How much do you REALLY need? We break down rent, food, transport, and fun money for Tokyo vs. Rural Japan.

Budgeting is key. Here is a realistic monthly budget for a student in 2026.

Tokyo Budget (Expensive)

• Rent: 70,000 JPY (Share house or small apartment).
• Food: 45,000 JPY (Cooking at home + occasional eating out).
• Transport: 10,000 JPY (Train pass).
• Phone/Internet: 5,000 JPY.
• Insurance: 2,000 JPY.
• Fun: 20,000 JPY.
• TOTAL: 152,000 JPY (approx. $1,000 USD).

Rural / Cheaper City Budget (Fukuoka/Sapporo)

• Rent: 35,000 JPY.
• Food: 35,000 JPY.
• Transport: 5,000 JPY (Bike everywhere!).
• Phone/Internet: 5,000 JPY.
• Insurance: 2,000 JPY.
• Fun: 15,000 JPY.
• TOTAL: 97,000 JPY (approx. $650 USD).

How to cover it?

• Part-time Job: 28 hours/week x 1,100 JPY = 123,000 JPY/month.
• Result: You can almost cover your entire living cost just by working part-time!

👉 Save Money: Cheap Student Accommodation in Japan: Share Houses vs. Dorms