Shopping
You can purchase your daily necessities at supermarkets and other retail stores. Most shops put many items on sale, and discount some food near closing time each day. In addition, 100-yen shops and discount stores offer all sorts of merchandise at very low prices, so consider shopping at them to conserve your finances.
Nearly all convenience stores are open 24 hours every day, so you turn to them when you need buy something late at night.
Prices in Tokyo
Tokyo has the highest level of prices in Japan, a country that is known as one of the world's most expensive places to live. The table below lists the average price of some necessities, so refer to it when budgeting your living expenses.
(Source: Nov. 2013 survey by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government)
| Item | Unit | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| Rice (blended) | 5 kg | ¥2,224 |
| Bread | 1 loaf (340 grams) | around ¥150 |
| Milk | 1 liter | ¥215 |
| Butter | 200 g | ¥390 |
| Eggs | 1 carton (10 eggs) | ¥228 |
| Oranges | 1 kg | ¥403 |
| Potatoes | 1 kg | ¥298 |
| Boxed meal (rice, fish, etc.) | 1 | ¥523 |
| Egg salad sandwich | 100 g | ¥180 |
| Cola | 500 ml | ¥95 |
| Toilet paper | 1 case (12 rolls) | ¥233 |
| Toothbrush | 1 | ¥102 |
| Laptop computer | 1 | ¥181,600 |
| Music CD | 1 | ¥3,000 |
| Newspaper subscription | 1 month | ¥3,250 |
| Movie ticket | 1 | ¥1,800 or ¥1,500 with student discount |