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japan trip money

Money in Japan

The yen, ATMs, exchanging currencies, and etiquette

Edward Yagisawa

When traveling in Japan, visitors will need to use the Japanese currency. In our money guide, we outline the basics of using Japanese yen (¥, JPY), including denominations, exchange rates, and payment methods.

Japanese Yen

The official Japanese currency is the yen (円), pronounced “ en ” in Japanese and denoted with the symbol ¥ (though you'll more likely see the kanji symbol 円 in everyday use). Fun fact: En also means “circle” in Japanese; therefore, the exchange rate was initially fixed at 360 yen to 1 US dollar.

For day-to-day purchases, note that the current consumption tax rate is 10% nationwide, but drops to 8% for cafes, restaurants or other businesses serving food to take away — note that the rate climbs to 10% when dining in, so you may find the final price for goods varies depending on your choice and shops will typically remind you of this.

The Japanese yen is available in 10 denominations. Six coins are used including 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen values, alongside 4 bills/notes including 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 (although the 2,000 yen note is quite rare). Read more in-depth about each denomination .

Despite the widening use of credit- and debit cards, Japan is still predominantly considered a cash-based society which especially holds true in rural areas.

It’s always a good idea to have small denominations (10 yen and 100 yen coins, as well as 1,000 yen bills) handy, as many ticket and vending machines will not accept larger denominations (especially 5,000 and 10,000 yen bills).

  • Having so much cash in your wallet may make you feel uneasy at first, but Japan does have one of the lowest crime rates in the world. While nothing beats being careful, chances are you’re more likely to lose money by dropping or leaving it, rather than it getting stolen.

Credit/Debit Cards

Although Japan is still predominantly a cash-based society, credit and debit cards have become increasingly accepted, especially in urban areas. Even if you decide to use a credit card, it is still better to carry more cash than you are used to.

Most credit card companies will charge a surcharge (usually 1–3%) for foreign-issued cards.

  • The most commonly accepted cards are MasterCard, Visa, and JCB. American Express and Diner’s Club are accepted to a lesser extent.

Transit IC cards, such as Suica and PASMO , have become increasingly common in Japan's major cities.

They are predominantly used for train and bus fares, but can also be used for payments in urban areas with good transportation links, including for use at vending machines, station kiosks, shops, cafes and restaurants.

Both iPhone and Android support digital versions of Suica and Pasmo via their official apps for easy contactless payment. Android devices need to support Osaifu-Keitai/FeliCa (only installed on phones sold within Japan) but Apple devices including iPhone 8 or later and Apple Watch Series 3 or later should work fine.

Digital Cashless

If you have a Japanese phone number, apps like PayPay may be an option. It's a digital payment app than can be topped up at ATMs or via a connected bank account, credit card or mobile service provider. Payments can be made via contactless terminals or scanning a vendor's PayPay QR code and confirming the transaction details with the vendor.

Similar options exist, like Line Pay or R Pay (Rakuten Pay) , which support QR code-based payments and work well with their respective ecosystems if already a user of the platforms.

Getting Yen

Two common ways to withdraw yen are through Japan Post and 7-Eleven ATMs:

Japan Post ATMs are located at more than 26,000 locations nationwide (denoted with the “JP” logo); each post office will have at least one, while they can also be found at shopping malls and supermarkets. Service hours vary according to location; large post offices in major cities will have longer hours than small ones in rural areas. English services are also available

7-Eleven (Seven Bank) has over 20,000 ATMs across Japan, located at 7-Eleven convenience stores. Services are offered virtually 24/7 and currently available in 12 languages (Japanese, English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Chinese traditional, Thai, Malay, Indonesian, Vietnamese, French, and German).

E-net ATMs in Family Mart can also offer a service to international cards including MasterCard.

Be aware of service charge fees that may also rise for transactions made outside traditional operating hours (usually 9am–5pm on weekdays):

MasterCard ATMs in Japan

Visa Card ATM Locator

Wise in Japan

If you need to transfer funds to a local account or to have convenient access to currency during your trip, Wise (formerly TransferWise) allows you to do so — economically, quickly and easily.

Together with the app, a Wise card can help give you more spending flexibility in Japan while always knowing you'll get competitive exchange rates and the ability to set currency alerts or auto-convert currency.

If you don't have an account, sign-up to Wise to get a fee-free transfer of up to 75,000 JPY!

Exchanging Currencies

For a general idea of what current exchange rates are like, check out XE Currency Converter or Wise's own Currency Converter .

