Japan is Cheaper Than You Think

In a dramatic transformation spanning three decades, Japan has evolved from being one of the globe's most exorbitant countries to emerge as a surprisingly affordable destination

Why Do People Think Japan Is Expensive?

The reputation of Japan as a costly destination has roots in the Bubble Economy of the late '80s. It's epitomized by rumors of exorbitant prices, like tales of $500 beers at bars in Tokyo, or hotel rooms smaller than shoeboxes being more expensive than the Ritz Carlton in Paris.

We're talking about a time when the Imperial Palace in Tokyo was worth as much as the entire US state of California and a night out in could cost you a small fortune. But that bubble?

Yeah, it burst. And what we're left with after 30 years of deflation is a country that scores lower than Vietnam (!) on the Bic Mac Index:

According to The Economist’s Big Mac Index, a Big Mac in Japan is 45.07% cheaper than in the US.

Perception vs. Reality