Average Monthly Expenses by City:

Tokyo:

• Total: ¥120,000 - 150,000
• Accommodation: ¥60,000 - 80,000
• Food: ¥30,000 - 40,000
• Transportation: ¥10,000 - 15,000
• Utilities: ¥8,000 - 12,000
• Phone/Internet: ¥5,000 - 8,000
• Other: ¥10,000 - 20,000

Osaka/Kyoto:

• Total: ¥100,000 - 130,000
• Accommodation: ¥50,000 - 70,000
• Food: ¥25,000 - 35,000
• Transportation: ¥8,000 - 12,000
• Utilities: ¥7,000 - 10,000
• Phone/Internet: ¥5,000 - 8,000
• Other: ¥10,000 - 15,000

Fukuoka/Sapporo/Regional Cities:

• Total: ¥80,000 - 110,000
• Accommodation: ¥35,000 - 55,000
• Food: ¥20,000 - 30,000
• Transportation: ¥5,000 - 10,000
• Utilities: ¥6,000 - 9,000
• Phone/Internet: ¥5,000 - 8,000
• Other: ¥8,000 - 12,000

First Month Additional Costs:

• Accommodation deposit: ¥150,000 - 300,000
• Furniture/appliances: ¥30,000 - 80,000
• Initial registration fees: ¥20,000 - 40,000
• Total initial costs: ¥300,000 - 500,000

Student Dormitory (学生寮):

University Dormitories:

• Monthly rent: ¥20,000 - 40,000
• Usually includes utilities
• Shared facilities (kitchen, bathroom)
• Limited availability (apply early)
• Best value for money
• Pros: Cheap, convenient, make friends
• Cons: Shared space, rules, limited privacy

Private Student Dormitories:

• Monthly rent: ¥40,000 - 70,000
• May include meals
• Private or shared rooms
• Better facilities
• More expensive than university dorms

• --

Share House (シェアハウス):

• Monthly rent: ¥30,000 - 60,000
• Private room, shared common areas
• Utilities often included
• No key money (usually)
• International friendly
• Flexible contracts
• Good for networking
• Popular areas: Oakhouse, Borderless House

• --

Apartment (アパート/マンション):

Studio (1K/1R):

• Tokyo: ¥60,000 - 100,000
• Osaka: ¥45,000 - 75,000
• Regional: ¥30,000 - 55,000

Initial Costs (典型的):

• Rent (first month): ¥50,000
• Security deposit (敷金): ¥50,000 - 100,000
• Key money (礼金): ¥50,000 - 100,000
• Agency fee: ¥50,000
• Guarantor company: ¥25,000 - 50,000
• Fire insurance: ¥15,000 - 20,000
• Total: ¥240,000 - 370,000

Monthly Costs:

• Rent: ¥30,000 - 100,000
• Utilities (水道光熱費): ¥5,000 - 10,000
• Internet: ¥3,000 - 5,000
• Maintenance fee (管理費): ¥3,000 - 8,000

Tips for Finding Accommodation:

• Start searching 2-3 months before arrival
• Use university housing office
• Websites: Suumo, Homes, GaijinPot Apartments
• Consider share houses for first 6 months
• Location near university saves transportation costs
• Check for furnished apartments (saves initial costs)

Cooking at Home (Monthly):

• Rice (5kg): ¥2,000
• Vegetables: ¥6,000 - 8,000
• Meat/Fish: ¥8,000 - 12,000
• Eggs (10): ¥200 - 300
• Bread: ¥150 - 300 per loaf
• Milk (1L): ¥200 - 250
• Cooking oil, seasonings: ¥2,000
• Total: ¥20,000 - 30,000/month

Budget Shopping Tips:

• Shop at discount supermarkets (Gyomu Super, OK Store)
• Buy discounted items after 7-8 PM (30-50% off)
• Use 100-yen shops for seasonings and basics
• Buy seasonal vegetables (cheaper)
• Check weekly flyers for specials
• Asian grocery stores for rice and spices
• Farmers markets for fresh produce