All places with an “Authorized Foreign Exchange” sign can exchange currencies; these places include banks and money changers (such as Travelex ), which can be located at airports and in major cities.

  • Banks are usually open from 9am to 3pm on weekdays.

Hotels and large department stores may offer currency exchange services, although with extra fees and less favorable rates.

Traveler's Checks

Due to the relatively limited number of ATMs that support foreign-issued cards, traveler’s checks are more useful than you’d think in Japan.

Traveler's checks tend to carry more favorable rates than money changers and ATMs, and are accepted by leading banks, hotels, ryokan , and stores in major cities, but very few places elsewhere.

  • Do not pay with a check drawn from a foreign bank; as many Japanese places will either charge large extra fees or not accept them at all.

Etiquette & Points of Note

Using money in Japan is fairly straightforward

For a basic idea of how much living in Japan costs, check out this informative blog .

Perhaps the most important rule when it comes to using money in Japan is NO TIPS. Leaving a tip at a restaurant or a taxi driver will often result in them chasing you down to return the money, thinking that you forgot it there.

If you do want to leave a tip (such as for a maid at a ryokan or a tour guide), put the money in an envelope and give it to them in person.

Most restaurants, shops, and even taxis will provide a small tray for you to put money on, instead of giving it directly to the cashier.

Although it depends on the currency, it is generally better to exchange yen in Japan than in your home country, due to a lower commission and better exchange rate.

  • You do not need to worry about counterfeit money in Japan, as they are virtually non-existent.

Denominations

Read more in detail about each of the Japanese yen's coins and bills.

1 yen ( ichi-en )

Light silver color with smooth edges.

The smallest and lightest of the 6 coins, composed of 100% aluminium.

Weighs exactly 1 gram, thus occasionally used as weights.

The only Japanese coin that can float on water (if placed carefully).

Its current design includes a young tree on the front to symbolize the healthy growth of Japan.

5 yen ( go-en )

Gold color, smooth edges and has a hole in the middle.

The current design of the front includes a rice stalk, a gear, and the sea to symbolize the agriculture, industries, and fisheries of Japan respectively.

The current design of the back includes two leaf buds, which symbolize Japan’s forestry and democracy.

Is the only coin that does not depict the monetary value numerically.

10 yen ( jyuu-en )

Bronze color (composed of 95% copper) and has smooth edges.

Has the Byodo-in Phoenix Hall (Ho-o-do) on the front.

The back of the coin includes the evergreen tree.

10 yen coins with ridged edges (colloquially known as giza-jyuu ) are rare and a collector’s item, as they were minted for only 7 years (1951-58).

50 yen ( gojyuu-en )

Silver color, ridged edges and a hole in the middle.

Three chrysanthemums are depicted on the front of the coin.

100 yen ( hyaku-en )

Silver color with ridged edges.

The current design on the front depicts sakura blossoms.

A number of limited edition designed 100 yen coins exist to celebrate various events

500 yen ( gohyaku-en )

Light gold color, ridged edges.

Is the largest and heaviest of the six Japanese coins, weighing 7 grams.

The current design on the front depicts the paulownia.

The back of the coin includes bamboo and tachibana leaves.

If you tilt the coin at an angle, you can see the word “500円” as a hologram inside each of the zeros on the back.

A limited number of the old 500 yen coins (minted until 2000), with a slightly different design, is still in circulation.

A number of limited edition designed 500 yen coins exist to celebrate various events.

1,000 yen ( sen-en )

The design is printed in blue.

The front of the current banknote features a portrait of Hideyo Noguchi, a bacteriologist famous for his groundbreaking research on syphilis and yellow fever.

The back of the current banknote features Mount Fuji and Lake Motosu , flanked with cherry blossoms.

2,000 yen ( nisen-en )

The design is printed in green.

It was issued in 2000 to commemorate the millennium, as well as the 26th G8 Summit, held in Okinawa.

The front of the banknote features the Shurei-mon, one of the main gates of the Okinawan castle Shuri-jyo .

The back features a scene from the Tale of Genji and a portrait of the author, Murasaki Shikibu.

Due to its limited number, 2,000 yen bills are considered a novelty in Japan.

5,000 yen ( gosen-en )

The design is printed in purple.

The current design of the front features Ichiyo Higuchi, the first prominent Japanese female author.

The current design of the back is the “Kakitsubata-zu,” a painting of irises by Ogata Korin.

10,000 yen ( ichiman-en )

The design is printed in brown.

The front of the current banknote features a portrait of Fukuzawa Yukichi, the founder of Keio University.

The back features the phoenix statue from Byodo-in .

