Is Now the Best Time to Travel to Japan? (Tokyo)
S$1 buys you ¥124 right now.
That's near an all-time high for Singaporeans travelling to Japan. And yes — before you ask — the yen is still weak. The exchange rate has climbed over 4% in just the last six months alone.
But here's what the travel influencers posting their ramen shots aren't telling you: Japan in 2026 is a different trip from Japan in 2023. New taxes. Record crowds. Rising hotel prices. And a government that is actively trying to slow the flood of tourists down.
So is it still worth going? Absolutely.
But you need to go in with eyes open.
The Yen Is Still Your Best Friend
As of early June 2026, the SGD to JPY rate sits at approximately S$1 = ¥124.92 — near its all-time high as the Japanese yen continues to weaken against major currencies.
In practical terms, that means:
A S$50 dinner in Singapore buys you the same experience in Tokyo for roughly S$30. A hotel that would cost S$250 in Singapore goes for S$150–180 in a comparable Tokyo property. A full day of transport on the Suica card — trains, buses, subway — costs under S$10.
The purchasing power differential is real, meaningful, and right now, better than it has been in years.
Forecasts suggest the SGD/JPY rate could climb further toward ¥135 by end of 2026 — which means the window for Singaporeans to benefit from yen weakness may actually be getting wider, not narrower.
But — and this is the important part — the cost of the trip itself is rising even as the yen weakens. Here's why.
What's Actually Changed in 2026
Japan is not the same destination it was two years ago. The government has spent the past 18 months rolling out the most aggressive anti-overtourism measures the country has ever introduced.
The departure tax is tripling from JPY 1,000 to JPY 3,000 starting July 2026 — paid on every flight out of Japan. That's roughly S$32 per person per trip, up from about S$11.
Kyoto introduced a tiered accommodation tax in March 2026 — visitors staying in luxury hotels now pay JPY 10,000 or more per night, while mid-range stays attract JPY 1,000 to JPY 4,000 per night. Similar lodging taxes have rolled out across other prefectures from April.
Popular sites including the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Fushimi Inari, and Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa are now experiencing significant overcrowding, with authorities introducing visitor caps and crowd management measures.
And Fujiyoshida cancelled its annual cherry blossom festival this year, citing unmanageable crowds, littering, and disruption to local residents.
The Japan you're visiting in 2026 is managed, taxed, and increasingly capacity-controlled. Plan accordingly.
Tokyo Specifically — What to Expect
Tokyo absorbs tourists better than anywhere else in Japan. The city is simply too large and too layered to feel overrun in the way Kyoto does.
But even Tokyo has its pressure points.
Shibuya Scramble draws so many tourists now that the observation decks overlooking the crossing require reservations weeks in advance during peak periods. Go early morning — before 8am — and it's a different experience entirely.
Senso-ji in Asakusa is perpetually packed. The temple grounds themselves close to visitors after certain hours. If Senso-ji is on your list, arrive before 7am or go on a weekday evening when the crowds thin.
Shinjuku and Harajuku remain chaotic and fun regardless of season — the crowds are part of the experience here, not a detraction from it.
What's underrated right now: Shimokitazawa for vintage shopping and live music. Yanaka for old-Tokyo neighbourhood vibes. Koenji for street food and local izakayas. These areas are not on the tourist circuit and are infinitely more relaxed.
Tokyo 2026 — Quick Facts for Singaporeans
Everything you need to know before you book.
