What to do, where to go, where to stay, restaurants, hotels, free WiFi and maps, plan your trip here, to travel with confidence and ease when you visit Japan Perhaps we can meet up and collaborate, I do video production, just got back from Colorado and am going to Cancun in June.looking forward to hearing back from you, Peace and Love always, “L” oh let’s connect on IG, Just book them through Booking.com — no need to go to any specific site. Travel insurance for 16 days in Japan: $60. Entry to the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto: $3/300¥ Average amount spent in Japan: $95 a day! This page is meant to give you a rough idea of the cost of individual travel in Japan by introducing some sample budgets. The average person spends about ¥1,653 on alcoholic beverages in Japan per day. It was so much fun. A standard tatami mat room in Japan. With that not happening any time soon, I decided to blow my money anyway, because I wanted to go and the gushing blog posts from travel writer friends had convinced me it would be worth the splurge. Make sure to review all discounts & online booking prices. It does help to find a host that speaks English, but they are generally eager to show you around their city. I’m in Bristol, in the UK. Tokyo: $33 per night/3,600 Yen per night Obviously, your trip was on a very impressive budget. If you feel, I meet your requirements, would love to get an itinerary and costing for my 7-8 day stay in Japan. Until moments ago, I had always assumed Japan to be too expensive to even consider. There just wasn’t anything to fall head-over-heels in love with. I am really curious on how you got a 14 days pass JR for only 420$, from where I am from (Canada) it is 567! Japan budget travel: important facts and figures. Normally I don’t find myself reading entire articles but yours was so informational and in depth. Please try again. Traveling in Japan is possible with a limited budget. See below for options. I cover that at the start of the blog post: “And finally, these are the expenses I paid while travelling with my boyfriend. Take advantage of free attractions and events Thank you for making my dream a little bit closer. So how do I search for either? If you’re going to Hakone, this will save you money because it covers everything you’ll want to do there. What I love about Insight is that their books focus heavily on the history and culture of Japan, with big, beautiful pictures, tons of information about local customs, food, and how to travel responsibly and respectfully. You can think of it as a more personal, funnier version of this site, revealing all the stuff I could never share publicly. Two people traveling together for one month in Japan can often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week. Some first time offenders get off with just a warning. With its futuristic skyscrapers, unrivaled food scene, and wild nightlife, Tokyo is a rush of pure adrenaline. Hello! Are you going to be posting about food in Japan? Unfortunately, he will be a senior next year so the 2021 high school program will not be available for him. If you’ve enjoyed my articles and want to help support my site, take a look at my Patreon: it’s my second blog where I share my biggest and best travel stories! i guess the expense for a couple will be double up. Hiroshima: 1 night Are those above for cherry blossom season you visited? You can also buy a Japanese SIM card in advance through the Japanese rail pass site, which I did, and would recommend doing. Japan has had a reputation as being expensive for a very long time, people paying hundreds of dollars for a piece of Kobe beef or a sliver of the finest blue fin tuna. Check the infographic below for detailed information about the costs of a trip to Japan and read along for advice on how to travel Japan on a budget. I’m debating spending 5 nights in Osaka and doing day trips to kyoto, nara and himeji castle. I’m traveling with my 22yr old daughter to celebrate her graduation and my birthday. But we house sat – rent-free – and saw that food and travel are on par or cheaper than New Jersey. Did you have to get separate beds for those nights? Despite being a hostel, the private rooms are particularly great for couples and it felt more like a modern hotel than a place for backpackers. Accommodation – Most hostels will charge between 2,500-4,000 JPY (20-35 USD) per night for a dorm room. It will also help you cut down on transportation costs which can be quite high throughout Japan. Came across your site on a Google search for budget travel. We also saw that virtually all things are cheaper than folks said. You can find local restaurants and order dishes that you might otherwise not understand. Yeah, it really did feel about the same price as Western Europe, if not cheaper. I really love Japan’s culture and their people. Police can question you and will often fine you if you do not have it on you. Hi Lauren, We had our backpacks with us when we visited the