How much money should I bring for a 7-day trip to Japan? An article explaining the Japanese yen exchange options and cost differences

Are you ready to head to Japan? If you only ask “How much money should I bring,” the answer might surprise you—just choosing how to exchange yen can determine whether you bring several thousand or tens of thousands of NTD more or less. By December 2025, the TWD/JPY exchange rate will reach 4.85. This is not just something travelers should care about; savvy investors will pay close attention to this key point.

How much cash should you bring for a one-week trip to Japan?

A common misconception is “Japan is everywhere with card payments, so you can bring cash or not.” In reality, according to local statistics, the credit card penetration rate in Japan is only 60%. Many small shops, convenience stores, restaurants, and stations still only accept cash. For example, a 7-day free and easy trip to Japan:

Estimated expenses (per person):

• Meals: ¥3,000-5,000/day (about 600-1,000 TWD)
• Accommodation (guesthouse/hostel): ¥5,000-8,000/night (about 1,000-1,600 TWD)
• Transportation cards/tickets: ¥3,000-5,000 (about 600-1,000 TWD)
• Attractions and shopping: ¥5,000-10,000 (about 1,000-2,000 TWD)
• Total for 7 days: ¥16,000-28,000 (about 3,200-5,600 TWD)

In other words, for a 7-day trip to Japan, preparing 50,000-60,000 TWD in cash (including emergency funds and shopping flexibility) is more appropriate. But the key is not how much to bring, but how to exchange it most cost-effectively—the same 50,000 TWD, exchanged in different ways, can end up costing you 1,500-2,000 TWD more.

Why are Taiwanese so eager to exchange for yen?

The Japanese yen is no longer just a travel currency. Over the past year, the demand for yen in Taiwan has increased by 25%, driven by three major reasons:

Travel recovery driving demand: Post-pandemic, the number of people traveling to Japan has rebounded, with over 1.5 million Taiwanese tourists visiting Japan this year.

Yen as a safe-haven asset: Japan is one of the world’s three major safe-haven currencies (alongside USD and Swiss Franc). When global stock markets fluctuate, funds flow into the yen. For example, during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the yen appreciated by 8% in a week, while stock markets fell by 10%—a significant signal for Taiwanese investors.

Interest rate arbitrage opportunities expand: Recently, Bank of Japan Governor Ueda has taken a hawkish stance, with expectations of a rate hike to 0.75% on December 19 (a 30-year high), pushing the yen deposit rate from 1.5% to around 1.8%. Compared to Taiwan’s savings accounts with less than 1%, the difference is clear.

The complete guide to 5 yen exchange options

Option 1: Cash exchange at the airport counter—most convenient but most expensive

Bring NT dollars directly to a bank or airport counter to exchange for yen. Simple but costly. Banks use the “cash selling rate” (1-2% worse than the market spot rate), plus possible fees, so exchanging 50,000 TWD might cost you over 1,500 TWD more.

Cost estimate (50,000 TWD):

• Taiwan Bank cash selling rate: 1 yen = 0.2060 TWD (no fee)
• Mega Bank cash selling rate: 1 yen = 0.2062 TWD (no fee)
• E.SUN Bank cash selling rate: 1 yen = 0.2067 TWD (+100 TWD fee)
• Loss: 1,500-2,000 TWD

Suitable for: unfamiliar with online operations, urgent needs, small amounts (1-2 million TWD).

Option 2: Online currency exchange + airport pickup—most cost-effective mainstream choice

This is the most recommended way to prepare before traveling abroad. Reserve currency exchange via bank website, select airport branch for pickup, with “spot selling” rate (about 0.5% discount). Many banks also waive fees.

Process:

1. Log into bank app/website, fill in currency, amount, pickup branch, date
2. Complete payment (Taiwan Bank’s “Easy Purchase” via TaiwanPay costs only 10 TWD)
3. On departure day, bring ID + transaction notification to the airport to pick up

Cost estimate (50,000 TWD):

• Taiwan Bank spot selling rate: about 1 yen = 0.2058 TWD (fee 10 TWD)
• Mega Bank spot selling rate: about 1 yen = 0.2055 TWD (no fee)
• Loss: 300-800 TWD

Advantages:

• Best exchange rate (close to international market)
• Often no or very low fees
• Taoyuan Airport Taiwan Bank has 14 service points, 2 open 24 hours
• Flexible timing (book 1-3 days in advance)

Disadvantages: branches cannot change the order; must coordinate with business hours.

Suitable for: planned trips, cost-saving, ample lead time.

Option 3: Foreign currency ATM withdrawal—most convenient 24/7

Use a chip-enabled bank card at foreign currency ATMs in Japan to withdraw yen cash. Available 24/7, cross-bank fee only 5 TWD. However, only about 200 foreign currency ATMs nationwide, limited locations, and high demand (airports, holidays) may cause shortages.

