How much should I budget for food per day in Japan?

It is not necessary to starve yourself to save money when traveling in Japan, as it is easy to find a wide selection of cheap, quality meals throughout the country. The extremely budget-conscious could thrive on as little as 1500 to 2000 yen per day on food without sacrificing much variety or their health.



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Overall, a budget traveler can expect to spend around $50 to $100 per day in Japan, while a mid-range traveler can expect to spend around $150 to $250 per day. It's important to plan ahead and research activities and costs to create a budget that works for you.

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That's certainly a comfortable budget as long as you aren't expecting to eat many fancy meals or do a lot of drinking or clubbing. You can probably save some money with strategic use of transit passes (see summaries on Japan Guide or elsewhere). You should look into the Grutto Pass.

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A good rule of thumb is 10,000 yen per day of travel. This includes short-haul intercity travel, but not long-haul like Shinkansen. Transportation: Long haul: Expect to spend up to 15,000 yen per long-haul train such as Shinkansen between Tokyo-Kyoto/Osaka, Tokyo-Kanazawa and Kyoto/Osaka-Hakata.

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Maybe - it depends on you. If you want to eat in higher end restaurants, or take the Bullet Train to a lot of other places, no. But if you don't mind buying things like Convenience Store sandwiches for dinner (like I do most nights) or eating in neighhborhood Tonkatsu or Katsudon restaurants, then it could be enough.

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The likelihood that credit cards are accepted decreases in small cities and towns, and thus it is advisable to keep cash at hand when visiting rural areas. Cash is often the only way to pay for small entrance fees at tourist sights, smaller restaurants and small shops. Many lockers also require coins.

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People who live in Okinawa, Japan have a wise strategy when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. They call it “hara hachi bu”, which means to stop eating when you are 80% full. Studies show that cutting back on calories can lead to better heart health, longevity, and weight loss.

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