Cost of living in Japan compared to Germany
Currency:
| Food | - 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Japan is 29% cheaper than in Germany | ||||
| Japan | Germany | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥1,013 (€6) | €19 | - 68% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ¥808 (€4.99) | €11 | - 55% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥613 (€3.78) | €5.16 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥220 (€1.36) | €1.32 | + 3% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ¥323 (€2.00) | €4.17 | - 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥613 (€3.78) | €2.64 | + 43% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥1,107 (€7) | €6 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥766 (€4.73) | €2.75 | + 72% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥468 (€2.89) | €1.84 | + 57% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥304 (€1.88) | €1.07 | + 76% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,290 (€8) | €7 | + 16% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ¥218 (€1.35) | €2.10 | - 36% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥191 (€1.18) | €1.62 | - 27% | |
| Housing | - 4% | |||
| Housing in Japan is about the same as in Germany | ||||
| Japan | Germany | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ¥365,082 (€2,255) | €1,762 | + 28% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ¥197,136 (€1,217) | €1,319 | - 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥19,132 (€118) | €234 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ¥156,916 (€969) | €1,136 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ¥102,459 (€633) | €850 | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ¥8,349 (€52) | €157 | - 67% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ¥4,448 (€27) | €26 | + 7% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ¥74,559 (€460) | €382 | + 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥25,414 (€157) | €100 | + 57% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥1,338 (€8) | €8 | + 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥2,815 (€17) | €16 | + 7% | |
| Clothes | - 34% | |||
| Clothes in Japan is 34% cheaper than in Germany | ||||
| Japan | Germany | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ¥8,708 (€54) | €84 | - 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ¥5,103 (€32) | €42 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥9,892 (€61) | €95 | - 36% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥12,189 (€75) | €150 | - 50% | |
| Transportation | - 14% | |||
| Transportation in Japan is 14% cheaper than in Germany | ||||
| Japan | Germany | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥3,007,320 (€18,572) | €27,263 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥174 (€1.07) | €1.75 | - 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ¥8,198 (€51) | €52 | - 2% | |
| Personal Care | + 28% | |||
| Personal Care in Japan is 28% more expensive than in Germany | ||||
| Japan | Germany | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥2,133 (€13) | €8 | + 71% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥2,551 (€16) | €8 | + 98% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ¥6,000 (€37) | €69 | - 46% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ¥1,337 (€8) | €4.30 | + 92% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥930 (€5.74) | €2.81 | + 104% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥622 (€3.84) | €3.10 | + 24% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥224 (€1.38) | €1.70 | - 19% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ¥188 (€1.16) | €1.78 | - 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ¥4,604 (€28) | €23 | + 23% | |
| Entertainment | - 0% | |||
| Entertainment in Japan is about the same as in Germany | ||||
| Japan | Germany | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥4,908 (€30) | €42 | - 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,881 (€24) | €27 | - 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥7,212 (€45) | €160 | - 72% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥8,269 (€51) | €61 | - 17% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥1,244 (€8) | €11 | - 30% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥547 (€3.38) | €4.08 | - 17% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥674 (€4.16) | €4.40 | - 5% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ¥51,659 (€319) | €585 | - 45% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥52 (€0.32) | €0.09 | + 246% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥9,530 (€59) | €38 | + 55% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ¥602 (€3.72) | €9 | - 58% | |
| TOTAL | - 12% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 19, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00618
EUR
/
JPY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,195 prices entered by 358 different people.
Cost of living in Japan is 12% cheaper than in Germany
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