Is Japan Expensive to Visit?

The Honest Answer: It Depends, But Less Than You Think

Japan’s expensive reputation is outdated. The yen has weakened significantly against USD, EUR, and GBP since 2022, making Japan excellent value for foreign visitors in 2025.

Accommodation Costs

Budget: ¥2,500–4,000 hostel dorm, ¥6,000–10,000 budget business hotel
Mid-range: ¥10,000–18,000 comfortable hotel
Luxury: ¥30,000–150,000+ ryokan or luxury hotel

Food Costs

Convenience store meal: ¥300–600 | Ramen shop: ¥800–1,200 | Lunch set: ¥900–1,500 | Izakaya dinner: ¥2,500–4,000 | Quality sushi: ¥3,000–8,000

Daily Budget Examples

Budget: ¥7,000–9,000/day — hostel + combini meals + transport + basic attractions
Mid-range: ¥15,000–20,000/day — hotel + restaurant lunch + transport + attractions
Comfortable: ¥30,000–50,000/day — good hotel + all meals at restaurants

Bottom Line

Comparable in cost to major Western European destinations — cheaper than London or Paris at budget level, similar at mid-range. The extraordinary quality makes it genuinely good value for the experience provided.