Cost To Visit Tokyo: Complete 2025 Budget Guide
Planning a trip to Tokyo? In this detailed visitor’s guide, we’ll break down the cost of visiting Tokyo—including accommodation, food, transportation, and top attractions.
In this Tokyo travel cost guide you will learn how seasonal travel trends affect pricing, and how to save money by choosing the best times to go. Whether you're traveling on a budget or looking for a luxurious escape, this 2025 guide gives you everything you need to plan your Tokyo adventure.
💡 Is Tokyo Expensive to Visit?
Tokyo is often seen as pricey, but it can be surprisingly affordable—especially compared to major U.S. cities. While hotels and dining in luxury areas can be expensive, Tokyo is full of high-quality, budget-friendly options. Within Asia, Tokyo is more expensive than cities like Bangkok or Hanoi, but cheaper than Singapore or Hong Kong.
Let’s break down what you'll spend in Tokyo based on your travel style and the time of year.
🗓️ Tokyo Travel Costs by Season
🌸 Peak Season (Late March–Early April, Late Oct–Nov)
Why it's expensive: Cherry blossom season (sakura) and fall foliage attract massive crowds.
What to expect: Sky-high hotel prices, sold-out accommodations, and busy trains.
Tip: Book 4–6 months in advance if traveling during these periods.
🌼 Shoulder Season (May–early June, September)
Why it’s ideal: Mild weather, fewer crowds, and moderate pricing.
Best for: Outdoor activities, walking tours, and temple visits.
Savings: Hotel prices are 20–30% lower than peak times.
❄️ Low Season (January–February, July–August)
Why it’s cheapest: Winter and summer are less popular due to cold and humid extremes.
Best for: Budget travelers, shopping, and indoor museums.
Watch out: Obon week (mid-August) causes a short spike in domestic travel prices.
💰 When Is the Most Expensive Time to Visit Tokyo?
- March–April (Cherry Blossom Season)
- Late October–November (Fall Foliage)
- New Year’s Holidays (Dec 29–Jan 4)
- Golden Week (April 29–May 5): Domestic travel surge, hotel rates skyrocket
- Obon Week (Mid-August): Local travel spike, expect full trains and high demand
🕰️ When Is the Cheapest Time to Visit Tokyo?
- January – February: Post-holiday drop in demand; cheapest time for hotels and flights
- June (before school holidays): Rainy season, but good discounts
- September: Shoulder month before autumn season kicks in
🏨 Where to Stay in Tokyo – By Budget
💎 Most Expensive Areas
Ginza
- Tokyo’s luxury shopping and dining district
- Pros: Upscale hotels, high-end boutiques
- Cons: One of the city’s priciest neighborhoods
- Nearby Attractions: Kabukiza Theatre, Ginza Six, Tsukiji Outer Market
Shinjuku (West side)
- Major commercial area with luxury hotels and skyscrapers
- Pros: Modern, clean, well-connected
- Cons: Expensive during peak months
- Nearby Attractions: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku Gyoen Park
💼 Affordable but Central Neighborhoods
Ikebukuro
- Well-connected and less touristy than Shinjuku or Shibuya
- Pros: Affordable hotels, shopping, and great transport links
- Cons: Fewer major attractions
- Nearby Attractions: Sunshine City, Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo
Asakusa
- Historic area with temples and traditional vibes
- Pros: Budget stays, walkable, cultural sites
- Cons: Farther from nightlife and upscale shopping
- Nearby Attractions: Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street
🏷️ Cheapest Areas to Stay
Ueno
- Known for museums, parks, and local neighborhoods
- Pros: Budget hotels and hostels, great for families
- Cons: Older buildings and limited nightlife
- Nearby Attractions: Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum, Ameya-Yokocho Market
Kita or Arakawa Wards
- Residential and off-the-tourist-path
- Pros: Super cheap lodging, quiet atmosphere
- Cons: Long commutes to central areas
- Nearby Attractions: Nippori Textile Town, local shrines
🏷️ Average Daily Travel Costs in Tokyo
| Traveler Type | Japanese Yen (¥) | USD ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Traveler | ¥11,000/day | ~$74/day |
| Mid-Range Traveler | ¥22,000/day | ~$148/day |
| Luxury Traveler | ¥42,000+/day | ~$280+/day |
🏠 Accommodation Costs in Tokyo
| Budget Type | Cost Per Night (¥) | USD ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (hostels, capsule) | ¥3,000–¥6,000 | $20–$40 |
| Mid-Range (3-star hotel) | ¥10,000–¥18,000 | $67–$120 |
| Luxury (4–5 star hotels) | ¥25,000–¥60,000+ | $165–$400+ |
🍱 Food Costs in Tokyo (Per Day)
| Meal Type | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | ¥300–¥500 ($2–$3.50) | ¥600–¥1,000 ($4–$7) | ¥2,000+ ($13+) |
| Lunch | ¥600–¥900 ($4–$6) | ¥1,000–¥1,800 ($7–$12) | ¥3,000+ ($20+) |
| Dinner | ¥800–¥1,200 ($5–$8) | ¥2,000–¥3,500 ($13–$23) | ¥5,000+ ($34+) |
Pro Tip: Convenience stores like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart offer quality meals for under ¥600 ($4).
