## How much money is the safest to bring for a 5-day trip to Japan? Understand the Yen exchange rate before exchanging

The year-end travel season is here. The most common question from travelers going to Japan for 5 days is "How much yen should I exchange?" The answer depends on your spending habits and exchange method. As of December 10, 2025, with an exchange rate of approximately NT$4.85 to 1 JPY, a 5-day trip to Japan where you spend about 200-300 RMB per day (roughly 30,000-50,000 JPY), totals 150,000-250,000 JPY, which is about NT$30,000-50,000 when converted. But the key issue isn't how much to bring, but how to exchange it without losing money.

## Current Yen exchange rate: not just for travel, but also a hedge asset

Many think the yen is just petty cash for travel, but in fact, the yen has long been one of the world's three major safe-haven currencies (alongside USD and Swiss Franc). Since the beginning of the year, NT$ to JPY has appreciated by 8.7% (from 4.46 to 4.85), which is a significant gain for currency exchangers.

Why is the yen worth paying attention to? Because Japan's economy is stable, debt is manageable, and during market turbulence, funds flow into safe assets. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the yen appreciated 8% in a week, successfully buffering stock market declines. For Taiwanese investors, exchanging yen isn't just for leisure but also a hedge against Taiwan stock market risks.

## Practical budget planning for a 5-day trip to Japan

How much money should you bring for 5 days in Japan? It depends on your spending level:

**Budget traveler** (guesthouses, convenience stores, public transport): NT$15,000 (about 3,000 TWD)
**Comfort traveler** (mid-range hotels, dining out, shopping): NT$20,000-25,000 (about 4,000-5,000 TWD)
**High-spending traveler** (luxury hotels, fine dining, shopping sprees): NT$30,000-50,000 (about 6,000-10,000 TWD)

Key tip: Most stores in Japan still primarily accept cash (credit card penetration about 60%), so it's important to exchange yen beforehand. However, you don't need to exchange all cash; a smart approach is to have a combination of cash and foreign currency accounts to diversify risk.

## Ranking of the most cost-effective ways to exchange yen

### 1st place: Online currency settlement + airport pickup (least loss)

Taiwan Bank's "Easy Purchase" online settlement with no handling fee (using Taiwan Pay costs only NT$10), with an exchange rate advantage of about 0.5%. You can make a reservation on their website before departure, specify the airport branch for pickup. There are 14 locations at airports (2 open 24 hours).

**Cost estimate**: Exchanging NT$50,000 results in a loss of about NT$300-800
**Advantages**: Best exchange rate, no handling fee, specify airport, plan ahead
**Disadvantages**: Need to book 1-3 days in advance, branch location cannot be changed

### 2nd place: Foreign currency ATM withdrawal (most flexible timing)

Use a chip-enabled bank card to withdraw yen at foreign currency ATMs, available 24/7, with only NT$5 cross-bank fee. E.SUN Bank's foreign currency ATMs allow withdrawal from NT$ accounts, with a daily limit of NT$150,000, and no currency exchange fee.

**Cost estimate**: NT$50,000 exchange loss about NT$800-1,200
**Advantages**: 24/7 access, high flexibility, low cross-bank fee
**Disadvantages**: Limited locations (~200 nationwide), fixed denominations (1,000/5,000/10,000 JPY), possible out-of-stock during peak times

### 3rd place: Online exchange + counter withdrawal (requires foreign currency account)

Transfer NT$ via online banking to a JPY foreign currency account, using spot selling rate (about 1% better than cash selling). To withdraw cash, additional handling fee applies (from NT$100).

**Cost estimate**: NT$50,000 exchange loss about NT$500-1,000
**Advantages**: Can observe exchange rates over time, 24/7 operation, suitable for periodic exchange
**Disadvantages**: Need to open a foreign currency account first, withdrawal fee applies

### 4th place: Bank counter cash exchange (highest cost, backup plan)

Bring NT$ cash directly to bank or airport counter to exchange for yen, using the cash selling rate (1-2% worse than spot rate). Some banks also charge handling fees.

