Is Japan expensive?
Planning a trip to Japan but worried it might break the bank?
You are not alone.
Japan still has a reputation for being expensive, but things have changed more than you might expect.
The truth is, you can shape your trip to match your budget.
Whether you want to save smartly or splash out on a few luxuries.
In this guide, you will find real costs, insider tips, and a clear picture of what to expect, from street food to luxury stays.
Let’s break it all down so you know exactly what you are stepping into.
Note: Prices are typical but can vary based on season, location, and exchange rates.
What Do Everyday Expenses Look Like in Japan?
Daily costs in Japan can swing a lot, so you get to pick your own adventure.
If you’ve got cash to burn, you can drop over ¥30,000 on a fancy sushi dinner in Tokyo or Osaka.
But you can also fill up on noodles like soba or udon for just ¥500.
Backpackers and budget travellers have loads of cheap eats and places to stay.
Here’s a quick guide to what you might pay for common items:
| Item | Typical Cost (¥) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bottled Water | 100 | Supermarkets/convenience |
| Soft Drink | 120 | |
| Coffee in a Café | 400 | |
| Simple Noodle Dish | 500 | Udon or soba |
| Sushi (High-End) | 30,000+ | Per person |
| Pack of Strawberries | 300 | Supermarket |
| Hostel (per night) | 2,500 – 4,500 | Budget stay |
Flights to Japan can eat up a big chunk of your budget, especially if you’re coming from far away.
For a two-week trip, your total spend can vary a ton.
Public transport, guesthouses, and local food shops help keep costs down, but souvenirs and extras stack up fast.
Travel insurance is a must, and it’s worth hunting for deals where you can.
What You’ll Spend on Eating Out in Japan
Eating out in Japan is part of the experience, whether you’re grabbing a quick snack or splashing out at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
An onigiri (rice ball) at a corner store goes for about ¥200, and a pastry from a neighborhood bakery is usually around ¥400.
Classic noodles like soba or udon usually cost ¥500 a bowl.
A bowl of ramen usually costs between ¥800 and ¥1,200 depending on the shop.
Lunch sets (teishoku) with rice, fish, soup, and a few sides generally come in at ¥1,400. Sushi on a budget?
Expect about ¥3,000 for a decent meal, but you can spend way more if you want.
Street food like takoyaki or okonomiyaki is easy to find at local stalls and won’t break the bank.
A typical night out at an izakaya costs around ¥4,000 to ¥7,000 per person, depending on how much you eat and drink.
| Food Item | Typical Price (Yen) |
|---|---|
| Onigiri (rice ball) | 200 |
| Pastry (bakery) | 400 |
| Soba/Udon noodles | 500 |
| Ramen | 1,200 |
| Lunch set (teishoku) | 1,400 |
| Sushi meal | 3,000 |
| Izakaya dinner | 7,000 |
Even the cheapest meals use quality ingredients.
Honestly, eating out here might just be the best part of your trip.
Cost of Drinks in Japan
Order a meal, and you’ll usually get free tea.
Coffee is about ¥300 for a regular cup, or up to ¥600 for something fancy.
A pint of draft beer at an izakaya costs about ¥700.
Sake is usually close to ¥800 a glass, and wine often starts at ¥1,500.
Whisky prices jump around a lot, depending on what you order and where you’re drinking.
What You’ll Pay for Getting Around in Japan
Getting around is easy, but prices depend on your choices.
Public transport is super popular.
Most city subway rides cost between ¥170 and ¥300, depending on the distance.
Want to ride the shinkansen (bullet train)?
A one-way standard ticket between Tokyo and Kyoto is around ¥14,000.
First class (Green Car) is about ¥19,000.
Taxis in Tokyo can sting, often ¥3,000 for a short ride.
