Yen surges to 6-month high; Australian travellers' cheap Japan years may be ending
Japan's yen has hit its highest level in about six months, raising questions about cheaper travel to Japan for Australians.
The Japanese yen has strengthened to levels not seen in about six months. The strengthening ends a years-long decline that made Japan a bargain for Australian visitors.
Tokyo and Washington intervened to support the currency. About 1 million Australians visited Japan in 2025-26, three times more than a decade ago.
The strong Australian dollar, rising over 30% in value against the yen, drove much of this surge. Travel industry leaders called it a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
If the yen breaks through key technical levels, it could climb further to levels last seen in 2023. Forecasting currencies is notoriously difficult.
But a stronger yen may mark the end of an era when Australian families could afford Japanese holidays more easily than before.
- About 1 million
- Australian visitors to Japan 2025-26
- Threefold increase
- Rise in visits over one decade
- Over 30%
- Australian dollar strength against yen
- Once-in-a-generation currency position
- Industry assessment
Why it mattersA stronger yen makes Japan more expensive for Australian visitors and could reduce the appeal of travel there, affecting both tourists and the Japanese tourism industry.
AustraliaTravel to Japan has boomed for Australians; a rising yen will push up the cost of hotels, food, shopping and activities, putting trips out of reach for many families.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 11 d ago
