Author:Aura RuggeriPublished: July 4, 2025
This article was fact checked and it's 100% helpful.
Japan is the perfect mix of history and modern life, from peaceful temples to busy city streets. If you’re wondering, “How much does a trip to Japan for one week cost?” Here’s a simple answer: most people will spend between $1,200 and $3,000 for a week, depending on how they travel. This number usually covers your plane ticket, place to stay, getting around, food, and activities. Japan is sometimes seen as expensive, but it doesn’t have to be out of reach. In fact, many travelers say it’s about as expensive as trips to Europe or the U.S., and sometimes cheaper than Australia!
Japan offers something for every budget – whether you’re a backpacker watching your money or want to splurge a bit. It helps to know where your cash goes and to make smart choices that fit your style. Whether you want to eat sushi nightly or don’t mind convenience store dinners, Japan can work for you.
Average 1-Week Costs by Travel Style
Travel Style
Daily Cost (Excluding Flights)
1-Week In-Country Total
Budget Traveler
$50-$100
$350-$700
Mid-Range Traveler
$150-$250
$1,050-$1,750
Luxury Traveler
$380+
$2,660+
Budget travelers: Hostels, public transport, meals from convenience stores.
Mid-range: 3-star hotels, dining at standard restaurants, sightseeing at most attractions.
Luxury: High-end hotels/ryokans, fine dining, private tours, and personal transport.
Major Factors That Affect Your Total Cost
Flights: Can vary a lot based on where you fly from and when.
Accommodation: Cities like Tokyo and Kyoto cost more than smaller towns; type of lodging matters.
Transport: Public transport is affordable, but bullet trains or lots of travel can add up.
Food: Anything from $3 ramen to a $200+ fancy meal.
Activities: Many sights are cheap or free, but theme parks and guided tours cost more.
Shopping: It’s easy to spend on souvenirs if you’re not careful!
What Costs Are Part of a 1-Week Japan Trip?
To plan well, be sure to count everything you’ll spend from flights to your last souvenir.
Flights to Japan
USA: $600-$1,200 (more from some cities, up to $1,500+)
Japan Rail Pass: More expensive since October 2023, worth it only if traveling long distances often
Food Costs
Street/Convenience food: $3-$8 per meal
Regular restaurant: $8-$20
Sit-down mid-range: $20-$50
Luxury/kai-seki: $100-$200+
Typical weekly food budget: $105-$210 (budget to regular meals)
Activities & Attractions
Temples and shrines: Free to $5
Museums: $5-$20
Theme parks: $60-$80
Guided tours/classes: $20-$100+
Total for a week: $35-$210 depending on plans
Internet and Staying Connected
Pocket Wi-Fi: $7-$12 per day
SIM card: $30-$50
eSIM for 5 days (1GB/day): Around $3-$5
Free Wi-Fi is common in cities, hotels, and some public spots
Budget: $10-$84 for a week
Travel Insurance and Other Fees
Travel insurance: $20-$100 for a week (varies by age/coverage)
Passport: Around $145 in the US (if you need one)
Visa: Most Western tourists don’t need one for a short stay
Shopping & Gifts
Snacks: $3-$5
Larger gifts: $10-$20
Anime/pop culture goods: Up to $30+
Traditional crafts: $20-$200+
How Much Should You Spend on Flights?
USA: $600-$1,500 round trip
UK: $1,100-$1,700
Australia: $800-$1,400
When to book: Try to book 3-6 months ahead, especially if you want to go during cherry blossom season (spring) or autumn; these are peak times and prices rise.
Tips to save:
Be flexible with dates – weekdays are often cheaper.
Try different airports – sometimes Haneda (HND) is cheaper than Narita (NRT), or vice versa.
Use flight comparison sites but double-check airline websites for special deals.
Look for flight + hotel discounts.
Standard Accommodation Prices in Japan
Hostel/capsule: $25-$45 for a dorm bed
Private hostel room: $50-$90
Capsule hotel: $40+
Mid-range business hotel: $90-$230 in Tokyo, $55-$140 in smaller towns
Luxury hotels/ryokans: $300-$700+ in Tokyo
Popular hotel chains include Hotel New Otani, Imperial Hotel, Hilton, and Sheraton. Ryokans are traditional inns, often found in Kyoto or Hakone, and can be pricey but offer a unique experience. Apartments or family hotels can suit larger groups and longer stays.
Prices are higher in big cities and during busy travel times (March-April for cherry blossoms, October-November for fall leaves). Booking early helps you get better prices.
How Much Does Transport Within Japan Cost?
Japan Rail Pass: 7 days now costs around $530 (14 days), check if it’s cheaper to just buy tickets.
