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I live in Yokohama and kept a spreadsheet on our budget for 2014. 
Included in the total expenses are trips to Kyoto, Kobe, Nikko, Kanagawa, Toyama, Hakone and several local places. 

We were pleasantly surprised at how far our money went last year.  We eat out a least once a week and use the train system almost exclusively.  We have over 30 point cards and use discounts when available which helps to reduce our expenses.   We constantly look for bargains.  (Our trip this February to Nagoya for three days will cost less then $400 for two, including hotels and transportation).  I would say that for the money we could not have lived this well in the states.  We have no real estate costs, so I researched our area for average rental of two bedroom apartments and included the amount in the total to give a true perspective.  Also included is our annual government health insurance with private gap premiums.  I am over 65 and their are many venues that give excellent discounts to seniors.  No matter where we go whether it is posted or not, I always ask for the seniors discount.

Miwa and I recently designed a 10 day trip for a friend in Atlanta that will cost right at $2000 and includes all Japan travel, hotels, food and entrance fees.  I said all this to point out if you look around you can find bargains throughout the country.   I am currently writing a marketing program to entice foreign travelers to go beyond the expensive Tokyo area when visiting Japan.   Living here has been a fun experience and so far the costs have not been what we originally anticipated.
                           
    2014 Living Expenses    (Rey & Miwa)                      Yen                                        Dollars
                                                                               TOTAL        Monthly        $ Annual    $ Monthly   
FOOD                                                                       954640        79553        $8,964    $747   
Restuarants                                                               156421        13035        $1,469    $122   
HEALTH/Ins/DR/MEDICINE                                       175008        14584        $1,643    $137   
HOUSEHOLD/Personal/Gifts/Haircuts/Post ofc       338500        28208        $3,178    $265   
UTILITIES/Water/Gas/Electric/
Cell Phone/NHK/Internet                                         230772        19231        $2,167    $181   
SUICA Card Recharge                                                 71180          5932           $668      $56   
TRIPS/Transportation/Food/Hotels/Misc                   619820        51652        $5,820    $485   
                              
                                Total                                 2546341           212195            $23,909      $1,992   
                           
If 2 bdr Apartment                                                                                        $12,000       $1,000   
                           
TOTAL including  APARTMENT                                                                         $35,909      $2,992

As beginning salary of graduate of a university in Japan is around 200,000Yen, most people can live in Japan with the amount. The following is the cost per month in my experience

> accommodation prices
40,000Yen at Kanagawa, and 76,000Yen at Tokyo
> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc.)
5,000 to 10,000Yen.
> food prices (your monthly budget)
20,000 to 30,000Yen.
> health prices (for those who need medical insurance)
0 to 10,000Yen (almost for Dental care)
> education prices (if you need to pay)
What kind of education would you like to be taken?
> energy prices (oil, electricity)
What does the oil mean? electricity is around 3,000Yen.
> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone)
10,000 to 15,000Yen
> price for a good menu in a traditional restaurant
500 to 1500Yen
> price for a coffee or a drink
coffee is 200 to 300Yen. drink is 100 to 200Yen.
> price for cinema tickets
1800Yen.

@ reywatwrite and Nobukasu Suzuki > A big thanks to both of you for this sharing of information ! it is very much appreciated 

Priscilla

> accommodation prices
38.000 yen for shared house
> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc.) I have bicycle , and for far place i used metro just 2000 Yen.
> food prices (your monthly budget)
20.0000Yen.
> health prices (for those who need medical insurance)
0 to 10,000Yen (almost for Dental care)
> education prices (if you need to pay)
What kind of education would you like to be taken?
> energy prices (oil, electricity)
include of accomodation
> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone)
phone just 6500Yen
> price for a good menu in a traditional restaurant
500 to 1500Yen
> price for a coffee or a drink
coffee is 200 to 300Yen. drink is 100 to 200Yen.
> price for cinema tickets
1800Yen.

All the prices are for Tokyo area. All prices in yen.

> accommodation prices
80,000 for a 35 square meter appartment
> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc.)
Dépends on the distance so hard to evaluate. I spend at least 8000 a month
> food prices (your monthly budget)
30,000 for a single
> health prices (for those who need medical insurance)
5,000
> energy prices (oil, electricity)
As a single, about 3,000 electricity, 1500 for water and 1500 for gas monthly
> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone)
Internet is 5500
Mobile is around 7000
> price for a good menu in a traditional restaurant
You're good with 1500-2000
> price for a coffee or a drink
Coffee can range from 350 to 550
Soft drink 100-150, Alcohol  200-300
> price for cinema tickets
1800, 2200 if 3d

Hiroshima city here.

> accommodation prices
45000 yen for 2LDK and another 5000 yen monthly for building maintenance
> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc.)
Densha has flat rate around the city, 160 yen for one way. Bus can be more expensive. I spend roughly 5000 yen every month
> food prices (your monthly budget)
40000 yen for couple, going out once a week.
> health prices (for those who need medical insurance)
Mostly cover by company
> energy prices (oil, electricity)
Water 1500 yen, gas 3500 yen, electricity 2000 yen. It is much expensive during peak summer and winter though.
> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone)
Internet is 3700 yen (wimax)
Mobile is around 3000 yen. ( I dont use much )
> price for a good menu in a traditional restaurant
2000 yen should be enough. All you can eat menu for 2 hours normally cost around 3500-4000 yen
> price for a coffee or a drink
Coffee at cafe around 350 yen
Soft drink 150 yen, Alcohol  depends on what you order

Hi everybody,

Thank you all for this sharing of information.

Priscilla