How much does a trip to Japan cost in 2026?

A 7-day trip to Japan costs approximately $1,400-$2,700 per person depending on travel style. Budget travelers can spend as little as $80/day, while mid-range travelers typically spend $150-250/day.

How much money do I need per day in Japan?

Budget travelers need about $60-90/day, mid-range travelers $150-260/day, and luxury travelers $350-750+/day.

Is Japan expensive to visit?

Japan is more affordable than many travelers expect. Excellent budget options like convenience store meals ($3-5), capsule hotels ($25-35), and free temples make Japan accessible at every budget level.

Is the JR Pass worth it in 2026?

The JR Pass (7-day, ~$230) is worth it if you're traveling between at least two major cities. A Tokyo-Kyoto round trip costs ~$270, making the pass an instant saving.

Tokyo Budget Guide: How Much to Spend Per Day in 2026

Tokyo is one of the world's most fascinating cities — and it's more affordable than you might think. Despite being Japan's most expensive city, you can explore Tokyo on as little as $78/day or splurge on a luxury experience at $590+/day.

This guide breaks down exactly how much Tokyo costs per day in 2026, with real prices for accommodation, food, transport, and activities. Use our Japan Trip Cost Calculator to get a personalized Tokyo budget.

Tokyo Daily Cost Summary

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Accommodation	$40	$120	$350
Food	$20	$50	$120
Transport	$8	$15	$40
Activities	$10	$30	$80
Daily Total	$78	$215	$590

Accommodation in Tokyo

Budget: $30-50/night

Tokyo has an excellent hostel scene. Top picks include Nui. Hostel in Kuramae, Khaosan World in Asakusa, and Book and Bed (sleep in a bookshelf!). Dorm beds run $20-30, private rooms $35-50.

Capsule hotels are a must-try experience. Nine Hours Shinjuku and First Cabin offer modern pods for $25-40/night. They're clean, quiet, and surprisingly comfortable.

Mid-Range: $80-150/night

Business hotels are your best bet. Dormy Inn (free onsen bath and late-night ramen!), Toyoko Inn (free breakfast), and Hotel Mystays offer reliable rooms in convenient locations. Expect small but well-designed rooms — this is Tokyo, after all.

Luxury: $250-500+/night

The Park Hyatt Tokyo (Lost in Translation fame) starts around $500. The Mandarin Oriental offers stunning views. For something unique, try the Hoshinoya Tokyo — a luxury ryokan in the heart of the city from $400/night.

🏨 Find Tokyo Hotels

Compare prices on Booking.com. Best areas to stay: Shinjuku (central), Asakusa (traditional), Shibuya (trendy).

Food Costs in Tokyo

Breakfast ($0-10)

Hotel breakfast (if included): Free — Japanese hotel breakfasts are amazing
Konbini: $3-5 for onigiri, sandwich, and coffee
Yoshinoya/Matsuya: $4-5 for a full breakfast set

Lunch ($5-20)

Ramen: $8-12 (Ichiran and Fuunji are tourist favorites)
Udon: $5-8 (Marugame Seimen for cheap and fast)
Curry rice: $6-8 (CoCo Ichibanya is everywhere)
Bento box: $5-8 from department store basement floors

Dinner ($8-50+)

Izakaya: $15-25 per person with drinks. Try Torikizoku for $3 per plate + drinks.
Sushi (kaiten/conveyor): $10-20. Sushiro and Kura Sushi offer excellent quality at ~$1/plate.
Yakitori: $10-20 under the train tracks at Yurakucho
Fine dining: Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any city on Earth. Budget $50-200+ for omakase.

💡 Pro Tip: Depachika (Department Store Basements)

Every major department store has a basement food floor with incredible gourmet options. Grab a bento, sushi, or wagyu croquettes for $5-15. Visit after 7 PM for discounted items marked with red stickers.

Getting Around Tokyo

Tokyo's metro system is one of the best in the world. Here's how to navigate it without overspending:

Get a Suica or PASMO IC card at the airport. Tap to ride trains, buses, and pay at convenience stores.
Tokyo Metro 24-hour pass: $6 — unlimited rides on Metro lines. Great value if you're doing 4+ rides.
JR lines are separate from Metro. A Suica works on both.
Walk! Tokyo's neighborhoods are best explored on foot. Shibuya → Harajuku → Omotesando is a great walking route.

Skip taxis unless it's late night. A short taxi ride runs $8-15. The last train is around midnight; after that, taxis or manga cafes (for sleeping) are your options.

Top Activities & Their Costs

Activity	Cost	Worth It?
Senso-ji Temple	Free	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Meiji Shrine	Free	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Shibuya Crossing	Free	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
teamLab Borderless	$25-30	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Shibuya Sky	$14	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tokyo Skytree	$15-25	⭐⭐⭐
DisneySea	$75-90	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Robot Restaurant	Closed	—
Tsukiji Outer Market	Free (food extra)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Golden Gai (bars)	$8-15/drink	⭐⭐⭐⭐

🎟️ Skip the Lines

Book teamLab, DisneySea, and Shibuya Sky tickets in advance on Klook — many sell out weeks ahead.

How Many Days in Tokyo?

3-4 days is the sweet spot for first-timers. You can see the highlights without rushing. If you love food, shopping, or nightlife, 5 days is even better.

A suggested 3-day Tokyo budget at mid-range:

Accommodation: 3 nights × $120 = $360
Food: 3 days × $50 = $150
Transport: 3 days × $15 = $45
Activities: 3 days × $30 = $90
Total: $645 (excluding flights)

Calculate Your Tokyo Budget

Every traveler is different. Use our free Japan Trip Cost Calculator to input your exact days in Tokyo and get a personalized breakdown. Planning to combine Tokyo with other cities? Check our 7-day Japan trip budget guide.