Cost estimate (50,000 TWD):

• E.SUN Bank foreign currency ATM: no exchange fee, daily limit equivalent to NT$150,000
• Cross-bank fee: 5 TWD per withdrawal
• Loss: 800-1,200 TWD

Withdrawal limits (2025 new rules):

• CTBC: single transaction up to 120,000 yen, daily up to 120,000 yen
• Taishin: single up to 150,000 yen, daily up to 150,000 yen
• E.SUN: single up to 50,000 yen (50 banknotes), daily up to 150,000 yen

Suitable for: no time to visit bank, last-minute cash needs, 24-hour flexibility.

Option 4: Online currency transfer to foreign currency account—ideal for frequent travelers or small investments

Open a foreign currency account at your bank, convert TWD to yen deposit at spot rate. If you want to withdraw cash, pay an additional fee (around 100 TWD). Best for those who travel often or plan to invest in yen deposits.

Cost estimate (50,000 TWD):

• Transfer to foreign currency account: spot rate (~0.2055 TWD/yen)
• Withdrawal fee: +100 TWD
• Loss: 500-1,000 TWD

Advantages:

• Can operate in installments, averaging costs
• Yen in account can be directly invested in deposits (annual interest 1.5-1.8%)
• No need to visit branch each time

Disadvantage: need to open account first; withdrawal incurs extra fees.

Option 5: Local ATM withdrawal in Japan—emergency backup

After arriving in Japan, use international bank cards (Mastercard/Cirrus) at Japanese ATMs to withdraw yen. Note that international card withdrawal services in Japan will be adjusted by the end of 2025, with higher fees (~100-150 TWD per withdrawal).

Not recommended as main method due to:

• High fees
• Unfavorable exchange rates
• Card restrictions increasing

Exchange rate trends and departure timing

Is it a good time to exchange yen now? The answer is “somewhat favorable, but staggered.”

Current exchange rate:

• TWD/JPY: 4.85 (as of December 10, 2025)
• Beginning of year: 4.46
• Year-to-date appreciation: 8.7%

This means if you exchanged at the start of the year, you’ve already gained from the appreciation. But what about future?

Forecast:

• Short-term (1-2 months): BOJ rate hikes may push yen around 155, unlikely to break 160
• Medium-long term (3-6 months): USD weakening, yen support strengthens, target below 150
• Risks: global arbitrage unwinding could cause 2-5% short-term volatility

Recommendations:

1. Do not exchange all at once; split into 3-4 installments
2. Buy on dips (preferably when TWD/JPY drops below 4.80)
3. For a 7-day trip with 50,000 TWD, timing is less critical; “online exchange + airport pickup” is sufficient

Three steps after exchanging yen

Once you have yen, don’t let it sit idle (which causes zero interest and depreciation). Based on amount and goal, operate accordingly:

Small amounts (5,000-20,000 yen): Use directly in Japan for daily expenses.

Medium amounts (20,000-100,000 yen):

• Deposit in fixed deposits: open a foreign currency account, deposit yen at 1.5-1.8% annual interest
• Insurance options: buy yen savings insurance with 2-3% guaranteed rate
• ETF investment: buy Yuanta 00675U (yen index ETF), can trade fractional shares via brokerage app, annual management fee 0.4%

Large amounts (over 100,000 yen):

• Forex swing trading: trade USD/JPY or EUR/JPY on forex platforms (e.g., Mitrade)
• Advantages: zero commission, low spreads, 24/7 trading, long/short, stop-loss/take-profit tools
• Risks: need basic forex knowledge, short-term volatility 2-5%

FAQs quick answers

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

• Cash rate: bank’s buy/sell rate for physical bills, higher cost, 1-2% spread
• Spot rate: forex market rate settled T+2, more favorable, close to international price

Q: How much yen can I get for 10,000 TWD now? Using Taiwan Bank’s cash selling rate 4.85: about 4.85 million yen (spot rate slightly better at 4.87 million)

Q: What ID do I need for cash exchange?

• Taiwanese: ID card + passport
• Foreigners: passport + residence permit
• Under 20: parent accompaniment + consent letter
• Online reservation pickup: transaction notification required

Q: Should I bring cash or use card in Japan? Cash is king. Recommended:

• Large purchases (hotels, shopping): use card
• Daily expenses (convenience stores, small restaurants, transport): cash
• Emergency cash: prepare about 70% of total budget in cash, 30% as backup (for urgent card use)

Final advice

For a 7-day trip to Japan, bringing 50,000-60,000 TWD in cash and using “online exchange + airport pickup” or “foreign currency ATM withdrawal” can save at least 1,000 TWD. If you plan multiple trips or investments in yen, opening a foreign currency account and exchanging in installments for deposits can handle both short-term travel needs and profit from exchange rate fluctuations. Yen is not just pocket money; with the right approach, it can be a hedge to protect your assets.