皆さんこんにちは!
One of the most common questions is how much does it coast to live in Japan and whether it’s enough to cover your basic expenses and still save money.
In this article, I’ll share a guide based on my own experience and information I’ve gathered, taking Tokyo as the reference point.
Stay until the end to make the most of your time in Japan!
🏠 1️⃣ Accommodation: The biggest expense
No matter what kind of place you rent, housing will take the biggest portion of your budget — anywhere from ¥50,000 to ¥120,000 or even more.
It depends on the area, size, year of construction, and whether you’ll share with someone else.
What type of housing should you choose?
If you’re coming with a Working Holiday visa, I recommend starting with a share house or hostel, especially if you plan to move around different areas of Japan. They usually allow short-term stays (three months or less), and the rent often includes all utilities — electricity, gas, and water — so you don’t need to set them up separately.
Of course, one thing that can be either positive or negative (depending on your personality) is that you’ll share all common areas with other people. In some places, a minimum stay of three months is required.
If you’re planning to live longer in Japan, it’s more convenient and cost-effective to rent an apartment. Most contracts require at least two years (sometimes one), and it’s a bit more complicated to set up at first — you’ll need to pay a lot upfront — but monthly rent is often reasonable.
I talk about this more in another post: Renting an Apartment in Japan as a Foreigner.
Rent prices by city
Location makes a huge difference. Living in areas outside central Tokyo, such as Saitama or Kanagawa, will be cheaper than neighborhoods like Shinjuku or Shibuya.
The farther you live from the city center, the more affordable it is.
However, you’ll need to consider the commute time if you work in central Tokyo. It’s not so much about the cost (since many companies cover part or all of your transportation), but the physical exhaustion of traveling over an hour each way every day.
Additional costs: Deposit, key money, furniture
As I mentioned in the other post, there are also extra costs when renting — a deposit (usually one month’s rent), key fees, and sometimes cleaning or insurance fees.
If you choose a share house, you won’t need to worry about furniture. Some apartments also come furnished.
But if you want to decorate and make the space your own, you can buy new furniture (it’ll require some budgeting) or go for second-hand shops.
From my own experience: my first apartment came unfurnished, so I bought a fridge and washing machine from a second-hand shop for about ¥70,000 total. Then, I used Jimoty to find free or super cheap furniture (I even got a really comfy sofa!), and finally, I used Amazon.
When I moved to a new apartment that was already furnished, I kept some items and sold the rest through Facebook groups.
Tips for saving on housing while live in Japan
If your goal is to spend as little as possible:
- Choose an area a bit farther from the city center.
For example, I’ve lived in Suginami-ku, a super convenient area well connected to Shinjuku. If you prefer the other side of Tokyo, Taito-ku is another great option. - Talk to other foreigners living in Japan — sometimes they’ve rented directly from the owner and can share contacts, saving you agency fees.
- When going through an agency, clearly state your budget so they can give you realistic options.
- Be open-minded about older, smaller, or more remote places.
- Visit second-hand stores, use Jimoty, Mercari, or Facebook Marketplace.
🍱2️⃣ Food: Supermarkets, restaurants, and money-saving tips
Now let’s talk about another essential topic — food.
You might think cooking at home is always cheaper, and while it can be healthier, eating out in Japan can actually be very affordable if you know where to go.
Grocery shopping in Japan
Of course, this depends on your habits and whether you live alone or with someone.
There are many supermarket chains, and prices vary, so it’s best to check which options are near you.
Personally, I often go to OK Super, sometimes My Basket, and occasionally Life. On average, I spend around ¥15,000–¥20,000 per month on groceries.
Eating out: Restaurants and convenience stores
As I mentioned, eating out can be cheap.
If you don’t feel like cooking or didn’t prepare a bento for work, you can easily find budget options:
- 🍜 Ramen shops: around ¥1,000
- 🍣 Sushi chains: ¥2,000–¥3,000 for several plates
- 🍛 Family restaurants like Saizeriya, Café Gusto, or Sukiya: ¥1,000–¥2,000
- 🥢 Konbini bentos: about ¥700
Plus, tea or water is free in most restaurants, so you don’t need to spend extra on drinks.
I, for example, don’t eat much — a small pizza and a few chicken wings at Saizeriya are enough for me — so eating out remains pretty cheap.
