Budget for a trip to Japan
What is the budget for a trip to Japan?
Japan has long been one of the expensive destinations, departing from the old continent. Geographical remoteness and the lack of competition in the airline industry had a lot to do with it. Today, Japan is more open to tourism than it was before, and traveling to Japan is becoming much more affordable, provided you modulate your choices according to your travel budget and priorities!
Let's see together what the budget for a trip to Japan can be.
Budget for a plane ticket France - Japan
Increasingly attractive rates
The price of a France - Japan flight varies greatly depending on whether you opt for a direct flight or a flight with a stopover. Before booking your plane ticket to Japan, some useful points of reference:
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Price of a direct flight France - Japan: Allow 11 to 12 hours of direct flight, with one or two meals on board. The average price of a direct flight is 1000 EUR / pers. in the regular season.
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Price of a flight with stopover France - Japan : Count from 14 to 18 hours of flight with transit and waiting time in the main airport of the airline. The average price of a flight with a stopover is around 800 EUR / pers. in the regular season.
- Price of a discount flight France - Japan: Expect flight times in the evening or very early in the morning, as well as a long waiting time in transit, of the order of 4 to 8 hours. On the other hand, the price of your plane ticket for Japan will be really attractive, around 600 EUR / pers. in the regular season.
Budget for accommodation in Japan
For all tastes and all budgets
The range of options for accommodation in Japan is important, and allows you to find the type of accommodation best suited to your budget:
- Renting a detached house
This is the formula offering the best value for money, especially if you are traveling as a family to Japan. Renting a house in Japan allows you to be independent and to live in the Japanese way during a trip.
- Japanese hotel
Standard class, business class, luxury hotels... the hotel offer is very important in Tokyo and Osaka, but falls drastically in the provinces. Looking for a hotel in Japan costs an average of ¥8,000 for a standard hotel room, ¥15,000-30,000 for superior hotels, and ¥60,000 and more for luxury addresses.
- ryokan
The traditional Japanese inns, with tatami, futon and onsen bath are one of the essentials of a trip to Japan. Count on average 20,000 - 30,000 ¥ / pers. with meals and breakfast included.
- Minshuku
Home cooking and direct contact with the locals, the minshuku are the equivalent of our guest rooms. The average price per person is ¥6,500-8,500, for half board and home cooking.
- guest house
Japanese youth hostels offer different types of sleeping accommodation: dormitories with bunk beds, Japanese rooms with tatami, private rooms... For an average price of ¥3,500 per night, this is the preferred solution for young people and children. budgets!
- Capsule Hotel
For fans of exotic experiences, a night in a capsule hotel gives you a taste of the daily life of a Japanese salary-man. Spa, massage, gym, video games... Many additional services are also available on site. From ¥2,000/night.
Read also :
- Ryokan, quintessence of Japanese art
- The minshuku, closer to the Japanese
- Capsule hotels, a unique experience
- Find out more about our house rentals
Discover Japan Experience's Rental Houses offer in Japan
Catering budget in Japan
Eat well and inexpensively
Contrary to popular belief, the price of a meal in Japan is often half that of a similar meal in a major European city. In fact, eating at low prices in Japan is a reality that allows you to adjust your budget as well as possible:
- Budget meals in Japan
Many fast food chains allow food for the equivalent of ¥300-500. The Sukiya, Yoshinoya and Matsuya chains offer you to taste Japanese curry, gyûdon (preparation made from rice and beef), katsudon (hot rice with a slice of breaded pork) with a miso soup! Another option is kaiten-zushi, plates of sushi served on a conveyor belt that start at ¥100.
- Budget for a standard meal
For heartier meals, restaurants of the teishoku (meal tray) type allow you to taste Japanese home cooking for a price between 500 and 1,000 ¥. These restaurants are easily identifiable by their storefronts displaying meal trays with resin food. Ootoya and Yayoi are two emblematic chains.
- Budget for a larger meal
A sort of Japanese-style brasserie, the izakaya are a great place to observe the Japanese in their daily lives. Ideal for tasting the variety of Japanese cuisine, but be careful, the quantities are small and the note quickly becomes salty. Count on average 3,000 - 5,000 ¥ / pers. Many izakayas now have English menus, like the iconic Izakaya Gompachi in Roppongi , Tokyo.
Transport budget in Japan
Travel far and explore Japan
If you want to explore Japan far and wide, you will have to think about your transport budget.
- Take the train in Japan
To travel between major Japanese cities, the easiest and fastest way is to take the Shinkansen, the Japanese high-speed train. If the price of a single ticket is quite expensive (about ¥14,000 or €117 for the trip from Tokyo to Kyoto), the most economical solution if you plan to take the train several times during your stay is to buy a Japan Rail Pass which allows you to take unlimited JR rail lines for 7 (approximately €246), 14 (approximately €393) and 21 days (approximately €503).
The major Japanese cities are all equipped with a very efficient public transport network (bus or metro) which will allow you to visit the city up and down with ease. Beware though, prices are slightly higher than in France and different private rail companies will have different prices.
- Car rental in Japan
The ideal solution if you want to travel all over Japan in freedom and go to more remote places is to rent a car. For example, it is possible to rent a 5-passenger car from €42 per day or an 8-passenger minivan for €91 per day.
