Living in Japan: Budget, Quality of Life, and Insights from French Expats

Published on June 22, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Moving to Japan is a dream for many French people. Between Tokyo, a fascinating megalopolis, and the peaceful countryside where you “feel” the country more than “see” it, the archipelago offers radically different life experiences. But behind the fantasy, one question always comes back: how much does it cost, and what is daily life really like for a French person on the ground?

Cost of Living in Japan: Between Expensive Image and Nuanced Reality

On paper, Japan has a reputation for being an expensive country. Yet compared to other major economies, the picture is more mixed. The cost of living is on average about 30% lower than in the United States, and significantly lower than in some European countries.

In reality, everything depends on lifestyle and location. Central Tokyo and a rural village in Shikoku have practically nothing in common, neither in terms of rent nor pace of life.

How Much to Budget Each Month?

Japanese statistics and estimates for foreign residents converge around broad ranges.

For a single person:

For a couple or small family:

– A realistic range is around 250,000–350,000 ¥ for a standard lifestyle.

– Some sources place family comfort between 450,000 and 700,000 ¥.

National surveys confirm these orders of magnitude: in 2024, an average household spent about 250,929 ¥ per month, a single-person household 167,620 ¥, and a family of three 312,567 ¥.

A typical single person’s budget can be summarized as follows:

For a broader lifestyle, some estimates go up to 233,000–387,000 ¥, with an average around 300,000 ¥.

Japan vs. France: Which Is Really More Expensive?

France–Japan comparisons are revealing. Several international indices show:

At the same time, average salaries after taxes remain higher in France: around 2,386 € net per month compared to about 1,763 € in Japan. However, local purchasing power remains slightly higher in Japan (local purchasing power barely higher than in France in some rankings), partly due to lower prices.

In other words, incomes are generally lower in Japan, but everyday expenses are too. For a French expat paid by an international company, this can translate into an interesting savings capacity, especially outside Tokyo’s hyper-center.

Housing: The Major Budget Variable

Housing is by far the line that makes the budget vary the most for a French person living there. It also accentuates the contrast between Tokyo and the rest of the country.

Rents: Tokyo vs. the Rest of the Country

National figures give an average rent around 60,000 ¥ per month, but this masks very strong disparities:

– National average: ~59,656 ¥ / month.

– Tokyo: ~87,126 ¥ / month.

– In the 23 wards of Tokyo, studios (1R / 1K) now often exceed 100,000 ¥, with the 1K market crossing this threshold in 2024.

– In Osaka, average listed rent for a small unit: about 75,000 ¥.

– In Nagoya: 60,000 ¥ for a similar unit.

– In Sapporo or Fukuoka: studios can be found between 40,000 and 50,000 ¥.

For a single person, a reasonable rent budget is between 70,000 and 150,000 ¥ depending on the city and proximity to the center. A studio in the suburbs or outside the hyper-center can be found for 50,000 ¥, while an equivalent in a popular Tokyo neighborhood easily climbs to 100,000–150,000 ¥.

For couples and families, orders of magnitude are as follows:

Testimonials from French people moving toward “ruralization” remind us that these levels are essentially urban. Several expats settled in prefectures like Ehime or Niigata report freeing themselves from rent by buying a house in the countryside with a monthly loan lower than their previous Tokyo rent. One of them explains that he paid off his loan in ten years by paying each month less than his previous rent in the capital.

Buying Property: A Dream or a Trap?

Residential real estate prices have risen sharply in recent years, especially in Tokyo and Osaka. In 2025, the national housing price index was up nearly 4% year-on-year, with:

– +8.28% for condominiums.

– +2.33% for land.

– +0.52% only for detached houses.

Some price benchmarks:

Loan interest rates remain low compared to European standards, even though they are rising: variable rates from major banks went from 0.3% to about 0.55–0.75%, and 10-year fixed rates are around 2.2–2.8%. But for a non-resident, access to Japanese credit is complicated: most buy with cash or through loans taken out abroad.

For a French person coming to ” live an experience” for a few years, buying only makes sense after serious thought about the time horizon, integration, and resale risk.

