How much spending money do I need for Kyoto?
If you have a trip to Kyoto coming up - as a tourist, to visit friends and family, for work or for any other reason - it’s important to know how much spending money is needed based on your plans. This guide looks at the prices in Kyoto for tourists, including some budgeting tips and ideas, for luxury and budget travel alike.
How Much Money Should You Take to Kyoto?
So - your question might well be: how much do I need in JPY (Japanese Yen) for a week in Kyoto?
We'll break down how much money you should take to Kyoto by different spending types later - but first, an overview. Here are some handy estimates to give you a flavour, looking at the costs of accommodation, food, transport and sightseeing, so you can start to budget, and decide how much money to bring to Kyoto, based on your spending for a day or for a week.
| Travel Style | Average Daily cost | One Week cost |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (Cheap) | $67 JPY 7,093 | $466 JPY 49,358 |
| Mid-range | $164 JPY 17,369 | $1,144 JPY 121,152 |
| High-end (Luxury) | $390 JPY 285 | $2,728 JPY 288,766 |
How Much Cash Should You Take to Kyoto?
Let's kick off with some key points when it comes to deciding how much cash to take to Kyoto.
Cash is very widely used in Kyoto, so having some with you at all times will be important. You can carry travel cash with you when you head to Kyoto, exchange at the airport, or use ATMs on arrival.
Bear in mind that exchange rates at airports and hotels are often pretty poor - and before you fly out with lots of cash on you, check the latest cash limit you can take to Kyoto before you need to declare it to the customs authorities. Ultimately, carrying lots of cash at any one time can be a security risk and make you a target for thieves.
Using an international travel debit card from a provider like Wise to make ATM withdrawals on arrival could be safer and cost less in the end.
Wise travel card
Order a Wise travel card to buy, hold and exchange 40+ currencies. You’ll be able to spend conveniently in Kyoto - and all currency exchange uses the mid-market rate with no markup.
Card holders get some free ATM withdrawals available every month, and there’s no annual or monthly fees to pay, and no minimum balance requirement.
Is Kyoto Expensive to Visit (in 2025)?
Ultimately, the cost of visiting Kyoto varies depending on your plans, and how you like to enjoy yourself when you're abroad.
Overall, Kyoto, is rated as a "somewhat expensive" place to visit by BudgetYourTrip. Accommodation, food, and activities are all available to suit any budget - but you'll need to plan your time to make sure you're making the most of both your time and your money while you're away.
What currency should I take to Kyoto?
The official local currency used in Kyoto is the Japanese Yen-JPY. If you plan to take cash with you to spend while you're away, you'll need Japanese Yen.
The currency symbol is ¥, which is what you'll see in stores and on restaurant menus.
| Japanese Yen | |
|---|---|
| Currency name | Japanese Yen |
| Currency symbol | ¥ |
| Currency code | JPY |
| Exchange rate today | 1 CAD = 105.866 JPY 1 JPY = 0.00944592 CAD |
How to Save Money in Kyoto - Traveller tips
No matter what you're planning on doing during your trip to Kyoto, you want to make sure your money goes as far as possible.
Here are some top tips to save money in Kyoto:
- Book your hotels or accommodation in advance to secure the best available deals
- Use public transport where possible, or approved taxi and ride hailing operators
- Use Google maps and reviews to find good restaurants. You'll often find better food and more reasonable prices away from the most touristy areas of town
- Look online for recommendations of free or low-cost attractions and activities in Kyoto - blogs and travel magazines are a great place to start
- Use travel cards that offer fair exchange rates with transparent fees such as Wise, to keep down the costs of currency conversion and ATM use while you're away
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Costs and Prices in Kyoto for Tourists
Let's move on to the typical prices in Kyoto for tourists. Below we've got a handy overview of prices for accommodation, food and services for tourists in Kyoto. Use this along with your own research to figure out the likely costs and prices you'll come across during your visit.
Accommodation Costs in Kyoto
Accommodation is usually one of the biggest costs on any trip abroad - but what you pay in the end will depend a lot on the accommodation type you pick. Below is an example of accommodation costs in Kyoto based on one person sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room.
| Types of accommodation | Prices per night |
|---|---|
| Budget | $37
JPY 3,908 |
| Mid-Range | $92
JPY 9,698 |
| Luxury | $216
JPY 22,870 |
Daily Food Costs in Kyoto
Food is an important feature of a trip abroad for many of us - but what you spend can vary significantly depending on where you purchase your meals in Kyoto. As you might expect, buying food from local markets and stores can be one of the cheapest options, or you could choose to eat at mid-range restaurants, or sample some high-end establishments.
