With a rich history to discover and a fascinating culture, Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun, is an attractive prospect for many UK expats. If you’re currently considering moving to Japan, you may also be interested to discover that the cost of living there is significantly lower than in the UK. Read on to discover the costs you could expect when living there.
Housing in Japan vs the UK
When preparing a cost of living analysis between two countries, one of the most important considerations is housing. Whether you are considering a move to a popular city such as Tokyo or Kyoto, or a more rural location, it is cheaper to rent and buy property in Japan than it is in the UK.
Renting a House
Renting a home when relocating to a different country is a popular choice as it gives you the opportunity to experience new areas with little commitment. Rentals are also more suitable for short-term assignments whereby you are planning to move back to the UK after completing a set time working overseas.
| Item | Japan (JPY)* | UK (GBP)* |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | £429 (87,245 ¥) | £1,057 (214,886 ¥) |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment outside the City Centre | £281 (57,222 ¥) | £868 (176,463 ¥) |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | £893 (181,613 ¥) | £1,748 (355,365 ¥) |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment outside City Centre | £566 (115,006 ¥) | £1,349 (274,249 ¥) |
Buying a House
If you are heading off on a long-term assignment or a permanent relocation in Japan then you may prefer to buy your home. The area in which you decide to set up roots will influence the price of the properties available to you, it is therefore important to do lots of research and consult with local agents before making any decisions.
| Item (Price per square metre) | Japan (JPY)* | UK (GBP)* |
| Apartment in City-Centre | £4,485 (911,887 ¥) | £5,048 (1,026,249 ¥) |
| Apartment outside City-Centre | £2,703 (549,607 ¥) | £3,754 (763,181 ¥) |
Utility Bills
The cost of monthly utilities is an important aspect of your budget regardless of where you live. Whilst basic amenities such as electricity and heating are far more affordable in Japan than in the UK, other costs are similar.
| Item | Japan (JPY)* | UK (GBP)* |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | £124.30 (25,271 ¥) | £250 (50,812 ¥) |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | £19.10 (3,877 ¥) | £12.40 (2,520 ¥) |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | £24.70 (5,021 ¥) | £30 (6,097 ¥) |
Food Prices in Japan vs the UK
When it comes to food prices in Japan, shopping for groceries can be more expensive than in the UK, depending on the type of diet you have. Eating out, however, can be significantly cheaper, particularly if you are eager to explore street food stalls and markets.
Grocery Prices
Grocery costs in Japan are often attributed to high costs of labour which means the cost of producing and preparing food is higher. When it comes to fruit and vegetables, there are strict quality controls that farmers must abide by, this also results in higher costs. You may need to factor in a slightly higher budget for groceries if you decide to move to Japan.
| Item | Japan (JPY)* | UK (GBP)* |
| Milk (regular), (1 litre) | £1.10 (216 ¥) | £1 (203 ¥) |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | £1.10 (228 ¥) | £1 (203 ¥) |
| White Rice, (1kg) | £2.70 (541 ¥) | £1.60 (325 ¥) |
| 12 Eggs | £1.60 (328 ¥) | £3 (610 ¥) |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | £8.30 (1,693 ¥) | £7 (1,423 ¥) |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | £4.66 (947 ¥) | £6.60 (1,341 ¥) |
| Round Beef (1kg) | £12.40 (2,512 ¥) | £10.50 (2,134 ¥) |
| Apples (1kg) | £3.47 (705 ¥) | £2.10 (427 ¥) |
| Banana (1kg) | £1.70 (351 ¥) | £1.20 (244 ¥) |
| Potato (1kg) | £2 (397 ¥) | £1 (203 ¥) |
| Onion (1kg) | £1.70 (353 ¥) | £1.10 (224 ¥) |
Restaurants
Enjoying a meal out in Japan is considerably cheaper than in the UK, and the cost of drinks to accompany your meal will also be lower. Prices can vary wildly depending on the area and the restaurant that you choose.
| Item | Japan (JPY)* | UK (GBP)* |
| 3-course Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant | £29.50 (6,000 ¥) | £60 (12,194 ¥) |
| McDonald’s McMeal (or Equivalent) | £3.70 (750 ¥) | £7 (1,423 ¥) |
| Beer (0.33 litre bottle) | £2.50 (500 ¥) | £4.50 (915 ¥) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | £2.20 (453 ¥) | £ 3.20 (650 ¥) |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 litre bottle) | £0.80 (154 ¥) | £1.70 (346 ¥) |
| Water (0.33 litre bottle) | £0.60 (113 ¥) | £ 1.25 (254 ¥) |
Transportation Costs in Japan vs the UK
Much like in the UK, the physical infrastructure in Japan is highly developed, which means getting around is simple. Public transport, the price of fuel and even purchasing a car costs less in Japan than it does in the UK.
| Item | Japan (JPY)* | UK (GBP)* |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | £1.10 (220 ¥) | £2.40 (488 ¥) |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | £39.40 (8,000 ¥) | £70 (14,227 ¥) |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | £2.90 (580 ¥) | £3 (610 ¥) |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | £2.10 (430 ¥) | £1.20 (244 ¥) |
| Gasoline (1 litre) | £0.90 (170 ¥) | £1.50 ( ¥) |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | £16,438 (3,342,000 ¥) | £28,285 (5,748,904 ¥) |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | £12,499 (2,541,233 ¥) | £25,119 (5,105,417 ¥) |
Childcare Costs
If you are planning on moving to Japan with children, or are thinking about starting a family when you arrive, another cost of living factor to consider is childcare. The UK has one of the most expensive childcare offerings in the world, so it may come as no surprise that childcare is much more affordable in Japan.
| Item | Japan (JPY)* | UK (GBP)* |
| Full Day at Private Preschool (Monthly) | £268.50 (54,595 ¥) | £1,252 (245,468 ¥) |
| International Primary School (Yearly) | £9,550 (1,941,583 ¥) | £14,824 (3,012,966 ¥) |
Recreation Costs
Recreation is an extremely important consideration when it comes to relocating, as this is how you will spend much of your time outside of working hours.
| Item | Japan (JPY)* | UK (GBP)* |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | £ (8,514 ¥) | £33 ( ¥) |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | £ (2,534 ¥) | £11 ( ¥) |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | £ (1,8000 ¥) | £10 ( ¥) |
The difference in the cost of living in Japan vs the UK can have a huge impact on your life and it is therefore key to analyse this before making a decision on accepting a relocation offer.
If your mind’s made up and you are ready to start making preparations, get in touch with one of our experts for a consultation. We can work closely with your employer on aspects such as cultural training and area orientation to help with settling into your new home.
(*All prices are approx. as of June 2024)
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