Under the trend of Taiwanese dollar depreciation, the real-time exchange rate trend of Japanese Yen and practical guide to currency exchange

December is here, and the Taiwan dollar has risen to a high of 4.85 against the Japanese yen. Market rumors suggest the Bank of Japan is about to raise interest rates, reigniting the yen’s safe-haven appeal, and more people are exchanging for yen. But the question is: Is it worth exchanging now? What’s the most cost-effective way?

If you’re still sticking to the old routine of “going to the bank counter to exchange,” you might be paying several thousand yuan more than smarter investors. We’ve compiled the latest 4 currency exchange channels for 2025, along with practical data comparisons, so you can instantly understand the real-time yen exchange rate, fee traps, and ways to increase your assets after investing.

Why exchange yen now? Not just for travel

Many think exchanging yen is only for going abroad. In fact, from daily expenses to financial hedging, the practical value of the yen far exceeds expectations.

Everyday scenarios

Shopping in Tokyo, enjoying Osaka cuisine, skiing in Hokkaido—many places in Japan still rely on cash (credit card penetration is only 60%), so travelers must exchange. Additionally, Japanese purchasing agents and online shopping also require direct yen payments. International students should exchange in advance to avoid losing money due to sudden exchange rate fluctuations.

From a financial market perspective: Yen is one of the three safe-haven currencies

The yen, along with the US dollar and Swiss franc, is one of the world’s three major safe-haven currencies. Japan’s economy is stable, debt is manageable, and during market turbulence, funds flow into yen as a hedge—during the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the yen appreciated 8% in a week, while stocks fell 10%, making it an excellent hedging tool.

For Taiwanese investors, holding yen amid the NT dollar depreciation pressure not only protects overseas budgets but also hedges against Taiwan stock market volatility. Plus, with the Bank of Japan on the verge of raising interest rates, the appeal of yen assets continues to grow.

Current real-time yen exchange rate: Up 8.7%, a good time to buy in stages

As of December 10, 2025, the NT dollar to yen exchange rate is about 4.85, compared to 4.46 at the start of the year, an appreciation of approximately 8.7%. In other words, with 100,000 NT dollars at the beginning of the year, you could exchange for 4.46 million yen; now, you can get 4.85 million yen—that’s the exchange gain.

Taiwan’s yen exchange demand increased by 25% in the second half of the year, mainly driven by travel recovery and hedging needs. But is it a good time to exchange now?

Answer: Yes, but with a staged strategy.

The yen is currently in a high-volatility zone. Recent data shows that the US entering a rate-cut cycle benefits the yen, but the Bank of Japan(BOJ) is about to raise rates: Governor Ueda’s hawkish comments have pushed market expectations of a rate hike to 80%, with a 0.25 basis point increase to 0.75% expected on December 19 (a 30-year high). Japanese government bond yields have hit a 17-year high of 1.93%.

USD/JPY has fallen from 160 at the start of the year to 154.58 now, possibly touching 155 in the short term, but medium to long-term forecasts are below 150. Short-term arbitrage closing risks could cause 2-5% fluctuations, so a one-time full exchange isn’t recommended; staged entry is smarter.

4 exchange channels for yen: Cost differences over 2000 yuan

Many think all banks are the same. In fact, just the exchange rate difference can make you pay more or less for a cup of bubble tea. Here are the latest 4 currency exchange methods for 2025:

Method 1: Traditional counter exchange (most conservative but most expensive)

Bring cash NT dollars to a bank branch or airport counter to exchange for yen cash. Simple operation, but using the “cash selling rate” (1-2% worse than the spot rate), plus possible fees, results in the highest overall cost.

For example, Taiwan Bank’s cash selling rate on December 10, 2025, is 0.2060 (meaning 1 NT dollar = 4.85 yen). Exchanging 50,000 NT dollars would result in a loss of 1,500-2,000 yuan.

Bank cash selling rates (2025/12/10):

Advantages: Simple, safe, full denominations, staff assistance
Disadvantages: Exchange rate spread, limited hours (9:00-15:30 weekdays), additional fees
Suitable for: Those unfamiliar with online operations or small emergency needs

Method 2: Online exchange, pick-up at counter (high flexibility)

Use bank app or online banking to convert NT dollars to yen and deposit into a foreign currency account, using the favorable “spot sell rate” (about 1% better than cash selling). To get cash, go to a counter or foreign currency ATM, incurring extra fees (around 100 yuan).

E.SUN Bank app allows online exchange, with withdrawal fees based on the difference between spot and cash rates, minimum 100 yuan. Exchanging 50,000 NT dollars this way results in a loss of 500-1,000 yuan.

