Is $100 a day enough for Japan?

You are here:
Estimated reading time: 1 min

Great question β€” and the short answer is: yes, $100 a day can be enough in Japan, but it depends on your travel style. Let’s break it down real quick:


πŸ’Έ $100/day Budget – What It Can Cover

This is a budget to mid-range daily amount in Japan. Here’s what you can expect:

πŸ›οΈ Accommodation

  • Budget hostel / capsule hotel: $25–$50/night
  • Business hotel: $50–$80/night
  • Airbnb/private room: $40–$70/night
  • If you’re solo and okay with shared spaces, you’ll save more.

🍜 Food

  • Convenience store meals: $3–$6 (yes, they’re surprisingly good)
  • Ramen or curry: $7–$10
  • Sushi / izakaya meal: $15–$25
  • Daily total: $20–$30 easily covers decent meals.

πŸš‡ Transport

  • Subway/bus in cities: ~$5–$10/day
  • Regional trains (not bullet trains): also manageable
  • JR Pass (if traveling a lot): could blow your budget, so plan ahead.

🎟️ Attractions

  • Many temples, shrines: free or $2–$5
  • Museums: $5–$10
  • Theme parks: $50+ (so maybe skip these on a tight budget)

🧠 Tips to Make It Work

  • 7-Eleven/FamilyMart food is cheap and tasty
  • Use IC cards (like Suica or Pasmo) for transport
  • Stay in one area longer to reduce travel costs
  • Consider a night bus instead of a train to save on both travel and accommodation

🏁 Final Verdict:

βœ… YES β€” $100/day is doable if you’re mindful
πŸ’° If you want more comfort, flexibility, or splurges β†’ aim for $120–$150/day
🧳 Backpacker level can go even lower β€” around $60–$80/day with hostels and cheap eats

Was this article helpful?
Dislike 0
Views: 0