Cost of Living in Japan
Despite the reputation Japan has for an exorbitantly expensive 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 could 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 very good value foods.
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 biggest expenses will be accommodation in Japan, for the rest there will be a wide range of options available to suit every possible taste and preference. A 2-bedroom apartment in the outskirts of Tokyo will cost anywhere in the region of around 100,000 - 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 and up to 600 in a bar, a good meal out for two with 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.
The biggest expenses will be accommodation in Japan, for the rest there will be a wide range of options available to suit every possible taste and preference. A 2-bedroom apartment in the outskirts of Tokyo will cost anywhere in the region of around 100,000 - 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 and up to 600 in a bar, a good meal out for two with 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.
See Word Travels for currency exchange rates
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Accommodation (monthly rent in good area)
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Furnished 2 bedroom house
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¥200,000.00
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Furnished 2 bedroom apartment
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¥114,000.00
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Room in shared apartment
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¥50,000.00
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Food and Drink
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1 litre milk
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¥185.00
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500g cheese
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¥1,000.00
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Bread (white)
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¥252.50
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12 eggs
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¥255.00
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1kg sugar
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¥290.00
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500g ground coffee
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¥463.00
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Tea bags (25)
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¥235.00
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1 litre Coca-Cola
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¥200.00
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1 litre mineral water
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¥200.00
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1kg beef filet
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¥2,168.00
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1kg minced beef
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¥950.00
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1kg chicken (whole)
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¥900.00
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Beer per can
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¥243.00
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Bottle of wine
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¥1,050.00
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Cigarettes (20)
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¥300.00
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Household
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2.5kg laundry detergent
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¥400.00
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500ml dishwashing liquid
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¥235.00
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Bath soap
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¥167.00
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Toothpaste
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¥287.50
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200ml shampoo
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¥388.00
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Deodorant
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¥425.00
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Utilities
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Telephone line (monthly rental)
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¥4,950.00
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Mobile/cell phone
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¥4,000.00
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Electricity costs - apartment (100sq.m)
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¥10,667.00
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Eating out and entertainment
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Three-course restaurant meal
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¥4,625.00
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Fast-food meal
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¥663.00
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Coffee in café
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¥425.00
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Beer in bar
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¥575.00
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Taxi per km
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¥450.00
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City bus
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¥218.00
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Internet café (30min)
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¥234.00
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Health
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Consultation – private doctor/GP
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¥6,500.00
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Aspirin (100 tablets)
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¥750.00
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Antibiotics (12)
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¥500.00
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