Japan has a reputation for being expensive. It’s not entirely earned anymore — a weak yen has made Japan genuinely affordable for many visitors in recent years. But there are still ways to spend a lot of money without realising it. Here’s what it actually costs, by category, no guesswork.
Flights
Return flights from the US: ¥80,000-180,000 ($550-1,200) depending on route and season. Budget carriers like Zipair and Peach Aviation fly from some Asian hubs cheaper. Direct from London or Europe: ¥100,000-200,000 ($670-1,340).
Avoid flying during Golden Week (late April-early May), cherry blossom peak (late March-April), and O-Bon (mid-August). Prices spike 30-50% on these dates and rooms also fill fast.
Accommodation
Japan has the best range of accommodation at every price point I’ve seen anywhere:
- Hostel dorm: ¥2,500-4,000/night (~$17-27)
- Capsule hotel: ¥3,500-6,000/night (~$23-40) — clean, efficient, surprisingly comfortable
- Budget business hotel (Toyoko Inn, APA): ¥7,000-10,000/night (~$47-67)
- Mid-range business hotel: ¥12,000-20,000/night (~$80-135)
- Boutique/designer hotel: ¥25,000-45,000/night (~$167-300)
- Ryokan (traditional inn, dinner+breakfast): ¥20,000-60,000/person/night (~$135-400)
A ryokan stay with meals is expensive but worth doing once — the whole experience of tatami rooms, yukata robes, multi-course kaiseki dinner, and private onsen bath is something you don’t get anywhere else. Budget for it if you can.
Food
Food is where Japan massively overdelivers on value. The expensive/cheap split is extreme in the best possible way:
- Convenience store meal (onigiri + drink): ¥400-600 (~$2.70-4)
- Ramen / soba / udon: ¥700-1,200 (~$4.70-8)
- Lunch set menu (teishoku): ¥900-1,500 (~$6-10) — the best value in Japan
- Izakaya dinner with drinks: ¥2,500-4,500/person (~$17-30)
- Mid-range restaurant dinner: ¥3,000-6,000/person (~$20-40)
- Omakase sushi: ¥15,000-50,000+/person ($100-335+)
The lunch set culture is the best travel hack in Japan. Almost every restaurant — including very good ones — offers a cheap fixed-price lunch that’s 40-60% of the dinner price. Eat your big meal at lunch.
Transport
IC card (Suica/ICOCA): Load ¥5,000-10,000 and use for all city transport, local trains, and convenience store purchases. Average metro/train ride in Tokyo or Osaka: ¥180-330. This is how most people should travel in Japan.
Shinkansen key routes (one way):
- Tokyo → Kyoto: ¥13,910 ($93)
- Tokyo → Osaka: ¥14,720 ($98)
- Osaka → Hiroshima: ¥10,580 ($71)
- Tokyo → Hiroshima: ¥19,440 ($130)
JR Pass (7-day): ~¥50,000 ($335). Worth it if you’re doing Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima. Not worth it for city-only travel. Read the full analysis at Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth It?
Activities and Entrance Fees
Most temples and shrines charge ¥500-1,000 entry. Some are free (Fushimi Inari, Meiji Jingu, Sumiyoshi Taisha). Budget ¥2,000-3,000/day for activities in Kyoto or Nara where you’ll hit multiple sites.
Highlights with price tags:
- Universal Studios Japan (Osaka): ¥10,000-18,000
- teamLab digital art (Tokyo/Osaka): ¥3,200-4,400
- Nijo Castle: ¥1,000
- Hiroshima Peace Museum: ¥200
- Hakone Free Pass: ¥4,000
The Expenses That Surprise People
Vending machines: Japan has 5 million vending machines. You will use them constantly. Budget ¥300-600/day for drinks — it adds up over two weeks.
Coin lockers: ¥400-700 per day at stations. Essential for luggage on travel days but costs stack up.
Cash: Japan is still heavily cash-based. Some restaurants, smaller shops, and local izakayas don’t take cards. Arrive with ¥30,000-50,000 in cash and top up at 7-Eleven ATMs (most reliably accept foreign cards).
Ryokan service charge/tax: Many ryokan add a bath tax (¥150-300) and accommodation tax separate from the listed price. Osaka charges ¥200-300/night tourist tax. Not huge but worth knowing.
Daily Budget Summary
| Level | Daily Budget | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ¥8,000 (~$53) | Hostel, konbini meals, basic sightseeing |
| Mid-range | ¥18,000 (~$120) | Business hotel, restaurant meals, some activities |
| Comfortable | ¥35,000 (~$235) | Good hotel, quality restaurants, full activity days |
| Splurge | ¥70,000+ (~$470+) | Ryokan nights, omakase dinners, unlimited activities |
These exclude long-distance transport (Shinkansen) and international flights.
For currency conversion reference: xe.com currency converter. Japan Rail Pass costs: Wikipedia Japan Rail Pass.
If you’re curious how Japan’s tourist costs compare to living there long-term, see Cost of Living in Japan. For planning your route, read Japan Itinerary: 2 Weeks. Full trip planning: Japan Travel Guide 2026.
Budget info also available at JNTO money guide.
