Japanese Yen Exchange Rate Bust for Tourists | Travel Costs Fall 2024

[@buffaloalice8413]

For simplicity’s sake, I had operated under the ¥100 ~ $1 assumption, so ¥140 is not bad from a tourist’s perspective at all.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Me too, once people companies why I don’t say the prices in dollars. Just say ¥100 is a dollar! The reason is that it’s fluctuated between ¥78 and ¥160 over the last 15 years and I’ve been on KZbin for a lot of that. Hard to bake in a rate into a video, it’s sure to change this big again some time.

[@peko7446]

I remember years ago when I started visiting Japan, I exchanged $1000 USD and got back around 70000 Yen plus some change. I only felt bad for a moment, then I thought to myself, I'm in Japan, so who cares! Back then, the consumption rate was not 10%, the JR Pass was its old price and you can find business hotels for around 3000Yen a night.

[@LiterallyJustAnActualPotato]

Great video as always, John! My husband and I were able to visit twice with low exchange rate. Once in September 2023 (our first trip back since the bad global sickness) and our most recent trip was in June 2024. We’re preparing to come back in January(2025). We’re going to be shopping for a vacation home/condo in Tokyo or Yokohama while we’re there (Japan is our favorite place in the world) 💖 Even though the low exchange rate was certainly nice for our wallet (and ¥141 to $1 is still quite a low rate), we will be happy to see things continue to stabilize for the yen and for Japanese people. I would never wish hardship on anyone for my own benefit. Plus, healthy exchange rates help to promote better relationships between Japanese citizens and tourists, which is so important! Visiting Japan is so special because of the people who live there, like you and your family and all of the people you showcase on your channels 🥰 thank you for keeping us in the loop with Japanese news and updates!

[@magnustan841]

Good for you guys in Japan to be honest. As much as I took advantage of 160yen exchange rate, I’d be equally as pleased if the economic burden on the Japanese is somewhat lifted. Happier residents means happier tourists 🤞

[@OxO1236]

Hey man that last video was really interesting, would be interested in you talking about instances in japan when you felt beat down and how you overcame it. Love the respectful way you talk. Thank you!

[@donnapalmer3066]

Amazing in April for us coming from the UK, I changed at 191 yen to the pound! We knew we would be returning in December so I changed a load of GBP while the rate was so good

[@karolinecallao]

Thankss for the videos! I have been watching your channel to prepare for my trip this november :) i'm glad that I decided to buy all the yen I needed when the currency was at its lowest 😅

[@vini_fly]

If you know the Yen is going to get stronger, put some money on the stock exchange and you will get rich. You are just speculating.

[@Icha74]

I understand that for us tourists a stronger Yen is not good, but I am actually happy for the stronger Yen. It's unfair for the locals to struggle so much when us tourists enjoying the weaker Yen. Of course, it would be nice if Yen is finally settling somewhere where it helps the locals but still enable tourists to come... but I am genuinely happy for a stronger Yen now...

[@jeremyvitiello]

Glad I already scooped up some yen when it was at 150/$1...good to go for my next trip come April...however, where you notice the exchange rate more, is when paying with credit cards...hope it won't get too much lower...first time I went to Japan it was like ¥78 per dollar...that was rough.

[@dawnadavis8642]

another great video! just booked a 12 day trip…first time. watching tons of videos to help pull together an itinerary. I welcome recommendations 😊

[@coolrottie2565]

Just look at the rate for Australia and it said A$1 = ¥95.84. I got mine when it hit ¥107 😁 The Wise card is excellent.

[@alittlebitofskye]

I brought some when it dropped to ¥94. Hoping it gets close to ¥100 when I’m there in November

[@NickFoster]

When we were buying currency before our trip in August we got about 195JPY to 1GBP. It's now 187 so not a massive change, better certainly than the 150 that we've suffered on previous trips.

[@tkyap2524]

Exchange rate is like a roller coaster. Stressful to have it at the back of the mind on a holiday. Travel in peace.

