How much does Tokyo cost per day?

A backpacker day (hostel bed, konbini and noodle meals, trains, free sights) is low by any Western standard. A mid-range day (business hotel, one sit-down meal, a paid attraction) is moderate. Only a good hotel in peak season pushes Tokyo into expensive territory. The Japan trip cost guide has figures by budget.

Where can I stay cheap in Tokyo?

Hostels in Asakusa, Ueno and Shinjuku; capsule hotels across the city; business hotel chains (small, spotless, well under the price of a Western chain); and neighbourhoods one or two stops off the Yamanote line. Avoid Ginza and Marunouchi hotels on a budget.

Is food expensive in Tokyo?

No. Konbini meals, standing soba, ramen, gyudon chains, set lunches at good restaurants and department store basement food (discounted after 7pm) are all cheap and excellent. Only sushi counters, kaiseki and wagyu are expensive, and only if you choose them.

What's free in Tokyo?

Meiji Jingu, Senso-ji, the Metropolitan Government Building observation deck, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Yoyogi and Ueno parks, Tsukiji outer market browsing, Yanaka and Shimokitazawa on foot, the Sumida riverside, the Shibuya crossing, most shrines and the neighbourhoods themselves.

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Travel Guides · Tokyo

Tokyo on a Budget: What a Day Really Costs, Where to Stay Cheap, Eating Well for Little, Free Things and Where the Money Goes

Tokyo is cheaper than its reputation and cheaper than London, New York or Paris for almost everything except a hotel room in peak season. Where the money actually goes, a realistic daily budget for backpacker, mid-range and comfortable, where to sleep cheap, how to eat brilliantly for very little, the free list, and the months that halve the bill.

Oscar Garcia·Founder of Roavi··2 min read

Visiting Tokyo?

Find a local friend who can help you explore safely, discover food spots, avoid tourist mistakes, and experience the city like a local.

Browse Local Friends in Tokyo

Tokyo's reputation for expense is twenty years out of date. The city is cheap; the hotel in cherry blossom week is not.

Where the money goes#

Cheap	Expensive
Trains with a Suica	Taxis
Konbini, standing soba, ramen, set lunches	Sushi counters, kaiseki, wagyu
Shrines, parks, neighbourhoods	Skytree, teamLab, theme parks
Hostels, capsules, business hotels	Any hotel in late March, Golden Week, autumn
Department store basements after 7pm	Hotel breakfasts

How much a Japan trip costs has current numbers by budget.

Sleeping cheap#

Hostels in Asakusa, Ueno and Shinjuku; capsule hotels; business hotel chains, which are small, spotless and far cheaper than Western chains; anything a stop or two off the Yamanote line. Where to stay.

Eating well for little#

Konbini breakfast (onigiri, egg sandwich, coffee), a standing soba or ramen lunch, a teishoku set lunch at a restaurant that charges three times as much at dinner, department store basement (depachika) food at half price after 7, an izakaya with a drink or two. Where locals eat. No tipping (why).

Free Tokyo#

Meiji Jingu, Senso-ji, the Metropolitan Government Building deck, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, the parks, Tsukiji outer market browsing, Yanaka, Shimokitazawa, Koenji, the Sumida riverside, the crossing. Things to do, the neighbourhoods.

Transport#

A Suica and your feet. The JR Pass is money lost inside Tokyo. Getting around. Airport: the train, never a taxi (Narita or Haneda).

Cheapest months#

January after the 4th, February, June, early September. Avoid late March, Golden Week, Obon, November and New Year.

The best money you'll spend#

A few hours with a Local Friend costs less than a guided tour and buys you the standing bar, the neighbourhood and the conversation you'd otherwise miss. Post your dates on Roavi Community first; budget travellers on the same days appear there too.

Tokyo on a budget? The best value in the city is a local for an evening.

Meet a Local Friend

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Tokyo cost per day?
A backpacker day (hostel bed, konbini and noodle meals, trains, free sights) is low by any Western standard. A mid-range day (business hotel, one sit-down meal, a paid attraction) is moderate. Only a good hotel in peak season pushes Tokyo into expensive territory. The Japan trip cost guide has figures by budget.
Where can I stay cheap in Tokyo?
Hostels in Asakusa, Ueno and Shinjuku; capsule hotels across the city; business hotel chains (small, spotless, well under the price of a Western chain); and neighbourhoods one or two stops off the Yamanote line. Avoid Ginza and Marunouchi hotels on a budget.
Is food expensive in Tokyo?
No. Konbini meals, standing soba, ramen, gyudon chains, set lunches at good restaurants and department store basement food (discounted after 7pm) are all cheap and excellent. Only sushi counters, kaiseki and wagyu are expensive, and only if you choose them.
What's free in Tokyo?
Meiji Jingu, Senso-ji, the Metropolitan Government Building observation deck, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Yoyogi and Ueno parks, Tsukiji outer market browsing, Yanaka and Shimokitazawa on foot, the Sumida riverside, the Shibuya crossing, most shrines and the neighbourhoods themselves.