Expensive items and cheaper alternatives
Some foods are naturally pricey in Japan — like vegetables, fruits, and meat.
If you eat a lot of those, expect higher grocery bills.
But there are cheaper and nutritious options like mushrooms, tofu, and chicken or pork.
And if you enjoy healthy snacks like nuts, it’s okay to spend a bit more — balance is key!
🚆3️⃣ Transportation: Getting around Japan
If you live in Japan, transportation is another big expense
Including your commute and leisure trips, you might spend at least ¥30,000 per month, but remember — most companies reimburse transportation costs, which helps a lot.
Trains, buses, and bicycles
In Tokyo and other major cities, trains are the most convenient way to get around — everyone uses them.
Fares range from ¥200 to ¥2,000 depending on the distance, though it’s rare to spend over ¥1,500 on one trip, at least you go outside Tokyo. The average is about ¥500 per ride.
Buses are usually around ¥200 but are less convenient unless there’s no train nearby.
And if you live close to your workplace or the station, I highly recommend getting a bicycle. It saves money, keeps you active, and you can find one cheaply on Jimoty or Facebook.
Commuter Pass and discounts
One great thing about trains is the Commuter Pass (定期券 teikiken).
You can buy it through your transportation card app if you regularly commute on the same route.
Basically, it gives you a discounted fare for workers or students.
You just select your start and end stations, choose how long (1, 3, or 6 months), and pay upfront.
Then, during that time, you can ride freely within that route without topping up your card.
If you travel outside your zone, you’ll just pay the difference.
For example, if your pass covers Mitaka → Shinjuku but you go to Shibuya, you’ll pay for the Shinjuku–Shibuya section.
Combined with your company’s transport allowance, this can really help you save!
📱4️⃣ Other expenses: Phone, insurance, and entertainment
Let’s wrap up with the last part — those extra monthly expenses that also matter: phone plans, insurance, and fun.
Mobile plans: Affordable options
Two popular options when you first arrive are Mobal and JP Smart, since you can sign up easily with just your passport.
However, they’re quite expensive, so I recommend switching once you have your Zairyu Card.
A great option is Rakuten Mobile.
Their plan adjusts based on how much data and calls you use:
- under 3GB → ¥1,000
- up to 20GB → ¥2,000
- over 20GB → unlimited for around ¥3,000
Click here if you want to know What to do in your first day in Japan
Health insurance and pension
You’ll have to pay for health insurance and pension, both mandatory.
Depending on how long you’ve lived in Japan, you may also be charged other taxes based on the previous year’s income.
If you’re on a Working Holiday or have low income, you can request pension exemption or reduction.
Eventually, if you’re planning to live in Japan, you’ll have to pay — especially if you plan to stay long-term or have a full-time job.
If you’re full-time, your company usually handles this, and they’ll deduct around 30% from your salary.
Currently, I pay both myself and spend about ¥26,000 per month in total.
Leisure and entertainment
For fun and tourism, Japan offers endless options — from free parks to themed cafés!
If you want to save money, there are many free or inexpensive spots, like temples, gardens, and museums.
For instance:
- Ghibli Museum (Mitaka) → ¥1,000
- Shinjuku Gyoen Park → ¥500
- Torikizoku (izakaya) → ¥360 per dish or drink
- Karaoke → cheaper on weekdays with “free time” deals
- Cinema tickets → around ¥3,000, but look for discount days
For something special, I highly recommend visiting DisneySea — it’s unique to Japan!
And for breathtaking views, try the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory in Shinjuku — it’s free and offers a 360° city view.
Another great one is the Chiba observatory, where you can see Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa at once.
💡5️⃣ How much do you need per month to live in Japan
To wrap up — how much do you really need?
It depends on your lifestyle and goals.
If you’re here on a Working Holiday, enjoy and invest in experiences — travel around Japan, try new things!
If you’re living here long-term, you can take it slower and adjust monthly.
💰 In conclusion, you can live comfortably with ¥170,000–¥200,000 per month.
Japan can be expensive, but with good planning, you can live well and enjoy every moment.
My advice: Adjust your budget according to your priorities, and take advantage of the many affordable options available.
If you have any questions or want to share your own experience, leave me a comment below!
よろしく、
花ちゃん
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