Japan on a Budget: What Things Cost and Where to Save
Japan costs roughly 60% of what a comparable trip to London, Paris, or Sydney costs in 2026, and this gap has widened since 2023 due to yen weakness. A mid-range traveller spends £40–65 per day on everything except long-distance trains and accommodation—substantially less than the same itinerary in Western Europe. The persistent myth that Japan is prohibitively expensive dates from 2010–2015, when the yen was strong and budget options were genuinely scarce. In 2026, with a weak yen hovering around 150–155 to the US dollar and 190–200 to the pound, and with capsule hotels, business hotel chains, and ramen culture thriving, Japan is one of the most sensible budget destinations in developed Asia.
Henrik Vinter
