Cost of living and minimum wages in Japan

Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world and prices can definitely come as a shock for newcomers, especially when it comes to transportation. Osaka used to have a reputation for being more affordable than Tokyo, but with the recent boom in tourism in the Kansai region, that’s no longer really the case.

That said, depending on your lifestyle and where you live, it’s definitely possible to live comfortably in Japan on a Working Holiday Visa with a budget similar to that in your home country – or even for less!

Living in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto will all cost you roughly the same. To see a real difference in prices, you need to look at mid-sized cities such as Nagoya, Nagano, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Naha. Smaller towns have a significant cost difference, but keep in mind that salaries may be lower in these areas too. We’ve included the official wages by region further down so you can get an idea.

Here’s a quick overview of average prices you’ll find in Tokyo and Osaka. This should help you plan your stay. Of course, you can find cheaper options if you know where to look, but the prices listed here are averages.

For mid-sized cities, expect to pay about 15% less, and up to 30% less in rural areas.

Eating out

• Japanese fast food (e.g., udon/ soba): ¥500
• Ramen: ¥800
• McDonald’s combo: ¥700
• Family restaurant: ¥1,200
• Medium-end restaurant: ¥2,500
• Trendy restaurant: ¥4,000
• Gourmet restaurant: ¥10,000
• Local beer: ¥500
• Imported beer, cocktail: ¥700
• Soda: ¥250
• Cappuccino: ¥500
• Dessert + drink: ¥700
• Starbucks-style cafe: ¥550

Going out

• Game centre (per machine per turn): ¥100
• 1 hour of karaoke per person, during the day: ¥600
• Evening at karaoke per person (unlimited drinks): ¥3,000
• Cover charge for night club: ¥2,000
• Entrance to Disneyland: starting at ¥8,900
• Museum: ¥1,200

Leisure

• Sento: ¥500
• Onsen: ¥900
• Gym (1 month): ¥10,000
• Movie ticket: ¥1,800
• Concert ticket: starting at ¥5,000

Japanese courses

• In-person teacher: ¥2,000-5,000 per hour
• Online teacher: ¥1,800 per hour
• Classes at language school: ¥50,000-100,000 per month
• Classes offered by the city: free thanks to volunteer teachers!

Grocery items

• 1L of milk: ¥170
• 1L of mineral water: ¥100
• 6 eggs: ¥230
• Loaf of bread: ¥250
• 4 pack of yogurt: ¥400
• Apples (1 kg): ¥700
• Tomatoes (1 kg): ¥400
• Imported camembert cheese: ¥900
• Grated cheese: ¥250
• Instant noodles: ¥130
• Pasta: ¥200
• Fresh lettuce: ¥250
• Onigiri from supermarket: ¥100
• Tofu: ¥150
• Bottle of wine (average): ¥1,500
• Umeshu (local alcohol): ¥1,000
• Bento from konbini: ¥500
• Sandwich from konbini: ¥200

Public transports

• Short distance (3-4 stations): ¥180
• 30-minute journey (15 stations): ¥350
• Busy ride: ¥250
• Base price for taxi: ¥500

Monthly bills

• Rent (bed in sharehouse): ¥25,000
• Rent (private room in sharehouse): ¥45,000
• Studio: ¥60,000
• Utilities (electricity, internet, water): ¥10,000
• Phone bill: ¥1,500-3,000
• Internet (pocket wifi): ¥4,000
• Social security (varies by municipality): ¥1,400-2,000

Summary

• Very tight monthly budget: starting at ¥130,000
• Economical budget: starting at ¥160,000
• Comfortable budget: ¥250,000

Remember that budgets are very personal. You’ll need to adapt yours to your own spending patterns and lifestyle. It also matters if and when you plan to work in Japan.

Minimum Wage by Region

Here are tables showing the official minimum hourly wage as of October 2024. These numbers change slightly every year; in Japan, adjustments are made in October.

As you can see, between Tokyo (¥1,163 per hour) and Okinawa (¥952 per hour), there is a tangible difference. While the cost of living in Okinawa is lower, wages are also capped and in smaller towns it can sometimes be difficult to earn more than the minimum. On the other hand, Tokyo offers many job opportunities, and many expats manage to earn above (sometimes well above) the minimum wage.