How to get the best exchange rate with JPY at 4.85? Complete analysis of the NT$50,000 currency exchange plan

December 2025, the exchange rate of the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) against the Japanese Yen (JPY) drops to 4.85, meaning the purchasing power of the NTD in hand has actually strengthened. Compared to 4.46 at the beginning of the year, the Yen has appreciated by about 8.7% over this year. If you’re still debating “whether to exchange now or not,” it’s better to first understand how to exchange without losing money—because for the same 50,000 NTD, choosing different channels can result in cost differences of over 1,000 yuan.

Which is more worth exchanging: Yen or British Pound?

Many people tend to limit their currency exchange to Yen, but international investors are also paying attention to how many NTD one British Pound is worth. Currently, the NTD to GBP fluctuates around 38-40, while the Yen remains stable between 4.8-4.9. Based on volatility and liquidity, Yen is more suitable for short-term travel and batch investments, whereas GBP, due to its higher exchange rate, is better for large long-term allocations. For most Taiwanese, Yen remains the first choice—simply because it has high volume, relatively stable trend, and abundant investment products.

How big is the cost difference among the 4 main channels to exchange Yen?

Bank counter exchange, online currency conversion, foreign currency ATMs… you’ve heard these terms, but what’s the actual cost difference? Let’s break down each method using a real example of exchanging 50,000 NTD.

Method 1: Traditional counter exchange—most convenient but most expensive

Bring cash NTD directly to a bank or airport counter to exchange for cash Yen, using the “cash selling rate.” This rate is usually 1-2% worse than the real market price, plus some banks charge an additional 100-200 NTD handling fee.

Based on Taiwan Bank’s rate on December 10, 2025, the cash selling rate is about 0.2060 NTD/Yen (roughly 1 NTD ≈ 4.85 Yen). With 50,000 NTD, you get about 242,718 Yen. Some banks have higher handling fees, so the actual amount received may be less.

Advantages: Instant cash on the spot, safe and secure, multiple denominations available
Disadvantages: Exchange rate spread, limited by business hours, layered handling fees
Loss estimate: about 1,500-2,000 NTD

Method 2: Online exchange + foreign currency account—preferred by investors

Use bank app or website to complete currency exchange at “spot selling rate,” depositing Yen into a foreign currency account. This rate is usually about 1% better than cash exchange rate. If you need cash temporarily, you can withdraw at counters or via foreign currency ATMs, but withdrawal incurs additional handling fees (interbank 5-100 NTD).

For example, after currency exchange via E.SUN Bank app, if you withdraw Yen cash, the minimum handling fee is 100 NTD. But if your goal is deposit into a fixed deposit to earn interest (current Yen fixed deposit annual interest rate 1.5-1.8%), or accumulate Yen for long-term investment, this method is most suitable—no need to withdraw cash, very low cost.

Advantages: 24-hour operation, about 1% better exchange rate, allows batch averaging of costs
Disadvantages: Need to open a foreign currency account, withdrawal fees apply
Loss estimate: about 500-1,000 NTD (if only depositing and not withdrawing)

Method 3: Pre-arranged online currency exchange + airport pickup—must-have for planned travelers

No need to pre-open a foreign currency account, just book online with the bank to exchange currency, fill in amount, pick-up branch and date. After completion, bring ID and transaction notification to the counter to pick up cash. Taiwan Bank’s “Easy Purchase” online exchange has no handling fee (pay with Taiwan Pay, only 10 NTD), with an exchange rate advantage of about 0.5%.

The biggest advantage: can pre-arrange pickup at Taoyuan Airport branches. Taiwan Bank has 14 branches at the airport, 2 of which operate 24 hours. Book online the day before departure, and on arrival, you can pick up cash at the airport, saving the hassle of rushing to the bank.

Advantages: Favorable exchange rate, often no handling fee, flexible booking, direct airport pickup
Disadvantages: Need to book at least 1-3 days in advance, pickup time limited by bank hours, branch cannot be changed
Loss estimate: about 300-800 NTD

Method 4: Foreign currency ATM withdrawal—emergency tool

Use a chip-enabled financial card to withdraw Yen cash from foreign currency ATMs, operable 24/7, with only 5 NTD cross-bank fee. E.SUN Bank’s foreign currency ATMs support direct deduction from NTD accounts to withdraw Yen, with a daily limit of 150,000 NTD, and no additional currency exchange fee.

But note—there are only about 200 such ATMs nationwide, and denominations are fixed (only 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 Yen notes). During peak times, cash may be insufficient. Don’t wait until the night before your trip to think about using ATMs, or you might end up empty-handed.

Advantages: Instant 24-hour withdrawal, lowest cross-bank fee (5 NTD), simple operation
Disadvantages: Limited locations, fixed denominations, risk of out-of-stock during peak hours
Loss estimate: about 800-1,200 NTD

Cost comparison table of the 4 methods

Data based on Taiwan Bank rates on December 10, 2025

Is it worth exchanging now? Key timing points

It’s not just about the exchange rate, but also the trend.

