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What's a healthy monthly budget living in Tokyo, sans rent?
I'm moving to Tokyo next month to start language school, and I'm in the process of shortlisting a number of apartments (rent is yikes within a reasonable distance of my scho… Hi all, nice to meet you!
I'm moving to Tokyo next month to start language school, and I'm in the process of shortlisting a number of apartments (rent is yikes within a reasonable distance of my school).
Rent aside, I wanted to ask what people consider to be a healthy monthly budget for living in Tokyo, including utilities for one person. I've been reading up on anecdotes from the last few years, but with how volatile the yen has been since the pandemic, I wanted to ask for folks' current perspectives.
I'd like to be able to explore and have fun going out a few times a week/month depending on costs. I'm confident cooking for myself, and I'm already trying to research cost-saving hacks like end of day sales at the grocery/konbini and alternative power providers to TEPSCO.
Should I be aiming for 50,000 a month excluding rent? 75,000?
Thank you very much for reading and any comments/advice!
yeah 75k is prob the sweet spot like the other person said. one thing they didn't mention is phone/internet tho. if you're not careful that can eat 6-8k a month easy. i use povo for data only and it's like 2k but you gotta be okay with no contract stuff.
also utilities wise, if you're in a newer building with gas instead of electric heating, winter bills are way more manageable. old leopalace apartments with shitty single-pane windows will drain your wallet in january. ask your real estate agent about that.
for food, ngl the real hack isn't konbini markdowns, it's going to gyomu super around 7pm when they slash meat prices. i got a whole chicken for 380 yen last week. freeze stuff immediately and you're set.
one random tip - join your local ward's facebook group or line group. people often give away furniture or kitchen stuff for free when they move. saves a ton on setup costs.
honestly 75k is more realistic if you want to actually go out and explore without stressing. 50k works if you're really disciplined but you'll prob end up eating a lot of convenience store food and skipping stuff you wanna do
utilities are about 8-10k for one person in a 1K, maybe more in winter with the heater. phone plan is another 3-4k if you go with povo or ahamo instead of the big carriers. gym membership runs 7-8k if you want one
my advice is aim for 75k and see how the first month goes. you can always tighten up if you find you're overspending. also don't bother with alternative power providers, the savings are tiny and the hassle isn't worth it for a single person
75k is the number most people land on but i'd actually say start with 85k for the first couple months while you figure things out. moving itself costs money - setup fees for gas/electric/water can be 5-10k upfront, plus you'll prob want to stock a pantry with basics like rice, oil, soy sauce that adds up fast.
one thing nobody mentioned is NHK fees. if you own a tv or any device that can receive broadcasts, they'll come knocking for about 1300 yen a month. you can dodge it by not answering the door but it's something to be aware of.
for groceries, nishikicho in kanda has this insane wholesale market area where regular people can shop in the mornings. i get 2kg of onions for 200 yen and a whole daikon for like 80 yen. way cheaper than any supermarket and the quality is better. just go before 11am on weekdays.
also check if your school has a student discount deal with any local gyms or cell providers. mine had a partnership with ahamo that got me 1500 yen off per month for two years. those little savings add up.
Things to Do in Tokyo (2026)
Start your Tokyo journey at the Tokyo Tower (4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato), which offers panoramic views from its 150-meter observation deck for 1,200 yen. For a more modern perspec… 🗼 Iconic Landmarks
Start your Tokyo journey at the Tokyo Tower (4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato), which offers panoramic views from its 150-meter observation deck for 1,200 yen. For a more modern perspective, head to the Shibuya Sky observation deck (2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya) for 2,000 yen, open until 10 PM. Both spots are less crowded on weekday mornings.
⛩️ Cultural Temples and Shrines
Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa (2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito), Tokyo's oldest temple, open daily from 6 AM to 5 PM. For a quieter experience, explore the Meiji Jingu Shrine (1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya), set in a large forested area and free to enter. Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends.
🍜 Must-Try Food Experiences
Sample authentic ramen at Ichiran Shibuya (1-22-7 Jinnan, Shibuya), where individual booths let you focus on the tonkotsu broth, starting at 1,290 yen. For a unique twist, try conveyor-belt sushi at Uobei Shibuya (1-19-3 Jinnan, Shibuya), with plates from 100 yen. Reservations are not needed, but expect short queues.
🏯 Hidden Neighborhoods
Explore Yanaka, a district that survived WWII bombings, with narrow lanes and traditional shops like Yanaka Ginza shopping street (3-11-1 Yanaka, Taito). For a bohemian vibe, wander Shimokitazawa (Kitazawa, Setagaya), known for vintage stores and indie cafes. Both areas are best explored on foot in the afternoon.
🚇 Getting Around
Use the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway networks, with a 24-hour pass costing 800 yen for unlimited rides on most lines. The Suica or Pasmo IC cards are rechargeable and work on trains, buses, and even vending machines. Avoid rush hour (7:30-9 AM and 5-7 PM) to travel comfortably.
🌃 Best Evening Spots
Watch the sunset from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku), where the free observation deck is open until 10 PM. For nightlife, head to Golden Gai in Shinjuku (1-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku), a maze of tiny bars with a cover charge of around 500 yen. Reservations are recommended for popular bars.
🌸 Seasonal Highlights
Cherry blossom season in late March to early April draws crowds to Ueno Park (5-20 Uenokoen, Taito), with over 1,000 cherry trees. For autumn foliage, visit Rikugien Garden (6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo) in November, lit up at night for 1,000 yen. Check the Japan Meteorological Corporation's forecast for peak dates.
🎁 Unique Souvenirs
Buy traditional crafts at Kappabashi Kitchen Town (3-18-2 Nishiasakusa, Taito), famous for realistic plastic food samples and kitchenware. For quirky gifts, explore Don Quijote stores, like the one in Shibuya (1-16-5 Udagawacho, Shibuya), open 24 hours and offering everything from electronics to snacks. Prices are reasonable, and tax-free shopping is available for tourists.
honestly this is a solid list, you've hit the major spots. one thing i'd add is that the Tsukiji Outer Market is worth a morning even if the inner market moved to Toyosu. the stalls there for tamagoyaki and fresh uni on skewers are unbeatable, and it gets packed by 9am so go early.
for a cheap meal that slaps, try CoCo Ichibanya for curry rice. there's one near basically every station and you can customize the spice level and toppings. it's not fancy but it's a real Tokyo staple that tourists often overlook.
also if you're into temples, the walk from Senso-ji down Nakamise-dori is fun but the side streets in Asakusa have smaller shrines and old-school snack shops that are way less crowded. i stumbled on a tiny place selling matcha soft serve for 350 yen last time and it was better than the touristy ones.