i don't know if it's expensive or cheap in japan. if you been to japan tell me plz?

Answer 1

It depends on where you are and what you do. Tokyo and Osaka are more expensive than some of the smaller cities.

If you want to stick to a budget then it is completely possible, even in those big cities. There are some hotels that are moderately priced. As for transportation, stick to the trains, subways and buses. DONT take a taxi anywhere in Japan. Some restaurants are moderately priced. So are hotels. Just look around.

Answer 2

I have very little knowledge and experience with Japan, but I found that it wasn't as expensive as everyone makes it out to be.

If you're gonna stay at a hotel every night it will be, but if you can stay at a relatives or friends then it's no problem. I was there for one week staying at a friends house (except for 1 night, which I stayed at a hotel) and ended up spending about 200 American dollars, not counting tickets. I don't know about you, but that seems pretty decent.

Answer 3

japan is one of the most expensive countries to live in, especially in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, other cities while expensive aren't quite as bad. you can do a bit of research by searching google for apartment prices in japan, there are a large number of sites that cater to english speakers over there, in Tokyo, where I hopefully will be living this time next year, you are looking around 1200 dollars a month minimum for a small almost rabbit hutch of an apartment.

Answer 4

I live in suburb of Tokyo...I pay equal to 400 month US for apartment, I eat for very cheap each day... I plan my train trips carefully. It can be cheap or it can be expensive. Just depends on where you go andf what you do. Locals do just fine here. Tourists often think it expensive because they don't know the cheap places. I found some cities in US and Europe much more expensive.

Answer 5

Living in, and even visiting Japan is very expensive. My cousin lived there 8 years while serving in the military. He and his wife lived off base and said the expense was huge.

Answer 6

Expensive!!! I'm from Hawaii and the Japanese tourist come over and spend over $500 on a stupid brand name bag cause it's a lot cheaper then buying it in Japan!!!

Answer 7

Expensive. Some things cost a little less than in America, but most things are the same or more. Sure 1 yen = almost a US penny, but they make up for that buy asking for thousands...

Answer 8

Its expensive. If you're going to be there for a couple of weeks then i'd suggest taking no less than arount $1500USD

There are many ways to go on a budget, but i wouldn't recommend it as you usually spend a lot of money just sightseeing and eating out.

Answer 9

As Umi said it depends on what you know.
My experience is, as long as you know your way, you won't pass your budget.
Also as in any country it depends whether you're a tourist or a local. I lived in Tokyo for about 10 years and lived in Kyoto for 2 years and although it is expensive, it's not too diferent from any major US or European city. Personally I think Japan (Tokyo to be specific) is cheaper than some cities in Europe like London.
The day to day issue in Tokyo isn't as expensive as some people think. The biggest thing I noticed in Tokyo was that clothes are expensive. Brand name or not. My friend once bought me a T-shirt that cost 12,000 yen (Like $120 US). I was grateful and it was a nice T-shirt but it also wasn't the best T-shirt I ever wore either. Fit the same and felt the same as any $20 T-shirt you can buy at the Gap.

Eating.
Obviously going in to a nice sit down Italian restaurant where they have a wine list and a seperate dessert menu is going to set you back some. Maybe about 2500Yen ($25)and up per person if you don't drink. (But my opinion from the service and quality of food you get in Japan versus the quality and service you get in the US, I would pay a little bit extra in Japan anyday.)

But if you eat at Tenya (Tempura Bowl fast food chain) http://www.tenya.co.jp/index.htm (sorry it's in Japanese. Only one I could find.) or at Yoshinoya (Beef bowl fast food chain) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshinoya it'll only cost maybe 300 to 850 yen. (Approx. $3 to $8.50 US)

Or even Sushi. If you go to sushi restaurants in Ginza with a gate and waitresses wearing kimono, that'll cost probably around 5000yen per person (Approx. $50) and up. But if you go to a Kaiten Sushi place (Sushi moving on a conveyor Belt) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiten_sushi
then it'll only cost around 1000 yen ($10) to 3000($30) yen per person if you can eat that much.

Also there are all-you-can-eat restaurants that let you eat everything from Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) to Sushi, Shabu Shabu, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabushabu and much more. But the problem with this is usually the ad or the info in the stores are written in Japanese and close to impossible for most tourists in Tokyo to find.

Lots of cheap eats in and around Tokyo but this is knowledge that comes from experience. Not something that you can find on our tour guide book. Would be great if you had Japanese friends.

The biggest expense in Tokyo is probably rent. The size of the rooms are usually small and if you live in the Tokyo Yamanote Line radius it'll cost something around 80,000Yen ($800) to 200,000($2000) yen for a room that's too big to be a walk-in closet but too small to be a bedroom. And most people from the States think it's a crime for them to have to pay so much for such small space. But I think this is a matter of point of view.
I live in LA right now and the rent is high. I see no difference between Tokyo and LA. The difference is that LA has bigger rooms and Tokyo has the convenience and fun of being able to live so close to the city.

Transportation is I think the key.
As someone already said taking a cab will cost more than taking the train.
If you're getting around in Tokyo, the train fee for an average day would probably be around 250yen to 1000yen (depending how much moving you do)
Also, just like New York, Tokyo is a walking city. Walking in Tokyo is the fun part. You can find cool stores, nice restaurants / cafes, quiet little parks and interesting historical buildings just walking around in the city. My suggestion if it's not the middle of summer and you enjoy walking, ditch the train and walk a station or two. Usually 1 station is 20-30 minutes walking distance anyway.

Hope that helps. And let me know if you need specific questions answered. You can always email me.

Answer 10

It is more expensive to vacation there. I was there for 8 days and I loved it but believe me, everything costs much more than here in the U.S.