• --

Eating Out:

Budget Options:

• Convenience store meal: ¥300 - 600
• University cafeteria: ¥300 - 500
• Fast food (McDonald's set): ¥600 - 800
• Ramen shop: ¥600 - 900
• Yoshinoya/Sukiya (beef bowl): ¥400 - 600
• Soba/Udon: ¥400 - 700
• Bento box: ¥400 - 800

Mid-Range:

• Family restaurant: ¥800 - 1,500
• Izakaya: ¥2,000 - 3,000
• Café meal: ¥1,000 - 1,500

Special Occasions:

• Nice restaurant: ¥3,000 - 5,000+
• All-you-can-eat: ¥2,000 - 3,500

Money-Saving Tips:

• Cook in bulk and freeze
• Bring bento to university
• Use university cafeteria (subsidized)
• Take advantage of part-time job meal benefits
• Split grocery costs with roommates
• Learn to cook Japanese dishes (cheaper ingredients)

Train/Subway (Most Common):

Monthly Commuter Pass (定期券):

• Short distance (5km): ¥5,000 - 8,000
• Medium distance (10km): ¥8,000 - 12,000
• Long distance (20km): ¥12,000 - 20,000
• Student discount: 20-30% off (通学定期)
• Valid for 1, 3, or 6 months
• Cheaper to buy 6-month pass
• Only valid for specified route

Single Tickets:

• Minimum fare: ¥140 - 180
• Average trip: ¥200 - 400
• Cross-city trip: ¥300 - 600

IC Cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA):

• Rechargeable, works nationwide
• Small discount vs. paper tickets
• Convenient for shopping too
• No student discount on IC card

• --

Bicycle (自転車):

• New bicycle: ¥10,000 - 30,000
• Used bicycle: ¥5,000 - 15,000
• Registration: ¥500 - 1,000 (mandatory)
• Parking: Free to ¥2,000/month
• Maintenance: ¥2,000 - 5,000/year
• Best for short distances (<5km)
• Common for university students
• Check used bicycle shops

• --

Bus:

• Single ride: ¥200 - 230 (flat rate in many cities)
• Monthly pass: ¥5,000 - 10,000
• Combined train+bus passes available

• --

Taxi (避けるべき - Avoid):

• Initial fare: ¥410 - 730
• Per km: ¥80 - 100
• Expensive, only for emergencies
• Share with friends if necessary

Money-Saving Tips:

• Live near university (walk/bike)
• Buy 6-month commuter pass
• Use bicycle for local trips
• Walk when possible (good exercise)
• Avoid taxis except emergencies

Electricity (電気):

• Summer/Winter: ¥5,000 - 8,000 (AC/heating)
• Spring/Fall: ¥2,500 - 4,000
• Tips: Use energy-saving settings, LED bulbs, limit AC/heating

Gas (ガス):

• With cooking: ¥3,000 - 5,000
• With hot water heater: ¥4,000 - 7,000
• Winter (higher): ¥5,000 - 8,000
• Tips: Shorter showers, use microwave when possible

Water (水道):

• Bi-monthly: ¥2,000 - 4,000
• Monthly equivalent: ¥1,000 - 2,000
• Usually cheapest utility
• Tips: Don't leave water running

Internet (インターネット):

• Fiber optic: ¥4,000 - 6,000/month
• Pocket WiFi: ¥3,000 - 4,500/month
• University WiFi: Free (use when possible)
• Share house: Usually included

Mobile Phone (携帯電話):

Major Carriers (Docomo, AU, Softbank):

• Monthly: ¥6,000 - 10,000
• Expensive, good coverage
• Contract usually 2 years

MVNO/Budget Carriers (Recommended):

• IIJmio: ¥850 - 2,000
• Mineo: ¥1,000 - 2,500
• LINE Mobile: ¥500 - 3,000
• Rakuten Mobile: ¥0 - 3,000 (usage-based)
• No contract, flexible
• Good for students