The Shock of Rental Move-In Costs

For rentals, a point often underestimated by expats is the entry cost. Between deposit, “key money” (non-refundable gift to the landlord), agency fees, lock change, insurance, and guarantor fees, you can easily reach 3 to 5 months’ rent to pay upfront.

For example:

– For rent of 70,000 ¥, expect 210,000 to 350,000 ¥ at move-in.

– For rent of 100,000 ¥, it can go up to 300,000–500,000 ¥.

This is one reason why some French people prefer to start in a share house, where you only pay one or two months’ rent in advance, sometimes without key money or a guarantor, for a monthly rent around 50,000–100,000 ¥ depending on the neighborhood.

Eating, Getting Around, Having Fun: Daily Expenses

Once housed, the rest of the budget depends on food, transportation, services, and leisure. Here, Japan often holds nice surprises.

Food: Cooking or Eating Out, Everyone’s Choice

Official figures show an average household spends about 96,000 ¥ per month on food. For a single person, income and expenditure surveys mention 40,000–45,000 ¥ monthly food budget.

An expat can fairly easily:

– Keep it to 30,000–35,000 ¥ per month by cooking systematically, favoring cheap supermarkets.

– Go up to 50,000–80,000 ¥ per month if eating out regularly.

Realistic ranges for a single person:

On the ground, prices translate as follows:

– Convenience store meals (prepared dishes, bento): 4–7 $ per unit, often 500–900 ¥.

– Small neighborhood restaurant (set lunch, teishoku): 7–12 $, around 1,000–1,600 ¥.

– Ramen or curry: 6–10 $, often 800–1,300 ¥.

– Western restaurant: 12–25 $, so 1,600–3,500 ¥.

A family of four who mostly eat at home cites a grocery bill of about 30,000 ¥ per week, or 120,000 ¥ per month, while considering these expenses “very reasonable” by choosing local vegetables and meats. When they eat out, a bill of 4,500 ¥ for four is deemed much more affordable than equivalent outings in North America.

Transportation: Unbeatable Trains, Very Expensive Cars in the City

Urban public transportation in Japan is among the most efficient and reliable in the world. For an expat without a car, the expense remains relatively moderate.

Figures for a reasonable monthly transportation budget for a single person are around 8,000–15,000 ¥, which aligns with surveys showing an average cost of 12,000–13,000 ¥ per month for single people (train, bus, taxi included).

Specifically:

– Subway or urban train ticket: 150–300 ¥ for the most common ride, up to 330–370 ¥ for longer distances.

– Urban bus: often around 210–230 ¥ per trip.

– Monthly transportation pass: 70–120 $, very often 8,000–15,000 ¥ depending on distance.

– Japanese employers frequently pay for the commuter pass, which lightens the budget a lot for employees.

A table of practical benchmarks:

Owning a car in the city is expensive: between parking (several tens of thousands of yen per month in Tokyo), gas, insurance, and maintenance, the automotive budget can climb to 25,000–80,000 ¥ per month, or even more in the capital.

Services, Leisure, and Little Extras

Japanese statistics indicate that households spend on average:

– About 20,000 ¥ per month on basic utilities (water, gas, electricity).

– A little over 32,000 ¥ on culture and leisure.

– About 7,300 ¥ on education (excluding major school fees).

For a single expat, it is reasonable to budget:

– 10,000–20,000 ¥ for utilities (with strong seasonal variations depending on heating/AC).

– 5,000–10,000 ¥ for phone and internet.

– 20,000–40,000 ¥ for leisure, outings, small purchases.

– 10,000–20,000 ¥ for clothing and miscellaneous expenses.

Some prices that often surprise French people:

– Home fiber optic internet: average 7,500 ¥ per month, but some offers go below 1,000 ¥ under certain conditions.

– Mobile plan with 10 GB data: around 4,080 ¥ per month, placing Japan among the expensive countries for mobile data (though cheaper MVNOs exist).

– Cafe latte at a chain: at least 600 ¥.

– Gym membership: about 90 $ per month.

– House cleaner less than 10 hrs/month: nearly 300 $.

Alcohol expenses remain relatively contained on average: barely 1,800 ¥ monthly per household according to surveys, even though inflation has raised beverage prices. A 0.5 L beer at the supermarket costs between 200 and 500 ¥, an imported one 250–600 ¥.

