Tokyo Prices And The Cost Of Living. Is It Really Expensive?

So just what will Tokyo prices get you for your money while you're staying in the city? Tokyo is often referred to as being one of the most expensive cities in the world. While it's definitely not the cheapest, when we compare it to a city like London, Tokyo definitely gives us better value for our money... at least in our opinion.

Prices in Japan are generally fixed so it's not a case of bartering your way to the right price like you would in South East Asia. Here it's just a case of knowing where to go. There are expensive shops and regular shops.

What are some average Tokyo prices?

In the list below, we'll give you an idea about the Tokyo prices of some regular items and expenses that you may need or want during your stay.

Before you jump in though, please be aware that these prices are not written in stone. This is a guide only - see our disclaimer - and should be used as such.

If you really need the definitive price for an item, please check with an authorized vendor.

We've provided a convertor for you at the bottom of this page courtesy of xe.com so you can easily check the price against your local currency.

List of some regular Tokyo items and their prices

• Buy a lunch set menu for ¥1,000 or less at many high street locations. Well worth the investment and sets you up for the day.
• Narita Express ticket (single) from Narita Airport to Tokyo area, approximately ¥3,000, depending on destination.
• There are a range of Tokyo Disney tickets available. A one day pass to Disneyland or Disneysea costs: for adult ¥5,800, for 12 - 17 year olds ¥5,000, for 4 - 11 year olds ¥3,900.
• A movie ticket ¥1,800
• The cheapest ticket for a sumo match in Ryogoku for the Grand Sumo Tournament - one day ¥3,500.
• A trip to the Shinjuku Government building Observation floor - ¥ free.
• An evening meal out - anywhere from ¥5,000 to... well... the sky's your limit really.
• A pint of beer in a British style pub ¥700 - 1,000.
• A can of beer from the local store ¥250.
• A packet of cigarettes ¥300 - 500.
• My rent for a 37m² apartment - ¥90,000 per month

It's only an overview but hopefully that gives you some kind of idea about some general Tokyo prices. Use the currency converter below to give you an idea of costs and budgeting for when you arrive. We've included the most regular currency conversions on this chart. Please use the xe.com website if your currency is not listed.

Tokyo prices currency convertor

xe.com  Universal Currency Converter ® Convert this amount Of this type of currency Into this type of currency. Enter any amount Japan Yen JPY United States Dollars USD United Kingdom Pounds GBP United States Dollars USD Euro EUR United Kingdom Pounds GBP Canada Dollars CAD Australia Dollars AUD Japan Yen JPY India Rupees INR New Zealand Dollars NZD Switzerland Francs CHF South Africa Rand ZAR Scroll down to see more currencies Universal Currency Converter under license from XE.com. Terms of Use

What about tipping in Tokyo? Is it normal?

Tipping isn't necessary in Tokyo - or anywhere in Japan for that matter. Service charges are included in the price that you pay so whether you are in a restaurant, taxi, or hotel, there is no need to tip.

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Taming Tokyo: The Guidebook

Wouldn't you love to find a guidebook that is just for first-time visitors to Tokyo. Find those all important things that only a local would know like: what to expect at the airport, what Japanese is most useful for a traveler to know, what packing tips are specific for Tokyo, what should you do in an emergency, the basics of using the trains, and much more. Head over to Taming Tokyo today and judge for yourself.

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Related Pages

• Tokyo Banks
• Tokyo Money
• Tokyo Tours