Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Japan and South Korea, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Japan and South Korea, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
14 of the 29 items cost less in Japan.
Bottled, convenience store
Japan: ≈ $0.63 – $0.95 ¥100 – ¥150 South Korea: ≈ $0.59 – $1.10 ₩800 – ₩1,500 Cafe or street vendor
Japan: ≈ $1.90 – $3.80 ¥300 – ¥600 South Korea: ≈ $1.50 – $3.70 ₩2,000 – ₩5,000 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Japan: ≈ $3.20 – $5.70 ¥500 – ¥900 South Korea: ≈ $3 – $5.90 ₩4,000 – ₩8,000 Tourist area, main course
Japan: ≈ $6 – $16 ¥1,000 – ¥2,500 South Korea: ≈ $7 – $13 ₩9,000 – ₩18,000 Local market or stand
Japan: ≈ $3.20 – $6.30 ¥500 – ¥1,000 South Korea: ≈ $2.20 – $5.20 ₩3,000 – ₩7,000 Mixed drink, bar
Japan: ≈ $3.20 – $9.50 ¥500 – ¥1,500 South Korea: ≈ $9 – $15 ₩12,000 – ₩20,000 House wine, restaurant
Japan: ≈ $8 – $19 ¥1,200 – ¥3,000 South Korea: ≈ $30 – $45 ₩40,000 – ₩60,000 Cafe or street stall
Japan: ≈ $1.30 – $3.20 ¥200 – ¥500 South Korea: ≈ $1.50 – $4.50 ₩2,000 – ₩6,000 Standard route
Japan: ≈ $44 – $160 ¥7,000 – ¥25,000 South Korea: ≈ $45 – $74 ₩60,000 – ₩100,000 Metered or typical fare
Japan: ≈ $3.20 – $5.70 ¥500 – ¥900 South Korea: ≈ $3.60 – $5.90 ₩4,800 – ₩8,000 Single ride
Japan: ≈ $1 – $2.20 ¥160 – ¥350 South Korea: ≈ $1 – $1.10 ₩1,400 – ₩1,500 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Japan: ≈ $13 – $32 ¥2,000 – ¥5,000 South Korea: ≈ $7 – $59 ₩10,000 – ₩80,000 Tourist shop
Japan: ≈ $1.90 – $4.40 ¥300 – ¥700 South Korea: ≈ $2.20 – $4.50 ₩3,000 – ₩6,000 Tourist shop
Japan: ≈ $10 – $19 ¥1,500 – ¥3,000 South Korea: ≈ $4.50 – $11 ₩6,000 – ₩15,000 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Japan: ≈ $10 – $44 ¥1,500 – ¥7,000 South Korea: ≈ $11 – $74 ₩15,000 – ₩100,000 Data package
Japan: ≈ $10 – $32 ¥1,650 – ¥5,000 South Korea: ≈ $19 – $30 ₩25,000 – ₩40,000 Pharmacy or shop
Japan: ≈ $5.10 – $9.50 ¥800 – ¥1,500 South Korea: ≈ $6 – $16 ₩8,000 – ₩22,000 Supermarket
Japan: ≈ $0.51 – $0.95 ¥80 – ¥150 South Korea: ≈ $0.45 – $0.89 ₩600 – ₩1,200 Pack of 20
Japan: ≈ $3.50 – $4.10 ¥550 – ¥650 South Korea: ≈ $3.30 – $4.50 ₩4,500 – ₩6,000 Pack of 20 tablets
Japan: ≈ $5.70 – $9.50 ¥900 – ¥1,500 South Korea: ≈ $1.50 – $3.70 ₩2,000 – ₩5,000 Spray or lotion
Japan: ≈ $2.50 – $5.10 ¥400 – ¥800 South Korea: ≈ $3.70 – $7.40 ₩5,000 – ₩10,000 Local barbershop
Japan: ≈ $9 – $29 ¥1,350 – ¥4,500 South Korea: ≈ $6 – $13 ₩8,000 – ₩18,000 Laundry service
Japan: ≈ $1.90 – $6.30 ¥300 – ¥1,000 South Korea: ≈ $1.50 – $3.70 ₩2,000 – ₩5,000 Standard full-body massage
Japan: ≈ $25 – $51 ¥4,000 – ¥8,000 South Korea: ≈ $30 – $52 ₩40,000 – ₩70,000 Basic cut, salon
Japan: ≈ $19 – $32 ¥3,000 – ¥5,000 South Korea: ≈ $15 – $37 ₩20,000 – ₩50,000 Entrance ticket
Japan: ≈ $6 – $13 ¥1,000 – ¥2,000 South Korea: ≈ Up to $11 Up to ₩15,000 Organized excursion
Japan: ≈ $32 – $76 ¥5,000 – ¥12,000 South Korea: ≈ $30 – $59 ₩40,000 – ₩80,000 Organized excursion 6-8h
Japan: ≈ $32 – $63 ¥5,000 – ¥10,000 South Korea: ≈ $37 – $67 ₩50,000 – ₩90,000 Local cuisine cooking class
Japan: ≈ $25 – $51 ¥4,000 – ¥8,000 South Korea: ≈ $30 – $52 ₩40,000 – ₩70,000 Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair price in Japan and South Korea alike.
Japan 21st lowest of 60
South Korea 17th lowest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Japan Tipping is considered rude in Japan, never tip in restaurants, taxis, or hotels. Exceptional service is simply the standard and staff may feel insulted by an offered tip.
South Korea Tipping is not customary in South Korea and is generally refused. Service charges are included in upscale restaurants; in regular places, simply saying "thank you" is sufficient.
Not by much. In Japan and South Korea you pay about the same at fair prices: the two price levels are within 3% of each other. TruePrice Index: Japan 135, South Korea 131 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 14 of the 29 items cost less in Japan. The tourist day breaks the tie: at fair prices, two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride cost less in South Korea, about $28 against $32.
A week is cheaper in South Korea: about $200 at fair prices, against $220 in Japan. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $530 in Japan and $495 in South Korea.
In Japan: food and drinks cost about 18% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $6 – $16 in Japan and $7 – $13 in South Korea, street food $3.20 – $6.30 and $2.20 – $5.20.
Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair price in Japan and South Korea alike.
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Japan vs South Korea, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/japan-vs-south-korea/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at [email protected] and I will check it.
TruePrice keeps fair and tourist prices for both countries, and 58 more, on your phone. Offline too. Free on iPhone and Android.