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By Edward Yagisawa

Community writer

Money in Japan

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  • Is Japan Expensive?
  • How much does a trip to Japan cost?
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  • Best Beach Hotels in Japan
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  • Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Japan
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  • Where Do Backpackers Go in Japan? A Review of Hostels and Guesthouses.
  • Hostel Prices & Reviews
  • Japan Activities
  • Japan Tour Prices
  • The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan
  • The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan
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  • The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan
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  • The Best Extended Trip Tours in Japan, One Month or Longer
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  • How much does it cost to travel to Japan? (Average Daily Cost)
  • Japan trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

How much do package tours cost in Japan?

Is japan expensive to visit.

  • How much do I need for a trip to Japan?
  • Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
  • Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Japan?

You should plan to spend around $125 (¥18,714) per day on your vacation in Japan. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $31 (¥4,568) on meals
  • $18 (¥2,719) on local transportation
  • $119 (¥17,840) on hotels

A one week trip to Japan for two people costs, on average, $1,755 (¥261,998) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 125 ¥ 18,714
  • One Week Per person $ 877 ¥ 130,999
  • 2 Weeks Per person $ 1,755 ¥ 261,998
  • One Month Per person $ 3,760 ¥ 561,425
  • One Week For a couple $ 1,755 ¥ 261,998
  • 2 Weeks For a couple $ 3,509 ¥ 523,997
  • One Month For a couple $ 7,520 ¥ 1,122,850

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Japan cost?

A one week trip to Japan usually costs around $877 (¥130,999) for one person and $1,755 (¥261,998) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Japan on average costs around $1,755 (¥261,998) for one person and $3,509 (¥523,997) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Japan will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Japan on average costs around $3,760 (¥561,425) for one person and $7,520 (¥1,122,850) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Organized tours are usually more expensive than independent travel, but offer convenience and peace of mind that your trip has been planned by a travel expert.

The average price for an organized tour package in Japan is $423 per day. While every tour varies by total price, length, number of destinations, and quality, this is the daily average price based on our analysis of available guided tours.

  • Environmental Conservation Volunteering, Cultural Immersion and Temple Stay on Sado Island 8 Days - 1 Destinations $ 759
  • Japan´s Landscapes 13 Days - 21 Destinations $ 4,537

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Japan is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.

Within Asia, Japan is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Taiwan or Macao.

For more details, see Is Japan Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Japan?

The average Japan trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Japan travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Japan

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Japan is $60 (¥8,920). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Japan is $119 (¥17,840). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

  • Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 60 ¥ 8,920
  • Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 119 ¥ 17,840

Hotel Prices in Japan

Looking for a hotel in Japan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Kayak

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Japan based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $102. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

  • Toba View Hotel Hanashinju Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 174
  • Aman Tokyo Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 699

Local Transportation Budget in Japan

The cost of a taxi ride in Japan is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $18 (¥2,719) per person, per day, on local transportation in Japan.

  • Local Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 18 ¥ 2,719

Recommended Services

  • 7-Day Japan Rail Pass JRPass $ 340
  • Tokyo private transfer for Narita Airport (NRT) - Toyota HIACE 9 seats Viator $ 259

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in Japan are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Japan, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

  • Subway ¥ 1,200

Food Budget in Japan

While meal prices in Japan can vary, the average cost of food in Japan is $31 (¥4,568) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Japan should cost around $12 (¥1,827) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Japan is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

  • Food 2 Meals for one day $ 31 ¥ 4,568

Recommended

  • Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour Viator $ 85
  • Asakusa Classic Ramen & Crispy Gyoza Cooking Class Viator $ 108

What did other people spend on Food?

Typical prices for Food in Japan are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Japan, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

  • Food for Fuji Hike ¥ 721
  • Meal at Airport ¥ 1,043
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack ¥ 800
  • Late Night Noodles ¥ 800

Entertainment Budget in Japan

Entertainment and activities in Japan typically cost an average of $19 (¥2,909) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

  • Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 19 ¥ 2,909

Recommended Activities

  • Sushi Making Experience in KYOTO Viator $ 89
  • Osaka Nighttime tour Viator $ 160

What did other people spend on Entertainment?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Japan are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Japan, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

  • Osaka Aquarium (for 2) ¥ 4,600

Tips and Handouts Budget in Japan

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Japan is $3.38 (¥505) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Japan is Never .

  • Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 3.38 ¥ 505

Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Japan

Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Japan is $2.86 (¥427), as reported by travelers.

  • Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1 $ 2.86 ¥ 427

Alcohol Budget in Japan

The average person spends about $16 (¥2,338) on alcoholic beverages in Japan per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

  • Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 16 ¥ 2,338
  • Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk. Viator $ 238
  • Pub Crawl in Nagoya Viator $ 34

What did other people spend on Alcohol?

Typical prices for Alcohol in Japan are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Alcohol prices in Japan, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

  • Sake ¥ 600

Water Budget in Japan

On average, people spend $4.53 (¥677) on bottled water in Japan per day. The public water in Japan is considered safe to drink.

  • Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 4.53 ¥ 677

Related Articles

Japan on a budget.

Japan

At A Glance

  • Japan is recognized for its strikingly different culture from the west. If you do some research on this country's interesting customs before your trip, you will find your experience all the more enlightening. You will also better understand how to handle different situations as they arise.
  • This is a complex country with a diverse and rich history. 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. You'll be able to see the people, customs, and cultures through different eyes, and your experience will be even more meaningful and memorable when you can put it in context.
  • Japan is a great country for cyclists. If you're comfortable on a bicycle head to the countryside and find a good route. You'll pass through beautiful landscapes, picturesque towns, and meet some friendly people. It's a wonderful and unique way to experience the country. It will also help you cut down on transportation costs which can be quite high throughout Japan.
  • Make sure you keep your passport on you at all times. Police can question you and will often fine you if you do not have it on you. Some first time offenders get off with just a warning. In particular, nightclub raids are common, so if you're going out for the evening, don't leave home without your passport.
  • Public transportation in Japan is excellent but expensive. There are many different types of transportation passes that offer any number of ticket combinations and various discounts. Make sure you fully research and understand your options before you purchase a ticket. Some passes have stricter limitations than others so make sure you look into this before buying a pass.

Top Tourist Attractions

Transportation, popular foods, more related articles.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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Never Ending Footsteps

The Cost of Travel in Japan: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

Train in winter in Japan

It took me six years to get to Japan.

I didn’t think I could afford it.

Every time I seriously looked into visiting, I would wince at the high cost of the train passes, read about how the hotels were super-expensive, and then fly to Vietnam instead. Or Taiwan. Or even Australia. Japan was simply too expensive for a budget traveller, so I decided to save it for when I was rich.

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.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I discovered that it really wasn’t that expensive.

I arrived in Japan fully expecting it to be the priciest country I’ve ever been to, but I discovered it’s more on a par with Western Europe or North America, and cheaper than Australia. It was way more affordable than Namibia , where my daily expenses came to $132, and way, way, way more affordable than the Democratic Republic of the Congo , where I averaged, um, $550 a day.

Anyway!  This is about the cost of travel in Japan rather than my poor financial decisions, so let’s get started!

japan trip money

My 16-Day Japan Itinerary

Here’s a brief rundown of where I visited over my 16 days in the country — I think I managed to put together the perfect itinerary for first-time travellers to Japan .

Tokyo:  4 nights Hakone: 1 night Yudanaka: 1 night Kanazawa: 2 nights Takayama: 1 night Kyoto: 3 nights Hiroshima: 1 night Osaka: 3 nights

What’s Included in this Post

This budget breakdown covers how much I spent on accommodation, transportation, activities, food, and whichever miscellaneous items popped up while I was in country.

I’ve not included my flights into and out of Japan because this is going to vary significantly based on where you’ll be arriving from. 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 . 

The amounts in this guide are listed in Japanese Yen and U.S. dollars, simply because the vast majority of my readers are from the U.S. And finally, these are the three rules I always abide by on this site:

  • I do not accept sponsored trips, so everything listed in this post is something I personally paid for with my own money
  • I travel anonymously to ensure my experiences accurately reflect what yours will be. I don’t want special treatment!
  • Every single word of this article was written by me, based on all of my own experiences. I strictly do not use AI to compose my guides.

Okay — let’s get started with my expenses.

Tatami mat room in Hakone Japan

The Cheapest Accommodation Options in Japan

Like practically every country in the world, prices in Japan have increased post-pandemic.

In 2024, you’ll be paying a little more for everything than you would have done a few years ago — in fact, prices almost doubled between my first trip in 2017 and today! — however costs are still on a par with most Western countries. Travel in Japan shouldn’t be too devastating to your travel budget.

I’ll start on the lower end of the spectrum. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, it’s possible to avoid paying for accommodation entirely.