🚇 Transportation Costs in Tokyo
- Metro/Train (one-way): ¥170–¥250 ($1.15–$1.70)
- IC Cards (Suica/Pasmo): Prepaid, reloadable; very convenient
- Day Passes: ¥800–¥1,000 ($5.50–$6.80)
- Taxi (5 km ride): ¥1,800–¥2,400 ($12–$16)
- Airport Transfers:
- Narita Express: ¥3,070 ($20.50)
- Limousine Bus: ¥3,600 ($24)
🏛️ Cost of Popular Attractions in Tokyo
| Attraction | Entry Fee (¥) | Entry Fee ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Skytree | ¥2,100–¥3,100 | $14–$21 |
| teamLab Planets | ¥3,800 | $25 |
| Shinjuku Gyoen Park | ¥500 | $3.50 |
| Meiji Shrine | Free | Free |
| Ghibli Museum | ¥1,000 | $7 |
| Ueno Zoo | ¥600 | $4 |
| Senso-ji Temple | Free | Free |
| Tokyo National Museum | ¥1,000 | $7 |
🏞️ Day Trips from Tokyo
| Destination | Distance | Transport | Round Trip (¥ / $) | Top Attractions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikko | 2 hrs | Train | ¥5,000 ($34) | Toshogu Shrine (¥1,300), Lake Chuzenji |
| Hakone | 1.5 hrs | Train + bus | ¥5,500 ($37) | Hakone Open-Air Museum (¥1,600), onsen |
| Kamakura | 1 hr | Train | ¥2,000 ($14) | Great Buddha (¥300), Hase-dera Temple |
| Yokohama | 30 mins | Train | ¥1,000 ($7) | Cup Noodles Museum (¥500), Chinatown |
| Mount Fuji (Kawaguchiko) | 2.5 hrs | Bus/train | ¥5,000–¥6,000 ($34–$41) | Fuji views, ropeway, lakeside cafes |
📊 Estimated Cost for 7 Days in Tokyo
| Traveler Type | Lodging | Food | Transport | Attractions | Total (¥) | Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ¥24,000 | ¥14,000 | ¥4,000 | ¥4,000 | ¥46,000 | ~$310 |
| Mid-Range | ¥84,000 | ¥20,000 | ¥5,000 | ¥6,000 | ¥115,000 | ~$775 |
| Luxury | ¥210,000+ | ¥35,000 | ¥8,000 | ¥12,000 | ¥265,000+ | ~$1,785+ |
✈️ Flight Costs to Tokyo
| Season | Avg. Round Trip from U.S. |
|---|---|
| Peak (March–April, Oct–Nov) | $900–$1,400 |
| Shoulder (May, Sept) | $650–$1,000 |
| Low (Jan–Feb, June–Aug) | $550–$850 |
👉 Save money by signing up for cheap flight alerts from Jetsetter Alerts.
✅ Is Visiting Tokyo Worth the Cost?
Without a doubt. From street food to skyscrapers, sumo to sushi, Tokyo blends tradition and innovation better than any city in the world. Whether you’re traveling on a shoestring or staying in 5-star ryokans, Tokyo offers extraordinary value for the experience.
- Flights from the U.S. often drop to $550–$750 USD round-trip.
- Hotel prices can be 30–40% lower than in peak spring seasons.
- Daily mid-range costs are around ¥18,000–¥22,000 (approx. $120–$148 USD).
- Accommodation: ¥100,000–¥150,000 ($670–$1,000 USD)
- Food: ¥25,000–¥35,000 ($170–$235 USD)
- Transport & attractions: ¥25,000–¥40,000 ($170–$270 USD)
- Capsule hotels and hostels start from ¥3,000–¥5,000 ($20–$35 USD) per night.
- Budget guesthouses and business hotels can be found under ¥8,000 ($55 USD) per night.
- Budget traveler: ¥11,000/day (approx. $74 USD)
- Mid-range traveler: ¥22,000/day (approx. $148 USD)
- Luxury traveler: ¥42,000+/day (approx. $280+ USD)