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Is food cheap or expensive in Japan?

Overall, the cost of food for tourists in Japan can be higher than in Europe, particularly for dining out and grocery shopping. However, there are also many affordable food options in Japan, such as street food and local eateries, that offer a taste of Japanese cuisine without breaking the budget.



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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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But you could likely easily survive on $10-15 a meal per person. Although, this also depends on your appetite. And if you're moving around a lot more in Japan compared to home (because you know, Japan requires a lot of walking), then you may end up wanting to eat more food.

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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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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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In general, a meal at a local eatery or fast food chain can range from 500 to 1,000 yen (approximately $5-$10 USD), while a meal at a mid-range restaurant can cost 1,000 to 3,000 yen (approximately $10-$30 USD), and a high-end restaurant can cost upwards of 10,000 yen (approximately $100 USD) per person.

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Tipping in Japan is not expected, and attempts to leave a tip will almost certainly be turned down (a potentially awkward moment). In Japan, it's thought that by dining out or drinking at a bar, you are already paying the establishment for good service.

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A meal at a mid-range restaurant typically costs between ¥1,000 and ¥3,000 ($7.50 to $22). Weekly groceries in the city can set you back approximately ¥15,000 to ¥25,000 ($110 to $185), depending on your shopping habits and dietary preferences.

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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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You can eat well, using convenience-store food or cheap restaurants, for less than ¥4,000 per day. That would leave at least ¥6,000 for other expenses. So. unless you have expensive tastes, ¥20,000 per day is plenty for one person.

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You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket for tourist/business visa free stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are staying in Japan. You cannot work on a 90-day visa free entry.

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