How Much Does Tokyo Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Tokyo offers a surprisingly wide spectrum of price points, with daily budgets ranging from $60 / ¥9,343 for solo budget travelers to over $1,364 / ¥211,453 for those seeking high-end luxury. While it has a reputation for being an expensive metropolis, it is often more affordable than major Western hubs like New York or London, especially regarding high-quality, low-cost dining. Visitors can enjoy a filling meal of ramen for just $7.3 / ¥1,131 or navigate the city efficiently using affordable transit passes. The cost of a visit is heavily influenced by the choice of accommodation, which can jump from a $35 / ¥5,409 hostel bed to a $920 / ¥142,608 luxury suite. Strategic planning around local food chains and public transportation makes the city accessible even on a modest budget.
Is Tokyo expensive to visit?
Tokyo is a city of extremes where a traveler can get by on $60–$1,364 / ¥9,343–¥211,453 per day depending on whether they choose humble ramen stalls or world-class luxury hotels.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Tokyo
$60
per person /day
$244
per person /day
$1,364
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $181 | $733 | $4,092 |
| 5-Day Trip | $301 | $1,222 | $6,821 |
| 7-Day Trip | $421 | $1,710 | $9,549 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is recommended to carry a 10-20% buffer to cover unexpected costs like the $1.4 / ¥217 ATM withdrawal fees and the $1.27 / ¥197 nightly accommodation tax for mid-range stays. Additionally, keep a small reserve for 'Otoshi' table charges which usually cost around $3.18 / ¥493 per person in local pubs.
How Does It Compare?
See how Tokyo stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Tokyo
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant (e.g., Ramen/Gyudon) You can find basic beef bowls (Gyudon) for even less, around ~$2.94–$4.71 / ¥456–¥730. | $7.3 ¥1,131 |
| Specialty Coffee (Flat White or Latte) Vending machine coffee is only ~$0.82–$1.06 / ¥128–¥164 if you just need a caffeine hit. | $4.76 ¥737 |
| Mid-range Restaurant Meal for Two (Three Courses) Equal to roughly ~$41 / ¥6,393 for a full dinner for two adults. | $41 ¥6,393 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Narita Express (N'EX) Airport Transfer to Tokyo Station Round-trip 'N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket' for tourists is often a better value at ~$32 / ¥4,926. | $19 ¥3,019 |
| Tokyo Subway 72-hour Ticket (Full Access) Covers both Toei and Tokyo Metro lines. Costs only ~$9.52 / ¥1,476 for three full days. | $9.52 ¥1,476 |
| Taxi flag drop (first 1.052km) Night surcharges (22:00–05:00) typically add 20%, or ~$0.65–$1.29 / ¥100–¥201 to the base fare. | $3.18 ¥493 |
| Suica / Pasmo IC Card Issuance Fee The ~$3.18 / ¥493 deposit is refundable if you return the card. 'Welcome Suica' for tourists has no deposit but expires after 28 days. | $3.18 ¥493 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed in a highly-rated hostel (e.g., Nui. Hostel) Prices fluctuate based on seasonality. Expect to pay ~$35 / ¥5,473 per night in peak cherry blossom season. | $35 ¥5,409 |
| Mid-range business hotel (e.g., Hotel Gracery Shinjuku) Tokyo business hotels offer small but highly efficient rooms for ~$168 / ¥26,089 per night. | $168 ¥26,063 |
| Luxury 5-star hotel (e.g., Park Hyatt Tokyo) High-end luxury in Tokyo starts around ~$918 / ¥142,303 per night before taxes. | $920 ¥142,608 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| teamLab Planets TOKYO Adult Ticket (Peak Rate) Highest standard adult price used. Book weeks in advance for this ~$27 / ¥4,130 experience. | $27 ¥4,130 |
| Tokyo Skytree Combo Ticket (Tembo Deck + Galleria) Weekday prices are slightly cheaper at ~$20 / ¥3,049 versus ~$22 / ¥3,443 on holidays. | $22 ¥3,443 |
| Tokyo National Museum Admission Provides access to all regular exhibits in the Ueno Park complex for ~$6.34 / ¥983. | $6.34 ¥983 |
Other (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard Japan Visa Fee (Single Entry) Fees vary by nationality; check your local consulate for the exact cost in your home currency (~$19 / ¥2,919). | $19 ¥2,950 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Tokyo is remarkably diverse, offering everything from basic beef bowls for $2.94–$4.71 / ¥456–¥730 to mid-range three-course dinners for two costing approximately $41 / ¥6,393. While specialty coffee in trendy cafes averages $4.76 / ¥737, savvy travelers often opt for vending machine coffee which costs only $0.82–$1.06 / ¥128–¥164 per can.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Ichiran Ramen
$6.21–$10 / ¥963–¥1,574Multiple (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza) · Local chain
Ordering is done via vending machine; standing in line at the Shinjuku branch can take 45+ minutes.
Yoshinoya
$2.97–$5.71 / ¥460–¥885City-wide · Local chain
The ultimate budget saver—a filling meal for less than ~$3.06 / ¥474.
Kura Sushi
$0.95–$16 / ¥148–¥2,459Harajuku / Shibuya · Conveyor belt sushi
Insering 5 plates into the disposal slot triggers a 'Bikkura-Pon' game for a chance to win a toy.
Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane)
$13–$25 / ¥1,967–¥3,933Shinjuku · Street food area
Expect tight quarters and a ~$3.18–$6.36 / ¥493–¥985 cover charge at many of the tiny stalls.
