How Much Yen You'll Need to Bring to Japan in Cash for 1 or 2 Weeks

Japan is one of those destinations people dream of visiting. With the majestic Mt Fuji rising over an undulating landscape, what’s not to love?

The mystifying blend of traditional and modern cultures, from the geisha culture of Kyoto to Tokyo’s robot restaurants, makes Japan a destination that never fails to delight and surprise its visitors.

If it’s your first time going to Japan, it’s hard to know what your savings target should be for everyday expenses. The amount of money you’ll want to take with you to Japan depends on how you prefer to travel and how long you’ll be away.

Calculating your travel budget for any length of time involves taking a good look at each individual travel cost, from accommodation and food to transport and attractions.

Spending Money

1 week

2 week

1 month

Budget

¥55,000

¥105,000

¥225,000

Mid-Range

¥135,000

¥270,000

¥570,000

Luxury

¥340,000

¥680,000

¥1,450,000

So How Much Money (in Yen) Do I Need Per Day?

According to Budget Your Trip, the average tourist spends almost ¥19,000 per day in Japan – but of course, the exact figure will depend on how you like to travel. You can calculate your travel budget based on the following estimated daily expenses:

  • Budget: Up to ¥8000 per day
  • Mid-range: ¥15,000–20,000 per day
  • Luxury: More than ¥50,000 per day
How Much Spending Money Japan - Average Yen spend

How Much Cash to Bring to Japan

Japan is typically known to be a fairly expensive travel destination, so it’s hard to know just how much cash you’d need to carry with you.

Plus the amount of spending money you’ll need depends entirely on your mode of travel – whether you’re travelling for business or backpacking, for example.

As a tourist, you need to carry cash to Japan for activities and meals each day. This works out to be between ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 per day depending on how fancy your tastes are.

So here is how much cash in yen you will need to bring for a holiday in Japan

  • For 1 week - ¥35,000 and ¥70,000 in cash
  • For 10 days - ¥50,000 and ¥100,000 in cash
  • For 2 weeks - ¥70,000 and ¥140,000
  • For a month - ¥150,000 and ¥300,000

The most common Japanese Yen banknotes denominations are ¥1,000 , ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 .

It's really easy to get change so when you take cash to Japan, you shouldn't need more than about 20 ¥1,000 notes and can carry the rest in ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 notes.

 

How much cash are you allowed to bring into Japan

If you are bringing in more than 1,000,000 Japanese Yen, you need to declare it with Japanese customs when you arrive in the country.

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Longer Trips to Japan

How Much Money to Bring for One Week in Japan (in Yen)

A week in Japan provides a great taster that will leave you thrilled and wanting more. Whether you’re planning to spend the duration in one city or you’d like to get further afield, we recommend the following spending money for one week in Japan:

  • Budget trip: ¥55,000
  • Mid-range trip: ¥135,000
  • Luxury trip: ¥340,000
How Much Spending Money Japan for 1 week
How Much Spending Money Japan for 2 weeks

How Much Money to Bring for 2 Week in Japan (in Yen)

Two weeks in Japan gives you enough time to sample several of the country’s biggest destinations, including Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo.

The following budgets should give you enough money to comfortably enjoy your trip:

  • Budget trip: ¥105,000
  • Mid-range trip: ¥270,000
  • Luxury trip: ¥680,000

How Much Money to Bring for a Month in Japan (in Yen)

A whole month in Japan is the dream! It gives you enough opportunity to explore all the tourist hotspots as well as get off the beaten path to discover some of the beautiful feudal towns and captivating scenery of Japan’s countryside.

For 4 weeks in Japan, it’s best to put aside the following sums (as a rough guide):

  • Budget trip: ¥225,000
  • Mid-range trip: ¥570,000
  • Luxury trip: ¥1,450,000
How Much Spending Money Japan for 1 month

Costs to Travel in Japan

The main costs to travel to Japan are accomodation, food, transport and sightseeing, With so many options for tourists between low-cost and luxury, here is a breakdown of each of these costs to give you a good idea for the overall cost.

 

The Costs of Accommodation in Japan

There are so many different accommodation options in Japan that you’re spoiled for choice. You can travel back in time and stay in a traditional ryokan or fast track to a future of capsule hotels. You can choose a modern guesthouse or rent a full apartment on Airbnb.

In general, it costs roughly the following for one night in any Japanese accommodation:

  • Budget: ¥3600 for one dorm bed in a hostel
  • Mid-range: ¥17000-20,000 for a double room in a hotel
  • Luxury: ¥40,000 to 45,000 for a double room at a ryokan

 

The Costs of Food in Japan

You may be surprised at how easily and cheaply you can get food in Japan, with street food stalls, fast food, convenience stores, ‘mum-and-pop’ restaurants, and fancy eateries all at your fingertips.

Naturally, this means that how much you spend on food in Japan can vary dramatically. You might prefer to pick up a prepared meal from a convenience store before hopping on your bullet train, or you may enjoy dining out at a traditional Japanese izakaya (pub).

Whatever the case, you’ll be ready to feast on Japanese food. You’re in the country that introduced the world to fresh sushi, tempura, ramen, kobe beef, teriyaki, and okonomiyaki!

It’s broadly recommended to put aside about ¥4600 per day per person for food.

You can grab sushi plates from a sushi train from ¥200. A light bite at a bakery may cost just ¥300 while a hearty bowl of noodles may be about ¥800. Dinner at an izakaya might cost ¥3000 while a good sushi restaurant could come to about ¥7500.

But on average, it’s best to put aside the following daily allowances:

  • Budget: ¥2000
  • Mid-range: ¥5000
  • Luxury: ¥10,000-15,000

 

The Costs of Transport in Japan

Japan is renowned for its incredible transport networks, with comprehensive train, tram, and bus lines as well as the admirable shinkansen bullet train routes that help you flit up and down the country within a matter of hours.

A Japan Rail Pass is one of the best investments you can buy (note: you can only buy it BEFORE arriving in Japan). A Japan Rail Pass for one adult in standard class costs:

  • ¥33,610 for 7 days
  • ¥52,960 for 14 days
  • ¥66,200 for 21 days

Just note, the JR Pass isn’t a free-for-all. You’ll still need to pay for any subway journeys as they’re operated by a different company.

For local transport on subways, your best bet is to buy a prepaid IC card, which you can load up with Japanese yen and then pay as you go. A single trip on the Tokyo metro costs ¥210.

You can also use your IC card to pay for items at vending machines and some shops and restaurants.

Given the efficiency of Japan’s public transport networks, it seems almost unnecessary to get a taxi anywhere. But if you’re tired of dragging around lots of luggage, taxis can be convenient. On average, expect to spend roughly ¥25,000 for a trip from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station in the centre of Tokyo.

And if you prefer the freedom of a road trip? Car rentals vary dramatically between the types of cars, as well as where and when you hire them. A pre-booked car rental from Narita Airport for a driver over 30 years old costs on average ¥6900 for a medium-sized car for one day or ¥9500 for a large car for one day.

 

The Costs of Sightseeing in Japan

Japan has a reputation for being expensive, yet many of its biggest temples, shrines, parks, and museums can be enjoyed for free.

And you can meander the cobblestone streets of historic Kyoto, mingle with the deer at Nara, and marvel at the flashing lights of Oaska’s Dotonbori district without spending one yen.

Some costs you might expect for some of Japan’s biggest tourist attractions:

by Editor
by Founder
Updated: Posted on by