Cost of living in Japan compared to Germany
Currency:
| Food | - 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Japan is 30% cheaper than in Germany | ||||
| Japan | Germany | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥1,031 (€6) | €16 | - 59% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ¥803 (€5.01) | €11 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥518 (€3.23) | €5.53 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥223 (€1.39) | €1.29 | + 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ¥320 (€1.99) | €4.08 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥564 (€3.52) | €2.96 | + 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥1,287 (€8) | €7 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥611 (€3.81) | €2.82 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥399 (€2.49) | €1.81 | + 38% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥307 (€1.92) | €1.16 | + 65% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,249 (€8) | €7 | + 16% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ¥208 (€1.29) | €2.02 | - 36% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥176 (€1.10) | €1.76 | - 38% | |
| 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 | ¥372,148 (€2,321) | €1,809 | + 28% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ¥190,833 (€1,190) | €1,401 | - 15% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥20,112 (€125) | €245 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ¥167,408 (€1,044) | €1,184 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ¥104,544 (€652) | €840 | - 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ¥13,280 (€83) | €162 | - 49% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ¥4,420 (€28) | €31 | - 10% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ¥61,842 (€386) | €387 | - 0% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥10,283 (€64) | €99 | - 35% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥1,221 (€8) | €8 | - 1% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥2,831 (€18) | €17 | + 6% | |
| Clothes | - 31% | |||
| Clothes in Japan is 31% cheaper than in Germany | ||||
| Japan | Germany | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ¥8,264 (€52) | €87 | - 41% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ¥5,233 (€33) | €41 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥9,604 (€60) | €92 | - 35% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥12,490 (€78) | €133 | - 41% | |
| Transportation | - 7% | |||
| Transportation in Japan is 7% cheaper than in Germany | ||||
| Japan | Germany | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥2,997,460 (€18,693) | €29,862 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥170 (€1.06) | €1.72 | - 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ¥9,067 (€57) | €50 | + 13% | |
| Personal Care | + 27% | |||
| Personal Care in Japan is 27% more expensive than in Germany | ||||
| Japan | Germany | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥2,133 (€13) | €9 | + 50% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥2,993 (€19) | €10 | + 88% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ¥6,000 (€37) | €66 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ¥1,337 (€8) | €4.64 | + 80% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥948 (€5.91) | €2.83 | + 109% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥622 (€3.88) | €3.16 | + 23% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥224 (€1.40) | €2.04 | - 32% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ¥204 (€1.27) | €1.66 | - 23% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ¥4,495 (€28) | €23 | + 20% | |
| Entertainment | - 2% | |||
| Entertainment in Japan is about the same as in Germany | ||||
| Japan | Germany | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥5,113 (€32) | €43 | - 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,873 (€24) | €26 | - 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥12,839 (€80) | €107 | - 25% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥8,204 (€51) | €68 | - 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥1,237 (€8) | €11 | - 32% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥547 (€3.41) | €4.09 | - 17% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥674 (€4.20) | €4.49 | - 6% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ¥51,659 (€322) | €623 | - 48% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥52 (€0.33) | €0.13 | + 157% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥9,530 (€59) | €40 | + 47% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ¥598 (€3.73) | €8 | - 56% | |
| TOTAL | - 11% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00624
EUR
/
JPY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,655 prices entered by 423 different people.
Cost of living in Japan is 11% cheaper than in Germany
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Germany
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 12% more expensive than in Germany
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Germany
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 7% more expensive than in Germany
- Cost of living in Armenia is 15% cheaper than in Germany
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 47% cheaper than in Germany
- Cost of living in Albania is 44% cheaper than in Germany
- Cost of living in Angola is 39% cheaper than in Germany