Times Of TIU

Writer: Dulguun M.

Editor: Leoni A.

Translator: Yuki N.

Living in Japan can sometimes be very expensive, balancing that cost with student life can prove to be financially stressful. On average, students spend around 5,000 to 20,000 yen a week on groceries alone. This figure has only been rising due to constant inflation, as prices for basics like eggs, vegetables, and meat have gone up steadily.

Despite this, it is possible to eat three healthy meals a day by only spending 3,500 yen a week. Anyone following this guide can put together balanced meals by shopping carefully and cooking at home.

Core Budgeting Strategy

The key is to prioritize low-cost, high-nutritional staples and buy them from the cheapest sources. Here are two of the best supermarkets for students:

1. Gyōmu Super (業務スーパー): Known for bulk items, imported goods, and high quantity, low-cost products. Popular with budget-conscious shoppers.

2. Big-A: Known for affordable produce, packaged foods, and some stores have bakeries.

Some of the typical prices you can expect at these stores include (As of 2025):

Item	Price Range (Yen)	Notes
Rice	400–800	0.5–1 kg bag or microwave packs
Eggs	120–180 (6 pack)180–230 (10 pack)
Tofu	100–120	Per block
Chicken Thigh/Drumstick	78-100	Per 100 grams
Cabbage, Carrots, Onions, Scallions	500–700 total	For the whole week
Bananas or Apples	200–400
Milk	130 (low-fat) – 200 (100% milk)	Per carton (1L)
Bread	105–120	(8 slices)
Cooking Staples	400–600 total	Soy sauce, miso, and oil(Buy in bulk!)

An example of 2kg of rice is typically priced at 1350 yen in Gyomu.

For example, if you want to fit all of this into a 3,500 yen budget, it will look like this:

Item	Price (yen)
Rice (1 kg, microwavable)	500
Eggs (10 pack)	200
Tofu (2 blocks)	240
Chicken (600 g)	480
Vegetables (mixed)	600
Fruits	300
Bread (8 slices)	110
Milk (1 L)	200
Seasonings & Oil (amortized)	200
Total	3,330

Daily Meal Plan

To make this budget work, meals must reuse the same ingredients in different ways. Here is a realistic structure:

Breakfast

• Rice, miso soup, and a fried egg
  
• Bread, milk, and a banana
  
• Rice and tofu with soy sauce

Lunch

• Leftovers from dinner (portioned curry, stir-fry, or hotpot from the night before)
  
• Onigiri (rice balls with seasoning or meat/fish)
  
• Quick vegetable stir-fry with rice
  

Dinner

• Day 1–2: Chicken stir-fry with cabbage, carrot, and onion
  
• Day 3–4: Fish with rice, miso soup, and a tofu side dish
  
• Day 5–6: Curry with chicken, potato, and carrot
  
• Day 7: Hotpot with vegetables, tofu, and meat
  

This meal plan covers essential nutrients: Eggs, tofu, chicken, and fish provide protein, rice and bread supply energy, and vegetables and fruits deliver vitamins and fiber.

Tips and Tricks

Check cost per 100 grams: Always calculate to see the real value.

Target rice under 80 yen per 100 grams: This maximizes calories per yen.

Protein efficiency: Eggs and tofu are the cheapest, most reliable protein sources.

Buy seasonal vegetables: Prices fluctuate; seasonal options are always cheaper.

Plan variety: Rotate meals for variety.

Take advantage of discounts: Many supermarkets mark down fresh food and produce in the evening (starting around 7 PM).

Cook in bulk: Curry, stir-fry, and hotpot save time and money when made in larger portions.

Conclusion 

While certainly not easy, living on just 3,500 yen a week is possible. It requires mindful shopping, bulk cooking, and a willingness to embrace a frugal mindset. We hope our students at TIU can use this article as a guide, a chance to learn self-discipline and improve their budgeting skills without sacrificing their health.

By focusing on keeping costs low and reusing ingredients, students not only save money but also practice sustainable and independent living, practices that will benefit them long after their time studying.