What currency do you pay with in Japan? How much do goods cost in a regular supermarket and how much in a restaurant? And how much does a week's stay in Japan cost? Find out in this chapter.
Japanese Yen (JPY)
The local currency is the Japanese yen, which is divided into 100 sen, which is further divided into 1,000 rin.
Coins are available in 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen.
Commonly used banknotes are worth 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen.
- International currency code: JPY (numeric code 392)
- Currency symbol: ¥
Can I pay with other currencies in Japan?
Foreign currencies are not commonly accepted in Japan, even in tourist shops or hotels.
In Japan, currency exchange offices and card payments are not accepted in Japanese shops or in other places of exchange.
You can find currency exchange offices at airports, but usually with very poor exchange rates, or at banks, but you will pay more in fees than at regular ATMs.
ATMs
The best place to withdraw Japanese yen is from the ubiquitous ATMs.
While some ATMs at Japanese banks don't accept foreign cards, ATMs at 7-Eleven, Family Mart or Lawson's mini-markets are a sure bet and will always accept foreign cards without any problem.
The ATM withdrawal fee is the same at all Japanese ATMs.
- 110 jpy For withdrawals up to 10,000 yen
- 220 jpy for withdrawals over 20,000 yen
Card payments
Card payments are very common in Japan, but it's still handy to have cash on you.
For example, tickets for the city pile are often paid for with cash only, and also some smaller bistros or shops may not accept cards.
How much does what cost
Japan is an expensive country compared to the rest of Asia. However, compared to Europe or North America, Japan is cheaper.
The prices of food and especially meals in restaurants, entrance to sights and tourist attractions are noticeably lower than in Europe/North America.
Hotel and long-distance transport prices are relatively high and can be compared with Western Europe.
Examples of prices
Accommodation in a double room (prices per night):
Hotel prices are in US dollars for a better idea.
- Cheap capsule hotel with shared bathroom - from 20 usd
- Local 3* hotel - from 45 usd
- International 4* hotel - from 120 usd
- Search for the cheapest accommodation in Japan
Restaurant food:
- Hot main meal in a regular restaurant - from 800 jpy
- Menu at a fast-food restaurant - from 800 jpy
- Sushi - from 190 jpy to 450 jpy per tray
- Espresso or Cappuccino in a cafe - 470 jpy
- Water 0.33 l - 115 jpy
- Fanta/Coca Cola/Sprite 0.5 l - 250 jpy
- Draft beer - 450 jpy
Food in the supermarket:
- Water 1.5l - 130 jpy
- Coca Cola (and other sodas) 2l - 250 jpy
- Milk 1l - 220 jpy
- Apples - 755 jpy / kg
- Bananas - 360 jpy / kg
- Rice - 575 jpy / kg
- Chicken 1 kg - 980 jpy
- Beef 1 kg - 2 600 jpy
Shipping:
- Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Osaka - 13 870 jpy
- Domestic tickets from Tokyo to Osaka - from 11 000 jpy (with checked baggage)
- 1 ride on public transport - on average around 220 jpy
- Car rental for a week - from 60 000 jpy
- Compare car rental prices in Japan
Alcohol and cigarettes:
- A pack of cigarettes - 600 jpy
- Beer 0.5 l - 305 jpy
- Bottle of good wine - 1 200 jpy
- A cocktail at the bar - 1 200 jpy
Find the cheapest hotels in Japan
Tipping and Bargaining
You can't tip anywhere in Japan, instead you may offend the staff.
So don't leave any tips or round up the amount for less change.
It is not customary to haggle over the price of goods and services prices are always set on the menu or menu.
Daily budget - How much money to take with you
How much money should I take with me to Japan?
The low-budget traveler takes public transportation and prefers the slower cheaper shinkansen. Stays mostly in a capsule hotel. Food is cheapest at local bistros.
Find the cheapest accommodation in Japan
The average traveller stays in a classic 3* hotel. For lunch you can go to cheaper restaurants or eat at local fast-food places. You travel by public transport and choose the more expensive shinkansen on long-distance routes.
If you're more discerning, stay in a 4* or 5* with at least breakfast. You deal with transport by taxi or hire car throughout your stay and try a different attraction on the beach each day.
The following table shows prices for a week's stay in high season for 2 people. The cost is based on a per day basis for 1 person.
| Low-cost Traveler |
Regular traveller | Expensive option | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 3 200 jpy | 5 000 jpy | 6 500 jpy |
| Food | 2 500 jpy | 3 500 jpy | 5 000 jpy |
| Transportation | 4 000 jpy | 5 000 jpy | 8 000 jpy |
| Car rental | 0 jpy | 0 jpy | 9 000 jpy |
| Attractions | 500 jpy | 2 000 jpy | 4 000 jpy |
| Total | 10 200 jpy | 15 500 jpy | 32 500 jpy |
