How Much Does a Trip to Japan Cost? Realistic Daily Budgets

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How much does a trip to Japan cost? Less than many people think, but more than it did a few years ago. Hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto have become more expensive, train fares rose and the departure tax went up, while food is still excellent value. I lived in Tokyo for three years and have travelled all over the country, so this guide gives you realistic prices for accommodation, transport, food and activities, plus sample budgets for one and two weeks.

Prices in this guide are approximate and in Japanese yen, because exchange rates change. As a rough guide, US$1 has been around ¥150 to ¥160 recently, and 1 Swiss franc around ¥190.

Accommodation Costs

Where you stay makes a big difference. In Tokyo, Ueno, Asakusa and Ikebukuro are usually cheaper than Shinjuku or Shibuya, as I explain in my guide on where to stay in Tokyo. You can compare prices on Agoda. For a ryokan night, read my ryokan guide with costs and booking tips.

Transport Costs

Getting Around Cities

An IC card like Suica or PASMO makes paying easy. If you ride the subway a lot, a Tokyo Subway Ticket can save money, but note that it does not cover JR lines like the Yamanote Line.

Airport Transfers

• Narita to Ueno: Keisei Skyliner, about ¥2,580. Discounted Skyliner tickets are available online.
• Narita to Tokyo or Shinjuku: Narita Express, about ¥3,100 to ¥3,300 one way; foreign visitors can buy a cheaper round-trip ticket.
• Haneda to Shinagawa: Keikyu Line, a few hundred yen.

Shinkansen and the JR Pass

The nationwide JR Pass costs ¥50,000 for 7 days, ¥80,000 for 14 days and ¥100,000 for 21 days (ordinary class). Since the big price increase, it is only worth it if you take several long trips, for example Tokyo to Kyoto, Hiroshima and back within a week. For a simple Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka route, individual tickets are often cheaper. To ride the fastest Nozomi trains with the pass, you also need an extra supplement ticket. Compare JR Pass and regional rail passes with single tickets before you buy. My articles on how I book Shinkansen tickets and Shinkansen vs flight help you decide.

Food Costs

Food is where Japan is still great value. You can eat very well for little money, and even cheap food is high quality.

My favourite way to save is to eat breakfast from a konbini and lunch at a set-menu restaurant, then spend more on dinner. If you love sushi, my ranking of Japan’s sushi chains shows where you get the best quality for the price. Fruit is one of the few foods that is surprisingly expensive in Japan; I explain why in why fruit is so expensive in Japan.

Sightseeing and Activities

Many of Japan’s best experiences cost little or nothing: shrines, parks, walking through neighbourhoods and cherry blossom viewing. Mix free days with a few paid highlights to keep your budget under control.

Other Costs to Plan For

• Mobile data: an eSIM for a week or two costs roughly US$15 to 30. See my guide to eSIM vs pocket WiFi in Japan or check Japan eSIM plans.
• Departure tax: the International Tourist Tax rose from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per departure for tickets issued from July 2026. It is usually included in your flight price.
• Luggage forwarding: sending a suitcase between hotels costs around ¥2,000 to ¥3,000 and saves a lot of stress.
• Coin lockers: a few hundred yen per day at stations.
• Souvenirs: easy to overspend on snacks, cosmetics and character goods.

Tax-Free Shopping

Visitors can shop tax-free (saving the 10% consumption tax) when they spend at least ¥5,000 in one store on one day and show their passport. From 1 November 2026, Japan switches to a refund system: you pay the full price including tax in the store and get the tax refunded after a customs check when you leave Japan, within 90 days of purchase. Keep your purchases and receipts together until departure.

Cash, Cards and ATMs

• Cards are now accepted in most hotels, department stores, chain restaurants and convenience stores, and cashless payments make up more than half of consumer spending.
• Small restaurants, shrines, temples, market stalls and some ramen ticket machines are still cash only, so always carry some yen.
• 7-Eleven ATMs (Seven Bank) are open 24 hours, have English menus and accept most foreign cards. Japan Post ATMs also accept many cards. Expect a small fee per withdrawal.
• Tipping is not customary in Japan and can cause confusion.

