Japan (JP)
Japan is one of the world's most captivating destinations for expats — a country where ancient temple culture and ultra-modern technology coexist seamlessly.
Capital: Tokyo
Region: Asia
Language: Japanese
Currency: JPY (¥)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)
Emergency: 110 (police) / 119 (fire and ambulance)
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Japan — 2026 data in JPY.
72
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Moderately priced. Similar to or slightly less than Western European averages.
Rent
1K/Studio (23 sq m) — central Tokyo (Shinjuku/Shibuya) ¥80,000–130,000
1K/Studio (23 sq m) — outer Tokyo (30–45 min from centre) ¥55,000–85,000
1LDK (40–50 sq m) — central Tokyo ¥150,000–250,000
1LDK (40–50 sq m) — outer Tokyo ¥90,000–140,000
2LDK (60–70 sq m) — central Tokyo (family) ¥220,000–380,000
1K/Studio — central Osaka (Namba/Umeda) ¥60,000–95,000
1K/Studio — central Kyoto ¥55,000–85,000
1K/Studio — Fukuoka (Hakata) ¥45,000–70,000
1K/Studio — Sapporo ¥35,000–55,000
UR Housing (1DK, outer Tokyo) — no key money or guarantor ¥60,000–90,000
Food & Groceries
Japanese bread loaf (shokupan) ¥200–350
Rice (Koshihikari, 5kg) ¥2,500–4,000
Eggs (10 pack) ¥220–350
Milk (1L) ¥200–260
Chicken breast (100g) ¥70–120
Salmon fillet (100g) — supermarket ¥150–300
Tofu (medium firm) ¥80–150
Can of Kirin/Asahi/Sapporo beer (350ml) ¥200–270
Bottle of wine (imported, mid-range) ¥1,000–2,500
Dining Out
Onigiri (rice ball) at konbini ¥130–230
Convenience store bento lunch box ¥450–700
Gyudon (beef bowl) — Yoshinoya/Matsuya ¥400–550
Ramen at a typical shop ¥850–1,300
Sushi set at conveyor belt restaurant ¥1,200–2,000
Teishoku lunch set at a restaurant ¥700–1,200
Coffee at a café (Starbucks tall latte) ¥680
Izakaya set (food + drinks for 1) ¥2,000–4,000
Dinner at a mid-range restaurant ¥1,500–3,500
Yakiniku (BBQ) dinner per person ¥3,000–6,000
Omakase sushi (high-end) ¥15,000–50,000+
Can of beer at a convenience store ¥200–270
Highball at an izakaya ¥400–600
Transport
Tokyo subway single ride (short trip) ¥170–200
Tokyo Metro monthly pass (typical commute 10km) ¥9,000–14,000
Shinkansen Tokyo–Osaka (Hikari, reserved) ¥13,870
Taxi base fare (Tokyo) ¥500
Petrol (gasoline, 1 litre) ¥160–190
Health & Insurance
GP visit with NHI/Shakai Hoken (30% co-pay) ¥0–1,500 (typically ¥500–800)
Hospital outpatient visit with insurance ¥1,000–3,000
Emergency room visit with insurance ¥3,000–8,000
Dental check-up with cleaning (30% co-pay) ¥1,500–3,000
Prescription medication (30% co-pay per drug) ¥200–1,500
NHI monthly premium (individual, income ¥4M/year, Tokyo) ¥26,000–35,000/month
Utilities
Electricity (summer with A/C) ¥8,000–15,000
Electricity (winter with heating) ¥7,000–12,000
Gas ¥2,500–6,000
Water ¥2,000–3,500 (billed bi-monthly in some areas)
Home internet (fiber optic, average) ¥4,000–6,000
Mobile phone (MVNO SIM-only, 20GB data) ¥1,500–2,500
Mobile phone (Docomo/SoftBank/au) ¥3,500–8,000
Childcare
Hoikuen (ages 3–5) — public, approved facility Free (since October 2019)
Hoikuen (ages 0–2) — income-based ¥0–77,000/month
International school (annual) ¥1,800,000–3,600,000
Juku (cram school) — primary school student ¥15,000–50,000/month
JLPT N2 exam registration fee ¥6,000
Leisure
Gym membership (24/7 Fitness clubs, e.g. Anytime Fitness) ¥7,000–9,000/month
Jōzandei / neighborhood sports centre (municipal) ¥300–600/visit
Public onsen (hot spring bath) — day visit ¥500–1,500
Cinema ticket ¥1,900–2,300 (¥1,100 on Cinema Day, first Wednesday)
Tokyo Disneyland / DisneySea — 1 day ¥7,900–10,900 (tier-based 2026 pricing)
Cost of Living
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