Trip to Japan: how much money you need for two and three weeks

A trip to Japan gets more expensive every year. From July 1, 2026, the departure tax rose from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 (as of 09/2026, Japan's Ministry of Finance). News like this wrecks the budget you saved after your last trip.

You plan the rest of the budget items yourself. Season, accommodation type, how you get around, and your eating style determine whether you fit into €1,120 for a week or spend three times as much. Below we break the trip down by category, show three scenarios, and share five money-saving tricks.

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How much a trip to Japan costs: overview

💡 In short:

• A week in the mid-range category, based on our sample estimate, costs about €1,120 per person without flights.
• The budget scenario brings the figure down to roughly €250 per week, while the luxury scenario starts at about €2,845.
• Two weeks with flights cost about €2,770, three weeks about €3,565.
• The most expensive times are cherry blossom season, Obon, and the New Year holidays.
• Fares and fees: checked on 09/15/2026 on the JR Group website and in the Ministry of Finance document on the departure tax.

A week in Japan for one person costs roughly €1,120 without flights. That amount covers a mid-range hotel, public transport, meals at regular restaurants, and admission tickets.

The budget option, by our estimate, squeezes the total down to about €250 per week: a hostel or capsule, convenience stores, night buses, and set meals at chain restaurants. The luxury scenario starts at €2,845 and grows with the number of tours, taxi rides, and kaiseki dinners.

The scenario figures are our sample model: accommodation, food, and entertainment are calculated using typical prices and depend on the season, while pass fares are checked against the JR fare summary table and the JNTO guide (as of 09/2026).

Tickets: prices and when to buy

Flights eat up the biggest line in the budget. A round-trip ticket from Europe in economy usually costs about €800-1,200, in premium economy or business from about €1,800, with the price depending on the season and when you buy. The spread is easy to explain: the date, departure city, and number of connections.

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

Plan to buy 3-6 months before departure. Look at alternative airports: Haneda and Narita in Tokyo, Kansai in Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo in Hokkaido (as of 09/2026, official JNTO website). A connection in Helsinki, Seoul, Taipei, or Hong Kong often works out cheaper than a direct flight.

Flexible dates give you a second saving. A midweek departure and a return in January or June cost less than tickets for cherry blossom season in late March. Skyscanner or Google Flights are convenient for comparing options, and you can find Tokyo flights on Kiwi.com directly for your vacation dates.

Accommodation: capsule hotels, hostels, and business hotels

Hostels and capsule hotels usually cost around 20-60 € per night, depending on the season and area. A bed in a hostel or a capsule at Nine Hours Tokyo gets you a bed, a shower, and a shared kitchen, and sometimes an onsen on the top floor.

Mid-range business hotels usually hold the line at around 70-150 € per night, more in high season. Toyoko Inn Shinjuku and Super Hotel Hamamatsucho cater to business travelers: compact rooms, a free breakfast buffet or onsen, and a few minutes' walk to the subway station.

© Sitao Xiang · CC BY-SAPhoto: Sitao Xiang, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The room price comes with a city accommodation tax on top. In Kyoto, from March 1, 2026, it ranges from 200 to 4,000 ¥ per person per night depending on the room price, and for rooms from 100,000 ¥ it goes up to 10,000 ¥ (as of 09/2026, Kyoto City Hall).

Pick the area to match your plans: Shinjuku is convenient for nighttime walks, Ueno for temples and the park, Shibuya for transfers. See Tokyo hotels on Trip.com.

Luxury hotels, ryokans, and temple stays

The luxury tier starts at around 200 € per night and goes past 800 € in high season. Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo and Hotel Okura Kyoto Okazaki Bettei give you a garden, a spa, and staff who handle things without you needing to get involved. Hotel Okura Kyoto prices on Trip.com.

Look for a traditional ryokan in Hakone, Kawaguchiko, and on Miyajima. A night there costs more than a hotel, but dinner and breakfast are included in the rate, and the onsen stays open until midnight.

A separate story: staying overnight at a Buddhist temple on Mount Koya. A night at Koyasan Shukubo Yochiin usually costs more than a business hotel, the price depends on the room and season, and the morning service and vegetarian dinner are part of the program. Temples offering overnight stays are listed on the Koyasan Shukubo Association website.