[@alexanderalwayslate3855]

When I first started going to Japan in 2017, it was 109 yen to 1 dollar so the dollar is still strong and the yen has consistently gotten weaker.

[@oleksandrzubchenko210]

It's great that economic situation in Japan got better. JPN govt helps us Ukraine so much during the ongoing russo-Ukrainian war, we appreciates this so much.

[@SyaoranLiClow]

The prices are still high, it doesn't help our cause.😅

[@johnl2613]

Yeah I checked the hotel prices a few months back and the figures didn't change much. Not sure about eating and drinking in Japan in non-tourist trap areas though..

[@johnlopez9626]

A great video I couldn’t watch it live I was to busy watching another live stream hope you have a great day john

[@Jens-ee7vy]

Great video! Can't wait to see one about Cortux, it's a game-changer.

[@Mirai8]

It's been a very stable exchange rate for THB to Yen. I just got a good exchange rate of 0.22 on my travel card, which is the best exchange rate it's been for a year. It's been stable at 0.23-0.24. I'll be in Tokyo on the 5th of October with the wife and kid, first time back since Covid. ❤

[@dmks2146]

I visited twice. In 2019 prices were comparable to Central Europe. This year everything was shockingly cheap compared to home. We had meals in nice places that cost as much as a sandwich and a coffee in NYC.

[@peko7446]

The shrinkflation has been happening here in the USA also for quite sometime now while the prices have gone up. If they couldn't shrink the size, like eggs, they just increase the price. Eggs used to cost around $1.79/dozen and now they're priced at $3.99-4.99/dozen depending on the supermarket. More if they're organic.

[@Diamond_Hanz]

still higher than what it was a year ago. this guy has a short term memory

[@tatsumasa6332]

This is a great news for us. We export only 15% today and the rest is buying.

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Thanks for sharing it. ✌️

[@MikeTheGamer77]

The yen is still weak, at 139 yen to 1 USD. Its better, sure, but it could be even better if it dropped to 115 or 120. I'd love it to be back at the 107 it was back in 2018 when I first came here.

[@ando1135]

wouldnt that be great? i came in 2018 and 2019 and that was almost 1:1 ... i live here now and going back home is more expensive for me.

[@MikeTheGamer77]

@@ando1135 I haven't been back to the States because I get paid in yen. Its awful. lol

[@ando1135]

@@MikeTheGamer77 doesnt help that everything got more expensive in the US after the pandemic. RIP

[@vwongwt]

The exchange rate affects those exchanging USD to JPY. Other currencies not necessarily affected as much. For instance MYR remained relatively stable.

[@DoinStuff4Life]

True but the reason they use the US dollar is because its the method of payment and the Worlds reserve currency for over 60yrs. Not the MYR, respectfully most of the world doesn't care because it doesn't effect trading or the price of goods for the world.

[@vwongwt]

@@DoinStuff4Life Totally understandable as USD vs JPY is the most common taking into consideration the number of visitors from the states. Love catching up with the happenings in Japan through your videos.

[@DoinStuff4Life]

@@vwongwt Thank you :) I am trying my best. more videos on the house I bought are coming soon. We just got the keys 2 days ago.

[@lucianoarrieta5786]

Here in Europe is still 1€ = 157 yen🤔

[@JP7onEarth]

Thank goodness we prepaid our trip a long time ago. We are here in Tokyo now and have three more cities to see on our trip. At Lake Ishi now...lots of fun! JP Porto

[@haruo10]

Great information. Thanks

[@ADulare007]

I think that Japan have done more economical financial and technology deals with the US especially their miltarys. Or it could be the fact that the USA 🇺🇸 love the Japanese playstation. I work for eurochange I work in the FX financial sector for 11 years. Nice video John.

[@AzeharaCh]

I believe it was around 150 back when I went to JP in November 2023. Seems it will be around 130 when I go this November. Happy for the country, but sad for my wallet.

