So, Is Tokyo Expensive? Nah (my weekly budget + 10 tips)
Japan is my second home. I spend a lot of my time (and money) here. It’s a beautiful city that seamlessly blends the new with the old. It’s has welcoming people, delicious food and endless attractions.
People like it.
But the question remains, is Tokyo expensive?
This guide answers that question, but spoiler — it doesn’t need to be. I’m here to tell you doing Tokyo on a budget is definitely possible.
As a part-time local, this is how I save money and what you can expect when visiting (or living) in the ‘Big Mikan’.
Now let’s do this!
Table of Contents Show
Is Tokyo Expensive to Visit? (my weekly costs)
“Your expenses ultimately depend on where you stay, where you eat and what you do.”
In my experience (and for my lifestyle), Tokyo is not expensive. Especially when compared to other major cities (like New York or London), Tokyo is super affordable.
If you’re looking to do things on a budget — without sacrificing experience — it’s absolutely possible.
Here are my (slightly inflated) weekly costs for living in Tokyo and what I would personally save if I was just visiting shorter term (*not including flights):
My Weekly Tokyo Expenses
Weekly Costs (living in Tokyo)
~¥40-50,000
Weekly Costs (visiting Tokyo)
~¥80-100,000
(*numbers based on being a minimalist budget traveler)
These are just estimates and everything depends on your travel style and spending habits. For example, I never stay in hostels (I like a private room). So you could probably do things even cheaper.
I also stay in Japan for months at a time, so I save on accommodation costs and tend to do less on a daily basis (there’s less pressure to cram it all into one week).
So let’s break these costs down a bit.
Food
~¥25,000/week
“What better way to spend your money than on epic food in Tokyo?”
One of my main priorities is food, so I never feel bad about spending more on it.
And food in Tokyo is seriously good! But I still manage to keep my spending pretty low.
As long as you’re not eating extravagantly or going out to boujee dinner spots every night, you can get by with ~¥3,000 per day for food.
I also cook at home or in my AirBnB a lot. But eating out in Tokyo isn’t terribly expensive either. There’s no tip culture and convenient (reasonably priced) bento boxes are everywhere.
How much does a meal cost in Tokyo?
You can grab a lot of solid dishes for around ¥1,000 (sometimes less).
For example, a decent sized bowl of ramen at Ichiran is ¥890 (*at the time of writing this). And I rarely pay more than ¥1,500-2,000 (per person) when I go to Kura Sushi, which is a popular conveyor belt sushi chain.
And if you’re really into noodles (like me), check out Tokyo Abura Soba (oil soba). It’s super delicious and their large bowl (with no extras) only costs around ¥800-900.
But if you just want to grab a light lunch or a quick breakfast, here are a few of my go-to options:
Katsu or Tamago sando
Cutlet or egg sandwich from the konbini (convenient store)
~¥300-400
Oinarisan
Rice ball wrapped in fried, sweetened tofu — super good!
~¥300
Konbini bento boxes
Fried cutlets, curry or ramen are popular choices
~¥500-700
Accommodation
~¥15,000-60,000+/week
“You can do Tokyo really cheap (hello, hostel life) or really pricey (greetings, Ritz-Carlton).”
I always rent a private room in a Tokyo sharehouse. Most recently, my rent was just ¥66,000 (~¥16,500 per week). So if you decide to stay longer like me (1+ month), you can save some money with a short-term lease.
But even as a short-term visitor, there are affordable options.
Tokyo (and Japan) has plenty of hostels or cheap AirBnBs to rent (some for less than $20 USD per night).
Or you can snag a decent mid-level hotel for around ¥6-7,000 per night (for more space and privacy).
For Hostels, Small AirBnBs or a Capsule Hotel
You could get by with just ¥25-30,000 per week for cheaper weekly Tokyo accommodation costs.
For Private, Mid-Range Accommodations
Budgeting around ¥50-80,000 per week should be enough.
For Long-Term Stays (1+ month)
You can grab a private room in a share house for as low as ¥50-60,000 per month — the farther outside the city you go, the cheaper it gets.
Explore more:
➤ Where to Stay in Tokyo
Experiences
¥0-10,000+/week
“Tokyo is an experience — lots of free stuff to do. Technically, you don’t need to spend anything on experiences.”
You can spend nothing, a little or a lot on experiences in Tokyo. But if you spend nothing, there’s still plenty to do!
For example, the Tokyo Metropolitan Building Observation Deck, gardens and parks, window shopping and walking around old yokocho alleyways or trendy neighborhoods are all free things to do in Tokyo.