Transport: trains, subway, taxis, and cars

Japanese transport runs on schedule, so you rarely lose time getting around. The national Japan Rail Pass costs 50,000 ¥ for 7 days, 80,000 ¥ for 14 days, and 100,000 ¥ for 21 days when purchased before 30.09.2026. For purchases from October 1, 2026, JR has announced new prices: 53,000, 84,000, and 105,000 ¥ (as of 09/2026, official pass fares).

For the Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka route, the pass often does not pay off. Regional passes (Kansai-Hiroshima Pass, Kansai Thru Pass, Hokkaido Rail Pass) cost less than the national pass and cover a specific region. A shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto costs 13,320 yen without a seat reservation and about 14,000 yen with a reserved seat (as of 09/2026, japan-guide.com).

© Rsa · CC BY-SAPhoto: Rsa, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia Commons

In cities, pay by card: a single subway ride costs a few hundred yen, a Tokyo Metro day pass is 700 yen, and a day pass for all Tokyo Metro and Toei lines is 1,100 yen (as of 09/2026, GO TOKYO). Visitors can buy a Welcome Suica (JR East), which you use to pay for the subway, buses, and purchases in stores.

Taxis, for example in Kyoto, start at about 500 yen for the first kilometer, then the meter adds 100 yen every 250-300 meters (as of 09/2026, japan-guide.com), so they are a poor choice for long distances. Renting a car usually costs from about 50 euros per day depending on the season, plus gas and toll roads; a car is necessary in Hokkaido and in sparsely populated prefectures. Train tickets in Japan on Trip.com.

Food: from konbini to kaiseki

Lunch at a regular restaurant usually costs about 15-25 euros, dinner at an izakaya or ramen bar about 10-30 euros, and a fast food set about 5-10 euros, with prices depending on the city and the establishment. Food in Japan is prepared quickly and carefully even for minimal money.

Lawson and 7-Eleven konbini cover breakfast or a snack, usually within 10 euros. Bento, onigiri, and salads there are fresh, and the register accepts Suica cards. In the evening after 8:00 PM, prepared food is discounted, and you can buy the same set for less.

For kaiseki, teppanyaki, or omakase sushi you usually pay from about 100 euros per person, and noticeably more at well-known restaurants. A dinner like this as a gastronomic experience is worth the money, but you do not need to do it every evening (JNTO website on gastronomy).

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

Tickets to temples, museums, and parks

Admission to paid temples and shrines usually costs a few hundred yen. An adult ticket to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) costs 500 ¥, elementary and middle school students pay 300 ¥, and you need cash at the entrance (as of 09/2026, temple official website). Senso-ji in Tokyo and Meiji Jingu shrine are free to visit.

© Basile Morin · CC BY-SAPhoto: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Museums charge anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand yen for admission, and modern venues sell tickets for a specific time slot: at TeamLab Planets you arrive at your assigned time (as of 09/2026, TeamLab Planets official website). Amusement parks cost more: an adult ticket to Tokyo Disneyland is priced based on the date, which you can check on the park's official website.

A guided tour starts at around 20 €, kimono rental usually costs about 20-50 € (for example, Miyabi Kyoto), and admission to a city onsen usually comes in under 15 € (for example, Takaosan Onsen). Skip-the-line tickets in Tokyo on Tiqets.

How much you need for two weeks

For a two-week trip based on our sample budget, plan on about 2,770 € per person including airfare. That total works if you stay in a mid-range hotel, travel by train, and don't have kaiseki dinner every night.

The budget is approximate: transportation is calculated using carrier fares, the accommodation tax is based on data from the Kyoto city government (as of 09/2026), and accommodation, food, and activities are based on typical prices that vary by season.

The difference between scenarios shows up in accommodation. The budget option comes to 16 € per night, mid-range 89 €, luxury 250 €. The budget scenario for two weeks fits into 1,094 €, while the luxury scenario requires 8,550 €.

Internet access costs an additional 1-2 € per day: a tourist SIM card or a pocket Wi-Fi router. Compare eSIM plans for Japan.

How much you need for three weeks

Three weeks in Japan based on our sample budget cost about 3,565 € per person including airfare. You add another week of accommodation and food, but you still buy the same ticket from Europe.

© shikabane taro · CC BYPhoto: shikabane taro, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Three weeks gives you time for Hokkaido or Kyushu, where transport costs more and hotels are cheaper than in Tokyo (as of 09/2026, Japan National Tourism Organization data).