Bike rentals are much cheaper, usually around ¥2,500 per day.
| Mode of Transport | Typical Fare |
|---|---|
| Tokyo Subway/Train (single ride) | ¥300 |
| Kyoto City Bus (single ride) | ¥300 |
| Taxi in Tokyo (short trip) | ¥3,000 |
| Taxi in Kyoto (short trip) | ¥2,000 |
| Bike/E-Bike Rental (per day) | ¥2,500 |
| Shinkansen Tokyo–Kyoto (standard) | ¥14,000 |
| Shinkansen Tokyo–Kyoto (first) | ¥19,000 |
If you’re planning lots of train travel, a Japan Rail Pass can save you money.
Long-distance buses are slower but usually cheaper for city-to-city trips.
Entrance Costs and Tickets
In cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Sapporo, many shrines and some temples don’t charge at all.
If they do, it’s usually just ¥300–¥400.
Famous gardens like Kenrokuen in Kanazawa are about ¥300 to enter.
Museums or special spots like the Ghibli Museum cost a bit more.
Plan for ¥1,000–2,000 per ticket.
Sumo tickets start around ¥10,000 for arena seating, with box seats running up to ¥45,000.
Most sightseeing, even in places like Okinawa or Hiroshima, is pretty budget-friendly.
| Attraction | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Shrines/Temples | Free – ¥400 |
| Kenrokuen Garden | ¥300 |
| Museums | ¥1,000–¥2,000 |
| Ghibli Museum | ¥1,000 |
| Sumo Tournament | ¥10,000–¥45,000 |
Hotel & Traditional Inn Costs in Japan
Accommodation prices in Japan are all over the map.
It depends on where you stay and when you visit.
Yeah, expect prices to spike.
Here’s a rough guide to nightly rates:
| Type of Accommodation | Estimated Price (per night) |
|---|---|
| Hostel or dorm bed | ¥3,000 – ¥5,000 |
| Capsule hotel | ¥4,000 – ¥8,000 |
| Budget hotel | ¥10,000 |
| Mid-range hotel | ¥20,000 to ¥30,000 |
| Boutique hotel | ¥50,000 |
| Four-star or luxury hotel | ¥100,000 |
| Luxury ryokan (per person) | ¥50,000 – ¥100,000 |
Airbnb is an option too.
Sometimes a great deal, especially for groups.
Deals pop up and disappear fast, so it pays to keep an eye out.
How to Handle Tips in Japan
In Japan, tipping just isn’t a thing.
Even if you get amazing service at a restaurant, hotel, or in a taxi, you don’t need to leave extra money.
Honestly, folks might feel a bit awkward or embarrassed if you try to tip.
If you want to show appreciation, a simple “thank you” does the trick.
Most people pay with cash when shopping or eating out, but you shouldn’t leave any extra cash on the table.
Sometimes, pricier spots add a service charge to the bill, so you don’t have to worry about paying more.
Higher Prices for Tourists at Some Japan Attractions
Several popular spots in Japan are introducing higher entry fees for international tourists.
Junglia Okinawa, a new nature park opening in July 2025, will charge foreign visitors ¥8,800 compared to the ¥6,930 fee for locals.
Himeji Castle, a UNESCO site, plans to introduce a tiered system in March 2026.
Tourists may pay between ¥2,000 and ¥3,000.
Locals will pay just ¥1,000.
Starting July 2025, foreign tourists climbing Mount Fuji’s Yoshida Trail will pay a ¥4,000 permit fee.
This fee is double what it used to be.
In Hokkaido, Niseko Ski Resorts will have a two-tier pricing system for day lift tickets.
International visitors will pay ¥6,500, while local residents will pay ¥5,000.
Kyoto, facing overcrowding, is exploring higher fares for tourists on its public buses.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine could hike entry fees for visitors from outside Japan.
Several Japanese cities, like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Fukuoka, charge accommodation taxes.
These taxes apply to everyone, no matter their nationality.
The specific rates and thresholds vary depending on the city, with Tokyo’s tax applying to stays exceeding ¥10,000 per person per night.
Wrapping up
So, is Japan expensive?
Not anymore.
It used to be when I first arrived back in 2000.
But these days, low inflation and a weak yen make it a reasonably priced country to visit, bar the flight.
