Tokyo Travel Budget
How much does it cost to visit Tokyo, Japan? Plan your budget with our interactive calculator.
Estimated Total for 7 Days
¥126,000
Travel Style
Midrange
Destination
Travel Style
Compare by Travel Style
See how your 7-day trip budget varies across backpacker, midrange, and comfortable travel styles.
Largest Expense
Accommodation
40% of total budget
Price Level
Expensive
Compared to global average
Local Currency
JPY
Symbol: ¥
Where Your Money Goes
Understanding your spending helps you travel smarter and stretch your budget further
Daily vs Total Cost
Switch between daily and total views to understand your spending
¥126,000
Total for 7 days
Accommodation
¥50,400
for 7 days
Food & Dining
¥35,280
for 7 days
Transport
¥15,120
for 7 days
Activities
¥18,900
for 7 days
Other
¥6,300
for 7 days
Planning Tip
Book accommodations early and compare prices across platforms. Mid-week stays often offer better rates than weekend arrivals, and flexibility with dates can save you up to 25%.
What does a day in Tokyo actually cost?
See exactly where your money goes with a realistic daily breakdown.
A Comfortable Day in Tokyo
A realistic day with actual prices
Activities
¥12,400
Accommodation
¥6,100
Prices are approximate and may vary by season
When is Tokyo cheapest?
+55% higher prices
Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
25% cheaper prices
Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul
Late January offers 25% savings, clear skies, and winter illuminations. Avoid Golden Week (late April-early May) at all costs.
A Day in Tokyo
See exactly what a real day costs, with insider tips for each expense
A Budget Day in Tokyo
Total: ¥32
Onigiri and coffee from konbini
7-Eleven rice balls are genuinely good
Morning at Meiji Shrine (free)
Peaceful forest in the city center
Standing ramen lunch
Ticket machine, quick service, incredible
Harajuku and Shibuya walking (free)
People-watching is entertainment
100-yen store exploration
Souvenirs and snacks for nothing
Izakaya dinner with draft beer
Look for red lanterns, locals inside
Metro day pass
Unlimited rides on metro lines
Daily Total
7 activities
From Someone's Journal
Tokyo on a budget is absolutely possible—you just adjust expectations from Michelin to street level. Konbini breakfast: an egg salad sandwich and coffee that would embarrass most Western cafés. Standing ramen in Shinjuku: ticket from a machine, slurping noodles at a counter alongside salarymen. The 100-yen store became my favorite shop—perfect chopsticks, snacks, gifts, all for nothing. Ended in a tiny izakaya, pointing at menu pictures, drinking beer and eating things I couldn't identify but loved.
Memory Prompts for Tokyo
Reflect on your spending with these thoughtful prompts - perfect for your travel journal
How did you balance the high costs with incredible value finds?
Budget contrast
Describe your best convenience store (konbini) meal moment.
Konbini culture
What was your strategy for train travel without breaking the bank?
Transport
How did you navigate the overwhelming food options?
Food decisions
Free Things to Do in Tokyo
Stretch your budget further with free attractions and insider money-saving tips
Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo's oldest temple in Asakusa with the famous Thunder Gate and Nakamise shopping street.
Meiji Shrine
Peaceful Shinto shrine in a forest in the heart of Harajuku.
Shibuya Crossing
Experience the world's busiest pedestrian crossing. Watch from Starbucks or Mag's Park.
Tokyo Metropolitan Building
Free observation deck with views rivaling paid attractions.
Harajuku Takeshita Street
Youth fashion and culture on this iconic pedestrian street.
Tsukiji Outer Market
Browse and sample at the remaining outer market stalls (inner market moved to Toyosu).
Imperial Palace East Gardens
Beautiful gardens open to the public, part of the Imperial Palace grounds.
Ueno Park
Museums, temples, and the famous cherry blossoms in spring.
Yoyogi Park
Watch street performers and local subcultures near Harajuku Station.
Odaiba Seaside
Futuristic waterfront with Statue of Liberty replica and Rainbow Bridge views.
Practical Tips for Tokyo
Getting Around
Tokyo Metro 24-hour pass is ¥600 (vs ¥170-320 per trip). Consider the 72-hour pass (¥1,500) for longer stays.