FamilyMart (Famichiki)
$1.4–$3.8 / ¥217–¥589City-wide · Bakery
Japanese convenience store ('konbini') food is high quality and perfect for a cheap ~$3.53 / ¥547 lunch.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
The most cost-effective way to navigate the city is the Tokyo Subway 72-hour Ticket for $9.52 / ¥1,476, which covers the entire metro network for three days. Taxis are a more expensive alternative, with a flag drop rate of $3.18 / ¥493 and a 20% surcharge applied during late-night hours between 22:00–05:00.
Accommodation Overview
Budget lodging like a highly-rated dorm bed at Nui. Hostel costs about $35 / ¥5,409, while standard business hotels such as Hotel Gracery Shinjuku average $168 / ¥26,063. For a splurge, 5-star experiences at icons like the Park Hyatt Tokyo start at roughly $920 / ¥142,608 per night.
Accommodation Budget in Tokyo
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the 'N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket' for $32 / ¥4,926 to save significantly on transit between Narita Airport and the city center.
- 2 Eat at 'Gyudon' chains like Yoshinoya or Matsuya, where a filling beef bowl costs between $2.94–$4.71 / ¥456–¥730.
- 3 Visit department store basements, known as 'Depachika,' in Ginza or Shibuya an hour before closing to find high-end bento boxes at half price.
- 4 Utilize the Tokyo Subway 72-hour Ticket for $9.52 / ¥1,476 to get unlimited travel for roughly $3.18 / ¥493 per day.
- 5 Get your caffeine fix from one of the millions of vending machines where coffee is a mere $0.82–$1.06 / ¥128–¥164 compared to $4.76 / ¥737 in cafes.
- 6 Opt for the 'Welcome Suica' card for tourists to skip the standard $3.18 / ¥493 refundable deposit required for regular IC cards.
- 7 Shop for souvenirs and travel essentials at 100 Yen shops like Daiso or Can Do to avoid high retail markups.
- 8 Fill water bottles from public fountains in parks like Yoyogi Park; the tap water is safe and free throughout the city.
- 9 Choose 'Business Hotels' like those in the Shinjuku area for a mid-range price of $168 / ¥26,063, which offer clean, efficient rooms in central locations.
- 10 Look for lunch sets (lunch teishoku) at mid-range restaurants which often cost 40-50% less than the same meal at dinner.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Jun
-20-30%
May, Sep
Cherry Blossom (late March) is the most expensive time. Visiting in early February can save you ~$59 / ¥9,122 per night on mid-range hotels.
Events to Watch
- ● Golden Week (late April to early May): +60% hotel prices
- ● New Year (Dec 29 - Jan 3): Many businesses close, transport spikes
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Meiji Jingu Shrine: Explore the massive forested grounds and grand torii gates in the heart of Shibuya.
- 2 Senso-ji Temple: Visit Tokyo's oldest temple in Asakusa; while the temple interior has hours, the grounds and Nakamise-dori are free to walk.
- 3 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: Access the 45th-floor observation decks in Shinjuku for panoramic city views.
- 4 Yoyogi Park: Watch local street performers, musicians, and subculture groups gather, especially on Sunday afternoons.
- 5 Imperial Palace East Garden: Walk through the historic ruins and perfectly manicured gardens of the former Edo Castle.
- 6 Shibuya Crossing: Experience the world's busiest pedestrian intersection and the Hachiko Statue at no cost.
- 7 Tsukiji Outer Market: Wander through the vibrant food stalls and soak in the atmosphere of the historic market area.
- 8 Advertising Museum Tokyo (ADMT): A high-tech, free museum in Shiodome dedicated to the history of Japanese marketing.
- 9 Tokyo Fire Museum: An engaging, multi-floor museum in Shinjuku that is entirely free for the public.
- 10 Sumo Practice: Watch morning practice sessions through the windows of stables like Arashio-beya in Hamacho.
- 11 Suntory Musashino Brewery: Take a guided tour of the beer production process including free tastings (requires advance booking).
- 12 Hotel Chinzanso Garden: Visit this stunning traditional Japanese garden featuring a 'sea of clouds' mist effect and historic pagodas.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Ginza Sushi Omakase Dinner
Experiencing the world's highest standard of sushi from a master chef is a bucket-list event.
Helicopter Night Cruise over Tokyo
Unparalleled views of Tokyo Tower and Skytree lit up at night.
Private Ryokan Onsen Day Trip (Hakone)
Provides a serene, traditional escape with a private hot spring bath and multi-course meal.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Tokyo
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Tokyo and what they cost
Nikko (Shrines & Nature)
$26 / ¥4,092 by train
$8.25 / ¥1,279
$79 / ¥12,295
Kamakura (Great Buddha & Beach)
$10 / ¥1,613 by train
$1.91 / ¥296
$41 / ¥6,393
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Japanese Yen (JPY)
1 $ ≈ 155 ¥
Yes
Widely accepted in malls, hotels, and chains, but small ramen shops and shrines remain cash-only.
Tipping is NOT practiced and can be considered awkward or even offensive. Good service is already covered by standard pricing.
7-Eleven (7-Bank) ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards and are available 24/7. Fees are usually ~$0.71–$1.41 / ¥109–¥219.
Connectivity
eSIM: $8.24–$26 (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $29–$47 / ¥4,561–¥7,298 for 10GB–20GB at Haneda/Narita airport kiosks.
WiFi: Excellent in major stations, Starbucks, and hotels; spotty on residential streets.
Use an Airalo eSIM for data and download the 'Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect' app for free hotspots.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Tokyo.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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