snow monkeys, so utilised the on-site storage facility while we hiked up the mountain in the snow. The staff were lovely, and there was a restaurant/bar that served up fantastic pizzas. I'll give you the full lowdown on my recent travels, share a ton of ridiculous stories I haven't written about here, and offer real advice on how you can start living a life of freedom. Here’s how I spread my cash around: Entrance fee for the hedgehog cafe: $13/1400¥ However, many travelers are reluctant to plan a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun because of the cost. I traveled around Japan with my husband, all expenses mentioned are for the two of us together. Japan on a budget: readers’ travel tips The perception that Japan is an expensive destination is challenged by our tipsters, who find 70p sushi delivered by … Wer sich einmal den Preis- und Konsum-Index bei numbeo anschaut, stellt fest, dass der Index um die 70 Prozent von New Yorker Konsumkosten liegt. Oh, Japanese food — I love you so freaking much. Japan Budget. Hey i found this really helpful but I’ve been planning to visit japan for a while and have hopes of going after i graduate high school. He also wanted to go to TUJ(Temple University Japan). Can I get cell phone coverage in Japan. This was so incredibly helpful! So, a trip to Japan for two people for one week costs on average ¥192,845 ($1,854). I want to follow your itinerary for the most part. 2. #30 Best Value of 344 Budget Hotels in Japan “ Rooms are small (which is should be expected), but amazingly affordable for what you get. Based on your experience – is that ok? Budget,Ministry of Finance Japan. Tourism Revenues in Japan averaged 5546030.52 JPY Thousand from 1985 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 30450000 JPY Thousand in October of 2019 and a record low of 39000 JPY Thousand in May of 2020. Then when I opened it up and started reading, I decided Insight Guides are my new favourite guidebook company. Never have done international travel and would like your advice on a couple of things. I would suggest looking for hotels in the Namba and Umeda neighbourhoods. Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) has requested a budget of 78.5 billion JPY for FY2019 starting April 1 2019, 2.5 times more than the FY2018 budget. I really liked you post and I think is really helpful. Hi! 1) I prefer to travel with a backpack, but you’ll do okay with a suitcase, too. Thanks for reading, and I’m glad you found it useful :-). Japan was simply too expensive for a budget traveller, so I decided to save it for when I was rich. Methinks many labeling Japan and NZ as expensive as can be are used to paying $1 for lunch in Chiang Mai LOL. Definitely less! In cases where I can’t get a receipt, I’ll take a photo of the price list and my ticket or food, or something as evidence. Imagine my surprise, then, when I discovered that it really wasn’t that expensive. If you’re looking for privacy, expect to pay around 8,500 JPY (75 USD) for a double room at a budget hotel. There are many different types of transportation passes that offer any number of ticket combinations and various discounts. Transportation: $31 per day Anyway! ; I quote prices in the Japanese Yen (¥) as well as € and $.When we were in Japan, €1 was around 125JPY and $1 was around 110JPY, you can find the current exchange rates here. Would I have to pay for a double room most of the time (apart from dorm beds of course)? I published a guide to my favourite things to eat in the country last week: https://www.neverendingfootsteps.com/best-food-japan/. Budget carriers and other airlines are adding international flights at Narita Airport, giving a lift to Japan's foreign tourism. In case you’re interested, though, I paid $320 for a return flight from Rome to Tokyo, which I scored through browsing my favourite site for flight bargains, Secret Flying. US Partner News SEE ALL. Hopefully, your article would be able to help me fix my budgeting for my trip to Japan. 1. I’m slowly working my way through my records and adding more and more to the site. or is better to stay 2 nights in Osaka and 3 nights in kyoto. Plus going to olympics are so expensive. I’m going to Japan October this year with my wife and my major concern is how you managed to book sleeping pods for you and your boyfriend as almost all accommodations are either “male only” or “female only” from the options I’ve seen so far. However, there are ways to travel to Japan cheaply if you know a few tips! Super easy to use! Budget Stay; Airport Access. That’s quite an eye-opener! My wife and I are heading to Japan in mid May and I plan to use your itinerary. How much does a trip to Japan cost? The Airbnb apartment I stayed at in Tokyo has since stopped accepting guests. Get take-away meals from grocery stores. View also our pages about budget travel, package tours and suggested itineraries to see the sample budgets applied to specific itineraries. Where Do Backpackers Go in Japan? Tourist Information Centres are also a reliable source of English-speaking assistance if in less-touristed areas. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget. With some research i found that the JR pass isn’t needed if you’re just staying in one city. My name is Lauren Juliff and I've been travelling the world for nine years and counting. The price of renting a car in Japan will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. It even included homemade cherry wine, which was delicious! Miscellaneous: $2 per day. Some passes have stricter limitations than others so make sure you look into this before buying a pass. Japan has 21 World Heritage Sites, including Himeji Castle, Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and Nara.Popular foreigner attractions include Tokyo and Hiroshima, Mount Fuji, ski resorts such as Niseko in Hokkaido, Okinawa, riding the shinkansen and taking advantage of Japan's hotel and hotspring network. No major complaints and I’d stay there again! FY2020 Budget. I spent almost a full month in Japan, 29 days to be exact. This is great! During the pandemic, I’m primarily writing on Patreon. :-). Tourists from South Korea have made up the largest number of inbound tourists several times in the past. Thanks. So, a trip to Japan for two people costs around ¥192,845 for one week. Takoyaki is one of my favourite Japanese snack foods — you have to try them while you’re there! Planning in advance remains the best solution to dig out the best value for money. A nonstop city of thrilling contrasts . (I have hotel points where i can stay at osaka). In Kyoto, we stayed in a cosy hotel, that provided us with a tatami mat room for an excellent price. Do you have any idea about prices for solo travellers though? This is super awesome! Does that seem possible with $150/day? Are you able to name all the accomodations you stayed with? Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) has requested a budget of 78.5 billion JPY for FY2019 starting April 1 2019, 2.5 times more than the FY2018 budget. Japan recorded a Government Budget deficit equal to 3.80 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2018. Food: $23 per day is it favorable to use credit card or cash is much preferred? Which month you visited Japan? Prices of hotels can be among some of the most expensive in the world. Would you say for a trip including cultural experiences, transportation and stays in nice hotels for a week, a grand total of $3,700 is reasonable? There is a lot of different opinions online, thought id ask you if you think i’d be missing out on anything if staying in osaka. Past travelers have spent, on average, ¥3,088 ($30) on meals for one day and ¥2,114 ($20) on local transportation. I could have spent a week just in that private room. When exactly did you go in Japan? Note that accommodation rates can increase during peak seasons in popular destinations which is not reflected by the numbers below. However, hostels in Japan are amazing and well worth the splurge! Japan’s parliament passed a regular annual budget Friday that clears the way for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to come up with new stimulus measures to … A great way to familiarize yourself with the region is to read any number of books on the country, fiction or nonfiction, before you begin your trip. It's a wonderful and unique way to experience the country. This has definitely put my mind at rest! Budget folks see all Western lands as expensive. What can you do more with $150/day? You should plan to spend around ¥13,775 ($132) per day on your vacation in Japan, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Kyoto: $35 per night/¥3,833 per night Tokyo Tourism: Best of Tokyo. Yes! I recommend picking up a copy before your trip to Japan, but not taking it to the country with you — they’re big and heavy, so this is one for inspiration, planning, and education. Tipping in Japan is just plain not done. Japan on a budget: readers’ travel tips The perception that Japan is an expensive destination is challenged by our tipsters, who find 70p sushi delivered by … Japan Tourism: Best of Japan. Haneda Airport; Narita Airport; Osaka (KIX) Fukuoka Airport; Getting Around. From authentic cooking classes to bar hopping tours, bicycle rides to tea ceremonies, these types of tours help support local businesses and enrich your trip. There was an error submitting your subscription. Plus, I’m sure times and platforms change so it would be impossible for me to keep the information up-to-date and accurate. $5 a month gives you access to a hundred untold mishaps as well as weekly long-form narratives and behind-the-scenes updates. I usually just price these articles in the local currency and USD, which is where the vast majority of my readers are located. I booked the first two nights a hotel in Tokyo and then figured we would VRBO or Airbnb but after reading your post it looks like things have changed. Plus, we’re sharing some