Save $20 on a cup of coffee, get a camera for $5,000 cheaper — Traveling to Japan is now 'the cheapest ever'

Reported by Yu T-Ru / Taipei

To boost exports and stimulate domestic demand, Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has adopted an easy monetary policy, causing the yen to continue depreciating. In the past month, it has fallen below the 0.33 mark. For Taiwanese travelers heading to Japan recently, the difference is very noticeable — the yen goes much further than in previous years, and shopping has become relatively cheaper as a result. Many shoppers visiting Japan have even remarked that buying souvenirs with yen now feels like getting 'a great deal.'


▲ Taiwanese travelers heading to Japan recently will definitely notice the difference, as the yen continues to depreciate. (Photo / Provided by Travel Unique Advertising)

This year’s (2013) Lunar New Year holiday lasted nine days, and many Taiwanese travelers took advantage of the rare break to go abroad, with Japan being the top travel destination. Japan is not only close to Taiwan but also offers the ‘three greats’ — good food, great shopping, and fun experiences. Coupled with the depreciation of the yen, traveling to Japan is now 'even more affordable' than before. Many travelers chose this timing to visit Japan specifically to 'spend yen.'

Just how much cheaper is it to travel to Japan now? Take Starbucks coffee as an example: a 360-yen regular latte that would have cost around NT$137 a year ago can now be enjoyed for just about NT$115. For those shopping for clothing, a garment that used to cost 10,000 yen has dropped from around NT$3,800 to approximately NT$3,300 due to the weaker yen. The most noticeable price difference is for those purchasing high-end items. For instance, a single-lens reflex camera that used to cost about 80,000 yen — roughly NT$30,000 — can now be bought for just around NT$25,000. For travelers going to Japan, it’s truly a huge 'savings bonanza.'

Additionally, if the yen continues to weaken, travelers heading to Japan might consider not exchanging large amounts of cash and instead using credit cards, which could save even more money. When travelers make purchases with their cards, banks settle the transactions based on the exchange rate on the day the merchant submits the request — which could be several days after the purchase. This not only spares travelers the hassle of exchanging cash but also allows them to benefit from the exchange rate difference and avoid foreign transaction fees. It saves money and adds convenience.