Japan vs Korea: Which Is Cheaper to Visit in 2026?

Japan and South Korea are two of Asia's most popular travel destinations — and they're close enough to combine in one trip. But if you have to choose, which one is cheaper? Let's do a detailed side-by-side cost comparison for 2026.

Spoiler: South Korea is generally 15-25% cheaper than Japan, but Japan offers more value in certain categories. Let's break it down.

Overall Cost Comparison (Per Day, Per Person)

Flights

Flight costs depend on where you're coming from:

Verdict: Flights are similar, with Korea slightly cheaper from most origins. Budget airlines like AirAsia, Peach, and T'way offer deals to both.

Accommodation

Japan

• Hostels: $25-40/night (excellent quality)
• Business hotels: $80-150/night
• Capsule hotels: $25-40 (uniquely Japanese!)
• Ryokans: $150-500+ (unique experience worth the splurge)

South Korea

• Guesthouses: $20-35/night
• Budget hotels: $50-90/night
• Hanok stays: $60-200 (traditional Korean houses)
• Jjimjilbangs: $10-15/night (Korean bath houses with sleeping areas — budget traveler's secret)

Verdict: Korea wins on price. Japan has more unique options (capsule hotels, ryokans). Korea's jjimjilbangs are an ultra-budget option Japan can't match.

Food & Dining

Both countries are food paradises, but in different ways.

Japan Food Costs

• Konbini meal: $3-5
• Ramen: $8-12
• Sushi (conveyor belt): $10-20
• Izakaya dinner with drinks: $15-25
• Budget daily total: $20-25

Korea Food Costs

• Street food snack: $2-4
• Bibimbap/kimbap: $5-8
• Korean BBQ: $12-20
• Fried chicken + beer: $15-25
• Budget daily total: $18-22

Verdict: Korea is slightly cheaper. Japan's convenience store food gives it an edge for ultra-budget eating. Korean BBQ offers better value for meat lovers. Both are excellent.

Transportation

Japan

• Metro single ride: $1.50-3
• JR Pass (7 days): $230
• Shinkansen Tokyo→Kyoto: $92 one-way
• Taxis: Starting fare ~$4

South Korea

• Metro single ride: $1-1.50
• KTX Seoul→Busan: $45 one-way
• T-money card: Works everywhere like Suica
• Taxis: Starting fare ~$3 (very cheap by global standards)

Verdict: Korea wins decisively. Seoul's metro is cheaper, KTX is much less than shinkansen, and Korean taxis are notably affordable. Japan's transport is excellent but pricey.

Activities & Sightseeing

Verdict: Korea is slightly cheaper. Seoul's palaces have free entry days, and many museums are free. Japan has more variety in unique cultural experiences.

10-Day Trip Total Comparison

Including flights from the US, per person.

Where Japan Wins

• Convenience store food quality — leagues ahead of Korea
• Unique accommodation — capsule hotels, ryokans, temple stays
• Natural diversity — tropical Okinawa to snowy Hokkaido
• Bullet trains — shinkansen are an experience in themselves
• Cultural depth — thousands of temples, centuries of preserved tradition
• Safety — both are extremely safe, but Japan edges slightly ahead

Where Korea Wins

• Overall cheaper — 15-25% less across the board
• Nightlife — more affordable and vibrant (Hongdae, Gangnam)
• Internet & WiFi — fastest internet in the world, free WiFi everywhere
• K-pop/Korean Wave culture — studio tours, themed cafes, fan experiences
• Taxis — cheap enough to use regularly
• English signage — slightly more English-friendly in Seoul

Why Not Both?

Seoul and Tokyo are only 2.5 hours apart by plane, with budget flights from $100-200. Many travelers combine both in a 2-week trip. Start in Korea (cheaper) to warm up, then end in Japan for the wow factor.

The Bottom Line

Choose Korea if: You're on a tight budget, love nightlife and K-pop, or want a more affordable Asian travel experience.

Choose Japan if: You're willing to spend a bit more for unmatched cultural depth, incredible food variety, and unique experiences like ryokans and bullet trains.

Either way, plan your budget with our Japan Trip Cost Calculator, and read our money-saving tips to make Japan as affordable as possible.