| Factor | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Exchange Rate | S$1 = ¥124.90 (June 2026) Near all-time high. Forecasts suggest further yen weakness through end 2026. |
| Departure Tax | JPY 3,000 per person from July 2026 Tripling from JPY 1,000. Paid on every outbound flight from Japan. |
| Accommodation Tax | JPY 200–10,000 per night Varies by prefecture and hotel tier. Budget stays pay less; luxury hotels pay more. |
| Best Time to Go | June · Sept–Nov Avoid Golden Week (late Apr–May) and mid-August for lower prices and fewer crowds. |
| Daily Budget | S$120–180/day per person Accommodation, meals, transport and 1–2 paid attractions. Excludes flights. |
| Travel Insurance | MediShield does not cover Japan Single-trip policy from ~S$30. Hospital stays from JPY 150,000 without cover. |
| Crowd Warning | Senso-ji · Shibuya · Fushimi Inari Visit before 8am or after 7pm. Off-the-beaten-path neighbourhoods offer a far better experience. |
The Costs You Need to Budget For
Beyond flights and accommodation, here's what Singaporeans consistently underestimate:
IC card (Suica/Pasmo): Load S$30–50 for the first few days. Tokyo's transit network is excellent but adds up quickly.
Food: Budget S$15–30 per meal at a decent restaurant. Street food and convenience store meals (which are genuinely excellent in Japan) bring this down to S$5–10 per sitting.
Attractions: TeamLab Planets runs JPY 3,800 per person (about S$31). Tokyo Skytree observation deck is JPY 2,100–3,100. Budget JPY 5,000–8,000 per person per day for paid attractions.
Departure tax: From July 2026, add JPY 3,000 per person to your outbound flight cost.
Travel insurance: Non-negotiable. More on this below.
The One Thing Most Singaporeans Skip
Medical care in Japan is excellent. It is also entirely out-of-pocket for foreign visitors.
Your Singapore MediShield Life or Integrated Shield Plan does not cover you in Japan. A hospitalisation for food poisoning, a fracture from a slip on icy pavement in winter, or an allergic reaction requiring emergency treatment — you pay first, sort it out later.
A basic emergency hospital visit in Tokyo starts at JPY 30,000 (about S$240) before any treatment. An overnight stay easily hits JPY 150,000–200,000 (S$1,200–1,600).
For a 5-7 day Japan trip, a single-trip travel insurance policy typically costs S$30–60. That covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, baggage loss, and flight delays.
The yen gives you an incredible value advantage on this trip. Don't let one uncovered emergency erase it.
When to Go
Best window right now: June (you're in it). Post-Golden Week crowds have cleared, the weather is warm, and accommodation prices are at a seasonal low before the summer holiday spike hits in July.
Avoid: Late March to early May (cherry blossom season + Golden Week = maximum crowds and maximum prices). Mid-August (O-Bon holiday — domestic and international travel peaks simultaneously).
Underrated: September to early November. Autumn foliage season draws crowds but nowhere near cherry blossom levels, and the weather in Tokyo is perfect — cool, dry, clear.
Best Travel Insurance Plans for Your Tokyo Trip
MediShield doesn't cover you the moment you leave Singapore. Here's what a proper travel policy costs — and what you get for it.
Yes. Now is still a great time to travel to Japan.
The yen is weak. Tokyo is world-class. The food alone justifies the trip.
But the era of Japan being effortlessly cheap and effortlessly uncrowded is over. The government is taxing tourism harder, the most iconic spots require strategy to enjoy, and hotel prices are rising even as the yen stays soft.
Go now — before the July departure tax hike. Stay in June or book for the September-November autumn window. Skip the Instagram hotspots at peak hours. And spend the S$30–60 on a travel insurance policy before you fly.
Tokyo will reward you. Just go prepared.
Shaun
Founder
RealisedGains is committed to empowering retail investors to achieve lasting financial well-being. By delivering meticulously curated investment insights and educational programs, RealisedGains equips individuals with the knowledge and tools to make sophisticated, informed financial decisions.
Founder, Analyst
With over a decade of expertise spanning investment advisory, investment banking analysis, oil trading, and financial advisory roles, RealisedGains is committed to empowering retail investors to achieve lasting financial well-being. By delivering meticulously curated investment insights and educational programs, RealisedGains equips individuals with the knowledge and tools to make sophisticated, informed financial decisions.
Is Now the Best Time to Travel to Japan? (Tokyo)
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