🇯🇵 Japan · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Hiroshima? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
One-bed flat, central (Naka ward, Hatchōbori, Nagarekawa)JPY 60,000–90,000 / month
Utilities and internet, one personJPY 12,000–19,000 / month
Groceries, one personJPY 32,000–45,000 / month
Commuter pass, tram and busJPY 6,000–11,000 / month, usually reimbursed by employers
Good to know
Population
≈1.18 million in the city — the largest in the Chūgoku region and its commercial capital
Languages
Japanese, in the Hiroshima dialect. English signage is good around the Peace Park and thins quickly outside it
Currency
Japanese yen (JPY)
Time zone
JST (GMT+9) — Japan does not observe daylight saving
Power plug
Type A and B, 100 V, 60 Hz in western Japan against 50 Hz in the east
Climate
Humid subtropical, sheltered by the Inland Sea — hot humid summers, mild dry winters, a June rainy season, and typhoons weakened by Shikoku before they arrive
Driving side
Left
Wards
Eight — Naka, Higashi, Minami, Nishi, Asaminami, Asakita, Aki and Saeki. Register in the right one
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Hiroshima checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Hiroshima
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.