Travel Budget
This page is meant to give you a rough idea of the cost of individual travel in Japan by introducing some sample budgets. Note that accommodation rates can increase during peak seasons in popular destinations which is not reflected by the numbers below. View also our pages about budget travel, package tours and suggested itineraries to see the sample budgets applied to specific itineraries.
Sample daily budgets
The numbers below do not include the cost for transportation and heightened accommodation rates during peak seasons. Click here for the current yen exchange rates.
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Accommodation
Below are typical rates for accommodation outside the peak seasons. Rates can increase considerably during the peak seasons! Check our accommodation page for more information on different accommodation types and corresponding price ranges.
Low budget:
3,000 - 5,000 yen per night and person
Dormitories and hostels, found in most cities of Japan, typically charge below 5000 yen per night and person. Furthermore, booking services like Hostelworld offer great deals.
Medium budget:
6,000 - 12,000 yen per single room and night
8,000 - 15,000 yen per double room and night
At this level, you will find rooms in business hotels, minshuku and inexpensive, no-frills ryokan. Some tour packages (for individual travelers) include accommodation at quality Western-style hotels at this price level.
High budget:
over 12,000 yen per single room and night
over 15,000 yen per double room and night
Starting around 12,000 yen per person, you can get rooms in better business hotels and inexpensive Western-style hotels. A stay at a ryokan with two meals included typically costs between 15,000 and 30,000 yen per person and night. For a room in a 4 or 5 star Western-style hotel, you typically pay from 25,000 to 50,000 yen per room and night.
Breakfast
Low budget:
500 yen per day
At this level, you will have to live from convenience store food (bread, rice balls, etc.) and fast food restaurants like McDonald's or Mister Donut which offer inexpensive breakfasts.
Medium budget:
500 - 1000 yen per day
Many coffee shops and some restaurants in shopping areas and around train stations offer breakfast sets for around 500 to 1000 yen.
High budget:
above 1000 yen per day
Hotel breakfasts and breakfast buffets will usually cost you more than 1000 yen. Breakfast buffets in first-class hotels typically cost at least 3000 yen.
Lunch
Low budget:
500 - 800 yen per day
Inexpensive lunch boxes are available in convenience stores and stands in railway stations and business districts. Various fast food restaurants, specializing in noodles, curry, domburi or hamburger, also offer relatively filling meals for 800 yen or less.
Medium budget:
800 - 1500 yen per day
At this level you will have an even larger range of inexpensive restaurants such as the above mentioned fast food places, plus restaurants which offer lunch set specials for around 1000 yen.
High budget:
above 1500 yen per day
A lunch at better restaurants costs typically between 1500 and 3000 yen.
Dinner
Low budget:
500 - 1000 yen per day
Convenience stores sell various, inexpensive ready-to-eat meals. Other options are again cheap fast food restaurants.
Medium budget:
1000 - 2500 yen per day
Conventional restaurants are generally more expensive in the evening than during lunch time, as there are no lunch specials. At this level, you will be able to enjoy a nice dinner at a wide range of fast food and conventional restaurants, including the restaurants found in department stores where meals typically cost between 1000 and 2500 yen, not including alcoholic drinks.
High budget:
above 2500 yen per day
With 3000 yen per person you will be able to have a good dinner at a wide range of restaurants. Calculate 5000 yen upwards per person for a dinner at upper class restaurants specializing in sushi, French cuisine, sukiyaki, kaiseki ryori, steaks, etc.
Sightseeing
Low budget:
0 - 500 yen per day
Japan offers many free attractions. Most shrines and some temples do not charge admission fees. A few museums charge no admission on one day of the week or month.
Medium budget:
500 - 2000 yen per day
Admission to famous temples costs between 300 and 1000 yen. Most museums and castles charge about 500-1500 yen per person.
High budget:
above 2000 yen per day
Some museums and attractions (usually outstanding ones or tourist traps) charge between 1,500 and 3,000 yen per person. Admission to large theme parks typically cost around 5,000-10,000 yen per day.
Transportation
Low budget:
Highway buses, the Japan Bus Pass and the Seishun 18 Kippu (only available during certain times of the year) are among the cheapest ways of traveling in Japan.
All budgets:
Travelers of all budgets should consider purchasing a rail pass. Over long distances, domestic flights are often more economical, if you take advantage of the various discount offers.
Questions? Ask in our forum.
