Cost of Living in Japan for Indian Students in 2025
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The monthly cost of living in Japan includes accommodation, food, transportation expenses and more. According to the Japanese Embassy to India, Indian students need nearly 50,000 per month to survive in Japan. Check out the details about life expenses in Japan in this blog.
According to Numbeo, cost of living in Japan for Indian students is around YEN 130,00 to YEN 150,000 (INR 75,000 to INR 86,000) per month without rent. The expenses for living depend on various factors such as spending habits and the lifestyle of a student. More than 200,000 international students from various nations are studying in the universities of Japan.
Due to this number, the Japanese living cost is slightly higher in the Asia continent. According to Numbeo, it is 33% cheaper to live in Japan than in the USA. An Indian student needs at least INR 70 to 90 thousand per month to study in Japan. This amount excludes the rent amount as it differs from place to place. In this article, we will walk you through the total cost of living in Japan for International students, including groceries, entertainment and accommodation.
- Cost of Living in Japan for International Students
- Cost of Living in Japanese Cities
- Grocery Price of Living in Japan
- Accommodation Cost of Japan
- Cost of Living in Japan vs Popular Study Destinations
- Transportation Expenses of Japan
- Average Salary in Japan
Cost of Living in Japan for International Students
Japan is an island on the eastern coast of the Asia continent. It is well known as the land of the rising sun. Japan is a densely populated country. Population density is 338 people per square kilometre. Every year this country welcomes students from across the world, including India. If you are one of them and are going for higher studies in Japan then you must be aware of Japan's cost of living.
Cost of Living in Japan Per Month 2025
Below, we have mentioned an overview of the per-month total cost for an Indian student in Japan.
| Breakdown of Expenses |
Japan Price of Living Per Month (INR) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (Minimum) |
|
| Transport (Monthly Pass) |
5,202 |
| Phone and Other Utility Bills |
9,550 |
| Grocery or Food |
20,000 |
| Entertainment and Other Expenses |
7000 |
| Grand Total |
53,752 to 63,752 |
Budget Planning for the First 3 Months in Japan 2025
You need to keep a budget of YEN 700,000 (INR 393,260) for the first three months to settle yourself. This amount includes the cost of accommodation (Cheap), food, travel, and other necessary expenses. Here is 3-month budget breakdown, which you should know:
Related Articles: Understanding the Cost of Living Index for Students
Key Points About Japanese Living Cost
- Tokyo and Yokohama are the most expensive cities of Japan.
- According to the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi, the cost of studying in Japan for Indian students is between INR 5.81 Lakhs to INR 11.63 Lakhs.
- International students can do 28 hours/per week part time work.
- Cost of living in Japan is 129% higher than the cost of living expenses in India.
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Cost of Living in Japanese Cities
More than 90% of total population of Japan is living in urban areas of country. Cities like Tokyo and Sapporo are popular among Indian students. These cities are more expensive than other Japanese cities. Check monthly expenses in these cities.
| Popular Cities in Japan |
Monthly Expenses in Indian Rupees |
|---|---|
| Tokyo |
206,905 |
| Kyoto |
116,916 |
| Sapporo |
96,647 |
| Kobe |
152,527 |
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Grocery Price of Living in Japan
Below, we have mentioned the price of daily essentials you’ll need during your stay in Japan for study. To make your calculation easy, we have mentioned prices in YEN and INR.
| Grocery Item | Average Price (JPY) | Converted Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (1 liter) | 222 | 133 |
| White Bread (500g) | 222 | 133 |
| Rice (1 kg) | 685 | 411 |
| Eggs (12) | 322 | 193 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | 1,732 | 1,039 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | 992 | 595 |
| Beef Round (1 kg) | 2,805 | 1,683 |
| Apples (1 kg) | 769 | 461 |
| Banana (1 kg) | 384 | 230 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | 690 | 414 |
| Tomato (1 kg) | 708 | 425 |
| Potato (1 kg) | 408 | 245 |
| Onion (1 kg) | 392 | 235 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 201 | 121 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 135 | 81 |
Source: Numbeo
Accommodation Cost of Japan
Average monthly house rent in Japan depends on choice of accommodation. On campus accommodation offered by university is less expensive than off-campus housing. Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in Asia so you need to pay extra to stay in the city.
| Type of Accommodation |
Cost of Living in Japan (Per Month in YEN) |
In Indian Rupees |
|---|---|---|
| For a One-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre |
82,960 |
46,457 |
| For a One-Bedroom Apartment Outside the City Centre |
56,985 |
31,911 |
| For a Three-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre |
177,886 |
99,616 |
| For a Three-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre |
110,882 |
62,093 |
Cost of Living in Japan vs Popular Study Destinations
Cost of living is an important factor for international students. Japan offers a unique cultural experience. It's living expenses are generally higher than those of other popular study destinations worldwide. Living expenses in Japan are more expensive than other popular study destinations in the world. Below, we've listed the cost of living in various countries that will give you a clear picture to compare:
| Popular Study Destinations for Indians | Cost of Living |
|---|---|
| USA | USD 10,000 to USD 25,000 per year |
| United Kingdom | USD 15,500 to USD 20,200 per year |
| Canada | USD 25,000 to USD 30,300 Per year |
| Australia | USD 13,250 to USD 26,500 Per year |
| Germany | USD 13,000 Per year |
| Japan | USD 640 to USD 760 Per year |
| New Zealand | USD 12,200 Per year |
| Singapore | USD 1515 to USD 1900 Per year |
Transportation Expenses of Japan
Japan is a beautiful country and you can explore it all. As an international student in Japan, you should have an idea about the expenses related to transport. Below, we have mentioned point-wise information to help you better.
- One-Way Ticket (local transport)- INR 123
- Monthly Pass- INR 5,000
- Taxi Start- INR 326
- Taxi 1 km- INR 224
- Taxi 1 hour (Waiting Charges) - INR 1940
Average Salary in Japan
What is a good salary range in Japan? This is an important question and you should know answer. This will help you to understand living expenses and get an idea of the required budget. According to Salary Explorer, the range of average salary in Japan is between 130,000 JPY (INR 73,200) and 2,300,000 JPY (INR 12,95,000).
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Visa applicationYes! There is no doubt that Japan is expensive than India. Cities like Tokyo and Kyoto are the most expensive japnese cities where accommodation rent and grocery expenses are more expensive than in India. However, the transport service in Japan is much efficient.
The Tokyo University cost for Indian students enrolled in higher studies at Uni of Tokyo is: ¥642,960 (INR 3.8 L) per year for undergraduate, ¥520,800-¥535,800 (INR 3.1 L-INR 3.17 L) per year for graduate and ¥804,000 (INR 4.76 L) per year for School of Law students.
Note: These are only tuition costs, and students may also incure some additional costs such as admisisons fees, books and supplies, and some other costs. Refer the University of Tokyo Fees section, for the same.
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According to the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi, an Indian student needs YEN 89,000 (INR 50,000) per month excluding rent and travel expenses. If you are going to study in Japan for first time then keep a budget of YEN 700,000 (INR 393,260) for the first three months to settle yourself. This will include your overall expenses.