On a longer trip, it is more cost-effective to buy a 21-day pass for 100,000 ¥, or 105,000 ¥ for purchases from October 1, 2026 (as of 09/2026, JR Pass prices). Budget for internet the same way: roughly 1-2 € per day for a SIM card or pocket Wi-Fi router.

How to save money: five tips

The five tips below save a noticeable portion of your trip budget. All of them work in 2026, and the first two have the biggest impact.

© Aimaimyi · CC BY-SAPhoto: Aimaimyi, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

1. Shift your dates to the low season

January and February after the New Year holidays are cheaper than cherry blossom season. From June to mid-July is the rainy season, with fewer tourists and lower prices.

Avoid Golden Week, Obon, and the New Year weeks. During those days, hotels, trains, and tickets cost the most, and you stand in line for hours at the main temples.

2. Buy tickets in advance and with a connection

Keep an eye on airline sales.

Sometimes it is cheaper to split your route and spend a night in an intermediate city.

3. Cut transportation costs

Instead of a national pass, get a regional one: Kansai-Hiroshima Pass, Kansai Thru Pass, or Hokkaido Rail Pass. Willer Express night buses save you both the ticket and a night in a hotel.

In cities, walk through central neighborhoods, and for longer distances buy a day pass. That way you pay 700-1,100 ¥ per day instead of ten separate rides (as of 09/2026, GO TOKYO).

4. Eat cheaper without sacrificing quality

After 8:00 PM, supermarkets discount prepared food, and sushi or bento boxes go on markdown. Chain restaurants like Sukiya, Yoshinoya, and Matsuya usually offer a full meal for under 8 €.

Konbini are open 24/7. Breakfast of onigiri and coffee there usually costs under 5 €, which saves you a noticeable amount over two weeks.

5. Use city passes and free attractions

Ueno Park, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, and many temples are free. The Tokyo Metro Day Pass pays for itself after a few rides, and the Osaka Amazing Pass also includes admission tickets. Compare city passes and tours on GetYourGuide.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much money do you need for a trip to Japan?

Based on our sample estimate, budget around 1,120 € per person for a week excluding flights, if you stay in a mid-range hotel and eat at regular restaurants. Other scenarios and amounts for two and three weeks are in the tables above. Check the fees before booking: they went up in 2026.

When are flights to Japan cheaper?

January, February, and the first half of June are usually cheaper than spring cherry blossom season and the autumn peak. Departing midweek costs less than on Friday or Saturday. Book 3-6 months in advance: that way you catch airline promo fares. Avoid Golden Week, Obon, and the New Year holidays, when prices are at their highest.

Is two weeks enough for Tokyo and Kyoto?

Two weeks is enough for Tokyo, Kyoto, and one short side trip, for example to Osaka or Hakone. Plan your route with 3-4 days per city, with about 2.5 hours of shinkansen travel between them. Do not try to cover the whole country: travel eats up time and money, and you get tired of hauling suitcases.

Do you need a Japan Rail Pass for two weeks?

Calculate your route. A 14-day pass costs 80,000 ¥, or 84,000 ¥ for purchases from October 1, 2026 (as of 09/2026, carrier fares). It pays off on a long arc of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukuoka. If you are only going to Tokyo and Kyoto, buy individual tickets or a regional pass: that is cheaper.

What got more expensive in Japan in 2026?

From July 1, 2026, the departure tax is 3,000 ¥ (as of 09/2026, Japan Ministry of Finance). In Kyoto, new accommodation tax rates apply from March 1: from 200 to 10,000 ¥ per person per night depending on the room price (Kyoto City Hall). Tokyo Disneyland tickets are purchased by date and at dynamic pricing, which the park publishes on its official website (09/12/2026).

In short: what to book

The estimate is done, all that remains is to choose your style. On a mid-range budget, go with business hotels and a regional pass. On a budget, capsule hotels, konbini, and night buses will do.

On a luxury budget, you have ryokan with onsen, a luxury hotel in Tokyo, private tours, and a kaiseki dinner at your disposal. The decision matrix is simple: a short two-week trip calls for a hotel near the station, while a long three-week trip calls for a pass and accommodation in several cities.

First, book your hotel and museum tickets. Book a Tokyo hotel on Trip.com and get park and museum tickets on Tiqets in advance, and compare flights based on your vacation dates.