Monthly Cost of Living Budget for Vietnamese Students in Japan
By Muntasir • Published Sep 18, 2026 • Updated Sep 20, 2026 • Money & Budgeting
International students in Japan spend about 105,000 yen a month on average excluding tuition, and Tokyo rent alone runs about 57,000 yen against a 41,000 yen national average.
🏠 Rent is the single biggest line item and the main reason Tokyo costs more than other Japanese cities.
💵 Budget close to 121,000 yen a month if you study in Tokyo, once you adjust for the higher rent.
🎓 University dormitories are usually cheaper than private apartments and often include utilities.
📩 Part-time work offsets some costs, but confirm your current permitted working hours first.
What Japan's own student survey shows
Japan Student Services Organization runs a lifestyle survey of privately financed international students, and the 2023 results put total monthly living costs, excluding tuition and course fees, at 105,000 yen on average nationwide. Average monthly rent across Japan came to 41,000 yen, while Tokyo rent alone averaged 57,000 yen, a 16,000 yen gap that comes almost entirely from housing.
Budgeting for Tokyo vs other Japanese cities
Add the Tokyo rent gap to the national total and Tokyo students should plan for close to 121,000 yen a month, once tuition is set aside separately. Students studying outside Tokyo, in cities such as Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya or Sapporo, generally land closer to the national average or below it, since rent outside the capital pulls the national figure down.
Where the 105,000 yen goes
| Category | National average | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | 41,000 yen | 57,000 yen |
| Food, transport, utilities and other living costs | About 64,000 yen combined | About 64,000 yen combined |
| Estimated monthly total | 105,000 yen | About 121,000 yen |
Treat the "other living costs" line as a combined estimate rather than a fixed breakdown, since JASSO reports the total and the rent figure separately rather than a full category-by-category split.
University dormitories vs private apartments
A university or JASSO-affiliated dormitory usually costs less than a private apartment and often bundles in utilities, which simplifies budgeting for your first year. Private apartments give more independence and choice of location but add a security deposit, sometimes non-refundable key money, and guarantor requirements that dormitories skip. Apply for dormitory housing as early as your acceptance allows, since places are limited and fill quickly in cities with large international student populations.
Extra one-time costs when you first arrive
Private apartments in Japan often add costs beyond monthly rent that dormitories skip entirely: a security deposit, sometimes key money paid to the landlord, an agency fee, and a guarantor company fee if you do not have a Japan-based guarantor. Budget for these as a separate lump sum in your first month, on top of your regular monthly living costs, rather than folding them into your ongoing budget.
Cutting your monthly costs
🏠 Apply for university dormitory housing before searching the private rental market.
Cook at home using local supermarkets and neighborhood produce stores instead of eating out often.
Use a student commuter pass for trains and subways instead of paying per ride.
Buy secondhand furniture, bicycles, and appliances through sayonara sales when other international students graduate.
Working part-time to offset costs
Many international students in Japan take on part-time work to cover part of their monthly budget. Working hours for international students are tied to your specific residence status and permission to engage in activities beyond that status. Confirm your current permitted hours with your school's international student office or the Immigration Services Agency before you accept shifts, since working beyond your permitted hours puts your visa status at risk.
Before you finalize your budget
Use the JASSO national and Tokyo figures as your starting point, then adjust for your specific city and housing choice. Add a buffer for your first month, when you cover a security deposit, initial furniture, and setup costs before your budget settles into its normal monthly pattern.