i am going to japan next march and i dont know how much money to offer to friend for letting me stay?

Hi Vici, first of all I'm assuming that your friends are Japanese. In Japan there are a lot of rules and customs which help navigate most social situations, and generally money is not given as a gift there except perhaps in a small envelope for certain occasions. I'd say it is much more acceptable to give a gift, or several gifts which may include taking them for a meal out. When you give them the gift, make sure you offer it with both hands, and it's polite to be humble about it by saying something like "tsumarani mono desu ga..." (which roughly means 'It's only a small thing, but please accept it').

As far as I can remember the cost per person for a really nice meal with a few drinks was about 4000 yen (approx £40), but I guess that will vary greatly depending on where you go.

I'd suggest for gifts that you bring them something from home that may be expensive or difficult to get in Japan (whiskey is popular there- maybe a nice bottle of Scotch or Irish whiskey, depending on whether they drink?), maybe a little framed print or painting of somewhere in your home country, or ask around when you get there for good confectioners as there are some excellent beautifully boxed sweets you can get in Japan!

Hope this helps.

P.S. Japan is as cheap or expensive as you want to make it, within reason. I'd say prices are similar to London. Tokyo can be quite expensive, especially in Ginza, wheras in more rural areas it's much more affordable. You can always eat in McDonalds or small street stalls for cheaper food, and a lot of restaurants will have a set menu for about 600 yen which usually contains something like grilled fish, big portion of rice, miso soup and green tea, plus little pickles/salad or other small side dish.

Since you have this question, I assume you and your friend are not so intimate yet?

I am a Japanese national and had such a thing when I stayed over at my grandmother's facility.

This is my opinion from my experience.

Paying money can ruin the relationship. Just bring in food or drink. But not too expensive ones, because then you can make your friend feel obligatory to give you something in return.

Give them some food or drink once or twice a week to show your gratitude. I would buy somewhere around 1000 - 3000 yen gift each time. I never think giving money is good idea because I think raw money looks sort of disgusting as a gift.

When I slept over like 2 nights at my grandmother's facility, I would bring facility staffs Japanese traditional snacks. They were pleased. I felt no more obligatory consciousness.

It depends on each case. It's negotiation between you and them. There is no rule.

But generally, you bring some "gifts" when visiting your friends in Japan. So better to bring something, not money.

What to bring? I think local food is better. But you can bring anything.

i would give £100 a week or $150 dollars as its you and your husband ,also i would buy some food shopping aswell when you go out and about

If he/she is a real friend they would be letting you stay for free like my friend did ;)