**Cost estimate**: NT$50,000 exchange loss about NT$1,500-2,000
**Advantages**: Safe, immediate delivery, denominations available
**Disadvantages**: Worst exchange rate, limited by bank hours, possible handling fee

## Comparison of bank cash exchange rates (as of 2025/12/10)

| Bank | Cash selling rate (1 JPY / TWD) | Counter handling fee |
|-------|------------------------------|---------------------|
| Taiwan Bank | 0.2060 | Free |
| Mega Bank | 0.2062 | Free |
| First Bank | 0.2062 | Free |
| Hua Nan Bank | 0.2061 | Free |
| CTBC Bank | 0.2065 | Free |
| E.SUN Bank | 0.2058 | NT$100 per transaction |
| Yuanta Bank | 0.2067 | NT$100 per transaction |
| Cathay United Bank | 0.2063 | NT$200 per transaction |
| Fubon Bank | 0.2069 | NT$100 per transaction |

Just the rate difference of 0.0011 results in about NT$275 (55 TWD) difference on NT$50,000 exchanged. Plus handling fees, choosing a smarter bank saves money that could buy a coffee.

## Is it worthwhile to exchange yen now? The answer depends on conditions

NT$ to JPY has appreciated from 4.46 at the start of the year to 4.85 now, a notable increase. But the Bank of Japan's rate hike expectations are rising (market expects an 80% chance of a 0.25 basis point increase to 0.75% on December 19), with Japanese bond yields hitting a 17-year high of 1.93%. USD/JPY has fallen from the high of 160 to around 154.58; short-term may return to 155, but medium to long-term forecasts suggest below 150.

**Recommended approach**:
- For travel: exchanging now is fine, small amounts, minimal impact from rate fluctuations
- For investment: stagger entries, avoid all at once, to prevent 2-5% volatility during arbitrage closing
- To reduce costs: prioritize online settlement + airport pickup, saving over NT$1,000 in fees

## Next steps after exchanging yen

Don’t let the exchanged yen sit idle in your wallet. Based on current markets, options include:

**Yen fixed deposit**: E.SUN/Bank of Taiwan minimum NT$10,000, annual interest rate 1.5-1.8%, very stable.

**Yen insurance policies**: Cathay/Fubon savings insurance, guaranteed interest 2-3%, mid-term returns are decent.

**Yen ETFs**: Yuanta 00675U tracking yen index, management fee only 0.4% annually, suitable for periodic investment.

**Forex trading**: Trade USD/JPY or EUR/JPY on forex platforms, capturing exchange rate movements, but requires some experience.

## Common questions about exchanging yen

**Q: How much is the difference between cash rate and spot rate?**
Cash rate is the rate banks offer for physical cash, delivered on the spot but usually 1-2% worse than spot rate, higher cost. Spot rate is the forex market settlement rate (T+2), used for electronic transfers, more favorable but takes time.

**Q: How much yen can I get with NT$10,000?**
At a cash rate of 4.85, NT$10,000 ≈ 48,500 JPY. Using spot rate (about 4.87), ≈ 48,700 JPY, difference about 200 JPY.

**Q: What ID do I need for counter exchange?**
ID card + passport (for foreigners, passport + residence permit). For online pre-arranged exchange, bring transaction notice. Large amounts (over NT$100,000) may require source of funds declaration.

**Q: Are there daily withdrawal limits at foreign currency ATMs?**
Different banks have different limits. CTBC allows equivalent NT$120,000/day; Taishin NT$150,000; E.SUN NT$150,000 (including debit). Post-2025 regulations generally lower limits to NT$100,000-150,000; consider splitting withdrawals or using your bank card to save cross-bank fees.

## Final advice for a 5-day trip to Japan

How much money to bring? The key isn't the amount but the exchange method. Given the current exchange environment, yen has limited upside but potential downside, so staggered exchange is recommended. Beginners should start with the simplest method: "Taiwan Bank online settlement + airport pickup" or "foreign currency ATM withdrawal," which save fees and offer flexibility.

For small trips (NT$30,000-50,000), a mix of cash and card is enough. If you want to hedge against TWD depreciation by converting part of your funds into yen or fixed deposits, it’s worth spending time to compare bank rates and fees. This way, you not only enjoy your trip more cost-effectively but also add a layer of protection during market turbulence.