Here's an example of how much a meal costs in Kyoto based on different restaurant types.
| Types of Meal | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Budget | $25
JPY 2,605 |
| Mid-Range | $59
JPY 6,224 |
| Luxury | $141
JPY 14,909 |
Cost of Drink & Beverages
Let's move on to the cost of beer, wine, water and other beverages in Kyoto:
| Drink & Beverages | Prices |
|---|---|
| Beer (bottle) | $2 JPY 253 |
| Wine (bottle) | $11 JPY 1,209 |
| Can of Coca-cola /Pepsi | $1 JPY 130 |
| Mineral water (1.5L bottle) | $1 JPY 143 |
| Coffee, Cappuccino, Hot Chocolate | $5 JPY 504 |
Cost of Entertainment
Entertainment and sightseeing are key aspects of any trip to Kyoto, and your spending will depend on where and how you choose to experience them. You've got a range of options, from budget-friendly activities to more luxurious experiences.
Below is how much you'll generally spend on things like going out, sightseeing and general entertainment:
| Entertainment | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Budget | $7
JPY 724 |
| Mid-Range | $19
JPY 2,026 |
| Luxury | $46
JPY 4,921 |
Travel Costs in Kyoto
Once you've arrived in Kyoto you still need to figure out how to get around. The cost of travel can be different depending on your preferences - and how much of a hurry you're in. Using public transport is often our cheapest choice, but getting a taxi or hiring a car could be faster and more flexible, depending on your budget.
Some common ways to save money on transport in Kyoto include:
- Where possible use airport shuttles on arrival to get to the city centre
- Use buses, metro, trams or other public transport where you can - Google Maps can help you navigate more easily
Plan activities to limit the travel needed by covering the popular sites in one area before exploring the next, to avoid excess travel time
Use known taxi operators and approved ride-hailing companies.
| Transport costs | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Budget | $4
JPY 434 |
| Mid-Range | $11
JPY 3,040 |
| Luxury | $46
JPY 4,921 |
Data Roaming, Internet, Local Sim Cards
Having easy access to your phone while you're away is important - not only to keep in touch with your friends and family, but also to navigate, look up good places to eat or visit, and to translate if needed. Make sure you don't get stuck without your phone - or with a big roaming bill - when you're in Kyoto with these tips:
- Turn off your data roaming if you're concerned about running up excess fees, and only use your phone on secure wifi networks while you're away
- Check the roaming costs with your mobile operator - you may be able to add a roaming data package to your normal plan for a fairly low price
- Consider getting an international eSIM if your phone is compatible with eSIMs - these can be low hassle ways to keep access to your data, without needing to install a physical SIM card
- Check the SIM card price for tourists in Japan, before travelling - you'll likely find people trying to sell you a local SIM in the airport when you arrive, so knowing the price you should pay can help you avoid scams
How Much Should You Tip in Kyoto?
Tipping etiquette can vary a lot between countries, and naturally depends a lot on the type of establishment you're in, or service you've received. Generally, tipping around 10-15% of the bill when you are happy with the service is in line with expectations.
Bear in mind that in some places a service fee - which is a percentage of the amount you spend - is already added to the bill, and means you don't need to add an additional tip unless you really want to. Check your bill before you pay - or just ask if the tip has already been included or not.
How to Get the Best Exchange Rate for Japanese Yen
Naturally you want to get the very best CAD to JPY exchange rate. However, bear in mind that you'll also need to pick a secure and reputable provider when you exchange money. Black market money changers may look like they're offering great rates but they're not safe or reliable. Look out for the CAD - JPY exchange rate online or at the currency exchange office.
Always seek out official exchange companies that offer fair rates and transparent fees. Or, consider getting a travel money card, such as Wise, to ensure your transactions are secure and convenient. Use your Wise card to pay where card transactions are supported, or to get cash from the ATM whenever you need it during your visit to Kyoto.
The live exchange rate today is:
1 CAD = 105.866 JPY
1 JPY = 0.00944592 CAD
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