Read also :
Discover the transport offer of Japan Experience
Our offer of tours in Japan for all budgets
- We offer the best advice. We specialize only in Japan travel, meaning we know the country inside and out. Our team is made exclusively of passionate individuals having either lived or traveled extensively in Japan. Activities, accommodation... Unique spots and things to do, to create a trip that'll be personalized for you ! Of course, our team also has plenty of secret travel recommendations they'll share with you. As we're already doing with our over 5,000 articles of Japan travel advice.
- We offer the best prices. Thanks to being 100% focused on Japan travel, we have a unique network of local partners who work daily with our local team in Japan, as well as our international team making multiple trips a year to negotiate the best deals for you. This means we have a direct relationship with our local partners, which means cheaper travels for you: no intermediaries taking a cut.
- We guarantee a safe trip. Indeed, our sales team, our booking team and our assistance team are all in-house and work together to build your trip. Over 40 years of experience, multiple offices across the world, thousands of travelers trusting us every year, countless partnerships with media & influencers... Japan Experience is a leader in the Japan travel field. Oh, and we're also the 1st worldwide seller of the Japan Rail Pass.
- Variety of activities: Over 100 activities across Japan, to suit all tastes and interests, from culture to a tour of Japanese nature to unique experiences.
- Educational experiences: Our activities offer opportunities to learn things about Japanese culture, crafts, cuisine, religion and much more.
- Local English-speaking guides: Enjoy a tailor-made private tour at a reasonable price, accompanied by our local English-speaking tour guides for a more personal, informative and memory-filled experience.
- Quality and professionalism: All our activities are carefully selected and designed by our team of expert professionals with a passion for Japan.
- Authentic discovery: We offer you access to authentic and fascinating Japan experience, enjoyed by local people that are far from the tourist clichés.
Tailor-made Tours in Japan
Explore Japan differently through unique and exclusive experiences!
Are you considering visiting Japan, but you're not sure where to begin? If touring with a group isn't your style or you can't find what you're looking for on our catalog of self-guided tours, designing a custom tour might be the perfect option for you.
A trip that's entirely flexible and unique: multiple types of transportation options (trains, cars, boats...), different accommodation options, original activities, personalized itineraries... Organize your dream trip with our experts! Booking a tailor-made tour allows you to travel with 4 key advantages:
How can our Travel Planners assist you in building your travel plan?
Why book a tailor-made tour with Japan Experience?
Here at Japan Experience, our tours are imagined, built, crafted and carried out by the same team. A team that's been driven by the same passion: turning your dream trip to Japan into a reality. This makes us your perfect partner for your trip to Japan, for 3 reasons:
How to book a Custom Japan Tour with Japan Experience?
Frequently Asked Questions about Tailor-Made Tours
Can't find the answer you were looking for?
If you haven't found the answer you're looking for, please check our FAQ page for more information about our Tailor-made Tours.
The various tours we provide can be compared, allowing you to choose the one that best meets your needs. Simply click here: All our Tours in Japan
Activities in Japan
Discover our selection of things to do in Japan!
Japan isn't just Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka; there are incredible activities to do all over the country, in places like Nara, Okayama, Nikko, Hiroshima, Kobe, or even places off the beaten track. Japan Experience offers a wide range of activities to discover the best of Japan!
Our most popular activities
If you're not sure where to start for your dive into Japanese culture, take a look at and book one of our most popular activities for the best way to enjoy your visit!
For thrill-seekers looking to experience a day of fun and leisure, Universal Studio Japan in Osaka is a must. In Tokyo, immerse yourself and tour the future at TeamLab Planets, one of the best art experiences in Japan or indulge in the timeless magic of Tokyo Disney Sea and Tokyo Disneyland. For an authentic Japanese experience, Kyoto offers a picturesque evening tour in Gion, a soothing tea ceremony that encapsulates the spirit of Japan, or the delicate art of making your own chopsticks. A dinner at a Yakatabune in Tokyo along with other food tour options are the best option to delight gourmets. Each of these bestseller activities offers a medley of unique experiences, ensuring that there's something for everyone to enjoy for your next visit to Japan, either in a private setting or with other ambitious travelers looking for adventure that day.
Our recommended activities
We've carefully selected a range of activities to help you best discover the many facets of Japan and the local culture. Let yourself be immersed in an evening tour through Shinjuku in Tokyo and see where the local people go, or embark on a day of discovery along the tea route in Kyoto. Treat yourself to an enriching exploration of Hakone or a full day of travel in Kamakura. Become a sushi chef during a workshop in Shinjuku City or learn the art of Bento in Kyoto, activities guaranteed to be great experiences for any lover of Japanese food. Or perhaps you'd prefer a complete discovery of Kyoto from top to bottom? There are even special activities for younger travelers with our "Tokyo for Kids" experience. This is the best way to enjoy a visit with family and introduce the richness of Japanese culture. Whatever your preference, we have a unique experience waiting for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ultimately, it is quite possible to quickly lower the price of a trip to Japan by playing on your different budgets (catering, accommodation, transport), without sacrificing the quality of your stay!
For further :
- Japan Rail Pass, the practical and economical solution for traveling by train in Japan
- How much does it cost to climb Mount Fuji?
- Preparing for your stay in Tokyo
- Preparing for your trip to Japan