Money & Costs
The strength of the Japanese yen (JPY) compared to your home currency will affect your view of Japan as a cheap or expensive destination. Check here for the latest currency conversion rates.
These days, compared to its fearsome reputation as a super-expensive destination in the 1990s, Japan has become a reasonable place to visit due to deflation and decades of a relatively stagnant economy.
Of course, while you can visit Japan reasonably economically, it’s also easy to burn through a lot of yen in next to no time. If you’re on a budget, live like the locals.
Expect prices to be higher in Tōkyō and Kyōto.
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At the budget end (staying in the mind-boggling array of budget accommodation, eating lots of noodles, going to local supermarkets, visiting mostly free sights and focusing on simply imbibing the culture that is all around you), you might be able to get away with about ¥5,000 to 6,000/person/day.
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