash Pickup — Investor’s Choice

Use bank app or online banking to convert NT dollars to Yen deposits at the “spot sell” rate, which is about 1% better than cash selling rate. If you want cash, additional fees apply (starting from 100 NT dollars equivalent) or cross-bank charges (5-100 NT dollars).

Suitable for gradual entry into Yen, buying at low rates (when NT/USD is below 4.80) to average out costs. E.SUN Bank’s app spot sell rate is about 4.87; after transfer, you can deposit at 1.5-1.8% annual interest.

For 50,000 NT dollars, cost is about 500-1,000 NT dollars.

• Best for: Experienced forex investors wanting Yen deposits or ETFs
• Advantages: 24/7 operation, dollar-cost averaging

Method 4: In-Branch Cash Exchange — Safest but Most Expensive

Bring cash NT dollars to a bank branch or airport counter to exchange directly for Yen cash at the “cash sell” rate. Denominations are complete (1,000/5,000/10,000 Yen), with staff assistance, safest option.

But the cost is about 1-2% difference in exchange rate, plus some banks charge handling fees. Taiwan Bank’s cash sell rate is 0.2060 NT dollars per Yen; E.SUN Bank charges an additional 100 NT dollars per transaction. For 50,000 NT dollars, cost can be as high as 1,500-2,000 NT dollars.

• Best for: Those unfamiliar with online methods or urgent airport needs
• Disadvantage: Limited by bank hours (weekday 9:00-15:30)

Cost Comparison Table for 50,000 NT Dollars

Exchange Rate Trends: Is Now a Good Time to Exchange?

Answer: Yes, but do it in batches.

NTD/JPY was 4.46 at the start of the year, now it’s 4.85, a 8.7% appreciation. The US is in a rate-cut cycle, Japan’s central bank raised rates to 0.75% (30-year high), USD/JPY dropped from 160 to 154.58.

Key points:

• Short-term volatility risk: Arbitrage closing may cause 2-5% swings
• Medium-long term trend: Experts predict Yen will find support below 150
• Hedging needs: Yen as a safe-haven currency is suitable for hedging Taiwan stock risks

Advice: buy in 3-4 batches, spaced 1-2 weeks apart, to avoid getting stuck with a bad rate in one go.

After Exchanging Yen, Don’t Let Your Money Sit Idle

If you’ve exchanged Yen, consider these investment options:

1. Yen Fixed Deposit (Most stable)
E.SUN / Taiwan Bank foreign currency accounts, starting from 10,000 Yen, with 1.5-1.8% annual interest. Flexible terms from 3 to 12 months.

2. Yen Insurance Policy (Medium-term yield)
Cathay / Fubon savings insurance, guaranteed 2-3% interest, suitable for 1-3 years holding.

3. Yen ETFs (Growth allocation)
YuanDa 00675U tracks Yen index, management fee 0.4%, can be fractional invested via broker apps. Diversifies currency risk.

4. Forex Swing Trading (Advanced)
Trade USD/JPY or EUR/JPY on forex platforms, with long/short options, 24-hour trading. Low commissions, tight spreads, real-time signals, suitable for short-term volatility.

3 Key Questions Before Currency Exchange

Q: What’s the difference between cash rate and spot rate?
Cash rate is for physical bills, bought and sold on the spot, with a 1-2% markup over market price. Spot rate is electronic transfer rate (T+2 settlement), more favorable and close to international market.

Q: How much Yen can I get for 10,000 NT dollars?
Using formula: Yen amount = NT dollars × current rate. At 4.85, 10,000 NT = about 48,500 Yen; at spot rate 4.87, about 48,700 Yen, difference roughly 200 Yen (about 40 NT dollars).

Q: What should I watch out for in large exchanges?
Over 100,000 NT dollars requires ID + passport + source of funds declaration. Under 20,000 NT dollars, minors need a guardian. It’s recommended to split into multiple transactions to avoid daily limits (currently reduced to 100,000-150,000 NT per day at many banks).

Final Advice

Yen has upgraded from “travel pocket money” to “hedging asset.” Whether for travel or hedging Taiwan stocks, following the principles of batch exchange + post-exchange allocation can minimize costs and maximize returns.

Beginners should start with “Taiwan Bank online exchange + airport pickup” or “Foreign currency ATM,” then shift into deposits, ETFs, or swing trading based on needs. This approach saves money and adds a layer of protection during global volatility.