Why is Tokyo So Expensive to Live In? The Shocking Truth

High Rent Prices: A Major Factor

Well, if you’ve ever thought about moving to Tokyo, you’ve probably heard about its sky-high rent prices. Honestly, it’s one of the biggest reasons why living here can be such a financial strain. The rent in Tokyo can eat up a huge portion of your salary, especially if you want to live anywhere central or near the action.

Central Tokyo: The Real Estate Monster

Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis, but if you want to live close to work or the cool spots, rent can get crazy expensive. For example, an apartment in Shibuya or Shinjuku can cost you upwards of ¥150,000 a month for a small one-bedroom. That’s nearly 1,000 USD – in a not-so-glamorous neighborhood!

I remember my first year living here. I ended up in a tiny apartment in Setagaya, and while it was affordable, I was still shocked at how little space I got for the money. My friend Yuki was telling me how she’s been living in a shared apartment for the past few years because renting on her own was just too much.

Lack of Affordable Housing Options

Another issue is that Tokyo’s housing market is just not built for affordability. A lot of the new developments are luxury apartments meant for expats or high-income earners. This leaves the average worker, especially those from outside Japan, scrambling to find something decently priced.

Cost of Living: Everything Adds Up

Honestly, when people talk about Tokyo’s cost of living, they’re usually talking about everything: groceries, transport, entertainment. It’s a big city, but everything feels like it comes with a hefty price tag.

Groceries and Dining Out: A Small Bite Out of Your Wallet

You would think, “Oh, it’s Japan! The food should be cheap!” And while you can find inexpensive sushi and ramen at local spots, the average grocery store bill in Tokyo can definitely make your eyes water. I remember walking out of the supermarket once with just a few basics—eggs, milk, some veggies—and the total came to nearly ¥2,000 (about 15 bucks). Not bad, right? But that’s just for one week’s worth of food.

And eating out? Well, let’s just say your wallet will get lighter pretty quickly. Sure, there’s conveyor-belt sushi that’s cheap, but more formal meals can run you a lot. Last month, I went for a simple lunch with a colleague at a ramen shop in Roppongi, and the bill was over ¥1,000 each. It's not uncommon for a regular lunch to cost you ¥1,500 or more.

Transportation: A Necessary Evil

Public transport in Tokyo is pretty reliable and convenient, but also expensive. You’re looking at ¥200–¥300 for a short subway ride, which doesn’t sound like much, but trust me, it adds up quickly when you’re commuting daily. I was talking with my friend Haruto last week, and he was telling me how he’s spending ¥15,000–¥20,000 a month just on transportation. That’s crazy!

Taxes and Healthcare: Hidden Costs

Actually, one thing I didn’t expect when moving to Tokyo was how expensive the hidden costs would be. Taxes and healthcare might not be immediately obvious, but they’re an essential part of life in Japan.

Income Taxes: No Escape

Let me tell you—Japan doesn’t mess around when it comes to taxes. Your income tax can range from 5% to 45%, depending on how much you make. For foreigners, it’s especially important to be mindful of these, as there are sometimes additional taxes based on your visa status or length of stay. One of my colleagues, a US expat, almost had a panic attack last year after seeing how much was taken out of his paycheck.

Health Insurance: Not Free, But Worth It

Health insurance is another factor you have to account for in Tokyo. While it’s great to have universal healthcare, the premiums for national health insurance are something you’ll need to budget for. It might cost you around ¥20,000 a month, which isn’t horrible compared to some countries, but it’s still another chunk of your salary.

The Cultural Expectation of Work and Overtime

Ok, so this is a big one. Tokyo’s work culture is notoriously intense, with long hours and high expectations. And guess what? Those long hours? They often come with a cost, especially in terms of time and stress, which can make everything else feel more expensive.

Work-Life Balance (Or Lack Thereof)

Honestly, the pressure to work long hours, sometimes well into the evening, means that you spend less time outside, less time enjoying your life. A lot of people I know, including myself at times, have worked overtime just to stay afloat at the office, and that leaves very little time for anything else, including exploring Tokyo’s amazing cultural sites or just relaxing.

The Hidden Cost of Stress

The thing is, this work culture can lead to burnout, and the cost of that stress is pretty high. I once had a conversation with a friend from Canada who said the work-life balance here was "insane" compared to what she was used to back home. Not only is there the physical cost (more hours at the office means less time spent relaxing), but mental stress can also impact your overall well-being. Tokyo is so expensive because it’s not just about the money—it’s about the cost of your time, your energy, and even your peace of mind.

Conclusion: Is It Worth It?

Well, if you ask me, Tokyo is one of the most amazing places to live. But it’s also one of the most expensive. Between high rent, the cost of living, transportation, taxes, and the intense work culture, it can be a financial rollercoaster. But here's the thing: the experience of living in Tokyo, the energy, the opportunities, the culture—it's unlike any other city. So, yeah, it’s expensive. But if you're careful with your budget and prioritize what's important, it can be worth every yen. Just make sure you're ready for the challenge!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.