But if you’re keen to do some of the more popular stuff, here are some costs:
Shibuya Sky → ¥2,200
Tokyo Sky Tree → ¥2,300 (just the Tembo deck; weekend price)
Street Kart (go karting in Tokyo) → ¥17,500
Karaoke → from ~¥1,000+
Tokyo National Museum → ¥1,000
Tokyo Disney → ¥7,900-10,900
teamLab Planets → ¥3,800
Just remember to plan ahead since prices can vary, especially on Japanese holidays.
Explore more:
➤ 30+ Unique Things to Do In Tokyo
Transportation
~¥4,000/week
“If you’re in Tokyo, opt for walking or taking local trains. Taxis are super expensive.”
If you’re just sticking around Tokyo, you’ll mostly be walking or taking the local trains. So you don’t need to spend too much on transportation.
Budgeting around ¥4,000 should get you by (*not including airport trips and assuming you’re staying within the city).
Some days, I don’t even use the train. This is especially easy if your accommodation is in a decent location.
Some travelers will opt for buying a Japan Rail Pass (available to short-term tourists). But this may end up costing you more if you’re only staying in Tokyo.
I use a Suica IC card to pay my train fares and reload it periodically at ticket stations (these IC cards also work like debit cards in many stores and restaurants).
If you’re a tourist, you can pick up a Welcome Suica at certain locations. These are super convenient to use for payment and train fare, so I recommend grabbing one if you’ll be. mainly staying in the city.
But Tokyo is known for its hyper-efficient transportation. So be prepared to get spoiled!
Explore more:
➤ How to Get Around Japan (train guide)
Shopping
¥0-10,000+/week
“Tokyo is full of amazing shopping and unique souvenirs. And you don’t need to break the bank either.”
Shopping isn’t necessary. Technically, you don’t need to buy anything.
But chances are, if you’re visiting Tokyo, you probably want to grab a few things. So this budget has the biggest range and totally depends on your travel goals and spending habits.
I mostly shop at thrift stores or vintage shops (check out Shimokitazawa or Kichijoji), but luxury shopping districts are also fun (like Ginza, Omotesando or Daikanyama).
Whatever your shopping goals are (clothes, souvenirs, random finds), you can find it in Tokyo.
Tip: If you can, shop during the sales seasons in Tokyo. They usually happen during the summer and the New Year.
Living In Tokyo vs. Visiting As A Tourist
Taking a night stroll in a small town just outside Tokyo!
You may be asking, is Tokyo expensive to live in? In my experience, no.
But what about visiting? It could be — but it doesn’t need to be.
For example, spending just $100/day is probably more than enough for Japan — especially if you’re savvy and plan ahead.
But I always like to budget more than needed (you know, just in case).
The biggest differences between living in Tokyo versus just visiting are probably your accommodation and food expenses.
Living here or staying longer (1+ month) means you’ll likely have a kitchen and can also save money on accommodation fees.
Plus, you won’t always feel obligated to go out and spend money to enjoy Tokyo. Staying in and relaxing is definitely an option here.
So if you can swing it, I definitely recommend spending a whole month in Tokyo/Japan.
You can rent a cheap room in a sharehouse and have more time to explore all the city has to offer.
Also, with sharehouses (or long-term AirBnB stays), you don’t need to worry about furnishings, utilities or any other extra costs associated with apartment living.
The two sharehouse companies I usually stay with (and can recommend) are Borderless House and Oakhouse.
But of course, there are plenty more options, so feel free to keep researching.
Explore more:
➤ How to Move to Japan (4 steps)
Travel Tokyo On A Budget (10 tips)
Walking through the rain in Shimokitazawa!
1. Look for Cheaper Alternatives to Popular Attractions
There’s plenty to do in Tokyo for free.
So if you’re looking to save a few coins, definitely do some more digging.
For example, if you want to enjoy an observation deck viewing, check out the 200-meter high Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory.
You still get incredible views (like you would with Tokyo Sky Tree or Shibuya Sky), but it’s completely free.
They also have a small cafe and gift shops at the top, so you can grab a seat and a coffee to relax, which is nice.
Or if you’re looking for a concert, you can always watch the street buskers by Shibuya crossing or outside Harajuku station (and many other areas).
Explore more:
➤ My Top 12 Tokyo Travel Tips
2. Look for Tax-Free Shops
If you’re a short-term visitor and have a stamp on your passport, you can save some money by avoiding the (10%) consumption tax at duty-free shops in Tokyo.
You can find these spots sprinkled throughout Tokyo, at some department stores and at the airport.
They usually have a big sign that reads “tax free shop”.