This method suits those monitoring real-time yen rates, buying in stages when the NT dollar/yen is below 4.80, averaging costs.

Advantages: 24/7 operation, staged entry, better rates
Disadvantages: Need to open a foreign currency account first, withdrawal fees apply
Suitable for: Experienced forex traders or those considering yen deposits

Method 3: Online currency settlement, airport pickup (best before travel)

No need for a foreign currency account. Fill in currency, amount, pickup branch, and date on the bank’s website. After remittance, bring ID and transaction notice to pick up in person. Taiwan Bank and Mega Bank offer this service, with appointment options at airports.

Taiwan Bank’s “Easy Purchase” online settlement is fee-free (pay NT$10 via Taiwan Pay), with about 0.5% better rates. Exchanging 50,000 NT dollars results in a loss of 300-800 yuan.

Taoyuan Airport has 14 Taiwan Bank outlets (including 2 24-hour branches), making pre-travel pickup very convenient.

Advantages: Better rates, low or no fees, airport pickup available
Disadvantages: Need to book 1-3 days in advance, limited pickup times, branch appointments can’t be changed on the spot
Suitable for: Planned travelers who want to pick up at the airport

Method 4: Foreign currency ATM (most flexible emergency option)

Use a chip-enabled debit card at a foreign currency ATM to withdraw yen cash, available 24 hours. Deducted from NT account, with only 5 yuan cross-bank fee, no extra exchange fee. Exchanging 50,000 NT dollars results in a loss of 800-1,200 yuan.

SinoPac Bank’s foreign currency ATM allows withdrawal from NT accounts, with a daily limit of 150,000 NT dollars. However, ATM locations are limited (~200 nationwide), and cash may run out during peak times, with denominations only in 1,000/5,000/10,000 yen.

Advantages: Instant withdrawal, 24/7 flexibility, low cross-bank fees
Disadvantages: Limited locations, fixed denominations, possible shortages during busy times
Suitable for: Those who can’t visit a bank easily or need urgent cash

Summary table: Cost and scenario suitability of 4 methods

Recommended strategy: For budgets of 50,000-200,000 yuan, a mix of “online settlement + ATM” is most cost-effective.

After exchanging yen, what next? 3 ways to grow your money

Don’t let your yen sit idle after exchange. Choose asset allocation based on your risk preference:

Conservative: Yen fixed deposit
E.SUN, Taiwan Bank offer foreign currency accounts, deposit online. Minimum 10,000 yen, annual interest 1.5-1.8%, low risk.

Mid-term: Yen insurance policies
Cathay, Fubon life savings insurance with guaranteed 2-3% interest, suitable for 3-5 years holding.

Growth: Yen ETFs
Yuan Da 00675U tracks the yen index, can be bought as fractional shares via brokerage apps for dollar-cost averaging, suitable for long-term yen appreciation. Management fee 0.4% annually.

Advanced: Forex swing trading
Trade USD/JPY, EUR/JPY directly, long and short, 24/7 trading, suitable for experienced investors to catch real-time yen fluctuations. Beware of risks, especially during arbitrage closing or geopolitical shocks causing 2-5% swings.

Quick FAQs

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

Cash rate applies to physical cash transactions, paid immediately at the bank, but has a worse rate (1-2% spread) plus fees. Spot rate is the international price settled T+2 in forex markets, more favorable, used for electronic transfers and foreign currency accounts.

Q: How much yen can I get with 10,000 NT dollars?

Using Taiwan Bank’s cash selling rate of 4.85 on December 10, 2025, 10,000 NT dollars can buy about 48,500 yen. Using the spot rate (~4.87), about 48,700 yen.

Q: What do I need to bring for counter exchange?

Taiwanese need ID card + passport; foreigners need passport + residence permit. If booked online, also bring transaction notice. Large amounts (over 100,000 NT) may require source of funds declaration.

Q: Are there limits on foreign currency ATM withdrawals?

Different banks have different limits (strengthened from October 2025). For example, CTBC’s limit is equivalent to 120,000 NT per day; Taishin Bank’s is 150,000 NT; E.SUN’s is 150,000 NT (including card spending). It’s recommended to split withdrawals or use your own bank card to avoid cross-bank fees.

Final advice

Yen is no longer just “pocket money for travel,” but an asset with hedging and investment value. Under the dual forces of NT dollar depreciation and yen rate hikes, now is a good time to build a yen position.

For beginners, start with “Taiwan Bank online settlement + airport pickup” or “foreign currency ATM.” After familiarizing yourself with the process, consider deposits, ETFs, or advanced trading based on your needs. Stick to staged currency exchanges to minimize fees and maximize returns.

This way, traveling becomes more cost-effective, and you gain an extra layer of protection amid global market turbulence.