[@Okashime]

same... im coming this november too, it was reasonable rate in last year november... hopefully it will goes back up to 150 in 1 month...

[@LiterallyJustAnActualPotato]

@@Okashimethat’s not really “reasonable”. That’s a super bad rate for Japanese citizens. It was causing them a lot of issues. Wishing it would go back up so things are cheaper while you’re visiting from a country with a stronger currency is really short sighted (putting that nicely)…

[@Okashime]

@@LiterallyJustAnActualPotato trust me its def not going to be cheaper either way even when it was as high as 160 yen for $1 USD for south east asian tourist like me lol we dont earn in stronger currency than yen or USD. I was mostly just talking in perspective of USD tourist i guess.

[@w3s77]

I've had friends live in Japan at 80 JPY to USD. USD dropping against most Asian currencies (MYR, THB) due to speculation Fed will cut rates over 1% in 2024.

[@kingrando]

I agree, the worst is over.

[@AdamWilliam329]

Nothing lasts forever. I had fun while I was in Japan. Mad souvenirs ❤🙏🏽

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Well, since this stuff is cyclical, it’ll be back, maybe not for another 20 years 😂 who knows?

[@AdamWilliam329]

@@onlyinjapanGO 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@dono42]

I'm happy that the yen is strengthening, but until it gets closer to 100 yen / 1 USD it is still very weak. I was expecting it to get much worse (180 yen?) but I will be glad to admit I am wrong. Though I will remain cautious for a few more months. The two-tier pricing system is most problematic for foreign residents living in Japan such as us. Even if you speak Japanese people will assume we are tourists.

[@jt.633]

if you speak japanese then you can use the japanese menu with local pricing

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Yeah, there was no way it could get worse without more intervention. A game of chicken to get inflation up! That game is over now. No more market manipulation to bring it down. It’s pretty stable atm.

[@WizardOfOss]

As for two-teier pricing: Just working on my plan for San'in area, and I see many places in Matsue still offer up to 50% discount when you show your foreign passport.....Guess they don't want to get rid of the few tourists they get.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

I got that discount at Matsue Castle, residence card was enough.

[@WizardOfOss]

@@onlyinjapanGO now I gotta check if you made some videos about that, or other places in Matsue 😄 Already planned to go there in spring 2020, but guess what happened....now a second chance for Shimane and Tottori. After that, only Miyazaki and then I'm at 47/47 prefectures....

[@arceus54321]

looking forward to the video from asahikawa! also, i have a wise card and find it very useful. it's basically just an online, no strings attached debit account. you can transfer money from your bank account (my canadian bank account) to Wise at the market rate almost instantly so it's pretty helpful.

[@Im_Korzak]

I bought some when it was 1 cad to 115 yen so I basically made a 10% profit I think the Japanese economy will be strong even with the issues

[@julz_7773]

The US Fed is also widely predicted to lower it's interest rate this week, so the exchange market is adjusting accordingly.

[@Exterminism]

I’m not see much due diligence, no point to timing the market right now

[@Cordycep1]

At 139 the bank are buying so expecting 153 since there is a gap that bank needs to fill, but I prefer less tourist so stronger yen is fine

[@iskandartaib]

When I visited in April the yen kept going down. I brought a pretty large amount of cash but I found it unnecessary since I was able to use my debit card and my TnG app to pay for almost everything. I found my bank was re-adjusting all my charges down.. There would be an initial charge, which would get refund the next day, and a new charge added for a slightly lower amount. It would probably work both ways.. if the Yen were going up, the new charge would have been higher. Fair's fair, I suppose.. I probably saved a couple of ringgit overall. Same thing happened when I visited Bangkok last month.. I was shocked to find I could actually use my debit card on the subway. Not sure why but they would charge my card 1 baht (RM0.13) initially, and then adjust the charge the next day. Still have about 100K yen in cash.. maybe I will use it up when I visit next year. Low as the yen is, Japan is still bloody expensive.