Healthcare: Near-Universal Coverage, Managed Costs

For a French person, the Japanese healthcare system is often a pleasant surprise, provided you register properly. Japan has one of the best health coverages in the world, with a universal system accessible to all residents — including foreigners staying more than three months.

Mandatory Insurance… but Protective

All residents must be affiliated either:

– to Employees’ Health Insurance (for regular employees);

– or to National Health Insurance for students, freelancers, unemployed, or employees not covered by company insurance.

In both cases, the reimbursement scheme is simple: insurance covers about 70% of medical costs, the patient generally pays 30%. This rate is lower for children, low-income individuals, and seniors (only 10–20% in some cases).

– For employees, coverage is deducted from the salary, around 10% of income, split between employer and employee (the employee’s share is around 5%).

– For those on the national plan, the premium depends on the previous year’s income and the municipality, with typical ranges between 15,000 and 50,000 ¥ per month. The first year in Japan, the administration often considers zero income, keeping contributions very low, before reassessment.

A crucial point: registration is mandatory after three months of stay. Not registering exposes you to bills at 100% of medical costs… and a retroactive claim for unpaid contributions.

How Much Does Healthcare Really Cost?

Thanks to regulated prices, unit costs remain reasonable. Some orders of magnitude:

The patient only pays their share (often 30%) of these amounts. In practice, a routine visit may cost 3,000–5,000 ¥ out of pocket, including medication, and a short hospital stay a few tens of thousands of yen.

French people settled long-term often consider the Japanese system to be high quality, fast in emergencies, and much less expensive than an unregulated private system. The obstacles are rather language, paperwork, and sometimes mental health care, still marked by a certain taboo.

Taxation: Progressive, Sometimes Gentler Than in France

On the tax side, Japan operates with a progressive system with several brackets, supplemented by local taxes.

Income Tax: Brackets and Particularities

The national scale has seven brackets, from 5% to 45% beyond 40 million yen of taxable income. Added to this are:

– a national surtax of 2.1% on the tax (reconstruction contribution);

– a local income tax of 10% (6% municipal, 4% prefectural).

For a resident taxable at the highest rates, the cumulative marginal rate approaches 55%.

Tax categories are defined by length of stay:

– Less than one year: non-resident, taxed only on Japanese-source income.

– Between one and five years (without intention to settle permanently): non-permanent resident, taxed on Japanese income and foreign income remitted to Japan.

– More than five years or long-term project: permanent tax resident, taxed on worldwide income.

Where a French person will be surprised is in the overall comparison: for a high annual salary (90,000 € for example), some calculations give an effective rate close to 12% in Japan versus over 30% in France, considering allowances and the structure of deductions.

Comparison of tax rates France-Japan

Deductions and Social Charges

The system provides allowances and credits:

– A basic deduction (about 430,000 ¥) for everyone up to a certain income level.

– A deduction for spouse (about 380,000 ¥ if the spouse earns less than 1.03 M¥).

– All social contributions (health, pension) deductible from the tax base.

A French employee in Japan will see a good part of their “mandatory” charges go toward health insurance and pension, but the overall level of deductions can remain lower than what they would experience in France, especially on high incomes.

Living in Tokyo or the Countryside: Two Japans for French People

Beyond the numbers, it is probably the contrast between big cities and rural regions that strikes French expats the most. Testimonials are unanimous: living in the Japanese countryside is a completely different experience from Tokyo.

Tokyo: Convenience, Opportunities… and Loneliness

Tokyo is often the first image French people have of Japan. A megalopolis of over 12 million inhabitants within the city limits and over 30 million for the metropolitan area, it concentrates:

– an exceptional transportation network (subway, JR, Shinkansen, airports);

– unmatched professional opportunities;

– an infinite offering of restaurants, bars, concert halls, museums, temples, sports clubs, events, etc.;

– great diversity: expats from all countries, Japanese from all regions.

Expats emphasize that ” everything is incredibly convenient“: trains everywhere, shops open late, choice of schools, doctors, leisure. Many companies pay for the commuter pass, facilitating mobility.

