Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Japan and Thailand, 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 Thailand, 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.
24 of the 29 items cost less in Thailand.
Bottled, convenience store
Japan: ≈ $0.63 – $0.95 ¥100 – ¥150 Thailand: ≈ $0.21 – $0.45 ฿7 – ฿15 Cafe or street vendor
Japan: ≈ $1.90 – $3.80 ¥300 – ¥600 Thailand: ≈ $1.20 – $2.40 ฿40 – ฿80 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Japan: ≈ $3.20 – $5.70 ¥500 – ¥900 Thailand: ≈ $1.80 – $3.60 ฿60 – ฿120 Tourist area, main course
Japan: ≈ $6 – $16 ¥1,000 – ¥2,500 Thailand: ≈ $4.50 – $12 ฿150 – ฿400 Local market or stand
Japan: ≈ $3.20 – $6.30 ¥500 – ¥1,000 Thailand: ≈ $1.20 – $2.40 ฿40 – ฿80 Mixed drink, bar
Japan: ≈ $3.20 – $9.50 ¥500 – ¥1,500 Thailand: ≈ $4.50 – $8.90 ฿150 – ฿300 House wine, restaurant
Japan: ≈ $8 – $19 ¥1,200 – ¥3,000 Thailand: ≈ $18 – $30 ฿600 – ฿1,000 Cafe or street stall
Japan: ≈ $1.30 – $3.20 ¥200 – ¥500 Thailand: ≈ $1.20 – $2.10 ฿40 – ฿70 Standard route
Japan: ≈ $44 – $160 ¥7,000 – ¥25,000 Thailand: ≈ $9 – $15 ฿300 – ฿500 Metered or typical fare
Japan: ≈ $3.20 – $5.70 ¥500 – ¥900 Thailand: ≈ $1 – $1.30 ฿35 – ฿45 Single ride
Japan: ≈ $1 – $2.20 ¥160 – ¥350 Thailand: ≈ $0.51 – $1.90 ฿17 – ฿65 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Japan: ≈ $13 – $32 ¥2,000 – ¥5,000 Thailand: ≈ $1.50 – $6 ฿50 – ฿200 Tourist shop
Japan: ≈ $1.90 – $4.40 ¥300 – ¥700 Thailand: ≈ $0.75 – $2.40 ฿25 – ฿80 Tourist shop
Japan: ≈ $10 – $19 ¥1,500 – ¥3,000 Thailand: ≈ $3 – $6 ฿100 – ฿200 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Japan: ≈ $10 – $44 ¥1,500 – ¥7,000 Thailand: ≈ $6 – $15 ฿200 – ฿500 Data package
Japan: ≈ $10 – $32 ¥1,650 – ¥5,000 Thailand: ≈ $9 – $21 ฿299 – ฿699 Pharmacy or shop
Japan: ≈ $5.10 – $9.50 ¥800 – ¥1,500 Thailand: ≈ $4.50 – $8.90 ฿150 – ฿300 Supermarket
Japan: ≈ $0.51 – $0.95 ¥80 – ¥150 Thailand: ≈ $0.30 – $0.60 ฿10 – ฿20 Pack of 20
Japan: ≈ $3.50 – $4.10 ¥550 – ¥650 Thailand: ≈ $3 – $4.20 ฿100 – ฿140 Pack of 20 tablets
Japan: ≈ $5.70 – $9.50 ¥900 – ¥1,500 Thailand: ≈ $0.75 – $1.50 ฿25 – ฿50 Spray or lotion
Japan: ≈ $2.50 – $5.10 ¥400 – ¥800 Thailand: ≈ $1 – $4.80 ฿35 – ฿160 Local barbershop
Japan: ≈ $9 – $29 ¥1,350 – ¥4,500 Thailand: ≈ $3 – $6 ฿100 – ฿200 Laundry service
Japan: ≈ $1.90 – $6.30 ¥300 – ¥1,000 Thailand: ≈ $1.20 – $3 ฿40 – ฿100 Standard full-body massage
Japan: ≈ $25 – $51 ¥4,000 – ¥8,000 Thailand: ≈ $6 – $12 ฿200 – ฿400 Basic cut, salon
Japan: ≈ $19 – $32 ¥3,000 – ¥5,000 Thailand: ≈ $6 – $12 ฿200 – ฿400 Entrance ticket
Japan: ≈ $6 – $13 ¥1,000 – ¥2,000 Thailand: ≈ $3 – $8.90 ฿100 – ฿300 Organized excursion
Japan: ≈ $32 – $76 ¥5,000 – ¥12,000 Thailand: ≈ $36 – $75 ฿1,200 – ฿2,500 Organized excursion 6-8h
Japan: ≈ $32 – $63 ¥5,000 – ¥10,000 Thailand: ≈ $39 – $89 ฿1,300 – ฿3,000 Local cuisine cooking class
Japan: ≈ $25 – $51 ¥4,000 – ¥8,000 Thailand: ≈ $27 – $48 ฿900 – ฿1,600 Tourist prices are about 3.0× the fair price in Thailand, against 2.5× in Japan.
Japan 21st lowest of 60
Thailand 15th highest 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.
Thailand Round up the bill or leave 20-50 THB in restaurants. Massage therapists expect 50-100 THB tip.
Yes. In Thailand you pay about 48% less than in Japan at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Japan 135, Thailand 70 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 24 of the 29 items cost less in Thailand.
A week is cheaper in Thailand: about $130 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 $535 in Thailand.
In Thailand: food and drinks cost about 29% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $6 – $16 in Japan and $4.50 – $12 in Thailand, street food $3.20 – $6.30 and $1.20 – $2.40.
In Thailand: tourist prices there are about 3.0× the fair price on average, against 2.5× in Japan. The biggest gaps in Thailand: restaurant meal (5.6×), city taxi 1 km (5.6×), and laundry (5.4×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Japan vs Thailand, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/japan-vs-thailand/
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.
