Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Bangladeshi Student in Tokyo: Rent, Food, Study, and Savings

So you're thinking about studying in Japan, and you've heard Tokyo is expensive. Well, I'm not going to sugarcoat it—it's not cheap. But it's also not impossible. I lived in Tokyo as a student, and now I work at Inochi Global Education Institute helping Bangladeshi students make the same move. Let me break down exactly what you'll spend each month, and how you can manage it.

On average, a Bangladeshi student in Tokyo spends between 120,000 and 150,000 yen per month (roughly 90,000–110,000 BDT). Let's dive into the details.

1. Housing: Your biggest expense

Where you live makes a huge difference. Most students start with a share house.

Share House

Share houses are popular because they're affordable and social. Rent runs from 40,000 to 60,000 yen per month (30,000–45,000 BDT). You get your own room but share kitchen and bathroom. For example, near Shinjuku or Shibuya, you can find a decent room for 55,000 yen.

Leopalace or Private Apartment

If you want more privacy, a Leopalace apartment costs 60,000–80,000 yen (45,000–60,000 BDT), plus utilities (electricity, gas, water) around 10,000 yen extra.

Tip: Start with a share house. It's cheaper and helps you make friends quickly—both Japanese and international students.

2. Food: Cook to save big

Food costs 30,000–45,000 yen per month (22,000–34,000 BDT). Eating out every meal easily doubles that. A bowl of ramen or gyudon at a place like Matsuya costs 300–500 yen. But cooking at home cuts your food bill to around 20,000 yen—rice, vegetables, eggs, and chicken are affordable.

“My first month I ate out all the time and spent 50,000 yen on food. Once I learned to cook, I brought it down to 25,000 yen.” — A Bangladeshi student in Tokyo

3. Transport: Get a student pass

Tokyo's trains are efficient but costly. As a student, you can buy a gakushi-teiki (student commuter pass) that covers your route between home and school. If you live near your school, it's 5,000–10,000 yen per month (3,750–7,500 BDT). If you commute far, it can be up to 15,000 yen. A better option? Get a second-hand bicycle for 5,000–10,000 yen and ride for free.

4. Utilities, phone, and other bills

• Mobile & Internet: 3,000–5,000 yen (2,250–3,750 BDT). Cheap plans from Y!mobile or Rakuten Mobile work fine.
• National Health Insurance: Around 1,500–2,000 yen per month (1,125–1,500 BDT) for students.
• Entertainment & misc: 5,000–10,000 yen. Movies, temple visits, and occasional outings. Many places offer student discounts.

5. Part-time work: Your financial lifeline

International students in Japan can work up to 28 hours per week. In Tokyo, average hourly pay is 1,000–1,200 yen (750–900 BDT). Working 100 hours a month can earn you around 100,000 yen—enough to cover most of your living expenses. Many students even save money.

But remember: your main goal is study. Don't let work hurt your grades or JLPT preparation. Balance is key.

Monthly Budget Summary

Category	Cost (Yen)	Cost (BDT)
Rent (share house)	50,000	37,500
Food	35,000	26,250
Transport	10,000	7,500
Bills & other	15,000	11,250
Total	110,000	82,500

So yes, Tokyo requires planning. But with part-time work and smart spending, it's absolutely doable. Plus, the experience—safety, culture, technology, and the sheer beauty of Japan—is priceless.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us at Inochi Global Education Institute. Check out our university list and make sure to mark your calendar for JLPT exam dates. We're here to help you every step of the way.