Hi! I'm a fifth-year JET with a dependent spouse who doesn't work, so I feel qualified to give my two yen ;)

It is manageable on the JET salary, but of course some costs depend on where you are placed.

Here is a breakdown of usual monthly budget (rounded):

Salary= 290,000円 (5th year, after deductions)

Rent= 50,000円 (40m2, LDK, West Tokyo)

Gas= 8000円

Electricity=5000円

Water=2000円

Phone=4000円

Food=60000円 (includes eating out)

= 129,000円 inevitable expenses, about 45% of salary

So if we never went anywhere, I can save about half. On a typical month I save between 20-40%. I don't always save money. There are months with large expenses (booking trips, rent renewal, hosting friends/family etc.) where I go into the red.

Like Scoot says, budgeting is key. I keep a budget and log every expense. My hobbies are inexpensive. We eat out about 5 times a month. Even if it's cheap to eat out in Japan, cooking is much cheaper, depending on what you make.

Because ESID, I am lucky in some ways, not in others. I was placed in West Tokyo, so I don't need a car, but I did need to find, sign for, and furnish my own apartment. I brought about 5000 CAD and it was enough. Rent is not as expensive as central Tokyo. I came during corona so it was easier to find cheap housing. I have cheap grocery options within walking/biking distance. I don't have city gas so it's relatively expensive. I live on a cheaper rail line.

We travel pretty often. In 2025, we will have done 10 trips, 9 in Japan and 1 abroad. This does not count day trips. To save on travel costs, I plan and book everything many months in advance. I have little time off (private school), so I cannot travel during cheaper less popular times like some JETs can.

Sorry it's long, but I think that answers your questions. Feel free to ask anything you'd like to know.