How Much Does a Trip to Japan Cost? Daily Budgets for 2026

Japan has a reputation for being expensive, but it often surprises people the other way. Food is good value at every level, public transport is efficient and many of the best sights are free. Your biggest cost by far is where you sleep.

Daily budgets at a glance

These are per person, per day figures for 2026, based on two people sharing a room where relevant. Tokyo and Kyoto sit at the top of each range, smaller cities at the bottom.

Our tip: Prices in yen are steady from month to month, but what they cost you depends on your exchange rate. Check the rate before you set your budget.

Accommodation

Rooms in Japan are priced per room in hotels and often per person in ryokan and hostels. Prices climb sharply at cherry blossom time, Golden Week in early May and autumn leaf season.

• Hostel dorm or capsule hotel: 3,000 to 6,000 yen a night per person.
• Business hotel: 8,000 to 15,000 yen a night for a small, spotless double room, more in central Tokyo.
• Mid-range or design hotel: 15,000 to 25,000 yen a night.
• Ryokan with dinner and breakfast: 20,000 to 50,000 yen per person, a splurge worth making at least once.
• Luxury hotel: 50,000 yen to well over 100,000 yen a night.

Food and drink

You can eat superbly in Japan without spending much. Lunch sets are the best deal of the day, often half the price of the same restaurant at dinner.

Tap water is safe to drink everywhere, and tea is usually free in restaurants.

Getting around

• City trains and subways: most rides cost about 180 to 300 yen with an IC card.
• Day passes: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka sell 1-day passes for local trains and buses, usually around 600 to 1,500 yen.
• Taxis: a 10 minute ride costs around 1,500 to 2,000 yen.
• Shinkansen: Tokyo to Kyoto costs about 14,500 yen one way, so budget long trips separately.

Our tip: Work out your long train journeys first. They can add more to your trip than a week of food, and they decide whether a JR Pass makes sense.

Sights and activities

Many of Japan's most famous places cost nothing, including Fushimi Inari, Senso-ji, Meiji Shrine and the streets of Gion. Temples usually charge 300 to 1,000 yen.

Taxes and extra costs in 2026

• Departure tax: the International Tourist Tax rose from 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen on 1 July 2026. It is usually included in your flight ticket.
• Kyoto hotel tax: since 1 March 2026 it is charged per person, per night, by room price: 200 yen under 6,000 yen, 400 yen from 6,000 to 19,999 yen, 1,000 yen from 20,000 to 49,999 yen, 4,000 yen from 50,000 to 99,999 yen, and 10,000 yen from 100,000 yen.
• Other city hotel taxes: Tokyo, Osaka and several other places add a smaller charge of a few hundred yen per night.
• Consumption tax: 10 percent, normally already included in displayed prices.

Easy ways to save

• Eat your main meal at lunchtime, when set menus are much cheaper.
• Use convenience stores and supermarkets for breakfast and snacks. Supermarkets discount ready meals in the evening.
• Book accommodation early for spring and autumn, and stay a few stations away from the busiest districts.
• Pick free sights, such as shrines, parks and markets, to balance paid attractions.
• Compare single tickets with a JR Pass or regional pass before you buy.
• Shop tax-free when you spend 5,000 yen or more in one store, and claim the refund when you leave.

Sample budgets for a 10 day trip

These totals are per person and exclude international flights. They assume Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka with two long shinkansen trips.

We check this guide regularly. Prices, rules and services in Japan can change, so confirm with the official sources below before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.