Japan on a Budget: The Real Cost of a 2-Week Trip

If you’re planning a two-week trip to Japan, you might wonder how much you should budget for your travels. Based on our research, we can break down the average cost for various categories and cities to help you plan your trip more effectively.

Jump to our Japan trip cost calculator

Budget for attractions in Japan

First, let’s look at attractions. Some of the most popular attractions in Japan are in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo, and Hiroshima. The Gundam Factory Yokohama, Kabukiza Theatre, and Tokyo Disney Resort are just a few of the attractions that can cost over 5,000 yen per adult. On the other hand, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Sapporo Clock Tower cost only 200 yen per adult. You can expect to spend anywhere from 200 to 16,300 yen per attraction, depending on the city and the specific attraction you want to visit.

How much will you spend on food in Japan? 

Next, let’s talk about food. Japan is famous for its delicious and unique cuisine, and every budget has plenty of options. You can enjoy a McDonald’s Big Mac combo for 1,150 yen or a premium Kobe beef steak for 5,000 yen. Popular dishes like ramen, yakitori, and okonomiyaki cost between 900 to 3,000 yen per meal. You can always opt for a regular meal for around 600 yen if you’re on a tight budget.

Transportation costs during your trip

Transportation is another important factor to consider when planning your trip. The Sanyo–San’in Northern Kyushu Passes offer a 7-day train pass for travel between Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki for 25,000 yen. A Shinkansen train from Osaka to Tokyo costs 14,860 yen per trip. A one-day pass for the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway costs 900 yen per adult. Depending on the city, local buses and street cars cost around 220 to 750 yen per trip.

Accommodation budget in Japan

Lastly, let’s talk about accommodations. The average cost of a hotel room for two adults with breakfast included is 10,500 yen per night, totaling 147,000 yen for a two-week trip. Of course, this cost can vary depending on the location and level of luxury you desire.

Overall, if you plan on visiting several cities and enjoying various attractions and cuisines, the average cost to travel to Japan for 2 weeks is around USD 2,241 to USD 3,000 (300,000 to 400,000 yen). Remember that this is just an average estimate. Your actual costs may vary depending on your preferences and travel style. Proper planning and research allow you to enjoy Japan’s offers without breaking the bank.

Japan trip cost calculator

CityCategoryProduct/ServicePrice YenPrice USDMultiple by
GeneralFoodBeer at Restaurant6504.875
GeneralFoodBowl of rice large at Restaurant2001.5
GeneralFoodBowl of rice small at Restaurant1000.75
GeneralBasicsCapsule Room200015
GeneralTransportationFlight Sapporo to Tokyo1200090
GeneralBasicsHotel + Breakfeast1050078.75
GeneralTransportationLocal Bus2201.65
GeneralFoodMc Donalds Big Mac7505.625
GeneralFoodMc Donalds Big Mac Combo11508.625
GeneralBasicsOnly Hotel870065.25
GeneralFoodRamen at Restaurant9006.75
GeneralFoodRegular meal6004.5
GeneralTransportationSanyo–San’in Northern Kyushu Passes (7 days train pass for Osaka-Kyoto-Nara-Hiroshima-Nagasaki)25000187.5
GeneralTransportationShinkansen + Train Sapporo to Tokyo27000202.5
GeneralTransportationShinkansen Osaka to Tokyo14860111.45
GeneralAttractionsTokyo Disney Resort, 1-Day Passport940070.5
HiroshimaFoodAnago Meshi (fish similar to unagi)253018.975
HiroshimaAttractionsHiroshima Peace Memorial Museum2001.5
HiroshimaFoodShirunashi Tang Tang Noodles6004.5
HiroshimaTransportationSubway 1 trip2301.725
KyotoTransportationBus One-Day Pass7005.25
KyotoAttractionsKyoto Tower9006.75
KyotoAttractionsNijō Castle13009.75
KyotoAttractionsSAMURAI & NINJA MUSEUM with EXPERIENCE270020.25
KyotoTransportationSubway & Bus One-Day Pass11008.25
KyotoTransportationSubway One-Day Pass8006
OsakaFoodKobe beef steak – Premium500037.5
OsakaFoodKobe beef steak – Tender read meat260019.5
OsakaAttractionsNaruto x Boruto park Nijigen no mori330024.75
OsakaFoodOkonomiyaki Regular150011.25
OsakaFoodOkonomiyaki Special300022.5
OsakaAttractionsUniversal Studios Japan, 1 Day Studio Pass860064.5
OsakaAttractionsUniversal Studios Japan, 2 Day Studio Pass16300122.25
OsakaFoodYakisoba Regular150011.25
OsakaFoodYakisoba Special320024
SapporoTransportationBus Airport to Downtown11008.25
SapporoAttractionsHistorical Village of Hokkaido8006
SapporoAttractionsHokkaido Museum6004.5
SapporoAttractionsMoiwa Ropeway210015.75
SapporoTransportationOne day pass Subway (weekdays)8306.225
SapporoTransportationOne day pass Subway (weekends and hollidays)5203.9
SapporoAttractionsSapporo Clock Tower2001.5
SapporoAttractionsSapporo TV Tower10007.5
SapporoTransportationStreet Car2001.5
SapporoTransportationTrain Sapporo to Otaru7505.625
SapporoFoodYakitori300022.5
TokyoTransportationCommon One-day Ticket for Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway9006.75
TokyoAttractionsKabukiza Theatre550041.25
TokyoAttractionsTokyo cruise (Odaiba Seaside Park to Asakusa)172012.9
TokyoTransportationTokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket6004.5
TokyoAttractionsTokyo Skytree Combo Ticket (Advance Ticket)270020.25
TokyoAttractionsTokyo Tower Observation Top Deck Tour280021
YokohamaAttractionsGundam Factory Yokohama165012.375
Total: 0

Tip to reduce the cost of your trip to Japan

Despite the official prices for traveling to Japan shown on this blog, it’s still possible to find better deals and save some money. One way to do this is by being flexible with travel dates and booking in advance. Another option is to search for cheaper accommodation options like hostels or Airbnb rentals. 

To save money when visiting attractions, consider buying tickets through travel agencies. Some attractions offer discounts when purchasing tickets through them. For instance, the Sanyo-San’in Northern Kyushu Passes offer a 2,000 yen discount when buying with travel agents overseas. Additionally, the Tokyo Skytree allows you to save 400 yen by purchasing tickets in advance.

Additionally, travelers can look for discounted activities and attractions through travel websites or apps and even consider using public transportation over taxis or private tours. With a little research and flexibility, it’s possible to make the most of your budget while still experiencing all of Japan’s offers.