Is it worth bringing Japanese Yen when traveling abroad? How much can you exchange with a maximum of 50,000 TWD? A complete analysis of exchange costs in 2025

The NT$ to JPY exchange rate has already reached 4.85, and many people are starting to consider whether to exchange yen in advance. But the real question is: Is it worth exchanging now? How much cash can you actually bring abroad? We use the latest data to help you figure it out clearly.

Is it really advantageous to exchange yen now?

As of December 2025, the NT$ to JPY rate is at 4.85, appreciating by 8.7% compared to 4.46 at the beginning of the year. This is already a considerable exchange gain.

But don’t rush to exchange all at once. According to the latest market expectations, the Bank of Japan Governor Ueda Kazuo’s hawkish comments have pushed up the rate hike expectation to 80%, with a projected 0.25 basis point increase to 0.75% on December 19 (a 30-year high). USD/JPY has fallen from the high of 160 at the start of the year to 154.58, and may oscillate around 155 in the short term, but medium to long-term forecasts suggest it will stay below 150.

Conclusion: It’s advantageous to exchange yen now, but it’s better to do it in batches to avoid being caught with all your money at once. Especially considering the US rate cut cycle and yen volatility, diversification is the best strategy.

How much money can you bring abroad at most?

Want to plan your travel budget properly? Taiwan has strict regulations on foreign currency withdrawals. According to the latest info in 2025:

Bank card withdrawal limits

• China Trust, etc.: NT$120,000 per transaction, NT$120,000 per day
• Taishin Bank: NT$150,000 per transaction, NT$150,000 per day
• E.Sun Bank: NT$50,000 per transaction (about 50 banknotes), NT$150,000 per day (including debit)

Interbank card withdrawal limits

• NT$20,000 per transaction, daily limit as per issuing bank
• Additional fee of NT$5 per transaction

Large amount currency exchange tips

• For exchanges over NT$100,000, banks may require declaration of source of funds
• Under 20 years old need parental accompaniment and consent
• For in-person transactions, bring ID and passport (foreigners bring passport + residence permit)

In simple terms, if you want to bring yen abroad, the maximum per transaction at our bank’s ATM is NT$150,000 equivalent, but multiple withdrawals are possible. In practice, a travel budget of NT$50,000–NT$200,000 is most cost-effective via online currency exchange plus airport withdrawals.

How much yen can NT$50,000 buy? 4 currency exchange methods cost comparison

Suppose your budget is NT$50,000. How much yen can you get with each method, and what are the costs?

Method 1: Bank counter exchange

Bring cash to a bank branch or airport to exchange for yen notes, using the “cash selling rate” (about 1-2% worse than the spot rate).

Cost breakdown

• Taiwan Bank: 1 yen = NT$0.2060, NT$50,000 ≈ 243,000 yen
• E.Sun Bank: rate 0.2067, handling fee NT$100, actual received about 242,000 yen
• Total loss: NT$1,500–NT$2,000

Suitable for: Urgent airport needs, no hassle, requiring various denominations (1,000/5,000/10,000 yen notes)

Method 2: Online currency exchange + foreign currency ATM withdrawal

First transfer via online banking app to a yen foreign currency account (spot rate about 4.87), then withdraw cash at foreign currency ATMs using your bank card.

Cost breakdown

• Online exchange rate: NT$50,000 ≈ 243,500 yen
• ATM withdrawal fee: NT$5 (own bank), NT$10–20 (interbank)
• Total loss: NT$500–NT$1,000

Suitable for: Forex beginners, long-term yen holders, idle cash for deposit investment

Method 3: Taiwan Bank online exchange + airport withdrawal

No need to open a foreign currency account, just fill in the amount online, select the airport branch, and pick up yen cash before departure.

Cost breakdown

• Taiwan Bank “Easy Purchase” online exchange with no fee (pay NT$10 via TaiwanPay)
• Exchange rate advantage about 0.5%, actual about 245,000 yen
• Total loss: NT$300–NT$800
• Plus: Taoyuan Airport has 14 Taiwan Bank counters (2 open 24 hours)

Suitable for: Planned trips, need to book in advance (at least 1-3 days), want to pick up at the airport

Method 4: Bank foreign currency ATM withdrawal anytime

Use chip-enabled debit/credit card at foreign currency ATMs to withdraw yen, operating 24/7, cross-bank fee NT$5. Limited locations (~200 nationwide), fixed denominations (1,000/5,000/10,000 yen).

Cost breakdown

• E.Sun Bank ATM: no exchange fee, daily limit NT$150,000
• Cross-bank withdrawal fee: NT$5 per transaction
• Total loss: NT$800–NT$1,200

Suitable for: No time for in-person, urgent needs, nearby foreign currency ATMs

After exchanging yen, how to prevent your money from just sitting and losing value?

Exchanging yen is just the first step. The real way to benefit is to keep your yen working.

Yen fixed deposit: steady income

• E.Sun/Bank of Taiwan open foreign currency accounts, deposit yen online
• Minimum NT$10,000 (~24.3万 yen), annual interest rate 1.5–1.8%
• NT$50,000 (~243,000 yen) yields about 3,600–4,374 yen annually

Yen insurance policies: medium-term holding

• Cathay/Fubon savings insurance, guaranteed interest 2–3%
• Suitable for holding 3–5 years

Yen ETF investments: growth allocation

• Yuanta 00675U tracks yen index, annual management fee 0.4%
• Can buy fractional shares via broker app, suitable for dollar-cost averaging

Forex trading USD/JPY: swing trading

• Yen as a safe-haven currency, USD/JPY often fluctuates 2–5%
• 24-hour two-way trading, suitable for experienced forex traders

Quick answers to common questions

Q: How much yen can NT$10,000 buy? Using Taiwan Bank’s cash selling rate of 4.85, NT$10,000 ≈ 48,500 yen. Using spot rate 4.87, about 48,700 yen, difference around 200 yen.

Q: What’s the difference between cash rate and spot rate? Cash rate is for physical banknotes, usually worse (bank margin). Spot rate is the electronic market rate, closer to international price, but settlement takes T+2 days.

Q: Are there limits on large currency exchanges? Exchanges over NT$100,000 may require declaration of source of funds; under 20 need parental consent; in person, bring ID and passport.

Final advice

Yen is no longer just travel “pocket money,” but also an asset with hedging value. Whether you exchange NT$5,000 or NT$500,000, the core strategy is: batch entry + invest after exchange.

For beginners, the safest approach is to start with “Taiwan Bank online exchange + airport pickup” or “foreign currency ATM,” then move into fixed deposits or ETFs as needed. This way, traveling becomes more cost-effective, and you gain an extra layer of protection against global market fluctuations. Under ongoing NT$ depreciation pressure, exchanging yen early and diversifying risk is increasingly popular.