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What a day in Japan really costs in 2026
Hotel rates by city and season, what meals and transport cost, and three sample daily budgets you can plan around.
Japan is no longer the bargain it was in 2023 and 2024, but it is still good value compared with most Western capitals. The biggest swing in your budget is where you sleep and when you go.
Hotels: typical 2026 rates per room, per night
| Type | Tokyo | Kyoto | Osaka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capsule or hostel | ¥4,000–5,500 | ¥4,500–6,000 | ¥2,800–4,500 |
| Business hotel | ¥9,000–14,000 | ¥10,500–15,000 | ¥7,000–11,000 |
| Mid-range hotel | ¥18,000–30,000 | ¥20,000–35,000 | ¥13,000–22,000 |
Ryokan are priced per person and usually include dinner and breakfast. Simple inns start around ¥25,000 per person; the best go well beyond ¥100,000.
When prices jump
- Cherry blossom (late March to early April): Tokyo and Osaka run 40–70% above normal. Kyoto is even higher.
- Golden Week (about 29 April to 6 May): high everywhere.
- Obon (mid-August): 30–50% higher.
- Autumn leaves (mid-November to early December): Kyoto 30–60% higher.
- Cheapest: January to mid-February, and roughly 8 to 24 May.
Food
| Meal | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Convenience store breakfast (onigiri, coffee) | ¥400–700 |
| Set lunch (teishoku) at a local restaurant | ¥900–1,500 |
| Bowl of ramen | ¥1,000–1,600 |
| Conveyor-belt sushi, filling meal | ¥1,500–3,000 |
| Izakaya dinner with two drinks | ¥3,500–6,000 |
| Vending machine drink | ¥130–200 |
Getting around
- A single subway ride in Tokyo usually costs ¥180–330.
- The Tokyo Subway Ticket gives unlimited Metro and Toei rides: ¥1,000 for 24 hours, ¥1,500 for 48, ¥2,000 for 72.
- Tokyo to Shin-Osaka by Nozomi shinkansen is around ¥14,500 one way with a reserved seat.
Three sample daily budgets (per person, in Tokyo)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (share of room) | ¥5,000 | ¥7,000 | ¥15,000 |
| Food | ¥3,000 | ¥6,000 | ¥12,000 |
| City transport | ¥700 | ¥1,000 | ¥2,500 |
| Sights and extras | ¥1,500 | ¥4,000 | ¥8,000 |
| Total per day | ¥10,200 | ¥18,000 | ¥37,500 |
These are planning estimates. Shopping, theme parks and long-distance trains come on top.
Biggest savingEat your main meal at lunchtime. Many restaurants serve the same dishes for 30–50% less as a weekday set lunch.
