Our Guide to Eating on a Budget in Tokyo

Konbini: Perfect for a Quick Meal

These 24-hour convenience stores are the perfect spot for a quick and affordable snack while sightseeing. You can also find ready-to-eat meals (bento) and instant noodles there. Some must-try items include:

• Onigiri ( rice balls): between 130 and 250 yen
• Sandwiches: between 150 and 400 yen
• Pastries: between 100 and 350 yen
• Instant noodles: between 150 and 350 yen
• Bento boxes : between 400 and 900 yen
• Salads: between 150 and 350 yen
• Hot snacks (fried chicken, skewers, breaded croquettes, etc.): between 150 and 350 yen

Most stores are equipped with microwaves, hot water for noodles, and sometimes even seating areas.

Restaurant chains

If you'd rather dine at a real restaurant, you'll find Tokyo dozens of inexpensive restaurant chains. You’ll find a wide variety of dishes, all for less than 1,000 yen. Among the most popular are:

• For gyûdon ( a bowl of rice topped with beef): Yoshinoya, Sukiya, Matsuya, Nakau
• For ramen: Hidakaya, Kôraku-en, Tenkaippin
• For Japanese curry: CoCo Ichibanya, Curry House C&C, Go! Go! Curry
• For tonkatsu-style dishes ( breaded pork or chicken): Katsuya, Matsunoya
• For udon noodles : Marugame Seimen, Hanamaru Udon, Nakau
• For soba noodles : Fuji Soba, Yudetaro, Komoro Soba

Conveyor-belt sushi restaurants

A trip to Japan inevitably means eating sushi. But don’t worry— you won’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy it. The best value for your money can be found at conveyor belt sushi chains, known as kaitenzushi, which offer sushi starting at 50 yen per piece. That way, you can order based on how hungry you are and stay in control of your budget!

Look for Sushiro, Kura Sushi, or Kappa Sushi. For our editorial team’s favorite, look for the blue sign at Hama Sushi!

"Family Restaurants"

This type of restaurant is based on the American concept of the family restaurant, where you order a variety of small dishes. These restaurants are a great option for eating on a budget in Tokyo. They typically offer a varied menu combining Japanese and Western dishes in a relaxed atmosphere. Chains like Saizeriya, which specializes in Italian cuisine, Bamiyan for Chinese food, and Gusto offer a wide selection of dishes at affordable prices. The generous portions make it easy to put together a full meal without breaking the bank.

Another significant advantage: with their large tables, these restaurants are perfect for groups!

Take Advantage of Lunch Specials

Many restaurants in the capital offer lunch specials at attractive prices. Typically served between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., these specials let you enjoy dishes of the same quality as those served in the evening, at a more affordable price. If you look hard enough, you can even find yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurants for less than 2,000 yen! Even some high-end sushi restaurants in Ginza offer affordable lunch prices—perfect for enjoying a refined dining experience without spending more than 2,000–3,000 yen!

Among the Japan Experience editorial team’s favorite spots:

• Yakiniku Kintan, for grilled meat in Ikebukuro
• Kin no Dainingu, for omakase-style sushi (prepared by the chef in front of diners) in Ginza
• Tanetsu, for gourmet kaiseki cuisine in Roppongi

Traveling on a Budget

Eating well in Tokyo doesn’t necessarily require a large budget. By combining meals from convenience stores and inexpensive restaurant chains, travelers can enjoy a wide variety of Japanese dishes without spending much. With a little planning, it’s entirely possible to enjoy hearty meals throughout Japan for less than 2,000 to 3,000 yen per day.

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