Updated January 10, 2022
If you’re all about budget travel, great news—your trip to Japan doesn’t have to break the bank. With these 17 Japan travel budget tips, you’ll be ready to take on new adventures without incurring crazy expenses. This essential guide includes everything from accommodations and transportation to food and attractions.
Finding inexpensive airfare to Japan can seem a little daunting, but the key is to purchase any plane tickets at least 60 days before you plan to leave. Locals in Japan tell us that ticket prices can rise $500 or more when you travel during major holidays, like Golden Week, Obon, Christmas, and New Year’s.
Even if you’re only staying in Japan for a short time, getting a Japanese Rail (JR) pass is one of the wisest budget moves you can make. The JR pass is essentially a discounted train pass for tourists in Japan, covering train lines in six regions. JR passes must be purchased online prior to arriving in Japan. It can be confusing to figure out, but since the result is so rewarding (and budget-friendly). You can also use apps like Jorudan to sketch out your public transit plans.
You definitely will need a subway pass when visiting Japan’s best cities, especially big metropolises like Tokyo and Kyoto. The type of subway pass you’ll need will vary by where you are, how long you’ll be there, and how much you’ll use it. For example, the Tokyo Metro offers 24-, 48-, and 72-hour passes for under 1,500 yen (around $15)—significantly cheaper than paying 170-310 yen per trip.
Since Japan is very safe, public buses are great ways to visit cities like Kyoto or Tokyo without spending beaucoup bucks on a taxi or Uber in Japan. Kyoto public buses charge a flat 230 yen fare within specific districts, and Tokyo public buses similarly charge a flat 210 fare per trip.
Overnight buses from companies like Willer Express are also available for cross-country trips, departing from two major hubs—the Yokohama City Air Terminal and the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal. Overnight buses are known for their relatively low prices, averaging $90 for trips 10 hours and up.
100-yen shops are like American dollar stores on steroids. Since 100 yen is roughly equivalent to $1, you can easily buy inexpensive but authentic Japanese food to supplement your meals throughout the day (or to count as meals themselves—no judgment here!). Just make sure to hang onto any pocket change—Japanese locals note that most 100-yen stores only accept cash.
Japan’s 7-11s are to American 7-11s as a gourmet steak is to a rock. Seriously! Japan’s 7-11s take cheap, fresh food to another level, rolling out fresh sushi, bento (lunch) boxes, onigiri rice rolls, and pastries. Meals range from 120 yen to 600 yen, depending on how much food is included. Importantly, locals tell us that 7-11 is also the only conbini (convenience) store in Japan to accept foreign credit/debit cards.
For other conbini stores that produce fantastic, cheap meals, check out stores like Lawson, FamilyMart, Circle K, and Ministop.
Conveyor-belt sushi (kaiten-zushi) restaurants prove that Japan has this whole fast food thing figured out. These futuristic restaurants are popular just about everywhere in Japan, especially since you pay by the plate, averaging only about 100-300 yen ($1-3) per dish. In terms of places to go in Japan, kaiten-zushi restaurants are a must-go for happy tastebuds and wallets.
No matter which destinations you choose, street food is a staple of diverse, delicious, and cheap travel. The key is to know where the locals eat—for example, tourists generally don’t know that you can get a fabulous monjayaki pancake for under $10 on Tsukishima Street in Tokyo. You can also get some mean takoyaki (octopus balls) for $8 in Osaka’s Kougaryu neighborhood and okonomiyaki (noodle crepes) for $4 in Hiroshima.
Since many Japanese customs differ from those in the U.S., it’s important to know what is expected in restaurants, especially since you’ll encounter unfamiliar fees. There is indeed no tipping in Japan; however, you may be charged 500-700 yen for otoshi, a table fee added when a server gives you a small, unordered appetizer. (Think free chips and salsa, but without the free.)
Capsule hotels are slightly bizarre but fun Japan accommodations for travelers on budgets. Guests sleep in their own futuristic pods, stacked on top of each other and containing a single bed, TV, and clock. Bathrooms, storage, and common rooms are shared, but it’s worth it for just $20-$40 per night.
If you want to travel in Japan in a different way, consider spending the night at a Buddhist temple. You can find shukubō, temple lodgings for pilgrims and adventurous travelers. Averaging USD$50-$90 per night, there are few shukubō in Japan, but they’re 100% worth the addition to your Japan itinerary.
For other traditional Japanese lodgings, think about staying overnight at ryokans (traditional inns) and minshuku (family-owned B&Bs). Both are a little pricier than shukubō but a unique way to enjoy Japanese culture.
Airbnbs became legal in Japan in 2018, so you’re now good to book your Japan Airbnb anytime and anywhere. One-bedroom apartments average $40-$70 a night, with the price dependent on how long you stay, how many rooms you need, and what features you want (i.e., pool or balcony). Some Airbnbs in Japan also charge a $40-$50 cleaning fee.
Heads Up: If you're staying in an Airbnb in Japan, bring a small gift for your host. Gifts are a big and important part of Japanese culture, and our local trip planners tell us that people really appreciate the gesture.
Budget travelers in Japan often choose to stay in hostels, which average $30-$50 a night and are usually close to cool things to do in Japan. You’ll find different types of hostels depending on which city you’re in—for instance, Tokyo is known for its “love hotels” ($50-$100 rooms used for under-the-radar romance) and manga kissa (manga cafes where you can play video games and catch some Z’s).
Save hundreds of dollars on airfare to Japan and accommodations by exploring Japan during the country’s off-peak season. Actually one of the best times to visit Japan, the off-peak season lasts from October to March (with the exception of Christmas and New Years). With fewer tourists vacationing and sightseeing, you’ll encounter much shorter lines and significantly lower prices.
We can help you find the best budget-friendly deals, especially during Japan’s major events like Golden Week and Obon.
Japan’s free activity passes can be more aptly called comprehensive or all-inclusive. The passes sell for around $50 and cover a range of attractions in Japan’s coolest places to go, including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Buy your free activity pass at a subway or train station within the city you want to explore.
When it comes to budget travel in Japan, it pays to know which fun things to do have low entry fees or (even better) are totally free. For example, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building offers free 360 birds-eye views of Tokyo (and Mt. Fuji, on a sunny day). We also recommend major landmarks like the Hiroshima Peace Park and Kyoto’s Imperial Palace, which are free to enter.
Since tours of Japan’s cities and landmarks are very popular and sell out fast, the best solution is to plan your itinerary in advance. Not only will you end up saving on last-minute booking costs, but you’ll get to visit off-the-beaten-path places in Japan that few tourists ever see.
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