Tips:

• Use budget carrier (save ¥4,000+/month)
• Use university WiFi
• Download maps offline
• Use LINE for calls (free)

National Health Insurance (国民健康保険 - Mandatory):

• Monthly premium: ¥1,500 - 3,500 (students)
• Based on previous year's income
• Covers 70% of medical costs
• You pay 30%
• Register at city hall within 14 days

Typical Medical Costs (After Insurance):

• Doctor visit: ¥1,000 - 2,000
• Prescription medicine: ¥500 - 2,000
• Dental cleaning: ¥2,000 - 3,000
• Dental filling: ¥1,500 - 3,000
• Emergency room: ¥3,000 - 8,000

Tips:

• Always carry insurance card
• Use university health center (free/cheap)
• Generic medicine cheaper
• Preventive care important
• Some universities offer additional insurance

Budget-Friendly Entertainment:

Free Activities:

• Parks and gardens
• Free museum days
• University events and festivals
• Hiking and nature
• Window shopping
• Community events
• Library (free books, DVDs)

Low-Cost Activities:

• Movie theater: ¥1,000 - 1,900 (student discount)
• Karaoke: ¥200 - 500/hour (off-peak)
• Public bath (銭湯): ¥450 - 500
• Manga café: ¥1,500 - 2,500 (overnight)
• Museum: ¥500 - 1,000 (student discount)
• Gym: ¥5,000 - 10,000/month (or university gym free)

Shopping:

• 100-yen shops (Daiso, Seria): Everything ¥110
• Don Quijote: Discount variety store
• Book Off: Used books, games, electronics
• Hard Off: Used electronics and appliances
• Uniqlo/GU: Affordable clothing
• Shimamura: Budget clothing

Personal Care:

• Haircut (budget): ¥1,000 - 2,000
• Haircut (salon): ¥3,000 - 6,000
• Toiletries: ¥2,000 - 4,000/month
• Laundry: ¥200 - 400 per load (coin laundry)

Monthly Entertainment Budget:

• Minimal: ¥5,000 - 10,000
• Moderate: ¥10,000 - 20,000
• Comfortable: ¥20,000 - 30,000

1. Student Discounts:

• Always carry student ID
• Ask "学割ありますか？" (Is there a student discount?)
• Transportation: 20-30% off
• Museums: 30-50% off
• Movies: ¥1,000 - 1,300
• Software: Microsoft, Adobe (huge discounts)
• Amazon Prime Student: ¥250/month (half price)

2. Point Cards and Apps:

• Rakuten Points (online shopping)
• T-Point (Family Mart, Tsutaya)
• Ponta (Lawson)
• d-Point (convenience stores)
• Line Points
• Accumulate and redeem for discounts
• Credit cards with point rewards

3. Tax-Free Shopping:

• As foreigner, can shop tax-free
• Need passport
• Minimum purchase: ¥5,000
• Save 10% on eligible items
• Electronics, clothing, cosmetics

4. Seasonal Sales:

• January: New Year sales (福袋)
• July-August: Summer sales
• End of season: 50-70% off
• Black Friday: Growing in Japan
• Amazon Prime Day

5. Second-Hand Shopping:

• Book Off: Books, games, DVDs
• Hard Off: Electronics
• Mercari app: Online marketplace
• Yahoo Auctions: Like eBay
• Sayonara sales: Students leaving Japan
• University bulletin boards

6. Cooking at Home:

• Cook in bulk, freeze portions
• Bring lunch to university
• Use rice cooker (multi-purpose)
• Share cooking with roommates
• Learn to cook Japanese food (cheaper)
• Use microwave efficiently

7. Free/Cheap Resources:

• University library: Books, computers, printing
• City library: Books, DVDs, study space
• University gym: Free or cheap
• Free WiFi: Starbucks, McDonald's, convenience stores
• YouTube instead of paid streaming
• Open courseware for learning