Here is a more comprehensive guide on how to take advantage of tax-free shopping in Tokyo.
3. Choose “Yen” When Using Credit or An ATM
If you’ve traveled abroad, you may already know about this tip.
But when paying with credit (or taking out cash at an ATM), you may get an option to choose the local currency or your home currency.
According to most sources I’ve found online and in books, it’s best to choose the local currency (yen).
This relates to the exchange rates and who’s doing the conversions (your bank back home vs. the local vendor’s bank, for example).
You can read more about this here.
4. Book Smart
Accommodation fees will be one of your biggest expenses. So let’s book smart.
There are tons of great options to make your stay an epic one. But going cheap doesn’t mean sacrificing on comfort.
So here are some tips to save on your accommodation booking:
Avoid trendy and expensive areas
Stay slightly outside of the city or central locations
Opt for cheaper accommodations like hostels or capsule hotels
For longer-term stays, consider a sharehouse
5. Don’t Get All Your Drinks At Expensive Cafes or Bars
Aoyama Flower cafe in Omotesanda (for when you do splurge)!
I love cafes and unique bars with trendy vibes. But this lifestyle can get pricey.
Luckily, there are much cheaper options.
For example, you can grab a hot coffee at 711 for just ¥100-150, which is way cheaper than the ¥390 tall black coffee at Starbucks.
You can then find a shaded spot under a tree at a park and relax for free (if the weather is right).
There are also drink vending machines all throughout Tokyo. And they sell hot canned coffee or tea (plus water, alcohol and other beverages).
Alternatively, you can also check to see if your hotel offers some free breakfast options or coffee.
6. Avoid Travel During Japanese Holidays
Japan has a couple major holidays you want to avoid if possible.
While there are many long 3-day weekend holidays, there are two longer vacation periods worth knowing about.
Golden Week and Obon.
Golden Week is usually during the end of April and early May. And Obon happens in August.
During these times, the whole country has the same vacation time. So naturally, prices are inflated and it’s a total zoo everywhere you go.
So if you’re looking to save some money (and avoid crazy crowds), plan your trip around these major holidays if you can.
7. Avoid Taxis + Walk When You Can
Unless you missed the last train and you need to get back to your hotel, avoiding taxis is the best way to save money on transportation in Tokyo.
Luckily, this is usually super easy here. Train stations are everywhere and public transportation it’s highly convenient and efficient.
For example, walking from one station to the next is usually pretty quick and painless. So if you can, opt for walking over taking a local train for shorter trips.
Because those short ¥130 train trips can seriously add up.
8. Eat Cheap(er)
The food in Tokyo (and Japan at large) is incredible. It’s one of the reasons I keep coming back!
From gyoza to ramen and sushi and katsu…so many amazing choices.
And luckily, you don’t need to break the bank. There are plenty of restaurants with very reasonable prices.
In fact, in my experience, these are quite easy to find. You can usually tell if a restaurant is more expensive (it just looks fancier).
So if you’re looking to save, opt for the simpler, smaller and local-style restaurants more than the touristy ones or fancy places.
Most times I go out with friends, I usually pay around ¥1,000 (or less) for a meal.
A few of my go-to spots are:
Tokyo Abura Soba (oil soba noodles — so good!)
Kura Sushi (conveyor belt sushi chain)
AFURI Harajuku (amazing yuzu ramen)
Saizeriya (very cheap Italian restaurant; all throughout Tokyo/Japan)
Grabbing a bento box from the Konbini or a supermarket
9. Watch for Surcharges
Most of the time, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying.
But it can help to be aware of any potential surcharges or extra fees — for example, at bars or clubs especially.
Besides these situations, you may also consider the 10% consumption tax when shopping.
So, while surcharges aren’t the biggest issue, it’s always worth considering.
Explore more:
➤ Stuck Abroad Without Money (what to do)
10. Shop Secondhand
If you’re keen to do some serious shopping, you don't need to break the bank.
There are lots of great areas for thrifting (such as Shimokitazawa or Shibuya), but many of these shops will still be pricey.
In my experience, Hard Off (or Mode Off) always seems to have the best prices for secondhand clothes.
But just stay patient and make it a shopping day – looking for deals.
Later ✌️
Tokyo doesn’t need to be expensive. There are plenty of free things to do, affordable accommodations and cheap (but still delicious) eats.
I always recommend over-budgeting just in case of emergencies or surprise expenses. But if you keep things minimal like a budget traveler, you can enjoy the city with just ¥50,000 (not including flights).
Ultimately, it depends on where you stay, what you do and how you eat. But it can be done for super cheap.
So enjoy! Japan is worth every coin.
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