When we want to live in Japan , the first thing we ask ourselves is: How much does it cost to live in Japan? the minimum is about 130,000 yen per month but here we tell you what the cost of day-to-day life in Japan is and we include tips so you can save and have a better time!

We recommend that you make a calculation about the possible expenses you will have living in Japan beforehand, whether you are going to get a job or if you are going to study Japanese in Japan and especially if you plan to live alone. If you don’t maintain a balance between what you earn and what you spend, you’ll live very tightly.

Next, I’m going to show you a detail of what it costs on average to live in Japan with the minimum necessary. Likewise, I will tell you a little about the expenses and average income of foreign students who decide to move to Japan and if you are one of them, I will share ideas on how to make a good savings. Take a look at this article if you decide to move to Japan.

It should be noted that the costs will vary depending on where in the country you are living. In other words, if you live in a large city like Tokyo , values will increase, mainly due to the added value of the home as it is in such a central area. Now, if you move to regions like Kyushu, Shikoku, or Tohoku, you’ll be able to save quite a bit of money.

The Bureau of Statistics of the Ministry of Interior and Communications conducted a survey titled “household budget survey”, an edition of household expenditure and income for the period January-December 2021 that resulted in about 132,962 yen of average expenditure for a single person.

It should be clarified that this amount includes utilities, food, entertainment but not the price of rent.

Remember that the average is evaluated for someone who lives alone.

So, with that in mind, the average food expenditure is 28,051 yen. It is important to maintain a good diet so that you do not put your nutrition at risk and diseases do not chase you.

Monthly government expenditures are around 11,421 yen. Keep in mind that the electricity bill usually reaches 5,491 yen while the gas bill is 2,948 yen. The costs of these expenses can vary depending on the season, since for example in summer you will have the air conditioning on more often so your electricity bill will increase, while in winter you will use gas more thus increasing the value of the bill, since you will use this service more when trying to keep your body warm.

These expenses are difficult to save since it represents a need, we cannot save on something we need. So aim to reduce expenses in other less essential areas of your life.

The average value of health insurance is 7,480 yen and 2,000 yen as a student.

Faced with this service, Japan incorporated a universal health insurance method that allows foreigners who have a residence card in Japan to join a plan.

When you use the services of the hospital, the insurance covers 70% of all expenses, so you will have to pay only 30% of the medical expenses.

On average, living alone you can spend about 4,736 yen monthly. You can save on this item in a variety of ways, whether it’s spending money on good quality clothes that can last you a longer amount of time or using fast fashion.

This is a point where you can try to save as much as possible since, although dressing is a basic need, having many different clothes, many accessories or footwear is not.

The data showed that, on average, a person living alone spends about 7,089 yen on communication.

So although it is a service that you must hire, you can save with the type of plan you choose, pay special attention to all the options that companies give you to select which one best suits your income, there are plans from 1500 yen per month.

Moving from here to there has its cost, although there are free ways to do it such as walking or investing in a bicycle, depending on the distances and the weather you cannot always use these options so, a good idea would be that the rental of your home is locatednear your place of study or work.

Another good option to save if you usually use public transport is to buy the passenger pass. On average, an expenditure of 2,832 yen per person is stipulated.

We give you the detail of How much does it cost to live in Japan for a salaried employee: The average value of this expense is 16,485 yen. However, this type of expense should be the easiest to reduce, since it is leisure.

There are many free activities in the city, not all outings should include exaggerated expenses. Japan is full of beautiful parks to visit, even just walking around the city can be a beautiful walk.

When we talk about entertainment, we include travel costs, the value of a ticket to see a movie, a show, eating in restaurants, etc. We also recommend that, although you try to save in this aspect by avoiding unnecessary expenses, do not forget to have a little fun and go out from time to time so as not to lose the enjoyment of life. Not everything is work, study and saving.

This point represents one of the most important expenses, renting a room, house or apartment can have a great impact on your economy.

On average, it is estimated that a person can spend around 80,000 yen on renting their home.

A cheaper option is the share house or shared houses where you can find from 40,000 yen per month. Thistype of housing gives you the possibility of having a private room and sharing the rest of the spaces such as the bathroom, kitchen and living room. It’s a good option if you want to save a lot of money.

