When Armand Duplantis aims for his 14th world record at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 13-27, thousands of athletics fans are expected to travel to Japan. To help travelers maximize their travel budget, FOREX has developed a special Japan index for the championship. The index shows that Japan is almost 20 percent cheaper than Sweden.
Japan is a destination where tradition meets future, and where travel funds last longer than many imagine. Butprices differ in different places, so with With the right planning, Swedish travelers get the most out of both the trip and the country's rich culture.
Japan offers a unique mix of experiences, and with FOREX's help, it becomes easy for Swedish travelers to travel smart, pay smoothly and get more out of every penny.
| SWEDEN | 100 |
| Tokyo | 85 |
| Osaka | 82 |
| Japan | 81 |
| Kyoto | 77 |
| Nagano | 69 |
| Hiroshima | 59 |
How much Japanese yen you should exchange for your trip to Japan depends on how you travel, how long you are away, and whether you are going to travel around the country. Feel free to bring some cash right from the start – around 4000-6000 SEK in yen is usually enough for the first few days for food, transport and small expenses.
The Japanese currency is the yen (JPY), and six out of ten payments are still made in cash. For a smooth journey, FOREX recommends buying yen already at home, either in one of FOREX 55 stores or online for delivery to the nearest collection point. If you use a FOREX Credit Card on your trip, you avoid extra surcharges and fees, and cashwithdrawals outside the EU/EEA are free of charge*.
Exchange rate
1 JPY = 0.0000 SEK
The currency rates are updated around 11 am on weekdays and on Fridays also around 16 pm. Please note that the rates shown online may differ from those offered in our stores.
Hotel prices in Japan during the World Cup period are generally slightly below Swedish levels. A three-star double room costs an average of just under SEK 1,900 per night, about SEK 100–200 cheaper than in Stockholm. Hiroshima stands out as particularly affordable, with prices up to SEK 600 lower per night. However, those who want to try a traditional ryokan with tatami mats and onsen will have to expect a slightly higher price tag.
The Shinkansen, the Japanese high-speed trains, take passengers the 500 kilometers between Kyoto and Tokyo in just over two hours. Be on time, trains are known for their punctuality and depart on the minute. Taxis cost slightly more than at home in Tokyo, SEK 190 compared to SEK 160 for a journey of five kilometers. Otherwise, a couple of tens cheaper in the other cities. The Tokyo subway is a cheap and convenient option.
Food is a chapter in itself. In addition to sushi, okonomiyaki or ramen on a bustling izakaya are must-haves for visitors. A three-course dinner for two costs around SEK 325 – less than half the price in Sweden. Expect just over a hundred kronor more in Tokyo and Kyoto. Beverages, such as beer, cappuccino and wine, are 30–50 percent cheaper. Tips are not expected. It can even be perceived as confusing or insulting.
Japan offers a unique mix of history and modernity. Visitors can alternate shopping in the modern Ginza district of Tokyo with tours to Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, and imperial palaces (where many admissions can only be paid in cash). Or experience the bamboo forest of Arashiyama and snow monkeys bathing in hot springs near Nagano.
*Local ATMs may charge fees.
**An index shows how prices are and change during a certain period. It includes costs for hotels, restaurants, and taxis, all of which can affect the index. The World Cup Index is valid from 12 to 22 September 2025. The prices are taken on August 13, 2025 from Numbeo and Trivago. Taxis are calculated for a journey of five kilometers, and hotel prices are for two people in a three-star hotel compared to Stockholm. Other prices are a national average. Keep in mind that a low index overall doesn't always mean that all costs are cheaper – some expenses may still be higher. The index gives an indication of the price level at the destination.