of our best money-saving tips so you can travel to Japan on a budget! On average, past travelers have spent ¥2,114 per person, per day, on local transportation in Japan. I would like to visit Japan next year on a very tight budget. Would you be able to give recommendations for food places in Kyoto that are affordable. Ah yeah, unfortunately, the cherry blossom season is the most expensive time of year to visit Japan. Never thought the cost of activities and entrance fees would be so cheap. Public travel, whilst incredibly reliable, can sometimes be quite expensive. Super easy to do and they’ll get it set up for you in the shop, too. How much did you spend on transportation in Tokyo? Japan tourism statistics for 2016 was 33,456,000,000.00, a 22.62% increase from 2015. Activities/Entrance Fees: $2 per day I, too, was under the impression that Japan was a super expensive place to visit! Is October a good time to go? At the moment, the site shows flights for 566 AUD return from Australia, from Switzerland for €330 return, and from New York for $450 return. Japan's Cabinet approves a 21.84 trillion yen ($210 billion) extra budget, bringing its total spending for fiscal 2020 to a record high of 175.69 trillion yen, as it grapples to ensure the coronavirus-stricken economy stays on a recovery track. oh by the way, I’m a traveler too, let me know where in the world are you now. For our trip, we decided not to go cheap on hotels. I love the idea of the capsule hotels and the standard tatami mat rooms look enchanting. Granted I am from NJ; living by NYC makes for a high cost of living. Or even the United States. The Best Hostels in Japan for Backpackers, Students, and Budget Travellers. In this article, we break down exactly how much travel in Japan costs -- from food, hotels to trains to entertainment. That means that accommodation prices (with the exception of the dorm bed in Hiroshima) have been halved to indicate my share. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The average price for one person for accommodation in Japan is ¥6,661. P.S. For a basic link, you can copy and paste the HTML link code or this page's address. I love the details in your blog. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The Airbnb room I stayed at in Osaka has since stopped accepting guests. Capsule hotels are cheap, tiny, and surprisingly comfortable. Japan was simply too expensive for a budget traveller, so I decided to save it for when I was rich. As a budget traveller, you might wince at the thought of paying 3,000 yen ($27/£20) for a dorm bed. Hello! Hi Lauren, Yeah, the capsule hotel-style accommodation is all single beds. About Japan. I spent the first two weeks of December in Japan. I would recommend looking at hotels in the Shibuya or Shinjuku districts. We have to change our plans for next February (previous planned for Philippines but to risky for my wife pregnancy) and we consider to go in Japan instead. It’s a budget option compared to many other kaisekis, which can easily come to $100 for the experience, but still our most expensive meal. Japan Travel Costs. While Japan has some of the best shopping in the world it is, of course, tempting to shop til you drop. Hakone: $61 per night/6,750 Yen per night On average, people spend ¥542 on bottled water in Japan per day. Oh, I didn’t activate the pass when I was in Tokyo — I activated it on the day I left — so that was my total expenses without using it. While I did attempt to save money by staying in some cheaper places, I was also happy to splurge on extremely well-rated rooms, too. Public travel, whilst incredibly reliable, can sometimes be quite expensive. Japan ist sicherlich nicht das billigste Backpacker und Reiseland, aber so teuer wie immer behauptet wird, es auch nicht. i didn’t see you mention buying internet data in advance ? Make sure you keep your passport on you at all times. Osaka: 3 nights. Not bad! Overview of the Second Supplementary Budget for FY2020（May 27,2020） (PDF:863KB) Overview of the Supplementary Budget for FY2020（April 7, 2020）※Updated on April 20, 2020 (PDF:829KB); Highlights of the Draft FY2020 Budget (December 20, 2019) (PDF:522KB) Japanese Public Finance Fact Sheet (July, 2020) but i guess 3000 aud for 2 people is unavoidable. Also, the average hotel price in Japan for a couple is ¥13,323 ($128). How much do you think i would spend on transportation for 2 weeks in Tokyo? Depending on how long you’ll be staying there, I usually pack for a week no matter how long my trip is, then do laundry once a week. Accommodation: $37 per day Japan is a great country for cyclists. It doesn’t really matter either way, though. Success! A reasonably big expense was our Hakone Free Pass (spoiler: not free), although this was more of a combined transportation and activity cost. From costs to itinerary, I've covered everything. ... Japanese onsen (natural hot springs) and sento (public bathhouses) have a very special place on my things-I-love-about-Japan list.