How much are average utilities cost per month in Japan? In previous discussions, we covered setting up electricity, gas and water services.
This article will delve into the average monthly costs for electricity, gas, and water in Japan. We will also provide information about standard rates for each.
Table of Contents
Quick Video Guide
Average Utilities Cost Per Month: Electricity
First, let’s begin by talking about the average monthly electricity expenses. People use electricity for various purposes, such as powering air conditioning (AC), IH cooktops, refrigerators, lighting, and more. The table below presents the monthly electricity costs based on the number of household members and the city.
Based on the number of household members:
The average cost is 10,222 yen. For a single-person household, it is 6,726 yen, but for a two-person household, the cost per person is not double; instead, it is 10,940 yen.
| Number of Household Members | Monthly Expenditure(yen) |
|---|---|
|
1 |
6,726 |
|
2 |
10,940 |
|
3 |
12,811 |
|
4 |
13,532 |
|
5 |
14,373 |
|
6 |
18,941 |
|
Average |
10,222 |
Based on the city:
Apart from Fukuoka, the big cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya average around 9,000 yen for electricity. In Hokkaido, people live sparsely across a wide area, and it seems that it costs more to transport electricity to remote areas.
| City | Monthly Expenditure(yen) |
|---|---|
|
Tokyo |
9,305 |
|
Yokohama |
9,100 |
|
Osaka |
9,123 |
|
Nagoya |
9,284 |
|
Fukuoka |
6,980 |
|
Sapporo |
11,617 |
Average Utilities Cost Per Month: Gas
Gas is mainly used for bathing and cooking purposes, including water heaters for bathwater and gas stoves for cooking. Some households also use gas fan heaters or gas-powered floor heating systems. In Japan, many people fill the bathtub for bathing, which can result in higher gas bills. The average expenditure depends on gas usage, as shown below.
Based on the number of household members:
| Number of Household Members | Monthly Expenditure(yen) |
|---|---|
|
1 |
3,359 |
|
2 |
4,971 |
|
3 |
5,591 |
|
4 |
5,284 |
|
5 |
5,131 |
|
6 |
5,469 |
|
Average |
4,527 |
Based on the city:
In terms of gas prices, there is not much difference across cities in Japan. However, Yokohama has the highest gas prices among the big cities.
| City | Monthly Expenditure(yen) |
|---|---|
|
Tokyo |
4,905 |
|
Yokohama |
5,147 |
|
Osaka |
4,997 |
|
Nagoya |
4,745 |
|
Fukuoka |
4,326 |
|
Sapporo |
4,525 |
Average Utilities Cost Per Month: Water
Lastly, let’s go through the average expenditure for water. Water expenses are used for bathing, toilet use, cooking, laundry, and other purposes. Similar to gas, in Japan, many people heat water for baths in addition to showers, so the cost of water varies depending on the frequency of bath use.
Based on the number of household members:
| Number of Household Members | Monthly Expenditure(yen) |
|---|---|
|
1 |
2,239 |
|
2 |
4,242 |
|
3 |
5,366 |
|
4 |
6,042 |
|
5 |
6,706 |
|
6 |
8,884 |
|
Average |
4,048 |
Based on the city:
Apart from Osaka, the average monthly expenditure exceeds 3,000 yen among big cities in Japan.
| City | Monthly Expenditure(yen) |
|---|---|
|
Tokyo |
3,952 |
|
Yokohama |
3,718 |
|
Osaka |
2,602 |
|
Nagoya |
3,583 |
|
Fukuoka |
3,814 |
|
Sapporo |
3,047 |
Standard Rate
Electricity
With the liberalization of electricity and gas markets, consumers can choose their electricity and gas providers freely. Below are the basic rates for Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) as of April 2024, for your reference. They have several plans available, the below is the most common plan called Standard Contract:
Standard Contract S: A contract based on an amperage breaker (current limiter) or a meter that limits current (10A to 60A)
- Base fee (per 10A): 311.75 yen (e.g., for 15A = 467.63 yen)
- Electricity charge (per 1kWh):
- Up to 120kWh: 29.80 yen
- 121kWh to 300kWh: 36.40 yen
- Above 301kWh: 40.49 yen
Source: TEPCO Kanto Area, Standard Plan
Gas
As with electricity, you can freely choose your gas company. Below are the prices for Tokyo Gas with the basic price plan:
| Monthly Gas Usage | Base Fee(yen) | Unit Price (yen/m³) |
|---|---|---|
|
0m³ to 20m³ |
759 |
145.31 |
|
Above 20m³ up to 80m³ |
1,056 |
130.46 |
|
Above 80m³ up to 200m³ |
1,232 |
128.26 |
|
Above 200m³ up to 500m³ |
1,892 |
124.96 |
|
Above 500m³ up to 800m³ |
6,292 |
116.16 |
|
Above 800m³ |
12,452 |
108.46 |
Water
In each household, the water bill is calculated as the sum of the water charge and the sewage charge.
- The water charge = (base fee + volume charge) * 1.10
- The sewage charge = (volume charge) * 1.10.
The rate table for Tokyo is as follows. Rates vary by region.
Water bill (monthly)
| Meter diameter | Base Fee(yen) | Unit Price (yen/m³) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
1m³
～
5m³ |
6m³
～
10m³ |
11m³
～
20m³ |
21m³
～
30m³ |
|
|
13mm |
¥860 |
zero |
¥22 Per 1m³ |
128 Per 1m³ |
163 Per 1m³ |
|
|
20mm |
¥1,170 |
|||||
|
25mm |
¥1,460 |
|||||
|
30mm |
¥3,435 |
213 Per 1m³ |
||||
Sewage bill (monthly)
| Meter diameter | Unit Price (yen/m³) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0m³
～
8m³ |
9m³
～
20m³ |
21m³
～
30m³ |
31m³
～
50m³ |
|
|
13mm |
¥560 |
¥110 Per 1m³ |
¥140 Per 1m³ |
¥170 Per 1m³ |
|
For example, for a typical household with a nominal diameter of 20mm, using 59m³ over 2 months, will be (9,038 + 7,062) = 16,100 yen
[Water] (1,170 x 2+ 3,020 yen + 2,857 yen)*1.10 = 9,038 yen
1.Base fee: 1,170 x 2
2. Unit Price up to 30m³: 3,020 yen
- 1～5m³＠0yen×5m³＝0yen
- 6～10m³＠22yen×5m³＝110yen
- 11～20m³＠128yen×10m³＝1,280yen
- 21～30m³＠163yen×10m³＝1,630yen
3. Unit Price up to 29m³: 2,857 yen
- 1～5m³＠0yen×5m³＝0yen
- 6～10m³＠22yen×5m³＝110yen
- 11～20m³＠128yen×10m³＝1,280yen
- 21～29m³＠163yen×9m³＝1,467yen
[Sewage] (3,280 yen + 3,140 yen)*1.10 = 7,062 yen
1. Unit Price up to 30m³: 3,280 yen
- 0～8m³＝560yen
- 9～20m³＠110yen×12m³＝1,320yen
- 21～30m³＠140yen×10m³＝1,400yen
2. Unit Price up to 29m³: 3,140yen
- 0～8m³＝560yen
- 9～20m³＠110yen×12m³＝1,320yen
- 21～30m³＠140yen×9m³＝1,260yen