[@nefertemur8951]

Greetings John Daub! Consumer goods on this planet are indeed changing and the business owner will always pass the price increases down to the consumer which must be planned for. On another note, the iPhone 16 has been released for purchase and added to my Apple 🍎 collections based on my passive income in Apple 🍎 as well as many other companies on the stock exchange. Surely you will purchase yours soon given your line of business or work. John, it’s Tokyo, two syllables right? Thanks for sharing and take care John Daub.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

I don’t think I’ll “upgrade” because I haven’t seen much of an upgrade for the price they’re charging in Japan. Apple Japan isn’t really Apple … they priced it at ¥160 = $1 for the phones are all about $200 more. I have 1TB on my 14 Pro and no one has complained about the live streams and no one has complimented me either 😂 use the money for a new MBP M4 perhaps. Disappointed in the 16 Pro but it’s a good upgrade if you have a 12 Pro. I haven’t seen a vast improvement in video esp if you’re using the Black Magic video app which is INCREDIBLE. Maybe they’ll have a real upgrade in 2025. Market news says iPhone presales were poor so I think people recognize the weak update. Seeing. Warren Buffet sell a ton of Apple stock last month BEFORE a release also makes me wonder … TO-KYO 😂 yup

[@thepocketshot]

You do an awesome job with your videos. Thanks.

[@graemewilliams6150]

Ive just bought my JPY @ 180 to £ for my trip in Early October. Maybe its something to do with all the tourism Japan benefitted from lately?🤔

[@NguyenNgan-gk6uc]

Excited to see how Cortux will disrupt the payment industry. Huge potential, and still in presale phase!

[@KaylaJanae-sr7ld]

Thanks for the excellent analysis, but I'm all for Cortux.

[@MaShcode]

Was always told to stay away from currency speculation. It’s a black art. Big profits or big losses. Easily manipulated. Keep your cash liquid in stable investments.

[@scullysensei]

It’s okay because I bought yen when it was 160. 141 is still good. It’s been 9 years since it’s been this good.

[@Ali-py2ck]

The US just cut rates by a half a point. I wonder how it's going to affect the exchange rate in not only Japan but other countries

[@onlyinjapanGO]

We hit ¥139 3 days ago so it’s expected to drop more which is this episode :) along with the improving JP economy.

[@Asian_Movie_Enthusiast]

LOL. I'm going to Japan this Saturday . . . but I exchanged my cash a month ago. :)

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Ooooh! Smart!

[@Big-Wonka]

I actually caught it perfectly at 160 and got all of my spending yen from my bank for my trip next spring.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Nice catch!

[@시야흐름]

The reason I got Cortux is because I believe decentralization is more important than anything else.

[@discinfiltrator_games]

Maybe we finally stop hearing about double pricing systems for tourists nonsense

[@onlyinjapanGO]

I think so.

[@elipandaman]

Locals getting discounts is how it works in many places, like Hawai'i. It's not that bad lol.

[@chonkychungus]

@@elipandaman it's not locals getting discounts, it's tourists getting extorted

[@madtitan-va]

Thanks for the Virginia shout out!

[@ernstgenzs7456]

Hold your horses bud. The i rates were cut by 0.5% so its expected the old greenback will be back on top…I appreciate your videos your talent tho.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

In combination with an improving JP economy. Don’t give all the credit to a political rate cut in an election year. Thank you ^_^

[@miguelsandiko]

Beautiful.

[@Oi-know]

If I’m worried that it keeps lowering before my trip. Would be wise to exchange my currency before I leave? Or will I still get a better exchange rate in JP even if it changes?

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Depends when’s your trip and HOW MUCH you plan to change. Small amounts really make little difference. A few dollars saved. If you’re changing $1000 or more, maybe 😉 it doesn’t typically freefall like the end of July very often. Look at fee and options carefully. I never change money in the US for a trip abroad unless it’s too good to be real like ¥160

[@lizardears4861]

I’m still coming to fukuoka in October. I need my ramen alright

[@onlyinjapanGO]

It will be there! 😋

[@junhanl811]

time to start growing your own vegtables :) indoors :)

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Why not!

