Hello, I’m Sugiura, the editor-in-chief of Ashu Travel, a travel agency specializing in Central Asia.
“With the weak yen, I don’t think I can afford to travel abroad right now…” ”Prices are high, so it seems like everywhere is expensive…”
I hear people saying this around me too. As a matter of fact, the “heavenly hidden land” of Kyrgyzstan is currently attracting a lot of attention among Japanese travelers.
Because it’s “even more affordable than you can imagine”! And it’s not just cheap. You can experience the magnificent nature, interact with the nomadic people, and see the starry sky… There are luxurious experiences that money can’t buy waiting for you.
In this issue, we will bring you the latest information on prices in 2025, as well as tips on how to travel on a budget. Why not try a special travel experience in a country where time flows at a relaxed pace, unlike Japan?
Basic information on the currency and prices in Kyrgyzstan
To avoid panicking on your first shopping trip, let’s quickly go over the money situation in Kyrgyzstan.
Currency of Kyrgyzstan
The currency of Kyrgyzstan is the som. As of January 2025, 1 som is worth 1.78 yen.
When you go abroad, you may be confused about how to convert money, but I recommend using the rough conversion of “1 som = 2 yen” for easy understanding.
The latest price situation in 2025
Prices in Kyrgyzstan have been rising since around 2020. However, they are still much cheaper than in Japan.
For example…
1L water bottle: 60-90 yen
Lunch at a local restaurant: 500-1,000 yen
☕️ Coffee: 300 yen
It’s about 2/3 of the size of Japan. With this, I’m not afraid of a weak yen!
The opposite pattern, where the price increases.
Basically, prices in Kyrgyzstan are cheaper than in Japan, but not everything is cheap. In fact, these products are surprisingly expensive.
- Imported fruit (bananas, avocados, etc.)
- Instant noodles from overseas
- Imported cheeses
Basically, imported goods are not much different from those in Japan, or they may even be more expensive. A smart way to enjoy them is to make use of the ingredients that can be found locally.
Prices in Kyrgyzstan|Average prices for meals when traveling
In fact, the cost of food in Kyrgyzstan is more than you would expect. Furthermore, because agriculture is so prosperous, there is a wide variety of ingredients, and basically all the food is delicious.
The standard price for ordering a standard dish at a local restaurant
The local restaurants, which are always bustling with the local people, are a treasure trove of Kyrgyz food culture.
- Kyrgyz-style udon “ragman” 300-500 yen
- Kyrgyz version of shish-kebabs “Shashlik”：About 150 yen per bottle
- Kyrgyz version of xiao long bao “manti”：About 100 to 200 yen each
- Kyrgyz pilaf “plov”：About 600 to 800 yen
For just 500 yen a meal, you can fill up and be satisfied!
The going rate for working at a cafe
There are lots of stylish cafes in the capital, Bishkek. They’re also fully equipped with WiFi, so they’re perfect for workation!
A guide to popular cafe menus
- Americano: 300 yen ~
- Cappuccino: 350 yen ~
- Sandwiches: 600 yen ~
It’s cheaper than cafes in Japan, but it’s not inferior in terms of comfort or taste.
The going rate for enjoying a drink at a stylish bar
At night, we went to a bar where the locals gathered. It had a stylish atmosphere, but the prices were also surprisingly low.
- 1 local beer: 200 yen ~
- 1 glass of wine: 400 yen ~
- Kyrgyzstan’s specialty cognac: 400 yen ~
- Assorted snacks: 600 yen ~
You’ll be surprised at the quality for this price!
Prices in Kyrgyzstan|Transportation costs and cost-effective means of transportation
Choosing your method of transport can have a big impact on your travel budget. In Kyrgyzstan, too, if you get creative, you can reduce your transportation costs and make your trip more affordable. Find out what local people use to get around and travel smartly.
Traveling on a marshrutka at a bargain price
A marshrutka is a shared minibus that serves as a means of transport for locals and tourists alike. It departs with a full load of passengers, so it’s very cheap.
For example, it takes four hours to get from Bishkek to Cholpon-ata on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, but the one-way fare is only around 400 to 1,000 yen. The price varies depending on the season, but it is still surprisingly cheap compared to Japan.
Let’s use the taxi app!
If you want to get around Bishkek by taxi to visit hotels or tourist attractions, we recommend using a taxi-hailing app. You can find out the fare in advance, so you don’t have to worry about being overcharged and can use the service with peace of mind.
Uber is well known in Europe and the US, but in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, the famous app is Yandex GO. The price depends on the grade of the car, but overall it is much cheaper than in Japan.
Tips for keeping your travel expenses down when traveling in Kyrgyzstan
Although prices are relatively low in Kyrgyzstan, there are ways to enjoy your trip even more.
Tip①: Avoid the high season for sightseeing
If you miss the best season, airfare, accommodation and transportation costs may be cheaper.
The best time to visit Kyrgyzstan is from June to September. As many of the places are at high altitudes, there are many places where you can spend time as a summer resort, and in early summer, the country is full of tourists.
The best time for sightseeing is from March to November, so if you want to travel on a budget, why not choose a slightly less popular time, such as March, April or October?
Tip ②: Traveling with multiple people
Traveling in Kyrgyzstan is fun for both solo female and male travelers, but accommodation, tours and taxi fares are cheaper when shared. If you want to save a little on your travel expenses, it’s a good idea to plan with friends, a partner or family.
Travel plans that you can trust with Ashu Travel
If you want to enjoy your first trip to Kyrgyzstan to the full without any worries, leave it to the professionals!
A tour of Kyrgyzstan with a Japanese-speaking guide
If you’re worried about your Kyrgyz or English, don’t worry. On Ashu Travel tours, you’ll be supported by a Japanese-speaking guide!
For example, we have prepared tours like this
- A tour to fully enjoy Lake Issyk-Kul and the nomadic culture
- A tour that also includes Kazakhstan
- A secret campsite reached by horseback
Enjoy group travel at a discount!
If you’re worried about the budget for a small group, we recommend joining as a group.
- If there are 4 or more people, you can get an even better deal!
- If you participate with 6 or more people, the price per person will be an amazing price!
- The joy of being able to share the experience with everyone
A full support system
We have a system in place to ensure your peace of mind even in a country you are visiting for the first time:
- Airport pickup included
- Exclusive driver
- We will guide you to carefully selected accommodations.
- Japanese language support in an emergency
Let’s go on a trip to Kyrgyzstan where you can encounter new values at a bargain price!
Kyrgyzstan is a hidden gem that you can enjoy because of the weak yen and high prices. Not only is it affordable, but you can also look forward to priceless experiences that money can’t buy, such as staying in a yurt or horse-riding.
Please feel free to contact us for more information about the detailed itinerary and prices. Beginners of Kyrgyzstan and overseas horseback riding are also welcome. Ashu Travel will turn your “I want to go!” into “I can go!”!
We also recommend this column.
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Account name： @ashutravel_jp
URL: https://www.instagram.com/ashutravel_jp/
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