We give you the detail of How much does it cost to live in Japan for a salaried employee:

Accommodation

Monthly rent in the city center for a one-bedroom apartment: ¥45,000 – ¥120,000 ($285 – $1,110)

Monthly rent outside the city center: ¥20,000 – ¥80,000 ($126 – $740).

Utilities (water, electricity, gas, internet):

Monthly average: ¥8,000 – ¥20,000 ($50 – $185).

Feeding:

Food at home (monthly): ¥30,000 – ¥50,000 ($275 – $460).

Eating out occasionally:

Fast food: ¥700 – ¥1,000 ($6.50 – $9.25) per meal.

Cheap restaurant: ¥800 – ¥1,500 ($7.40 – $13.90) per meal.

Mid-range restaurant: ¥3,000 – ¥6,000 ($28 – $55) per meal.

Transport:

Monthly transit pass: ¥10,000 – ¥15,000 ($92 – $140).

Taxi (base fare): ¥500 – ¥700 ($4.60 – $6.50).

Entertainment and leisure:

Gym: ¥8,000 – ¥12,000 ($74 – $110) per month.

Cinema: ¥1,800 – ¥2,000 ($17 – $18.50) per ticket.

Night out: ¥3,000 – ¥5,000 ($28 – $46) per outing.

Other expenses:

Clothing: ¥5,000 – ¥15,000 ($46 – $140) per month.

Health insurance: ¥20,000 – ¥30,000 ($185 – $275) per month, depending on the plan.

The net monthly salary of an average employee in Tokyo is usually about ¥300,000 – ¥400,000 ($2,775 – $3,700). With this value you should be able to cover all the expenses that we have previously described.

Accommodation:

This item represents the largest consumption, particularly if you choose to reside in the city center. Although choosing to live in areas further away from the city can represent a saving in terms of the price of the house, the expenses of the trip will increase, as well as the times of it.

Utilities and transportation:

These types of expenses are usually fixed and can be managed very effectively within our budget. Tokyo has super efficient public transport so it is a great option to get around the city.

Food:

The best thing you can do to save money is to cook yourself at home. While eating out is quite accessible in most places, some restaurants can be quite expensive. So it’s best to look at the card before you go in.

Leisure and entertainment:

The city of Tokyo has a very wide range when it comes to entertaining its inhabitants, so much so that you can accumulate a lot of expenses in a short time. Workers tend to balance expensive rides with some sort of outing to parks or temples.

We give you the detail of How much does it cost to live in Japan for a student:

Accommodation:

College dormitory: ¥30,000 – ¥60,000 ($275 – $550) per month

Shared apartment: ¥40,000 – ¥80,000 ($370 – $740) per month

Utilities:

Electricity, water, gas, and internet: ¥10,000 – ¥15,000 ($90 – $140) per month

Food:

Monthly meal (cook at home): ¥20,000 – ¥30,000 ($180 – $275)

Eating out (occasionally): ¥15,000 – ¥25,000 ($140 – $230)

Transport:

Monthly Transportation Pass (for Students): ¥10,000 – ¥15,000 ($90 – $140)

School Materials and Fees:

Books and materials: ¥5,000 – ¥10,000 ($45 – $90) per month

University Fees: Approximately ¥500,000 – ¥1,000,000 ($4,600 – $9,200) annually, however, it will depend on the institution and program chosen.

Entertainment and Other Expenses:

Recreational activities: ¥10,000 – ¥20,000 ($90 – $180) per month

Personal and other purchases: ¥5,000 – ¥10,000 ($45 – $90) per month

The minimum wage for a student working part-time is approximately 130,000 yen.

Being a foreign student in Tokyo can be extremely exciting and result in a wonderful experience, but it is also expensive. Students tend to choose to live in dorms or shared apartments in order to reduce rental costs.

They also save by cooking at home daily, but from time to time they go out to enjoy the great gastronomic range that the country offers. In addition to these basic expenses, the value of materials and school fees must be considered, which change according to the chosen programme and establishment.

Now you should have an idea of what it costs to live in Tokyo, this country offers many possibilities to soak up its culture by enjoying special recreational activities and forming a network of professional contacts, as well as friends, and live a unique experience.

By putting together a budget plan and managing your economy, you will be able to enjoy everything this city can offer you without jeopardizing your quality of life.

The Japanese system is designed so that even a student can live alone and become independent. How much it costs to live in Japan will depend a little on whether you are a student or a salaried employee, but in both cases you will be able to live without problem in the land of the rising sun.