I move to Japan next month and I’m trying to create a budget. I’ll be living in Nishishinjuku Gochome. I’ve done some research but I know that the price of some things has gone up recently. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far, not including rent:
Utilities(heat/electricity/gas/water): 25,000
Food: 30,000 (my company usually provides lunch/dinner on weekdays)
Cellphone plan: 3,278 (Rakuten)
Internet: 6,000
Transportation: 8,000 (company pays to/from work)
Healthcare: 15,000 (for meds/regular doctor visits)
gym: 10,000
personal care: 12,000 (toiletry items, etc.)
fun: 20,000
Are my numbers accurate? I’m mostly concerned about utilities, cellphone plan, or internet, as things like food or fun vary from person to person.
4 comments
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**Moving next month, double checking my monthly budget**
I move to Japan next month and I’m trying to create a budget. I’ll be living in Nishishinjuku Gochome. I’ve done some research but I know that the price of some things has gone up recently. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far, not including rent:
Utilities(heat/electricity/gas/water): 25,000
Food: 30,000 (my company usually provides lunch/dinner on weekdays)
Cellphone plan: 3,278 (Rakuten)
Internet: 6,000
Transportation: 8,000 (company pays to/from work)
Healthcare: 15,000 (for meds/regular doctor visits)
gym: 10,000
personal care: 12,000 (toiletry items, etc.)
fun: 20,000
Are my numbers accurate? I’m mostly concerned about utilities, cellphone plan, or internet, as things like food or fun vary from person to person.
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15,000 a month for just doctor visits and medication is ALOT. On a bad month, 3 of us spend 5000 a month visiting the doctor. Most of the time it’s like 600 to 1000 yen to see the doctor. I’ve even had some visits as low as 300 yen. It’s basically not a concern at all for budgeting.
While we don’t live in Tokyo, 8000 for local weekend travel also sounds a lot when your work pays for to and from work travel.
There are other things on your list that costs more than they really are, but you’ll be fine.
Obviously I don’t know your personal status regarding your health but 15k a month seems like a lot but otherwise this looks pretty fair and accurate.
You might be paying a little more for utility during the peak months in summer and winter due to the recent price hike in electricity
Rakuten offers unlimited data. You can just tether your computer to it to use at home unless you need high speed internet for gaming or something.
You might need more for transportation for the first few months if you plan to go out on the weekends to explore the city.