Regional transport passes: Often better if you stay in just one region.
Subway/bus rides: $2-$5, easy to pay with Suica or Pasmo cards.
Taxis: $6-$7 for the first kilometer, then more for extra distance.
Rental car: $50-$80 per day; not recommended for city travel.
Shinkansen (bullet train): $100 from Tokyo to Kyoto (one way).
Long-distance bus: $29 Kyoto-Hiroshima, slower but cheaper than the train.
Food Costs in Japan
Budget traveler: $21 per day
Mid-range: $52 per day
Luxury: $127+ per day
Week total: $105-$210 for cheap to regular meals
Breakfast and lunch can be much cheaper than dinner, especially at restaurants offering lunch specials. Convenience stores (konbini like 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) have surprisingly good and cheap ready meals – perfect for breakfasts or on-the-go lunches.
Special food experiences like cooking classes or guided food tours can be $100+ per person.
No need to tip in Japan; the price on the menu is what you pay.
Sightseeing and Activity Prices
Many temples and shrines: Free-$5
Main museums/galleries: $5-$20
Theme parks (Disney, Universal): $60-$80
Guided tours/unique experiences: $20-$100+
Specialty activities (tea ceremony, cooking class): $100+ per person
Some attractions have discounts for foreign visitors. Many parks and gardens are free or cheap, so you can see a lot even on a low budget.
Internet & Communication Prices
Pocket Wi-Fi: $7-$12 per day (great for groups)
SIM cards: $30-$50 (physical or eSIM)
Budget: $10-$84 for a week
Free Wi-Fi: Available in many cafes, hotels, train stations. Free Wi-Fi apps exist to help you connect.
Travel Insurance for Japan
Cost: $20-$100 for one week, depending on coverage and your age
What it covers: Medical emergencies, lost or stolen items, cancellations, and more
Check if your credit card or travel site provides insurance; sometimes you’re covered already
Costs for Solo, Couple, and Family Travelers
Solo, mid-range: ~$1,050 (excluding flights)
Couple: Around $2,100 in total (shared room means less per person than solo)
Family: More overall, but per-person cost can be lower since kids often pay less for attractions and transport, and you can share rooms or apartments
Traveler Type
1-Week Cost (Excludes Flights)
Solo (mid-range)
$1,050
Couple
$2,099
Family
Varies
On a budget, expect to spend $700-$1,000 (excl. flights); luxury travelers will spend $2,500-$3,500+ (excl. flights).
How to Spend Less in Japan
Use regional transport passes, not always the national JR Pass.
Buy prepaid Suica/Pasmo cards for local trains and buses.
Pick eSIMs or SIM cards for cheap data instead of renting pocket Wi-Fi (unless in a group).
Check apps for discounts or bundled deals (e.g., flights plus hotel).
Avoid cherry blossom and autumn season crowds for lower prices.
Stay in hostels or business hotels, share rooms when you can.
Eat at small local places or convenience stores where meals are cheap and delicious.
Book early for the best accommodation rates.
Carry a reusable water bottle to avoid buying drinks all the time.
FAQs About the Cost of 1 Week in Japan
Is $1,000 or ¥100,000 Enough for One Week?
You could get by on $1,000 (about ¥150,000) if you’re really careful, stick to hostels, eat at convenience stores, and use public transport for everything. You’ll need to keep to free or cheap attractions and skip more expensive meals and activities. It’s possible but not very comfortable for most people.
Can You Fit Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto in 1 Week?
Yes! Many first-time visitors spend a week seeing Tokyo, Kyoto, and usually a day trip to Osaka or vice versa. You’ll need to move quickly and spend more on transport, but the bullet train makes it easy to see all three cities in a week.
Should You Buy the Japan Rail Pass?
For most standard one-week trips (Golden Route: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka), it’s now usually cheaper to buy just the tickets you need, unless you plan a lot of long-distance train travel. Double check your train plans and compare prices to decide.
Final Tips for Planning Your Japan Trip Budget
Planning a week in Japan can fit many budgets, from frugal to fancy, if you make smart choices. Booking early for planes and hotels, choosing efficient public transport, and enjoying affordable food will help keep costs down. There are always ways to save, such as traveling outside peak seasons and using local food and transport. Most importantly, Japan has something for everyone and rewards travelers who plan ahead. Enjoy your trip!
Hi, I’m Aura Ruggeri and I want to make sure that no one makes the same mistake that I did.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Japan anytime soon, do exactly that - plan! Read up on all of the amazing things to do here to make the most of your time. I can bet that you’ll still return home feeling like you could’ve explored much more.
