Eating on a Budget in Japan
One of Japan’s greatest surprises for first-time visitors is how affordable good food can be. While Tokyo has world-class expensive restaurants, it also has one of the richest selections of cheap, delicious, and filling meals available anywhere in the world. With a little knowledge of where to look, you can eat extraordinarily well in Japan for JPY 500-1,500 per meal.
Convenience Store Food (Konbini)
Japanese convenience stores — 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson — are a revelation. Their food selection, quality, and price are unlike any other country’s convenience stores in the world. For budget travelers, the konbini is a complete solution.
- Onigiri (rice balls): JPY 110-180. Triangular rice balls with fillings like salmon, tuna mayo, konbu seaweed, and mentaiko cod roe. One of Japan’s best cheap foods.
- Hot snacks: Steamed buns (nikuman, JPY 130-150), fried chicken pieces (karaage, JPY 130-250), hot dogs. Available at the counter.
- Bento boxes: JPY 450-700. Pre-packed meal sets with rice, protein, and vegetables. Microwaved by the staff at no extra charge.
- Cup noodles: JPY 200-280. Hot water from the konbini kettle; instant noodles at the eating counter or outside.
- Breakfast: Yogurt, pastries, coffee, egg sandwiches. A full breakfast for under JPY 500.
Gyudon (Beef Rice Bowl) Chains
Japan’s fast food beef rice bowl chains are a budget traveler’s staple. A large gyudon at Yoshinoya, Sukiya, or Matsuya costs JPY 380-550 and is filling, hot, and fast.
- Yoshinoya: Japan’s oldest and most famous gyudon chain. Beef bowl from JPY 448.
- Sukiya: Wider menu including curry rice and breakfast sets. Gyudon from JPY 400.
- Matsuya: Known for its miso soup included with sets. Gyudon set from JPY 480.
Ramen Shops
A bowl of excellent ramen costs JPY 700-1,200 at most ramen shops. Ichiran (the private cubicle ramen chain) is around JPY 980-1,200. Local shops away from tourist areas are often cheaper and frequently better. Ramen is Japan’s best-value restaurant meal for taste per yen.
Soba and Udon
Standing soba and udon shops (tachi-gui) are found in train stations throughout Japan. A bowl of kake soba (plain noodle broth) costs JPY 300-450. Add toppings for JPY 100-200 extra. Marugame Seimen (udon chain) serves freshly made udon from JPY 290.
Teishoku (Set Meals) at Family Restaurants
Japan’s family restaurants (Jonathan’s, Denny’s Japan, Gusto, Saizeriya, Royal Host) serve teishoku set meals with a main, rice, miso soup, and sometimes salad for JPY 700-1,200. Saizeriya (Italian family restaurant) is famous for extraordinary value: wine by the glass from JPY 100, pasta dishes from JPY 400.
Kaiten Sushi (Conveyor Belt Sushi)
Budget sushi chains (Kura Sushi, Sushiro, Hama Sushi) offer plates from JPY 110-165 each. A filling meal of 8-12 plates costs JPY 880-2,000. Quality is good for the price; seasonal items are often surprisingly impressive. Order from touch screens at your seat; the conveyor belt delivers.
Department Store Basement Food Halls (Depachika)
The basement floor food halls of Japanese department stores (depachika) are treasure troves of cheap prepared food, especially in the late afternoon when unsold items are marked down 20-50%. Sushi, bento, wagashi sweets, and deli items at reduced prices make for excellent budget dinners.
Street Food and Markets
- Takoyaki (Osaka): Octopus balls, JPY 500-600 for 6-8 pieces from a street stall.
- Yakitori: Grilled chicken skewers from izakaya or street vendors, JPY 100-200 per skewer.
- Crepes (Harajuku, Tokyo): JPY 400-700. A filling snack in a cone.
- Morning markets: Tsukiji Outer Market (Tokyo), Nishiki Market (Kyoto), Kuromon Market (Osaka) all have cheap fresh snacks and breakfast options.
Eating Cheaply at Izakaya
Izakaya (Japanese pubs) often have all-you-can-eat/drink (nomi-hodai/tabe-hodai) courses for JPY 2,500-4,000 per person for 2 hours. These are exceptional value for groups and include a wide selection of food alongside unlimited drinks.
Budget Food Tips Summary
- Lunch sets at sit-down restaurants are almost always cheaper than dinner. Many Japanese restaurants offer lunch sets for JPY 800-1,200 that would cost double at dinner.
- Vending machines throughout Japan sell cold drinks from JPY 100-150. Convenience store drinks are similar price. Avoid buying tourist area cafe drinks where possible.
- Supermarket sushi and bento from the prepared food section is good value and better quality than many Western equivalents at the same price point.
- Look for restaurants with plastic food displays outside; these are typically traditional Japanese restaurants with affordable lunch sets.