Can you afford to study in Tokyo? We break down the monthly expenses for international students, including rent, food, and transport.

Tokyo has a reputation for being expensive, but for students, it is surprisingly manageable. Here is a realistic Study in Tokyo cost per month breakdown.

The Total Budget

• Frugal Student: 120,000 JPY ($800 USD) / month.
• Average Student: 160,000 JPY ($1,100 USD) / month.
• Comfortable Student: 200,000 JPY+ ($1,400 USD) / month.

1. Rent (The Biggest Cost)

• Share House: 50,000 - 70,000 JPY. (Cheapest option, includes utilities).
• Dormitory: 40,000 - 80,000 JPY. (Varies wildly by school).
• Private Apartment: 70,000 - 100,000 JPY + Utilities.

2. Food

• Cooking at home: 25,000 JPY.
• Eating out (Bento/Gyudon): 45,000 JPY.
• Tip: Supermarkets discount bento boxes by 50% after 8 PM.

3. Transport

• Commuter Pass (Teikiken): 5,000 - 10,000 JPY. (Students get a huge discount, up to 50% off).

4. Phone & Internet

• Sim Card: 2,000 - 3,000 JPY (e.g., LINEMO, ahamo).
• Pocket Wi-Fi: 4,000 JPY.

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5. Health Insurance

• NHI: Approx. 1,500 - 2,000 JPY / month (Students have very low premiums).

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Part-Time Work (Baito)

You can work 28 hours a week.

• Hourly Wage: 1,150 JPY (Tokyo minimum).
• Monthly Earnings: Approx. 110,000 - 120,000 JPY.
• Reality: Your part-time job can cover almost ALL your living expenses!