My First Week Expenses in Japan 🇯🇵 | Real Student Experience & Money Tips

 Moving to Japan as a student is exciting, but managing money in the beginning can be confusing. In my first week, I tried to understand how things work here—what is cheap, what is expensive, and where I made mistakes.

In this post, I’m sharing my real first week experience and expenses in Japan, along with important lessons for new students.

🏠 Accommodation & Setup

When I arrived, my biggest concern was my room. I expected a small, crowded place because that’s what I saw on social media.

But in reality, it was completely different.

My room was clean, comfortable, and only two people were staying there. My language school also provided basic items like a bed and cooking essentials. Because of this, I didn’t have to spend money on setup in my first week.

👉 This helped me save a lot.

🍜 Food Expenses (Saving Smart)

In my first week, I tried to spend less on food.

I cooked noodles that I brought from my home country

I avoided eating outside too much

I bought simple and cheap items

👉 Estimated spending: ¥4,000 – ¥6,000

Cooking at home really helped me control my budget.

🛒 Shopping & Daily Items

I explored different stores near Kurashiki Station like:

Daiso (DO)

FamilyMart

7-Eleven

Lawson

That’s when I noticed a big difference in prices.

💡 Real Price Comparison

Coca-Cola at Daiso: ¥120

Coca-Cola at convenience stores: ¥150

Same product, different price.

I was honestly surprised. At that moment, I understood:

👉 If you want to save money in Japan, choose the right store.

🚶 Transportation Cost

Cost: ¥0

In my first week, I walked everywhere around the station area.

👉 Walking helped me save money and also explore the area better.

🚲 Bicycle Mistake (Important Lesson)

Many students were buying cheap bicycles in the beginning. I thought I would buy one later.

But when I went to buy: ❌ All bicycles were out of stock

I felt really disappointed.

👉 Lesson: Don’t delay important things. If you see a good deal, take it early.

💼 Part-Time Job Advice

In the first week, I didn’t start looking for a job immediately. I thought I could do it later.

But I learned something important:

👉 Many students who delay job searching don’t find work for 3–4 months.

❗ My Advice:

Start job searching early

Don’t wait too long

Even small steps matter

💰 Total First Week Expense (Approx)

Food: ¥4,000 – ¥6,000

Shopping: ¥2,000 – ¥3,000

Transport: ¥0

👉 Total: Around ¥6,000 – ¥10,000

(Excluding rent and major setup costs)

😅 Mistakes I Made

Waited too long to buy a bicycle

Didn’t start job search early

Almost spent more at convenience stores

📌 What I Learned in My First Week

Shop smart (avoid expensive convenience stores)

Cook your own food

Don’t delay important decisions

Start earning as early as possible

😊 Final Thoughts

My first week in Japan was a mix of excitement, surprise, and learning.

Even though I was new and didn’t know everything, I started understanding how life works here. Small decisions—like where to shop or when to act—make a big difference.

👉 Japan is not just expensive. It depends on how you live.

This was just my first week, and I’m still learning every day.

💡 Biggest Money Lessons from Week 1

1. Shop Smart

Avoid convenience stores for daily items. Use cheaper stores like Daiso.

2. Start Job Search Early

Don’t wait. Some students don’t get jobs for 3–4 months.

3. Don’t Delay Important Purchases

If something is useful (like a bicycle), buy it early.

4. Cook Your Own Food

Eating outside is expensive. Cooking saves a lot.

🔜 What’s Next?

In my next post, I’ll share: 👉 My first month expenses in Japan

👉 And how I started my part-time job journey

Stay tuned for more real experiences 🇯🇵 :::

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