Japan Has Become More Affordable
Today, Japan feels much cheaper for many foreign visitors than before. In the past, Tokyo was known as one of the most expensive cities in the world. This was especially true during the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Japan had its bubble economy and the Japanese yen became very strong.
At that time, many Japanese travelers felt that overseas countries were cheaper than Japan. However, Japan’s bubble economy collapsed. After that, Japan went through a long period of slow economic growth. Then, after the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2023, the Japanese yen became much weaker. Because of this, many foreign visitors now feel that Japan is affordable. I think it has become easier for people from overseas to visit Japan.
What I Experienced in the United States
Personally, I visited the United States in 2024, 2025, and 2026 after the pandemic ended. I traveled to large cities such as New York and San Francisco. During those trips, I strongly felt how much prices in the United States had increased.
Of course, the weak Japanese yen is one reason. However, even without the exchange rate, I still felt that prices in the United States had risen dramatically after the pandemic.
Below is a simple comparison based on what I personally experienced.
| Item | Tokyo | Large US Cities (US$1 = 150 yen) | My Impression |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant lunch | 1,000–1,800 yen | 2,500–4,500 yen | About 2–3 times higher in the US |
| Restaurant dinner | 2,000–4,000 yen | 5,000–8,000 yen | About 2–3 times higher in the US |
| Hotel | 10,000–30,000 yen | 20,000–50,000 yen | About 2 times higher in the US |
| Juice | 150–250 yen | 400–700 yen | About 2–3 times higher in the US |
| Coffee | 350–600 yen | 600–1,200 yen | About 1.5–2 times higher in the US |
| Train fare | 180–300 yen | 400–700 yen | About 2–3 times higher in the US |
| Taxi | Around 500 yen starting fare | Over 1,000–1,500 yen starting fare | About 2–3 times higher in the US |
| Gasoline | 160 yen/liter | 230 yen/liter | About 1.5 times higher in the US |
Prices in America Felt Much Higher
Overall, I felt that prices in the United States were around two to three times higher than in Japan. Gasoline prices surprised me the most. In the past, I remember that gasoline in America was much cheaper than in Japan. Large SUVs were everywhere, and cheap gas felt like part of American life. Today, that feeling has changed a lot.
Prices differ by region, but sometimes gasoline in America now feels more expensive than in Japan. I have traveled to the United States for more than 30 years. Even so, I was still surprised by how much prices increased after the pandemic. Personally, I felt that the total cost of travel, including hotels and meals, had almost doubled.
Income Levels and Prices
While writing this article, I started thinking about another reason for these high prices. I think income levels may also play an important role. Of course, salaries differ depending on region and job type. However, average income in the United States is much higher than in Japan.
| Country | Average Annual Income | Approximate Amount in Japanese Yen (US$1 = 150 yen) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | US$73,000–77,000 | About 11–12 million yen |
| Japan | — | About 4.8–6.2 million yen |
When I look at these numbers, I can understand why prices in America are much higher. At the same time, whenever I return to Japan from the United States, I strongly feel that Japan is still affordable. This is especially true for food. Japan has very high food quality.
Returning to Japan
At the same time, I can still enjoy delicious meals at reasonable prices. Of course, I am Japanese and I like Japanese food. However, even if I consider that, I still feel that Japan offers excellent value.
Today, I think Japan has become one of the easiest countries for foreign visitors to enjoy. I hope many people will take this opportunity to visit Japan and enjoy its food, culture, and cities.
Originally published on May 29 2026