Tokyo

Japan · East Asia

A precise, polite hyper-city of small perfect rooms.

Best timeMar–May
CurrencyJPY
LanguageJapanese
Vibefood · design · neon
Why it stands out

What makes Tokyo distinctive

  • #5 of 5
    Priciest in East Asia

    Tops the East Asia index at $408/day mid-range — the ceiling reference among 5 cities we track here.

  • +46% vs $279
    46% above global median

    At $408/day mid-range, Tokyo runs 46% over the $279/day global median across 68 cities.

  • +19% vs region
    Above East Asia average

    19% pricier than the East Asia regional average of $343/day mid-range. Regional rank: #5 of 5.

Tokyo sits well above the global median — a $408/day mid-range figure, 46% over the $279/day baseline across 68 cities. Inside East Asia it's ranked #5 of 5 on daily cost, 19% above the regional average of $343/day. The line item that moves the total most is local transport at $27/day (21% above the regional norm) — worth accounting for before you compare against another city on headline numbers alone. Season effect is roughly 47% between low and peak, in line with the global average (~47%), which is why timing the trip to mar–may shows up on nearly every itinerary that hits the numbers on this page.

Daily cost · shoulder season

Three credible numbers, depending on how you travel.

Budget
$177
per person · per day
hostels, street food
Mid-range
$408
per person · per day
hotels, sit-down meals
Luxury
$1141
per person · per day
design hotels, tasting menus

What a trip to Tokyo actually costs

On a shoulder-season day in Tokyo, a budget traveller spends about $177, a mid-range traveller about $408, and a luxury traveller about $1141 — per person, covering accommodation, food, local transport, activities, and miscellaneous costs. At $408/day mid-range, Tokyo is more expensive than most major destinations (global median $279/day).

Time your visit for Mar–May and the daily figure stays near the baseline; shift into peak and you'll see roughly a 47% swing between low and peak season for the same mid-range trip ($347 → $510 per day).

Compared with nearby East Asia destinations, Hong Kong is the cheaper neighbour ($385/day).

Cost breakdown

Where the money goes, per day

CategoryBudgetMid-rangeLuxury
accommodation$95$209$618
food$33$86$228
transport$11$27$67
activities$24$57$152
Misc & fees$14$29$76
Total per day$177$408$1141

Per person · USD · shoulder-season baseline

By season

When is Tokyo cheapest?

SeasonBudget / dayMid / dayLuxury / day
low$150$347$970
shoulder$177$408$1141
peak$221$510$1426

Best-value window: Mar–May

By trip length

Total cost by length of stay

LengthBudgetMid-rangeLuxury
3 days$531$1,224$3,423
7 days$1,239$2,856$7,987
14 days$2,478$5,712$15,974

On-the-ground totals · shoulder season · excludes flights and visas

FAQ

Tokyo travel costs · common questions

How much does a day in Tokyo cost?
Budget travellers spend around $177 per day, mid-range travellers around $408, and luxury travellers around $1141. Figures are shoulder-season, per person, in USD, and cover accommodation, food, local transport, activities, and miscellaneous costs.
Is Tokyo expensive?
At $408/day mid-range in shoulder season, Tokyo is more expensive than most major destinations (~$279/day). It sits inside our East Asia cost band.
What's the cheapest time to visit Tokyo?
Low season in Tokyo brings mid-range daily costs down to about $347, versus $510 in peak season — a ~47% swing. The best window weather-and-price overall is Mar–May.
How much should I budget for a week in Tokyo?
Plan for roughly $1239 (budget), $2856 (mid-range), or $7987 (luxury) per person for seven days on the ground, before flights and visas. Add a 10–15% buffer.
What currency is used in Tokyo?
Tokyo uses the JPY. Pay in the local currency at terminals — never accept "dynamic currency conversion" into your home currency.