Japan has a reputation for being expensive. And for a long time, that was true. But in 2026, with the yen significantly weakened against major currencies, the equation has completely changed. For international travelers, Japan has become surprisingly affordable—especially on the food front, where prices are frankly unbeatable. This guide puts concrete numbers on every budget line, so you can plan without nasty surprises.
International flights: the biggest expense
Airfare remains the most significant expense of your trip. From Europe or North America, you have the choice between direct flights and connecting flights, which are often cheaper but longer.
By booking a few months ahead and avoiding peak periods (cherry blossoms in March-April, Golden Week in May, New Year), round-trip economy tickets regularly go for $800 to $1,100. That’s what I’d call a good price. During normal periods, expect $1,100 to $1,400. In high season or last minute, it can exceed $1,600.
My tip: if your itinerary includes Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto, look at open-jaw tickets (arrive in Tokyo, depart from Osaka or vice versa). This saves you a return Shinkansen trip and can cost the same as a standard round-trip.
Accommodation: from dormitories to ryokan
This is the second biggest expense, and where the gap is largest depending on your travel style. Here’s what you can expect per person per night:
Budget (hostels, dormitories): between ¥2,500 and ¥6,500 per night, roughly $17 to $45. Youth hostels in Japan are clean and well-maintained. Even dorms often have privacy curtains and secure lockers. Be aware though: during high season, prices can jump 50 to 80%.
Mid-range (business hotels, private rooms): between ¥8,000 and ¥15,000 per night, or $55 to $100. This is the sweet spot for most travelers. Japanese business hotels are marvels of efficiency: small but impeccable, with everything you need. Chains like Dormy Inn, Toyoko Inn, or APA are reliable choices.
High-end (ryokan, boutique hotels): starting from ¥15,000 (from $100), and it goes up quickly. A good ryokan with onsen and meals included easily costs ¥25,000 to ¥50,000 per person. In Kyoto, prices are even higher, especially during cherry blossom or autumn leaf season.
Accommodation taxes to know: Tokyo charges between ¥100 and ¥200 per night depending on room price. Kyoto revised its scale in March 2026 with more aggressive tiers: from ¥200 for modest accommodations up to ¥10,000 per night for luxury suites. Not huge for an average budget, but good to know.
Food: the pleasant surprise
This is where the exchange rate makes all the difference. Eating in Japan in 2026, for international visitors, is almost surreal. A gyudon (beef bowl) at Yoshinoya costs ¥498—roughly $3.50. A bowl of ramen at a decent restaurant costs between ¥600 and ¥750, or $4 to $5. Compare that to lunch prices back home and do the math.
Concretely, here’s what it looks like as a daily budget:
- Budget (~¥2,500 to ¥4,000/day, or $17 to $27): a chain restaurant meal for lunch (¥500), ramen for dinner (¥700), an onigiri or konbini bento for the third meal (¥300–500). You eat well, clean, hot food, for less than the price of a sandwich in many Western cities.
- Mid-range (~¥5,000 to ¥8,000/day, or $35 to $55): lunch at a good restaurant (¥1,200), a more substantial dinner with a beer (¥2,500), plus some snacks and drinks. This is the average budget of a foreign visitor to Japan according to official surveys.
- Comfort+ (~Â¥12,000–¥20,000/day, or $80 to $140): counter sushi, kaiseki, high-end yakitori, rooftop cocktails. Even at this level, you’re often spending less than an equivalent dinner back home.
A word on konbini (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart): don’t underestimate them. Bentos at Â¥400–600 are excellent, onigiri at Â¥150 are fresh and varied, and machine coffee at Â¥100 is honestly quite good. It’s the best value for money in the country.
Transport: choosing your passes wisely
The third major expense. The good news is that the network is so well designed that you can optimize easily.
In the city: a Tokyo subway trip costs between Â¥170 and Â¥310 ($1.20 to $2.10) depending on distance. If you’re doing lots of sightseeing, passes pay off quickly: the Tokyo Subway Ticket costs Â¥800 for 24h, Â¥1,200 for 48h, and Â¥1,500 for 72h (barely $10 for three days unlimited). In Osaka, the Enjoy Eco Card (Â¥820 on weekdays, Â¥620 on weekends) covers all subway and buses. In Kyoto, the bus + subway day pass costs Â¥1,100.