But the downside often appears in testimonials:

One French person recounts how, after a few years, his personality changed: from extrovert he became wary, avoiding eye contact on crowded trains, to the point of developing anxiety in crowds. The health crisis, with early bar closures and social distancing, heightened this sense of disconnection, eventually leading him to leave Tokyo for Niigata.

The Countryside: Nature, Warmth… and Possible Isolation

In contrast, regions like Ehime, Niigata or Yamaguchi offer another face of life in Japan. Several French people testify:

An expat settled in the Niigata countryside describes his days filled with gardening, DIY on his house, bonfires in the garden, hikes from the doorstep, snowboarding in winter minutes away, baths in nearby onsen, “delicious” water and pure air. He also cites difficulties: monkeys and badgers raiding the vegetable patch, bats and snakes in the house, biting cold in the morning, insects, and even bears in the area. But he concludes without hesitation that this move was “the best decision of [their] life”.

In Ehime, an expat who did not know the prefecture before being assigned there recounts discovering hiking, cycling, landscape photography, picnics in nature, and the richness of local culture (Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage, taiko festivals, bon-odori). She says she is not only integrated into the town but almost adopted as a member of a large family.

Between Two Worlds: Suburban Rings and Small Cities

Some French people choose to live in Tokyo’s “first or second suburban ring”: areas neither fully rural nor fully urban, where you can still reach the center by train, but with lower rents and more natural light, fewer skyscrapers, more calm.

One expat describes this choice as “the best of both worlds”: all conveniences within walking distance in a small town, ability to drive, daylight not blocked by buildings, and still access to work in Tokyo.

A similar logic applies in other regions: living near Fukuoka, Nagoya, or Sendai, with considerably lower rents than Tokyo (sometimes half), while benefiting from urban infrastructure on a national level.

Financially, comparative tables show that Kansai (Osaka/Kyoto) is on average 30 to 50% cheaper than Tokyo on housing, food, and utilities. Monthly budgets of 140,000 to 200,000 ¥ suffice for a comfortable life in Osaka, while Tokyo will rather require 180,000 to 240,000 ¥ for a similar level.

Integration and Society: A Marathon More Than a Sprint

Living in Japan is not just about managing a budget. The question of integration comes up constantly in French testimonials. Many highlight the specificities of Japanese society, structured by the notion of wa (social harmony), respect for hierarchy, and the weight of implicit codes.

The Weight of Language and Social Codes

For French people, the first barrier is language. Where French may seem difficult due to pronunciation and conjugation, Japanese is difficult because of its writing system: hiragana, katakana, thousands of kanji, nuanced politeness levels, honorifics.

A French-speaking author explains that being a true shakaijin (full member of society) requires years of continuous effort, whereas in other countries you can “blend into the crowd” more easily. He estimates that for a Westerner, truly accessing that social sphere involves mastering Japanese at a high level and accepting significant social pressure.

Expat accounts also mention:

Some admit having given up on “integrating” culturally, simply building a comfortable life as an expat, in English or French, via a Francophone and international network. One confides living well without speaking Japanese beyond a few phrases, acknowledging this does not constitute integration in the strict sense.

The Feeling of Being an “Eternal Foreigner”

Many foreign residents note that they remain perceived as gaijin, even after years. The idea that you need to be “100% Japanese by blood” to no longer be considered an outsider appears in some accounts, as does mention of ordinary racism, rarely violent but sometimes unsettling (refusal of rental, difficulty getting a bank loan, comments on appearance).

Add to this the specificities of a country considered “culturally strict”: importance of not disturbing others, not expressing emotions too openly in public, strong emphasis on conformity. For a French person used to direct expression, this can create inner tensions, even a feeling of permanent “social masking”.

The Key Role of the French and Francophone Community

Faced with these challenges, the density of the French associative network in Japan plays an essential role. Nearly 15,000 French people are registered with the consulate, mainly in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, and a host of associations structure community life: AFJ (Association of French in Japan), UFE Japan, Français du Monde–ADFE, OLES-Japan for mutual aid, professional networks like FAJ (Active Women in Japan), regional clubs (Bretons du Japon, Occitans du Japon), Franco-Japanese family groups, alumni circles of grandes écoles, etc.