[@dcgunman]

Back at n 84/85 it was around 230¥ to $1.

[@Frederick-765]

i remember when 90 JPY = $1

[@onlyinjapanGO]

I remember 78 to the dollar.

[@ch4.hayabusa]

8:20 the cozy times

[@DDB168]

Kishida san has been good from a foreign policy point of view. Bit surprised Himeji has done that (if true). I was quite shocked how quiet the city was (apart from Himeji Jo). I ate in a restaurant in a shotengai and I was the only customer (this was last year). A two tier pricing system would only exacerbate that. I have a Wise card. It's a debit card, very low fee (when you load it with foreign currencies) and I've found it has worked everywhere I've used it in Japan.

[@MarcosVinicius-fx2cf]

FOMO kicking in as Cortux partners with more and more merchants. Bullish!

[@gotakazawa408]

Tomorrow's weather forecast for Asahikawa City is sunny, with a predicted high of 22 degrees Celsius. That sounds wonderful, John!

[@markshen3280]

As of July 3 this year 2024, Hong Kong 🇭🇰 ranks first followed by Singapore 🇸🇬 for the most expensive city to live in due to the cost of living.

[@jamesphoenix1850]

Alas I fear your predictions are wrong, every indicator I have seen shows a continued decline over the coming years, and it will certainly go back above 160 and potentially even reach 200 in the next 5 years. The only reason for the recent bounce back was due to the Bank of Japan putting interest rates up. Unfortunately, the underlying economic issues in Japan are going to continue the decline.

[@mjmj3658]

I need it to hit 180 when i visit.

[@walterwalters8412]

supposed to be going in November, will it be more expensive for an American to go if it keeps dropping?

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Yes, it’s already about 12% more than in Early July. Let’s see what happens! Over my 26 years here, anything over ¥125 is an amazing deal.

[@InvestingWithAdamK]

I think it’s just the beginning. I bought a bunch of yen in case I wanted to visit any time in the next 5-10 years. I wanted to lock in price to allow multiple trips.

[@60frederick]

1chf is now 168.23jpy…

[@tthrl]

They can now stop charging extra from tourists. ...right?

[@johnl2613]

Lol. Doubt it.

[@RONIN1111]

the exchange rate is more than when it was before the drop that made this video... 142 - 1

[@phil488pista9]

It is at 141.88 no? Am I missing something? Also, do you think Japan will see less tourists?

[@JP7onEarth]

John, great video. We are in Hakone now. Osaka next, then Kyoto and then Hiroshima and then back to Tokyo. Sent you a lunch invite. JP Porto

[@lorrane2177]

If you have time, visit Miyajima. It’s a beautiful small town accessed by ferry. Close to Hiroshima. Happy travels.

[@JP7onEarth]

@@lorrane2177 will do. thanks

[@JP7onEarth]

@@lorrane2177 My wife's grandma is from Hiroshima ...we will be visiting there ...she was 2 KM'S away many years ago.

[@danielwoods6652]

I've seen it at 350, and 80.

[@vivianrivera3098]

Can you suggest a bank in Japan for U.S. citizens?

[@dfsdh432v9]

the important thing to watch out is the interest rate difference, btw US and japan.

[@davidgunderman6348]

The Japanese yen has fallen again. What’s going on? It was at 139 and now it’s back to 148?

[@moxavenger]

The economists always are just guessing. This exchange rate is so much better for Japan's citizens and vendors and 2% inflation is ideal for any country.

[@markshen3280]

Hong Kong 🇭🇰 SAR was 37 C on the day and evening of the Mid-Autumn Festival as people gathered on both sides of the Victoria Harboir to view the first Mid-Autumn Festival Drone Show at night. 🥵

[@CaimAstraea]

I didn’t receive that 40,000¥ bonus ?? 😮 How come. I work for a japanese company

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Kishida proposed in 2023 for inflation stimulus. It was supposed to come in June. I haven’t checked either if I got it …

[@peko7446]

@@onlyinjapanGO Do retirees received the stimulus also?

[@Chino-Kafu]

I love living in japan

[@MikelRChannel]

Its good for tourist like us when we visited Japan last June. Yen was still low exchanged for Canadian dollar. I guess Japan will no longer have a problem of too much tourist visiting Japan for a while.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Maybe, it’s becoming more of a draw mainstream so that may pick up steam thanks to the 3M visits every month. A lot of SNS posts. People talk about, more people come.

[@gio_7077]

uh oh looks like its climbing only not falling

[@sonh788]

Hopefully we see less rude tourists a la jake paul , johnny Somali types

[@arcticredpanda4598]

I go to Japan 3-4 times per year. They have been raising prices especially on visitors so this currency news is like a double hit. Japan still cheap though.

[@shckg]

My ideal dollar to the yen rate would be at 120-130 yen to the dollar

[@gregoryrankin646]

What is the price of soy milk in Japan compared to dairy?

[@onlyinjapanGO]

How big a container? I don’t drink it but I think it’s much cheaper.

[@nick4088]

Hope it comes down. This will help Japan and slow down tourism. I'm from the states but I'm not really a plan of crowded places. I plan on coming there next summer some time.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

The stronger yen may also be the cure for Japan’s overtourism gripes too. Not AS crowded in 2025? 🤔 I’m watching to see what Japan does next.

[@mikeymoose7253]

It’s only the big cities that will have over tourism which are normally crowded anyway, tbh. There’s plenty of places in Japan without big crowds!

[@CaimAstraea]

Inflation without rising wages 😂 Japanese style

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Yup, it’s going up but not fast enough. Since 2008, bonuses have been poor too for many.

[@heatherlinnette189]

Not really affected the yen exchange with the pound, which at the moment I’m thankful for because of my children are in Japan on holiday of a lifetime, which they would not be able to afford if the yen was stronger.

[@chewie94116]

Still planning to come to Japan

[@WizardOfOss]

Went from absurdly low to still extremely low..... Also, how much of it is the yen getting stronger and how much the dollar getting weaker? Looking at the last month, the yen gained 4,4% against the dollar, but only 3,2% against the euro. Both still very much in fluctuation territory I'd say.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Yen getting stronger. Mostly interest rate movement but the BOJ is more transparent with decisions now with new chairman. It’s hard to say really but the tend is strong for JPY and I expect it to return to earth sometime in 2025 - but heck, something could also happen to stop that too.

[@rusty9959]

How long will it last I wonder…

[@onlyinjapanGO]

What last? Summer? The weak yen? I guess it depends what you consider weak? ¥99-¥108 seems to be normal to me. ¥109-120 moderately weak. ¥120 and above is high.

[@SDZ675]

Crazy that it was just 2-3 months ago that Japanese owners were trying to have separate pricing between locals and tourists because of how weak the yen was.

[@edc.3761]

I think it's more a case of the US dollar weakening against other currencies including the JPY. As another commenter has said, the JPY exchange rate with other currencies has remained relatively stable.

[@JapanTravel-vp3yr]

Other commenter was wrong. Big currencies like €uro was at 175, is now 157. GBP was at 205 or so, is now around 185. It's mostly asian currencies that haven't took a dive.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

It’s a lot of factors but the BOJ is less dovish now. It seems they’re back to “normal” policies since inflation rose which was their goal.

[@GinJ1337]

I exchanged money already when it was 160 to cover for my next trip so I'm set 😂

[@cubiphan5469]

Remember if JP Interest Rate increase while US interest Rate remain constant. The JPY will strengthen against the USD. This is what happened on Aug. 5th 2024.