Sample Budgets

One Week in Japan (Tokyo and Kyoto)

Two Weeks in Japan

For two weeks, a mid-range traveller can plan around ¥350,000 to ¥450,000 per person without flights, including a few nights in Kyoto, Osaka or Hiroshima, one ryokan night and some paid highlights. A careful budget traveller can do it for around ¥200,000. If you are planning a longer stay, for example studying, my budget for two years of study in Tokyo shows what living in Japan really costs.

Is Japan Expensive?

Compared with Switzerland, Japan feels affordable, especially for food and public transport. Compared with Southeast Asia, it is expensive. The biggest variables are your hotel, how many long train trips you take and how often you eat at restaurants. With smart choices, such as business hotels, konbini breakfasts and a well-planned route, Japan can be surprisingly reasonable. My article on Switzerland vs Japan salaries and costs gives a wider comparison.

How to Save Money in Japan

• Travel in January, February, early June or late November to early December, outside the big holidays.
• Stay in business hotels or capsule hotels, and choose areas like Ueno or Asakusa in Tokyo.
• Eat konbini breakfasts and set lunches, and save restaurants for dinner.
• Buy discounted Shinkansen tickets in advance and only buy a JR Pass if your route really uses it.
• Use free attractions: shrines, temples, parks, markets and observation decks like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
• Use luggage forwarding instead of taxis between hotels.

For practical money tips, read cash, cards and ATMs in Japan, and check whether the JR Pass is worth it for your route.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of a Trip to Japan

How much money do I need per day in Japan?

About ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 per person on a tight budget, ¥25,000 to ¥40,000 for a comfortable mid-range trip and from about ¥70,000 for luxury travel. Accommodation is the biggest part of that.

How much does a one-week trip to Japan cost?

Without flights, roughly ¥105,000 to ¥120,000 per person on a budget and ¥170,000 to ¥230,000 per person mid-range, including a Shinkansen trip to Kyoto.

Is the JR Pass still worth it?

Only for routes with several long trips in a short time. After the price increase, the 7-day pass costs ¥50,000. For Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka only, single tickets are often cheaper.

Is Japan more expensive than Europe?

It depends. Food and public transport are often cheaper than in Western Europe, especially Switzerland. Hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto during peak season can be just as expensive.

Do I need cash in Japan?

Yes, some. Cards work in most hotels, chains and convenience stores, but small restaurants, temples and market stalls often only take cash. 7-Eleven ATMs accept most foreign cards.

Should I tip in Japan?

No. Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and can confuse staff. Good service is included in the price.

How does tax-free shopping work in Japan?

Spend at least ¥5,000 in one store on one day and show your passport. From 1 November 2026, you pay the full price and receive the tax refund after a customs check when you leave Japan.

What is Japan’s departure tax?

The International Tourist Tax is ¥3,000 per person per departure for tickets issued from July 2026, up from ¥1,000. It is normally included in your flight ticket.

When is the cheapest time to visit Japan?

January and February (except around New Year and Lunar New Year peaks), early summer and late autumn outside holiday weekends. Cherry blossom season and Golden Week are the most expensive.

How much does food cost in Japan?

A konbini meal is about ¥500 to ¥800, ramen about ¥800 to ¥1,300, conveyor sushi about ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 and an izakaya evening about ¥2,500 to ¥5,000 with drinks.

How much is a hotel in Tokyo?

About ¥10,000 to ¥18,000 for a business hotel double room, ¥18,000 to ¥35,000 for mid-range and from about ¥50,000 for luxury. Capsule hotels start at around ¥3,500.

Final Thoughts

A trip to Japan does not have to be expensive. Plan your route carefully, choose your hotel area wisely and enjoy the cheap and excellent everyday food. Spend more where it matters to you, whether that is a night in a ryokan, a great sushi dinner or a day at Universal Studios. For more planning, see the Japan Insider Hub and my Tokyo travel guide.