Where to Stay
Capsule hotels offer unique experiences for ¥3,000-5,000. Business hotels in areas like Kinshicho offer good value.
Cheap Eats
Ramen shops charge ¥800-1200. Standing soba noodle bars cost ¥300-500. Bento boxes at stations are ¥500-800.
Tipping Guide
Tipping is not practiced in Japan and can be considered rude. Excellent service is simply expected.
Best Value Season
January-February (excluding New Year) and June-July (rainy but low season) offer better rates.
Watch Out For
Avoid touts in Kabukicho inviting you to bars. Scam bars can charge thousands for drinks. Stick to recommended places.
Pro tip: Combine free activities with paid attractions for a balanced, budget-friendly itinerary
Neighborhood Guide for Tokyo
Find the perfect area to stay based on your budget and travel style
Shinjuku
Neon-lit entertainment district with the busiest station, Golden Gai bars, and Kabukicho nightlife.
Best For
Shibuya
Youth culture hub with the famous crossing, Harajuku nearby, and endless shopping options.
Best For
Asakusa
Traditional Tokyo with Senso-ji Temple, traditional shops, and old-town atmosphere.
Best For
Ginza
Upscale shopping district with luxury brands, department stores, and high-end dining.
Best For
Akihabara
Otaku paradise with electronics, anime, manga, and maid cafés. Unique Japanese subculture.
Best For
Ueno
Cultural hub with museums, zoo, Ameyoko market, and gateway to Asakusa. Great for budget travelers.
Best For
Location Tip
Consider staying in "moderate" neighborhoods for the best balance of cost and convenience. They often have better local restaurants, easier transport links, and more authentic experiences than the most central tourist areas—while still being safe and well-connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about traveling to Tokyo on a budget
A 7-day trip to Tokyo costs approximately ¥126,000 for a midrange travel style. This breaks down to about ¥18,000 per day, covering accommodation, food, local transportation, activities, and miscellaneous expenses.
Daily budgets in Tokyo vary by travel style: Budget/Backpacker travelers spend around ¥8,000/day, Mid-range travelers spend ¥18,000/day, and Comfortable travelers spend ¥40,000/day. These estimates include accommodation, meals, local transport, and activities.
Tokyo is considered a relatively expensive destination for tourists. With mid-range daily costs of ¥18,000, it requires careful planning to stay within budget compared to other popular destinations. The largest expense is typically accommodation (40% of budget).
Food typically accounts for about 28% of your daily budget in Tokyo. For a midrange experience, expect to spend around ¥5,040 per day on meals. Ramen shops charge ¥800-1200. Standing soba noodle bars cost ¥300-500. Bento boxes at stations are ¥500-800.
Tokyo uses the JPY (¥). We recommend exchanging some cash before arrival for small purchases, though credit cards are widely accepted in most establishments. ATMs are readily available throughout the city, but check with your bank about international transaction fees.
Accommodation in Tokyo is the largest expense, typically representing 40% of your budget. For 7 days with a midrange travel style, expect to spend approximately ¥50,400 total. Capsule hotels offer unique experiences for ¥3,000-5,000. Business hotels in areas like Kinshicho offer good value.
Top money-saving tips for Tokyo: Get a Suica or Pasmo card, Eat at conveyor belt sushi, Shop at konbini. These strategies can significantly reduce your daily costs.
Yes! Tokyo has many free attractions including: Senso-ji Temple, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Metropolitan Building, and more. These free activities can help you stretch your budget significantly.
Local transportation typically accounts for 12% of your budget in Tokyo. Tokyo Metro 24-hour pass is ¥600 (vs ¥170-320 per trip). Consider the 72-hour pass (¥1,500) for longer stays. Budget around ¥2,160 per day for transport.
Tipping is not practiced in Japan and can be considered rude. Excellent service is simply expected.
January-February (excluding New Year) and June-July (rainy but low season) offer better rates.
Avoid touts in Kabukicho inviting you to bars. Scam bars can charge thousands for drinks. Stick to recommended places.
Data Source
Budget and cost of living data sourced from Numbeo. Prices are estimates based on crowdsourced data and may vary
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Your 7-Day Budget
¥126,000
¥18,000 per day
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