What budget to travel Japan? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Japan?

There are a number of good spots for running in the country's major cities or for other sporting activities. Some prefectures are very rural and are ideal for running.

Stores where everything is ¥100, like Daiso or Can Make. There are many of them and some are well stocked with souvenirs and small Japanese objects. You can also find 100% Japanese products. Tokyo and Osaka, for example, are full of second-hand stores selling dishes, clothes, electronics, such as the whole "OFF" chain, BookOFF, HardOFF, etc. Finally, flea markets sometimes allow you to find unique things.

When you plan to have a drinky night on a tight budget, it can be interesting to go to izakaya, Japanese bars, where good deals with unlimited drinks are proposed(nomihodai).

What budget to eat Japan?

Expect to pay ¥800 to ¥1,000 for a bowl of noodles or a small platter of sushi. There are water vending machines everywhere, but it is much cheaper to have a reusable bottle that you fill in parks, shopping malls or train stations. Water is safe to drink everywhere (unless otherwise stated). The tax is 8% on take-out orders and 10% on site.

Expect to pay at least ¥500 for a beer. Even if more and more establishments accept credit cards, it is better to have cash when you go to small bars. Many bars offer happy hours between 5pm and 7pm.

What is the budget for accommodation Japan?

Accommodation in Japan can be found from ¥3,000 or ¥4,000 in dormitories or in single rooms with tatami mats. All hotels accept credit cards, but this is not necessarily the case for ryokan or small inns, even if its use tends to be generalized. Think of going directly to the websites of the hotels for possible coupons and good deals.

Travel budget Japan and cost of living

The cost of living in Tokyo or Osaka is about the same as in European capitals. It is expensive, but not excessive. Of course, some Japanese prefectures enjoy a lower cost of living. To help you plan, here are some basic prices and budget ideas.

- a dish in a restaurant: count ¥1,100 for a set of sushi and about ¥900 for a set of another typical Japanese dish(ramen, tempura or tonkatsu).
- a night in a dormitory in a youth hostel: ¥4,000 in Tokyo and about ¥3,500 in Osaka.
- a night in a double room in a ryokan : from ¥12,000 (the price of some famous ryokan can be very high).
- a night in a double room in a star hotel: from ¥22,000.
- a pack of cigarettes: about ¥500.
- a bottle of water: ¥110.
- a local beer in a bar: ¥700.
- a subway ride in the city: ¥160-360.
- an entrance to a temple: ¥300-500.
Please note that prices in stores are not negotiable, except in special cases. Prices can be discussed in flea markets, for example. In duty free electronics stores, especially in Tokyo and Osaka, it is not uncommon to get a 10% discount. From now on, plastic bags at the checkout are not free. Count between 3 and 5 ¥ according to the size, more expensive for paper bags.

Tipping. Japanese people don't use it. It is simply not part of the local customs. In order to express gratitude, it is better to offer a present to your host. If the gift is cash, it is important to remember to put it in an envelope.

Duty free: Since your final destination is outside the European Union, you can benefit from duty free, tax-free purchases. Also note that if you have a stopover in the European Union, you can make purchases in airports on the way out, but not on the way back. Duty free shops in Japanese airports are praised by Japanese and visitors alike for their high quality products, including vintage sake and plum liquor. In case of a stopover, you will not be allowed to carry more than 100 ml of liquid. There are also duty free stores in town, such as Don Quijote.

Budget ideas. The budgets that we propose are calculated per person and per day, in the most touristy prefectures. They do not take into account the possible free or reduced rates offered sometimes (for a long stay for example), or even the use of the JR Pass.

Small budget: 6,000 to 8,500 ¥ based on a bed in a dormitory (3,500 ¥/person), lunch on the go (sandwiches and other small meals taken in convenience stores open 24 hours a day from 350-400 ¥/person), travel on foot for the most part (counting two subway tickets to get to and from your place of visit, (an average of ¥210/journey), refreshments during the day, access to the sites of visits, purchase of some souvenirs (count ¥800) and a more complete meal in the evening (count ¥850/person). This budget can still be modulated if you are staying in the center of the city or near a convenient JR or subway station or if you are satisfied with a frugal meal. So you should know that you can successfully travel in Japan with a daily budget of 50 €/day!

Average budget: from ¥8,500 to ¥16,000, based on a room in a ryokan or a single room with all the comforts in a youth hostel (¥7,000), quick meals at lunchtime in small restaurants (¥850), frequent travel by subway (daily pass), refreshments during the day and during the evening, access to sightseeing sites, the purchase of many souvenirs (¥2,000) and a good meal in the evening (¥1,500) In this price range, being two people is more advantageous in terms of accommodation, as you can easily find a double room for ¥8,000-10,000. And if there are more than two of you, rooms for 3 or 4 people are commonplace, as are apartment rentals.

Big budget: from ¥25,000 based on a nice room with all the modern comforts in a star hotel or in a refined ryokan (¥15,000), delicate but frugal meals at lunchtime (¥2,000), travel by JR or subway during the day to limit walking as much as possible (day pass) and by cab in the evening, access to visits, purchase of a maximum of souvenirs and high-tech objects, a typical Japanese meal with drinks in the evening (¥5,000) and a night out in one of the many bars in the city.