By the end of 2025, the Yen is at an interesting turning point. From fundamentals, the Bank of Japan Governor Ueda has recently made hawkish comments, with market expectations of an 80% chance of interest rate hikes, and the December 19 meeting is expected to raise rates by 0.25 basis points to 0.75% (a 30-year high). Japanese government bond yields have hit a 17-year high of 1.93%, which is favorable for Yen appreciation in the long term.

However, short-term fluctuations are significant. USD/JPY has fallen from a high of 160 at the start of the year to around 154.58 now. It may fluctuate around 155 in the near term, but in the medium to long term, it is forecasted to fall below 150. For investors, this means—exchanging now isn’t at the lowest point, but also not at the highest; it’s suitable for phased entry.

Industry observations show that Taiwan’s currency exchange demand in the second half of the year increased by 25%, with 60% from travel recovery and 40% from hedging. This reflects that Yen has evolved from a “travel currency” to an “asset allocation option.”

How to exchange 50,000 NTD with minimal loss? 3 smart steps

Step 1: Batch your entries, avoid exchanging all at once
Although Yen is a safe-haven currency, short-term fluctuations caused by arbitrage unwinding or geopolitical conflicts can cause swings of 2-5%. It’s recommended to exchange in 3-4 installments, each around 12,000-15,000 NTD, spread across 4.80-4.90 to build positions gradually.

Step 2: Choose the lowest-cost channel

• For 50,000-100,000 NTD: Use “online pre-arranged exchange,” then pick up at airport or designated branches
• For 100,000-200,000 NTD: “Online exchange into foreign currency account,” then withdraw in batches or deposit fixed deposits
• For over 200,000 NTD: Distribute across multiple banks or consider Yen fixed deposits locking in 1.6-1.8% annual interest

Step 3: After exchanging, don’t let the money sit idle
What you do after getting Yen determines your maximum profit.

4 options after exchanging Yen

Option 1: Yen fixed deposit—conservative

Open a foreign currency account at E.SUN or Taiwan Bank, transfer Yen online into fixed deposit. Minimum 10,000 Yen, annual interest 1.5-1.8%. It’s not much—about 150-180 Yen per year on 10,000 Yen—but in the low-interest global environment, it’s a decent return. Suitable for 3-6 months travel budget or short-term hedging.

Option 2: Yen insurance policy—medium-term holding

Buy Yen savings insurance from Cathay or Fubon Life, with guaranteed interest rates typically 2-3%, higher than fixed deposits. Funds are locked in for 5-10 years, but early withdrawal incurs penalties. Suitable for those with stable Yen income or long-term Japanese property plans.

Option 3: Yen ETFs—growth-oriented

Buy Yen index funds with 0-6 months, 1-3 years maturity via Taiwanese broker apps (e.g., Yuanta). Management fee about 0.4% per year, more volatile than fixed deposits, but with potential profit over 3+ years. Suitable for investors willing to accept some risk seeking capital appreciation.

Option 4: Yen swing trading—advanced

Trade USD/JPY or EUR/JPY directly on forex platforms, capturing short-term exchange rate movements. Advantages include long/short positions, 24-hour trading, leverage. Risks are high, requiring practical experience. Recommended only for those with forex trading background.

Quick FAQ

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

Cash rate applies to physical cash transactions, usually 1-2% worse than spot rate. Spot rate is used for electronic transfers or non-cash settlement (T+2), closer to international market price. Simply put—cash exchange costs more, electronic transfers are more favorable.

Q: How much Yen can I get with 10,000 NTD?

Based on Taiwan Bank’s rate on December 10, 2025, using cash selling rate 4.85, 10,000 NTD yields about 48,500 Yen. Using online spot rate (~4.87), it’s about 48,700 Yen—difference of roughly 200 Yen (about 40 NTD). That’s why choosing the right channel matters.

Q: What documents are needed for counter exchange?

ID card + passport (foreigners bring passport + residence permit). For online pre-arranged pickup, also bring transaction notification. Under 20 need parental accompaniment; over 100,000 NTD may require source of funds declaration.

Q: Are there limits for foreign currency ATM withdrawals in 2025?

Yes. Since October, many banks have strengthened anti-fraud measures, reducing daily withdrawal limit for third-party digital accounts to 100,000 NTD. Our bank’s card limit is around 120,000-150,000 NTD per day, others depend on issuing bank. It’s advisable to split withdrawals or use your own bank card to avoid cross-bank fees.

Conclusion: Yen is no longer just travel money

Once upon a time, Yen in Taiwan was just “pocket money for trips abroad.” But now, with the Bank of Japan’s imminent rate hikes, a clear Yen appreciation trend, and rising global risk aversion, Yen has become an asset allocation option for small investors.

Whether you’re a traveler planning to ski in Hokkaido next year, or an investor worried about NTD depreciation and seeking diversification, mastering the “batch exchange + cost optimization + post-exchange allocation” three-step approach allows you to minimize losses and maximize gains amid Yen’s appreciation wave. Start comparing bank rates now and find the best exchange plan for you.