What budget to travel Tokyo? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Tokyo?

The free tours of Asakusa and Ueno are a good opportunity to discover the city with locals, as are those of the National Diet. If you're planning several museum visits, the Grutto Pass (¥2,500) entitles you to discounts and free admission to 95 museums and galleries in Tokyo(www.rekibun.or.jp). It can be purchased directly at the museums concerned, at certain tourist offices or online. Note also that some attractions, such as Shibuya Scramble Square, offer online pre-sales at lower prices. Don't hesitate to check the information on the websites.

Many things to do in Tokyo, such as visiting temples and shrines or taking part in festivals, are free. Some galleries are too, such as Design Festa Gallery (in Harajuku), Scai the Bathhouse (in Yanaka) or 3331 Arts Chiyoda (in Akihabara).

The gardens of the Imperial Palace are known as the running spot for Sunday runners. Don't hesitate to join them.

Stores where everything is ¥100, such as Daiso or Can Do, are very common, and some are well-stocked with souvenirs and small Japanese items. You can also find 100% Japanese products, as at Daiso in Harajuku. Tokyo is full of second-hand stores selling crockery, clothes and electronics, such as the whole "OFF" chain, BookOFF, HardOFF, ModeOFF and so on. Neighborhoods such as Shimo-Kitazawa, Kōenji and Harajuku are also renowned for their vintage stores. Last but not least, flea markets are a great place to find unique items.

It's possible to get tax-exempt treatment for products purchased at major retailers.

When you're planning an evening of drinking on a tight budget, it can be interesting to go to izakaya, Japanese bars, where good deals with unlimited drinks are on offer.

What budget to eat Tokyo?

Expect to pay between ¥800 and ¥1,200 for a bowl of noodles or a small platter of sushi. There are water vending machines everywhere, but it's much cheaper to have a reusable bottle that you fill up in parks, shopping malls or railway stations. Water is drinkable everywhere (unless otherwise stated). In restaurants and cafés, the tax is 8% on takeaway orders and 10% on the premises.

Expect to pay at least ¥500 for a beer. Although most establishments accept credit cards or cashless payments such as PayPay, it's best to carry cash when going to small bars. Many bars offer happy hours between 5pm and 7pm.

What is the budget for accommodation Tokyo?

Accommodation in Tokyo starts from ¥4,000 to ¥5,000 in dormitories or single tatami rooms. All hotels accept credit cards, but this is not necessarily the case in ryokan or small inns, even though credit cards are now widely used. Don't forget to go directly to hotel websites for discount coupons and special offers.

Travel budget Tokyo and cost of living

The cost of living in Tokyo or Kyoto is roughly the same as in European capitals. As the yen has been weak for the past two years, life may seem a little cheaper than in a major European city. To help you plan, here are some basic prices and budget ideas.

One meal in a restaurant: count ¥1,200 for a set of sushi and around ¥1,000 for a set of another typical Japanese dish(ramen, tempura or tonkatsu).

A night in a dormitory in a youth hostel: ¥4,000-5,000 in Tokyo and around ¥3,000-4,000 in Kyoto.

A night in a double room in a ryokan: from ¥10,000.

A night in a double room in a star hotel: from ¥17,000.

Pack of cigarettes: ¥270 to ¥540.

A bottle of water: ¥110.

A beer in a bar: ¥700.

A subway ride in the city : ¥160-190.

Entrance to a temple: ¥300.

Please note that prices quoted in stores are not negotiable, except in special cases. Prices can be discussed at flea markets, for example. In duty-free electronics stores, particularly in Akihabara, it's not uncommon to get a 10% discount.

Duty free: since your final destination is outside the European Union, you can benefit from duty free, tax-free shopping. Note also that if you have a stopover within the European Union, you can make purchases at airports on the outbound journey, but not on the return. The duty-free shop at Narita airport is praised by Japanese and visitors alike for its high-quality products, including vintage sakes and plum spirits. Airport stores close before 7pm in most cases. If you want to shop, remember to come early and book your purchases online (between one month and 2 days in advance). If you have a stopover, you won't be able to carry more than 100 ml of liquid. Duty-free stores can also be found in the city, at Mitsukoshi Ginza for example.

Budget ideas. Our budgets are calculated per person per day. They do not take into account possible freebies or discounts sometimes offered (as part of a long stay, for example), or even the use of the JR Pass.

Small budget : from ¥5,000 to ¥7,000 on the basis of a bed in a dormitory (¥3,000/person), lunch on the run (sandwiches and other small meals taken in mini-markets open 24/24 from ¥350-400/person), walking (including two subway tickets to get to and from the site, i.e. an average of ¥210/journey), refreshments during the day, access to the sites to be visited, the purchase of a few souvenirs (¥750) and a more complete meal in the evening (¥750/person). This budget can be further modulated if you're staying in the city center or close to a convenient JR or metro station, or if you have a frugal appetite. It's easy to travel in Japan on a daily budget of €40 or €45!

Average budget: ¥8,000 to ¥15,000, based on a room in a ryokan or a single room with all the comforts of a youth hostel (¥6,000), quick lunches in small restaurants (¥750), frequent subway travel (daily pass at ¥710), refreshments during the day and evening, access to sightseeing sites, the purchase of numerous souvenirs (count ¥2,500) 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'll easily find a double room for ¥8,000-9,000. And if there are more than two of you, rooms for 3 or 4 people are commonplace, as are apartment rentals.

Big budget : from ¥20,000, based on a nice room with all modern comforts in a Michelin-starred hotel or refined ryokan (¥15,000), delicate but frugal meals at lunchtime (¥2,000), travel by JR or metro during the day to minimize walking (day pass from ¥1,590) and by cab in the evening, access to tours, the purchase of as many souvenirs and high-tech objects as possible, a typically Japanese meal with a glass of wine in the evening (¥5,000) and a night out in one of the city's many bars. In this price range, anything is possible in Tokyo: hiring a private guide for a more "interior" tour of the city, a family excursion (up to 5 people) in a chauffeur-driven car for the day or even a helicopter escapade... Tokyo is sure to delight.