Budget Option (Tokyo) - ¥90,000:

• Share house: ¥40,000 (utilities included)
• Food (cooking): ¥25,000
• Transportation (bicycle + occasional train): ¥5,000
• Phone (MVNO): ¥1,500
• Health insurance: ¥2,000
• Entertainment: ¥8,000
• Misc: ¥8,500
• Part-time income: ¥80,000 (20 hours/week at ¥1,000)
• Shortfall: -¥10,000 (from savings/family)

• --

Standard Option (Osaka) - ¥110,000:

• University dorm: ¥30,000
• Food (mostly cooking, some eating out): ¥30,000
• Transportation (student pass): ¥10,000
• Utilities: ¥8,000
• Phone: ¥2,000
• Internet: ¥4,000
• Health insurance: ¥2,500
• Entertainment: ¥12,000
• Misc: ¥11,500
• Part-time income: ¥80,000
• Shortfall: -¥30,000 (from savings/family)

• --

Comfortable Option (Tokyo) - ¥145,000:

• Private apartment: ¥70,000
• Food (balanced cooking/eating out): ¥40,000
• Transportation (student pass): ¥12,000
• Utilities: ¥10,000
• Phone: ¥3,000
• Internet: ¥5,000
• Health insurance: ¥2,500
• Entertainment: ¥20,000
• Shopping/misc: ¥15,000
• Part-time income: ¥90,000 (22 hours/week)
• Shortfall: -¥55,000 (from savings/family/scholarship)

• --

Regional City Budget (Fukuoka) - ¥85,000:

• Share house: ¥35,000
• Food: ¥22,000
• Transportation (bicycle): ¥3,000
• Utilities (included in rent): ¥0
• Phone: ¥1,500
• Internet (included): ¥0
• Health insurance: ¥1,800
• Entertainment: ¥12,000
• Misc: ¥9,700
• Part-time income: ¥70,000 (18 hours/week)
• Shortfall: -¥15,000

Before Arriving in Japan:

Save for Initial Costs:

• Minimum: ¥500,000 - 800,000
• Ideal: ¥1,000,000+
• Covers: Accommodation deposit, furniture, first 2-3 months

Open Multi-Currency Account:

• Wise (formerly TransferWise)
• Revolut
• Lower transfer fees than banks

Bring Cash:

• ¥200,000 - 300,000 in yen
• For immediate expenses
• Until you open bank account

• --

After Arriving:

Open Bank Account (Within First Week):

• Bring: Passport, residence card, student ID, phone number
• Recommended banks: Japan Post, SMBC, MUFG
• Online banks: Rakuten, Sony Bank (convenient)

Set Up Payments:

• Utilities: Auto-pay from bank account
• Rent: Bank transfer or auto-pay
• Phone: Credit card or bank account

Track Expenses:

• Use budgeting apps (Zaim, Money Forward)
• Review weekly
• Adjust as needed
• Identify unnecessary expenses

Create Emergency Fund:

• Target: 2-3 months expenses
• Separate savings account
• For emergencies only

Budget Rule (50/30/20):

• 50%: Necessities (rent, food, transport, utilities)
• 30%: Wants (entertainment, shopping)
• 20%: Savings/emergency fund

• --

Sending Money Home:

• Use transfer services (Wise, WorldRemit)
• Much cheaper than banks
• Compare rates
• Send larger amounts less frequently (save on fees)

• --

Common Financial Mistakes:

❌ Not tracking expenses

✅ Use budgeting app daily

❌ Eating out too much

✅ Cook at home, pack lunch

❌ Not using student discounts

✅ Always ask and carry student ID

❌ Living too far from university

✅ Higher transport costs than rent savings

❌ Buying new furniture

✅ Buy second-hand or use sayonara sales

❌ Expensive phone plan

✅ Switch to MVNO carrier

❌ No emergency fund

✅ Save 10-20% monthly

❌ Using credit card without paying full balance

✅ Pay in full to avoid interest