The Shinkansen: a one-way Tokyo–Kyoto Shinkansen costs about Â¥14,200 ($100) in reserved seating. So a round trip comes to ~Â¥28,400 ($200). It’s expensive, but it’s 2h15 of travel in absolute comfort. Book via the SmartEX app to choose your seat and go straight through the gates.
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it? At Â¥50,000 for 7 days ($350), it’s only worthwhile if you’re doing multiple long trips. A simple Tokyo–Kyoto round trip (Â¥28,400) isn’t enough to break even. Before buying, calculate your trips. Regional passes are often more attractive: the Kansai Area Pass costs just Â¥2,800 for one day ($20) and covers Osaka–Kyoto–Nara–Kobe connections.
Sightseeing: often cheap
Good news: many attractions in Japan are free or very affordable. Most Shinto shrines have free access. Buddhist temples generally charge between Â¥300 and Â¥600 ($2 to $4). Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto? Â¥500, about $3.50. Kiyomizu-dera? Â¥400. Compare that to museum prices back home and you’ll see why it doesn’t weigh heavily on the budget.
Observation decks and modern attractions are pricier: Tokyo Skytree starts at ¥2,100 ($15), Shibuya Sky is between ¥3,000 and ¥3,700 ($21 to $26), and teamLab Planets is about ¥3,800 ($27). Also factor in the international departure tax of ¥1,000 ($7), included in your plane ticket. The government is considering tripling it in 2026, so watch this space.
The trap to avoid: shopping
According to official surveys, foreign visitors spend an average of ¥66,000 on shopping per trip—almost as much as accommodation. Between department stores, Harajuku boutiques, Akihabara electronics, and souvenirs, the budget can quietly spiral. My advice: set a shopping envelope from the start and stick to it.
Summary: daily budget by profile
Here’s a summary of what a day in Japan costs (excluding international flight), per person:
- Budget: ~¥12,000/day ($80) — Hostel, chain restaurant and konbini meals, lots of walking + subway pass, some sightseeing, minimal shopping.
- Mid-range: ~¥24,000/day ($170) — Business hotel, mix of simple meals and restaurants, frequent subway use, several attractions, moderate shopping.
- Comfort: ~¥65,000/day ($450) — Upscale hotels, gourmet restaurants, occasional taxis, attractions without counting, free shopping.
These figures are consistent with official Japanese tourism data, which puts average foreign visitor spending around ¥25,000/day—right in the mid-range bracket.
Total budget: how much to plan for your trip
Combining international flights and on-the-ground expenses (including a Shinkansen Tokyo–Kansai round trip at ~¥28,000 and airport transfer at ~¥5,000), here are realistic ranges:
7 days:
- Budget: $1,500 to $1,800
- Mid-range: $2,200 to $2,700
- Comfort: $4,200+
10 days:
- Budget: $1,800 to $2,300
- Mid-range: $2,700 to $3,400
- Comfort: $5,100+
14 days:
- Budget: $2,200 to $2,900
- Mid-range: $3,400 to $4,200
- Comfort: $6,500+
The number that surprises people most: a 10-day mid-range trip, all-inclusive, for about $3,000. That’s comparable to many European destinations—except you’re in Japan.
My tips for saving money
- Travel off-season — Accommodation is 50 to 80% cheaper in low season. January–February and June (rainy season) are the most affordable periods.
- Eat like the Japanese — Gyudon chains (Yoshinoya, Matsuya, Sukiya) and konbini are your best allies. A $3 lunch is available every day if you want it.
- Prioritize transport passes — The Tokyo Subway 72h at Â¥1,500 is almost always worthwhile. Same with Osaka’s Enjoy Eco Card.
- Don’t default to the JR Pass — Calculate first. Regional passes (Kansai, Hokkaido, Kyushu) are often much better value.
- Set a shopping budget — This is the budget that spirals most often, by far. Define an envelope and stick to it.
- Take advantage of tax-free shopping — Above ¥5,000 in purchases at the same store, you can recover the 10% VAT. Keep your passport with you.
Japan is no longer the unaffordable country it used to be. With current exchange rates, it’s actually one of the best value-for-money destinations in the world for international travelers. You’ll eat better than at home for less money, sleep in impeccable hotels for the price of an Airbnb back home, and discover a country where every detail is polished. The hardest part will be coming back.