These associations:

– Organize welcome coffees, dinners, workshops, cultural outings.

– Provide practical advice (housing, employment, taxes).

– Offer a safety net for the most vulnerable (solidarity funds, help with hospitalizations, repatriations).

– Maintain ties with Francophone culture through libraries, events, reading groups.

– Facilitate integration of spouses, especially Francophone women via professional networks (FAJ).

Platforms like InterNations complement this network with regular events in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, thematic groups (hiking, cultural outings, Francophone evenings) and a large network of over 20,000 Francophone or Francophile members.

For a newcomer, approaching these structures helps not only to break isolation but also to avoid certain practical pitfalls (housing, contracts, health, school).

Children’s Education: Public Japanese, Private, or International?

For French families, one of the most sensitive budget areas remains school. The choice is strategic, for both integration and finances.

Public Japanese School: Free, but in Japanese

The good news: foreign children have the right to attend free public Japanese schools. The law requires municipalities to accept foreign students in elementary and junior high school, including textbooks. Parents only pay for school lunches (about 40,000–50,000 ¥ per year) and a few supplies.

This is the most economical and integrating solution linguistically… provided you accept that all schooling is in Japanese. Some children adapt very quickly, others struggle more, especially if they arrive later without a language basis.

International Schools: Linguistic Comfort, Dizzying Prices

To maintain an English-medium or bilingual curriculum, or prepare for international diplomas (IB, A-Level), families turn to international schools. Japan has more than one hundred, concentrated in major cities.

Tuition fees vary according to standing:

In Tokyo, most major schools charge fees of 2.4 to 3 million yen per year, with high school amounts sometimes exceeding 4 million. The total bill is often 20 to 30% higher than tuition alone, once added:

For a child in elementary school at a mid-range international school in Tokyo, a realistic “all-inclusive” estimate is around 3.9 to 4.5 million yen per year.

Some Japanese or multinational companies include these costs in the expatriation package, with allowances of 1.5 to 4 million yen per year per child.

A Specific Option: French Schools

For families wishing to stay in the French system, the Franco-Japanese lycées (Tokyo, Kyoto notably) are a more affordable option than most English-speaking international schools:

– Annual fees around 700,000 to 1,200,000 ¥ depending on grade level.

– Partial subsidies from AEFE for some French students.

This choice allows children to follow the French national curriculum, take the baccalauréat, while living in Japan — and learning Japanese as a foreign language more easily thanks to the environment.

Quality of Life: What Indices Say… and What French People Say?

International comparisons show that overall, Japan offers a very high quality of life:

– Quality of life index higher than France in several rankings (around 89–90 vs. 86–87).

– Safety significantly higher: a safety index around 77–90 for Japan vs. 44–61 for France depending on sources.

– Healthcare system rated “very high”, sometimes ahead of France, sometimes slightly behind depending on methodology.

– Life expectancy higher (85.1 years vs. 83.7 years).

– Great political stability and respect for civil rights.

Expats surveyed about their satisfaction in Japan very often cite:

– The quality of food.

– The feeling of safety in public spaces.

– Cleanliness.

– Reliability of transportation.

The points of friction relate more to:

– Medical care (language barrier, understanding the system), with a satisfaction level somewhat lower than other categories.

– Long-term cultural integration.

– Difficulty accessing certain services (bank loans, housing) without a Japanese guarantor.

For French people, the assessment depends a lot on the profile:

In Summary: How Much Living in Japan Costs… and Brings

For a French person considering moving to Japan, it is possible to outline some main lines:

Then there is the intangible dimension: culture, language, social norms, sense of belonging. Testimonials from French people in Japan converge on one point: living in the archipelago is not a calm river, but a demanding adventure, often transformative. Integration is earned over the years, sometimes never fully complete. But between the neon lights of Shibuya, temples lost in the mist of Shikoku, snowy onsen, and the conviviality of a small Francophone group in a neighborhood bar, many expats conclude, despite the difficulties: “It costs energy and effort, but what it brought me, I would not have found anywhere else.”

Cyril Jarnias

Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.

On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.

Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.

Find me on social media: