Cost of Living in Japan
Are you wondering the monthly living cost in Japan? As prices have been rising significantly in many countries, the situation in Japan is equivalent. In this article, you will find the Consumer Price Index, monthly expenses for households, and retail prices including food, basic mobile phone tariff, gasoline and electric appliances in Japan. It may be interesting to convert various prices into your home currency and compare if living in Japan is more expensive or cheaper than your country.
Consumer Prices Index (November 2023)
Below is the consumer price index for Japan, with the year 2020 as the base year of 100.
・Composite Index: 106.9 (2020 = 100)
・Year-on-Year: +2.8%
・Month-on-Month: -0.1%
Data source: Ministry of internal affairs and communications
Monthly Expenses for Households of 2 or More Persons (October 2023)
| Food | ¥87,387 (+3.8%) |
| Utility Charges | ¥29,668 (-11.9%) |
| Health and Medical Care | ¥16,309 (+5.0%) |
Data source: Ministry of internal affairs and communications, ( )=percentage change over the year
Retail Prices in Japan (November 2023)
Below are prices for most common items. They are the average of cities with prefectural capitals and cities with a population of 150,000 or more (data source: Portal site of statistics of Japan).
|
Food and Drinks (supermarket) |
|
| Rice (1kg) | ¥2,309 |
| Loaf of White Bread (500g) | ¥256 |
| Cereal (1kg) | ¥1,057 |
| Milk (1L) | ¥253 |
| Yoghurt (1pack = 400g) | ¥182 |
| Eggs (10) | ¥299 |
| Chocolate (100g) | ¥247 |
| Carrots (1kg) | ¥523 |
| Onions (1kg) | ¥353 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | ¥384 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | ¥965 |
| Bananas (1kg) | ¥330 |
| Apples (Fuji or Tsugaru, 1Kg) | ¥740 |
| Kiwis (1kg) | ¥1,105 |
| Oranges (1kg) | ¥649 |
| Salmon (100g) | ¥494 |
| Tuna (100g) | ¥474 |
| Beer (350ml x 6cans) | ¥1,130 |
| Coke (1L) | ¥236 |
| Sake (1bottle = 2L) | ¥1,055 |
| Water (1bottle = 2L) | ¥120 |
| Whiskey (1bottle = 700ml) | ¥1,780 |
|
Food and Drinks (restaurant) |
|
| Beer (500ml) | ¥640 |
| Coffee | ¥460 |
| Cheese Burger | ¥239 |
| Ramen (1 portion) | ¥657 |
| Soba (1 portion) | ¥691 |
| Spaghetti Bolognese (1 portion) | ¥799 |
| Sushi (Nigiri-zushi, standard size, 1 portion) | ¥1,429 |
| Delivery Pizza (25cm) | ¥2,526 |
|
Others |
|
| Basic Mobile Phone Tariff (monthly) | ¥5,668 |
| Mobile Phone | ¥146,857 |
| Internet Connection Fee (monthly) | ¥5,171 |
| Fitness Center (monthly) | ¥10,516 |
| Taxi (average cost per ride for 4 km) | ¥1,650 |
| Car (standard Japanese car) | ¥3,751,535 |
| Car (standard imported car) | ¥5,600,407 |
| Gasoline (1L) | ¥174 |
| Refrigerator (with freezer, 451-500L, 5-6 doors) | ¥257,409 |
| Washing Machine | ¥111,800 |
| Washer and Electric Dryer Combo | ¥322,204 |
| Toilet Paper (12 rolls) | ¥795 |
| Hair Cutting and Styling (incl. shaving and shampooing - man) | ¥3,696 |
| Hair Cutting and Styling (short hair - woman) | ¥3,710 |
| Hair Coloring (incl. shampooing and styling, short hair - woman) | ¥6,315 |
For other items, see Retail Price Survey by Statistics Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (Japanese).
We have more articles related to Money in Japan such as International Money Transfer, and How to Open a Bank Account in Japan.
International Money Transfers to Japan
When sending money to Japan, using one of the international money transfer service has certain advantages over traditional bank transfers. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of overseas remittance services that you can use to send money to Japan from a number of countries around the world
Furusato Nozei: How to Benefit from Japan's Hometown Tax
With a little planning, you can use your Japanese residence tax to receive amazing regional food or donate to needy NPOs. Find out more about Furusato Nozei!
Japanese Currency: Banknotes and Coins
Want to know more about Japanese currency? Curious about what the images mean? Here is an easy to follow guide explaining Japanese banknotes and coins along with where you can and can't use them during your daily life in Japan.
Public Utility Prices in Japan (Electricity, Gas, Water)
The prices of electricity, gas, and water bills in Japan and how to pay for them. Here we explain in easy to understand terms, the rate structure, payment methods, and a rough average cost per month depending on household size. We hope that this information will help you to effectively budget your finances.
Discover and Explore Japan with Furusato Nozei!
Explore the benefits of Furusato Nozei, a Japanese hometown tax donation program, contributing to regional revitalization. Choose from diverse gifts, including Wagyu beef, craft beer, seasonal fruits and more! Start supporting local regions today!
How to Get a Credit Card in Japan: An Expat Guide
Looking to get a credit card in Japan but don’t know where to begin? Check out our guide. We list the documents you need and some foreigner-friendly companies to make your life easier.
