Is Tokyo Expensive?

Is Tokyo expensive to visit?

Tokyo is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $190. If we compare it to the rest of Asia, it is a very expensive place to visit. It ranks in the top 10% of cities in Asia for its travel prices. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Tainan City and Taipei.



Tokyo Fish Market

How expensive is Tokyo?

For a trip to Tokyo, travelers spend on average $190 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Tokyo here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Tokyo?

On average, a weekend trip to Tokyo costs about $570 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,140.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Tokyo?

A one week trip to Tokyo costs about $1,330 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 $2,661.

Is it expensive to backpack in Tokyo?

With more than 70 hostels in the area, Tokyo is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $30 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Tokyo here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $16, but the most expensive can be more than $100 per night.

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

  • $19 for a dorm bed at Sakura Hostel Asakusa
  • $22 for a dorm bed at Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge
  • $63 for a dorm bed at Imano Tokyo Hostel

Are hotels expensive in Tokyo?

When we look at our analysis of hotel prices in Tokyo, we find them to be very economical in comparison to the rest of the world. The average nightly cost for a hotel room here is approximately $42. The area boasts about 29 five-star hotels with an average rate of $267 per night. For those seeking a balance between comfort and affordability, three-star hotels offer an average rate of $40 per night, while two-star hotels provide an even more budget-friendly option at $37 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Tokyo
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 29 $267
4 stars 66 $82
3 stars 389 $40
2 stars 145 $37
1 star 41 $26
No rating 1 $34

2-11 Maihama, Tokyo
Overall Rating 9.3
1-8-1 Shitameguro, Tokyo
Overall Rating 9.3

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Tokyo?

In Tokyo, 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 area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $71 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $20.


Name Price
Senso-ji Temple Free
TeamLab Borderless Museum ¥3,800
Meiji Shrine Free
Odaiba Free
Ueno Park Free
Tokyo Skytree ¥2,100–¥3,100
Akihabara Free
Harajuku Takeshita Street Free
Shibuya Crossing Free
Tsukiji Outer Market Free
Tokyo Tower ¥1,200–¥3,000
Ginza Shopping District Free
National Museum of Nature and Science ¥630
Imperial Palace Free
Roppongi Hills ¥2,000

  • Private Walking Tour in Tokyo - Perfect for First-Time Visitors: $133
  • Akihabara Tailor-made Private Tour for Anime Fans: $137
  • Experience all of Japanese culture and Japanese food experience classes "origami, udon, Japanese food, green tea, calligraphy" in 4 hours: $96
  • 3hr Private E-bike Tours in Tokyo, Starting at your hotel: $150
  • Chill Out in Tokyo: Personalized Private Tours with Local Friends: $109
  • Half-day Kawaii Tour in Harajuku: $123
  • RAMEN Noodle Making Experience! Made from flour in 30min!: $53
  • Private Customized Tour with Local Guide In Tokyo: $171

Is food expensive in Tokyo?

In Tokyo, 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 $67 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $51.

  • Tokyo Shinjuku Food Tour: 13 Dishes+4 Drinks+Immersion with local: $135
  • Ramen & Dumpling Cooking in Tokyo with Chef/Vegan possible: $120
  • Asakusa Classic Ramen & Crispy Gyoza Cooking Class: $128
  • Sushi Cooking Class: AKEMI's SUSHiKiTCHEN in Tokyo: $96
  • Tokyo Locals Secret Food Tour in Ueno: $92
  • Tokyo private hidden food tour: $55

Is transportation expensive in Tokyo?

Exploring local transportation in Tokyo shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $18 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $19. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.

More for Tokyo

If you're planning a trip to Tokyo, 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.



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