In a previous article, I provided some costs for planning a cheaper and good trip to Japan, here is a bit more about the cost of living in Japan.
The cost of living in Japan: My opinion
This summer, I went to Japan for 16 days. I arrived in Tokyo and then went to the south of Japan (Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima). During my stay, I had time to go to restaurants, visit small convenience stores to check prices, etc.
In this article, I will talk to you about the cost of living in Japan for several categories: accommodation, transportation, and food.
I will mostly mention entry-level prices which can vary depending on the exchange rate, location, and season. I was in Japan in August this summer. Let’s take 1 euro = 100 Yen.
Cost of living in Japan: Getting around
In Tokyo, there are three types of subway companies: TOEI lines, TOKYO lines, and the JR lines. Each of these companies is different, so if you need to change lines, make sure to stay within the same network, otherwise you will have to pay an additional cost.
A subway ticket costs at least 1.5 euros to travel on the same line; the farther you go, the more expensive it gets, up to 3 euros. If you want to get around, you can buy a daily ticket for TOEI or TOKYO lines for 6 to 7 euros each; for both networks, you will have to pay 10 euros.
If you want to go to Mount Fuji, you will have to pay at least 55 euros by bus or 40 euros if you have the JR-pass (2 trains and 1 bus) from Shinjuku. The second option is cheaper but will take you 1 hour longer to arrive.
To get around inside Japan, I recommend buying a JR-Pass.
Several options are available: 1, 2, or 3 weeks.
1 week: 28,300 Yen, approximately 280 euros
2 weeks: 45,100 Yen, about 450 euros
3 weeks: 57,700 Yen, about 575 euros
You must buy this pass at an authorized point outside Japan; you will receive a voucher in exchange which you will redeem upon arrival in Japan.
You will then have a cardboard slip with a ticket with a validity period. You must show this ticket when you take the JR lines in Tokyo or on the trains. It is valid on all JR Lines.
In Japan, there are train cars where seats are not assigned; you can sit wherever you want, often in the first or last cars.
The JR pass quickly pays for itself; a TOKYO – KYOTO trip costs about 130 euros / 260 euros round trip, and if you add a Kyoto / NARA trip for 20 euros / 40 euros round trip, you have already made it worthwhile.
The high-speed train in Japan is called the Shinkansen.
If you stay longer or have time, you can use bus services; there are also night services: buses in Japan. The bus can be twice as cheap as the Shinkansen.
Cost of living in Japan: Entry-level accommodation
I stayed in more than 5 different places (3 in Tokyo, 1 in Kyoto, 1 in Osaka)
My opinion:
In Tokyo, low-end accommodations are very simple and rustic, a night starting from 20 euros. You only reserve the bed; you can also pay from 40 euros for a room for 2. This is very cheap but the rooms are very small. At these prices, hostels have only the bare essentials; from 25 euros, you can find better accommodations.
However, in other cities such as Kyoto and Osaka, everything is clean and more luxurious for the same price. We mainly stayed in youth hostels.
Count on 25 euros for entry-level accommodation
Cost of living in Japan: Food.
We mostly ate cheaply; there are restaurant chains where you pay 5 to 6 euros for a soup, a bowl of rice, and pork meat, which is quite filling!
There are also restaurants where you can eat all you want for 20 to 30 euros; we tried one and it was my best meal in Japan. It was a kind of Japanese-style barbecue! Delicious!
Otherwise, in so-called classic restaurants, count on 10 euros for the price of a good meal.
Cost of living in Japan: Cultural activities in Japan.
For entry to museums, it is not really expensive; count between 1 and 3 euros, then 2-3 euros to rent audio guides. The Kyoto palace with a guided tour is free, for example, the Hiroshima museum costs 1 euro. Some museums like the Tokyo museums cost a bit more, 5 euros. Visits such as Himeji castle cost 6 euros. Beautiful temples generally cost 4 to 5 euros, like two in Nara or Kyoto.
Count on a budget of 20 to 30 euros per day including transportation costs.
I recommend avoiding visiting the castle because it is under construction and you can’t see much!
Regarding the budget, you can always save here and there, so it all depends on you.
This article is to give you an idea of your expenses during your trip.
More articles on Japan in the East Asia section
