Cost, Currency & Money - Okinawa Japan

The cost of living in Okinawa is generally much lower than large cities in Japan such as Tokyo and Osaka, but this tends to be off set by the lower average salary or so most say. But because of the current state of the Japanese economy most people in larger cities salaries don’t match their cost of living. This tends to make the prices in Okinawa more in line with what people actually earn and truly make it a more affordable place to live or visit than the rest of Japan.

The average cost in Okinawa

Here are some approximate common commodities prices in Okinawa.

Japanese beer in an izakaya - 500-800yen
Cocktail in an izakaya - 600-900yen
Heineken, 355ml in a bar - 600yen
Taxi
Package of 20 cigarettes - 320yen
Toilet paper - 480yen
McDonald’s Big Mac set - 540yen

The money system in Okinawa Japan

¥ There is a 5 percent sales tax (shohizei) levied on most products. This is included in the price of all products unlike many countries when you go to the cash register and get a big surprise, in Japan the price on the shelf is the price you pay.

¥ Most bars and izakaya (with the exception of Western-style pubs) have a tab system. The bill is paid when you leave.

¥ There is no tipping in restaurants or bars in Okinawa, service staff get paid a higher hourly wage than in countries like Canada and the USA where service staff depend on tips.

¥ Taxi’s in Okinawa have a standard fare of ¥480 for the first 2 kilometers plus incremental charges after that based on time and distance. This means the meter goes up even when sitting still in a traffic jam. Fares become significantly higher after 11pm. Read more