Is Japan Expensive?

Is Japan expensive to visit?

Japan is known as both a well-liked and moderately priced destination. It falls roughly in the middle range for overall travel costs. When compared to the rest of Asia, it is a moderately priced country. It places in the top 50% of countries in Asia for its travel costs. This puts it on par with destinations such as Taiwan and Macao.

As this is a very popular country for tourists, you'll find a number of great places in Japan to visit, all at a variety of price ranges. Some of the most expensive places to visit are Yakushima, Yokohama, and Tokyo. If you're looking for lower cost destinations, you can visit places like Sado, Mashiko, and Dewa Sanzan.

Average daily price of selected cities in Japan, by affordability

How expensive is Japan?

The average daily spending amount for tourists in Japan tends to be around $139 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for Japan here.

How expensive is a one week trip to Japan?

A one week trip to Japan costs about $972 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,943.

How expensive is a two week trip to Japan?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to Japan costs around $1,943 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $3,887.

How expensive is a month long trip to Japan?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one month trip to Japan will cost around $4,164 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $8,329.

Is it expensive to backpack in Japan?

Japan is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 270 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $24 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in Japan here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Okinawa, Osaka, and Kanazawa has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $21, $20, and $20 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Niseko Town, Nagano, and Mount Fuji with an average cost of $41, $32, and $28 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Japan.

• $18 for a dorm bed at Sakura Hostel Asakusa in Tokyo
  more details
• $23 for a dorm bed at Guesthouse U-En in Osaka
  more details
• $18 for a dorm bed at Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto in Kyoto
  more details

Where to find affordable hostels in Japan

Are hotels expensive in Japan?

Hotel prices in Japan are moderately priced and fairly even compared to other countries around the world. You can expect to spend about $102 a night for a room on average. Some cities in Japan are more expensive than others, like Ise, where hotel prices average $240 a night. There are also even more affordable destinations such as Osaka, averaging $37 per night for a hotel room.

Where to find affordable hotels in Japan

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Japan?

In Japan, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $19 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.

• Samurai Training Experience KENDO in Osaka: $126
• Tokyo Private Curated Tour | Unique Insights & Must Sees: $159
• Akihabara Tailor-made Private Tour for Anime Fans: $127
• Kamakura Walking Tour - The City of Shogun: $35
• Private car tour in Kyoto (up to 4): $285
• Explore Kanazawa Half Day Private Tour with Local Guide: $143
• Chill Out in Tokyo: Personalized Private Tours with Local Friends: $101
• Himeji Castle Easy Bike Tour: Samurai History, Garden & Matcha: $67

Is food expensive in Japan?

In Japan, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $48 per day on food, per person.

• Osaka Sake Tasting & Takoyaki Cooking Experience: $70
• Near Fushimiinari: Kyoto Home Cooking Class & Supermarket tour: $120
• Ramen Cooking Class in Osaka Dotonbori with Sushi or Gyoza Option: $70
• Yokohama Ramen Adventure near Tokyo: From Factory to Home Cooking: $159
• Ramen Gyoza Onigiri Japanese Cooking Class in Kyoto: $89
• Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka Umeda: $76

Is transportation expensive in Japan?

Local transportation in Japan can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $17 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

Expenses for intercity transportation within Japan can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $68 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.

More for Japan

If you're planning a trip to Japan, check out these other informative travel guides.

---

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.