Moving Budget Calculator
Estimate your upfront relocation costs and monthly expenses in Japan.
Planning estimates, with editable costs. Input dates and assumptions are listed below.
Indicative rates as of 27 October 2026
Your move
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Rent estimates cover a city or region, not individual listings. Replace them with your own quotes when available.
Your estimated budget
- Moving costs
- ¥315,000
- Monthly expenses
- ¥204,500
¥863,500
Includes moving costs and the selected number of months. Rent paid at move-in is counted once. This is an expense estimate, not a visa funds requirement; add a buffer for your circumstances.
Tuition is spread across 12 months in this estimate. Your school may ask for payment earlier. Typically 2 instalments a year, the first about 3 months before you fly — see "Payment timing".
Estimated first year: ¥2,704,000 (moving costs + 12 months; rent paid at move-in counted once)
Adjust costs: rent, furniture, tuition and taxes
Upfront Capital Required
Relocation and initial setup costs
¥315,000
ESTIMATED TOTAL
typical range ¥267,750–¥378,000
Visa & Admin Paperwork
Consulate application & documents
School Admission Fees
One-time application & entrance fees — tuition is in the monthly budget
Apartment Move-In Costs
Deposit, key money, agency fees
Furnishing & Appliances
Futon, fridge, microwave, setup
Initial Days Cash Setup
SIM card activation, transit card
Estimated Monthly Budget
Recurring cost of living
¥204,500/mo
MONTHLY COST
typical range ¥173,825–¥245,400
Rent
Typical monthly rent for this hub and housing type
Tuition (averaged per month)
Averaged over 12 months — the school bills 2 instalments of ¥375,000, the first ≈3 months before you fly (see the cash-flow timeline)
Food & Groceries
Home cooking with occasional dining
Utilities & Internet
Gas, electricity, water, SIM card
National Health Insurance & Tax
Income-based national insurance
Leisure, Dining & Pocket Money
Sightseeing, weekend activities
Payment timing and spending breakdown
When the Money Leaves
Your first-90-days cash-flow — costs in the order they actually hit
≈ 3 months before
School application & admission
Application, screening and entrance fees are due long before you fly
¥80,000
≈ 3 months before
First tuition instalment
2 instalments of ¥375,000 a year — typical timing; your school's invoice sets the exact date
¥375,000
≈ 2 months before
Visa & paperwork
COE processing, consulate fees, translations
¥15,000
≈ 1 month before
Flight booking
Tickets and luggage allowance
¥100,000
Week 1 in Japan
Apartment move-in
First month's rent + deposit
¥100,000
Week 1 in Japan
Setup cash
SIM activation, transit card, ward office trips
¥20,000
Every month after
Steady monthly budget
Rent, food, utilities, insurance, leisure + tuition averaged per month
¥204,500/mo
Spent before departure
¥570,000
Admission, first tuition instalment, visa, flight
Spent by end of week 1
¥690,000
Everything one-time, incl. move-in
Cash to survive month 1
¥767,000
First month's rent already paid at move-in; tuition counted by instalment, not averaged
Monthly Cost Distribution
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Default model inputs updated: 2026-10-25. Saved quotes and account baselines may differ from the reference guides.
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