Japan is a must-visit destination for many people with a love of travel. The country offers so many unique wonders that simply can't be experienced anywhere else in the world. However, one of the most common questions travelers have is: "How much does it cost to travel in Japan?" Japan is certainly one of the most expensive countries in the region, however travelers are often surprised to learn that the country has a fairly low cost of living compared to the US or Canada.
Follow our cost breakdown which combines personal experience as well as financial metrics from reputable online sources.
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Quick Summary
We traveled across the country, visiting numerous cities over the course of a couple months. Our average cost breakdown per person (in USD) is as follows:
| Category | Weekly | Daily |
| Accommodation* | $200 | $35 |
| Food | $85 | $15 |
| Activities & Transport | $150 | $20 |
| Misc / Optional | $50 | $10 |
| Total | $485 | $80 |
When in Japan, expect to have an average daily spending of around $80 USD, or Β₯12,000 JPY.
*assuming hotel costs are split with a partner.
Flights to Japan
Flights to Japan will of course be the category that is the most variable, depending on where you're flying from, dates, and seat class. We therefore won't go into detail on each region, however we have found 11-hour, non-stop round-trip economy seats from the west-coast of North America to Tokyo for $800 CAD / $580 USD.
We have to say this is quite affordable given the length of the journey. Tokyo and Osaka are two very well connected airports, and prices are often lower than one may expect. The Tokyo to Osaka route is also the most common tourism route, which aligns perfectly for budget-conscious travelers.
Click here to see flight options from your city.
Final thing worth mentioning is that we paid only ~$100 each way for our tickets by using points. Check out how we saved $25,000 by travel hacking in 2023, or check out our post on the Best Travel Credit Cards (Canada).
Hotels/Accommodation
Accommodation can of course vary greatly based on quality and location.
Budget: For budget travelers, options like hostels or capsule hotels are available. Prices generally range from Β₯2,500 to Β₯5,000 per night ($17-34 USD).
Mid-Range: If youβre looking for comfort without breaking the bank, business hotels or mid-range hotels are great options. Expect to pay between Β₯8,000 and Β₯15,000 per night for a double room.
Luxury: Japan is home to some stunning luxury hotels and traditional ryokan (inns). Prices for high-end hotels start around Β₯20,000 per night and can soar well above Β₯50,000, especially for luxury ryokan that include meals and traditional experiences.
We visited in peak cherry blossom season, and spent an average of $29 USD per person, per day, staying in mostly mid-range options. This equals about $200 USD per week, or $870 per month. Solo travelers unable to split a cost of a room will spend more.
At this price point, we found that the rooms were very clean and offered quite a few extras, from combs and toothbrushes to kitchenettes and even the occasional hot springs bathing room. The rooms and beds are quite small compared to North America, however.
Dining in Japan
We were pleasantly surprised how affordable food can be in Japan, even for the incredible quality which the country is known for. Like most travelers, we had to try as many Japanese specialties as we can, and were willing to splurge. We however stayed in the country for an extended time, so we combined this with more frugal options.
Note that in Japan, sales tax is typically included in the price, and tipping is non-existent. You pay the price that's advertised.
Budget Dining in Japan
- 7-Eleven, Family Mart and Lawson are the three major convenience store chains. All offer large selections of hot and microwavable food options for an affordable price. A snack or small lunch can cost as little as $2.
- Grocery stores were our go-to choice for dinner when not eating out. $3-5 could get us sushi or a rice/noodle meal.
- Budget meal chains: we found a number of discount chains where you can order a complete meal, typically rice/noodle with meat and a side soup or salad, starting at Β₯450 ($3 USD). Some common chains include Yoshinoya, Matsuya, Sukiya and CoCo Ichiban Curry House.
Mid-Range Dining in Japan
- Typical restaurant: no matter where you are, you'll be able to find excellent local restaurants. Noodles, BBQ beef, seafood, sushi, and curry shops can be found all-over the country. The average meal cost us Β₯900 ($6 USD).
- Revolving sushi: trying a revolving sushi restaurant is a must. You order (or grab, as it passes by) by the plate, so you can eat/spend as much as you choose. Most places have plates starting at Β₯129-170 ($1 USD), which is typically 2 pieces of sushi, or 4 small rolls.
- Fast food chains: we have to mention Mos Burger, as it was our favourite quick bite option and had very affordable prices; Β₯240 for a simple burger to Β₯480 for premium. We found McDonald's and other North American chains overpriced in comparison.
Luxury Dining in Japan
- Luxury restaurants: Japan has no shortage of luxury dining options. Kobe/Wagyu beef is very popular, with meals costing Β₯2,000-Β₯5,000. All you can eat (houdai) options are also popular, often served as a hot pot (shabu shabu).
- Special mention to the Michelin Star restaurants; there's over 1000 in Japan! If you've never experienced one before, there's no better place to do it, however expect to pay upwards of Β₯20,000.
We spent an average of $12 USD per day on food, which included the entire variety of options above. Considering this is the cost of one fast food combo in North America these days, we found this surprisingly affordable given the excellent quality.
When researching restaurant options, be sure to use Tabelog. This is the site which locals use to rate and discover the very best food in each city. Check out our list of other must-use apps for Asia (Japan has a lot!)
Activities
We did not spend a lot on activities, as simply enjoying the shopping, food and cultural sites in the country is how most travelers spend their day. There is typically no entry fees at shrines or most other landmarks and tourist destinations. We did however book a few of the popular things to do:
- Universal Studios Japan (Osaka) οΏ₯8,600
- Hakone Freepass Β₯6,500
- teamLab (Tokyo) Β₯4,400
Transportation around Japan
Transportation was a daily expense as well. When you're in the city, the subway system is incredibly efficient and affordable. Here's an example of some of the prices you can expect to pay:
- One-way subway ticket within a city: Β₯180-Β₯320
- Train from Tokyo airport to Shinjuku station: Β₯2,400
- Bullet train from Shinjuku station to Kyoto station: Β₯5,600
Japan also has a wide range of transportation passes available for tourists, such as the JR Pass. Unfortunately these are only useful for travelers who plan to city-hop every couple days, otherwise just purchasing individual tickets is cheaper.
Miscellaneous
It's important to remember the miscellaneous expenses as they can add up if you're not careful.
- eSim: 1GB for $4.50 USD via AloSim
- Shopping: with so many incredible souveniers available in Japan, whatever you expect to spend on shopping, you should probably double it.
- Gacha and gambling: claw arcades, Pachinko casinos and gashapon machines are everywhere. Self restraint is optional.
Final Thoughts
One great thing about how much it costs to travel in Japan is that in many ways, it's possible to spend as much as you want. If you sleep in a capsule and eat from the grocery store, you can spend as little as $25/day. However if you want to go shopping, stay in luxury hotels and eat wagyu beef for each meal, the sky's the limit. Japan has so many options that you can splurge wherever you feel is worth it.
Planning to visit Hakone after Tokyo? Check out our blog on making the most of your Hakone Pass.
Travelling from Canada? Check out our guide on how we saved from travel hacking our trip to Asia.
Looking for more places to explore in Asia? Check out this Ultimate Guide to Coron Philippines, or Koh Lipe Thailand.
