Japan Price Guide

Above, a Kiosk convenience store at the JR Nagasaki Station in the background.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Source: Japan Tourism Agency

Below, are average prices of items sold at supermarkets and convenience stores, souvenirs of Japan and transportation that are likely to be bought or used during a stay in Japan. There is a sales tax in Japan, but the tax is already a part of the prices of goods/services. This is only intended as a reference for shopping.

Convenience Stores/Supermarkets

There are many convenience stores sprinkled throughout Japan. These include AM/PM, 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart. Kiosk has stands at subway/train stations and convenience stores at many JR train stations.

The convenience stores are pretty much like the ones found in the United States. They carry items including stationery, toiletries, candy, soft drinks, water, hot food, cold food, frozen food, ice cream, milk, umbrellas, gloves, hats, bento box lunches (including sushi) and many other items.

Supermarkets are also like the ones in the United States.

To get an idea on prices found in convenience stores and supermarkets (prices may vary), here's a few examples:

Sandwiches: 250 yen ($3.00); Bento Box Lunch: 500 yen ($6.00); Onigiri (rice ball snack): 110 yen ($1.32); Bottled Water: 120 yen ($1.44); 1L Packed Milk: 250 yen ($3.00); Bottle of Beer: 300 yen ($3.60).

Souvenirs

On souvenirs, prices will vary, but the most popular items tourists buy in gift shops and department stores are basically around these prices:
Yukata: 5,000 yen ($60.00); Sushi Magnet: 650 yen ($7.80); Souvenir Wood Block Print: 2,500 yen ($30.00).

Transportation

Not every Japanese city has such an extensive subway/train system as Tokyo. Generally, the subways/trains charge fares roughly (give or take) 160 yen ($2.00) in Tokyo. But if a subway/commuter train isn't available, taxis, buses and, rarely, car rentals (an international drivers license is required to drive in Japan) are alternatives.

Here's the ballpark prices for these:

Minimum Taxi Charge: 710 yen ($8.52); Minimum Bus Charge: 200 yen ($2.40); Rent-A-Car (6 hours): 6,000 yen ($72.00).