Hello r/movingtojapan
I am budgeting for my move to Bunkyo-ku this September and I’ve been comparing this and that lists of Tokyo cost of living. I was sharing my estimates with a close friend when they remarked public transport costs seem pretty high in Japan–which was relatively surprising to both of us given I was used to the likes of e.g. Singapore where it’s pretty cheap.
On that note I wanted to ask, what items, goods and services should I expect to be particularly cheap or expensive in Japan? I’d like to be able to budget better in advance, since I don’t want to spend too little or too much and get even more stressed on top of the rigors of a transnational move.
Thank you in advance for any views you can share!
7 comments
This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
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**What did you find surprisingly cheap/expensive in Japan when you first moved over?**
Hello r/movingtojapan
I am budgeting for my move to Bunkyo-ku this September and I’ve been comparing this and that lists of Tokyo cost of living. I was sharing my estimates with a close friend when they remarked public transport costs seem pretty high in Japan–which was relatively surprising to both of us given I was used to the likes of e.g. Singapore where it’s pretty cheap.
On that note I wanted to ask, what items, goods and services should I expect to be particularly cheap or expensive in Japan? I’d like to be able to budget better in advance, since I don’t want to spend too little or too much and get even more stressed on top of the rigors of a transnational move.
Thank you in advance for any views you can share!
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Fruit, oh god the fruit. With the same money to buy 1 watermelon in Japan I can buy 30kg in a big city in my country. And in my home town I can buy 60~70kg of watermelon. Likewise, the other day I saw a 200g mango that costed 3000 yen in the supermarket near where I live. That is the cost of 10kg of mango back home.
Fruit – Expensive
All other food – so incredibly cheap
I remember being so surprised that I could get enough vegetables and meat for nabe to feed my entire friend group for less than 10 USD. But a package of like 10 strawberries cost close to 20 USD where I lived. ðŸ˜
Fruits, cheese, buying local vs online, public transport is expensive. Eating at restaurants, rent, other groceries activities (like visiting temples, shrines, museums etc.) are surprisingly cheap
Expensive? Public transportation. Caveat/Cheap? Employer pays for public transportation pass.
Vegetables and fruits are generally more expensive than in most other countries due to Japan being silly.
Public transport is indeed pretty expensive but Imo worth it for the great punctuality and accessibility of the stations and trains.
Buses for example are expensive if they’re a set price instead of by station and you’re only taking a short ride (compared to my country where it’s a set price of about 160 yen, in Japan the set prices I’ve seen are 220 yen+). If it’s by station you might pay as little as 110 yen.
Fruits :'(
Each bite comes close to $1 lol…