Japan was long famous for stable prices and low inflation.
But over the past few years, that has changed.

Since 2022, prices in Japan have been rising at the fastest pace in decades. Everyday items, souvenirs, and especially hotels now cost much more than they did just a few years ago.

If you are planning a trip to Japan — or thinking of buying Japanese goods — this guide shows how much prices have really changed and why buying earlier may save you money.

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🇯🇵 Japan’s Inflation Trend (2015–2025)

Japan’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows how overall prices have changed nationwide.

Year	CPI (YoY change)
2015	~0%
2020	~0.5%
2022	~2.5%
2023	~3.3%
2024	~2.7%
2025	~2.9%

For many years Japan struggled with deflation.
Now inflation is consistently above 2%, driven mainly by food, services, and tourism demand.

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Everyday Price Shock: Then vs Now

🍙 Onigiri (7-Eleven, grilled salmon)

Year	Price (JPY)	Price (USD)
2020	¥130–150	$0.90–1.05
2022	¥150–170	$1.05–1.20
2026 (now)	¥198 (¥213.84 w/ tax)	~$1.40

That is about +40–60% in 5 years.

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🍵 Bottled Green Tea (O-i Ocha 600ml)

Year	Price (JPY)	Price (USD)
2020	¥150–170	$1.05–1.20
2022	¥170–190	$1.20–1.30
2026 (now)	¥220	~$1.44

Drink prices have risen 30–45% since before the pandemic.

(USD calculated at approx. ¥153 = $1)

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🏨 Hotel Prices: The Biggest Shock for Travelers

Accommodation is now one of the most expensive parts of visiting Japan.

Average Hotel Room Prices

Year	Business Hotel	Mid-Range City Hotel
2019	¥10,000–12,000 ($80–95)	¥15,000–18,000 ($120–145)
2023	¥12,000–14,000 ($90–105)	¥17,000–20,000 ($125–145)
2025–26	¥13,000–16,000 ($100–120)	¥20,000+ ($145+)

In major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, prices during peak seasons often exceed ¥25,000 ($165+) per night.

Some hotels now cost 50–100% more than they did before COVID.

Why?

• Tourism demand has exploded
• Limited hotel supply
• Higher staff and utility costs
• New city accommodation taxes

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Souvenirs Getting More Expensive

Foreign visitors also notice higher prices for:

Item Type	Price Trend
Japanese sweets & gift boxes	Up due to sugar, dairy, packaging costs
Matcha products	Global demand + limited supply
Sake & craft alcohol	Rice + glass bottle costs rising
Anime & character goods	Manufacturing + licensing costs
Traditional crafts	Higher labor & material costs

Many souvenir prices are 10–30% higher than 3–5 years ago.

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What’s Next?

Economists expect Japan’s inflation to remain around 2% in coming years.
That means prices are unlikely to fall back to “old Japan levels.”

Food, hotels, and souvenirs will likely continue rising gradually.

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What This Means for Travelers

If you are visiting Japan:

✔ Budget more for hotels
✔ Expect everyday food to cost more than before
✔ Buy souvenirs when you see them — not on the last day
✔ Booking early saves money

Japan is still an incredible value compared to many countries — but it is no longer “cheap Japan.”

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Final Thought

Japan has officially entered an era of inflation.
Prices are rising, hotels are getting more expensive, and everyday items now cost more than they did just a few years ago.

But here’s the truth:

Even with inflation, Japan still feels surprisingly affordable compared to the U.S., Europe, and many major tourist destinations.

Food is still delicious and inexpensive.
Public transportation is world-class.
Hotels, though rising, still offer amazing value for the quality you get.

This is a rare moment:
Japan is more popular than ever —
yet still cheaper than most people expect.

That won’t last forever.

So if Japan is on your travel list,
if there’s something you’ve always wanted to buy, eat, or experience…

👉 Don’t wait.

👉 Come now.

👉 Buy now.

👉 Experience Japan before prices rise even higher.

Japan is changing — but right now, it’s still a bargain.

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