Cost of Living in Japan
Despite the reputation Japan has as a nation with an exorbitantly high cost of living, it is quite possible to live a good life without breaking the bank. It is important to remember that Japanese salaries are also quite high, and that the average Japanese standard of living ranks amongst the highest in the world.
Particularly in Tokyo, where competition is fierce, it is easy to find good deals on meals, evenings out and other forms of entertainment. Eating out can even work out cheaper than cooking at home, if you don’t mind a frequent diet of noodles. It is also worthwhile to check out the basement floors of most department stores, where there are food courts selling goods at extremely reasonable prices.
While vegetables and fruit might seem very expensive at first, it is worth bearing in mind that they are in immaculate condition and are most probably locally grown. Seafood and fish are relatively cheap and most supermarkets offer evening discounts to get rid of that day’s stock (fresh foods are very rarely kept for sale on the next day).
The largest expense an expat will have in Japan is accommodation.
There is a wide range of options available to suit every possible taste and preference, but competition is fierce and costs can be pricey even for small, sub-standard spaces.
A 2-bedroom apartment on the outskirts of Tokyo will cost anywhere in the region of around 100,000 to 120,000 yen a month, and a room in a gaijin house around 50,000 yen.
A beer will generally cost about 200 to 300 yen - up to 600 in a bar - and a good meal out with accompanying beer or sake (wine is quite expensive as it is imported) will cost around 1000 to 4000 yen per person. Cigarettes cost 300 yen a packet. DVD hire generally costs about 200 yen, and works out much cheaper than movies, which can cost up to 2000 yen per ticket.
Particularly in Tokyo, where competition is fierce, it is easy to find good deals on meals, evenings out and other forms of entertainment. Eating out can even work out cheaper than cooking at home, if you don’t mind a frequent diet of noodles. It is also worthwhile to check out the basement floors of most department stores, where there are food courts selling goods at extremely reasonable prices.
While vegetables and fruit might seem very expensive at first, it is worth bearing in mind that they are in immaculate condition and are most probably locally grown. Seafood and fish are relatively cheap and most supermarkets offer evening discounts to get rid of that day’s stock (fresh foods are very rarely kept for sale on the next day).
The largest expense an expat will have in Japan is accommodation.
There is a wide range of options available to suit every possible taste and preference, but competition is fierce and costs can be pricey even for small, sub-standard spaces.
A 2-bedroom apartment on the outskirts of Tokyo will cost anywhere in the region of around 100,000 to 120,000 yen a month, and a room in a gaijin house around 50,000 yen.
A beer will generally cost about 200 to 300 yen - up to 600 in a bar - and a good meal out with accompanying beer or sake (wine is quite expensive as it is imported) will cost around 1000 to 4000 yen per person. Cigarettes cost 300 yen a packet. DVD hire generally costs about 200 yen, and works out much cheaper than movies, which can cost up to 2000 yen per ticket.