Couchsurfing  exists in Japan and allows you to stay with a local for free , usually sleeping on their sofa and enjoying a local’s insight into life in their country. Yeah, it’s not the most comfortable of living situations, but if your budget’s tight, it’s worth sending out a few requests to hosts to see if anything comes of it. You can browse through the 300,000+ Japanese hosts on  the Couchsurfing site — just be sure to read the references of anybody you choose to stay with.

Housesitting  is a more upmarket option, aimed at mid-range and luxury travellers. Housesitting involves taking care of somebody’s house for free while they’re away, often (but not always) looking after their pets, too. It’s best for long-term travellers or retirees, as you can’t pick and choose dates and destinations, so you’ll need to have a lot of flexibility as to where you go and at what time of year. If you  do  have that freedom, though, it’s a wonderful way to cut down your travel expenses, soak up some home comforts, and live like a local for a while.  Trusted Housesitters  is the main site for getting started with housesitting, as they have the highest number of listings.

Finally, when it comes to free accommodation, you could take a look at  WorldPackers in Japan , where you’ll be able to volunteer for locals in exchange for food and board. There are some seriously cool options available on the site right now, from helping harvest honey for a bee farm in the countryside to lending a hand in the garden of a Buddhist temple. Readers of this site get a $10 discount for WorldPackers with the promo code  neverendingfootsteps .

If you’re not looking to travel for free and just want a clean and comfortable room to sleep in, there are plenty of great budget options, too.

Meal in Yudanaka

And then we have  hostels . In Japan, you’ll come across hostels all over the country, finding them on tiny islands, large cities, and even within the national parks. They’re one of your best options for saving money.

Hostels in Japan  are on a par with the rest of major cities in East Asia, and you can expect to spend  $25 a night for a dorm bed  for a well-reviewed hostel, with the price increasing slightly to around  $45 a night  for the absolute best of the best.

When it comes to private rooms in hostels, you’ll be looking at  $50 a night  for a clean, basic room in a good location, so if you’re travelling with friends or with your partner, you may find it cheaper to grab some privacy over settling for two beds in a dorm room.  $90 a night  will get you an exceptionally well-reviewed private room in a hostel.

I use  HostelWorld  to find the cheapest hostels, as they tend to have the greatest number of listings at the lowest prices.

And then there are hotels, which I’m going to jump into next.

Girl in a capsule hotel in Japan

The Cost of Accommodation in Japan

There are so many different types of accommodation in Japan! I attempted to experience as many as possible while I was in the country.

I stayed in a capsule hotel, prioritised hunting down a ryokan, slept on a tatami mat floor, stayed in family-run guesthouses, and checked out some pretty cool hostels. 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.

As always with these budget breakdowns, I like to share the prices of where I personally stayed, along with a description of the property and whether I’d recommend choosing it, too — hopefully this helps make your trip planning easier!

I visited Japan with my partner, Dave, and we travelled on a mid-range budget; searching out good value accommodation that was highly-rated and in a central location. We prioritised locally-run properties that weren’t too flashy or fancy; for us, a cosy vibe, unique furnishings, and welcoming staff are far more important than the generic decor of a hotel chain.

(Oh and just a quick note: hotels do charge different prices across a range of dates, depending on how busy a certain travel period is going to be. Because of this, it’s hard to be super accurate in the costs that I list. To get to the quoted prices below, though, I looked at the rates across the next six months and took the average: it could be slightly cheaper or more expensive, depending on when you’re visiting.)

Tokyo: $135 a night Odds are, you’re probably going to kick off your Japan adventures in Tokyo, and if so, it only makes sense to really throw yourself into the local experience. That’s why we decided to stay at this lovely onsen-ryokan in Shinjuku. (Whenever readers ask me which neighbourhood to choose in Tokyo, I always recommend Shinjuku or Shibuya.) The reason why I loved this specific property, though, is because it’s a ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn) that also has an onsen (hot pool). It’s a great way to jump immediately into all things Japanese.

And it was wonderful; my favourite hotel in the country. The rooms were small and cosy and felt super-traditional and calming. The views over Tokyo at night from the window were incredible. And the rooftop onsen? With free popsicles afterwards? So good. It’s located in a quieter neighbourhood, but still only a 10-minute walk to the subway. I really recommend this one!

Hakone: $80 a night In Hakone, we opted for a private room in a lovely guesthouse , with a tatami mat floor to sleep on and a private onsen on-site. The photo of the tatami mat room above is of our room here. It ended up being another one of our favourite stays in Japan! The staff were lovely and there was a restaurant/bar that served up fantastic pizzas. It had a cosy and chilled-out atmosphere, with great food and wine, and lots of blankets to snuggle up with as we ate. It was also worth staying here just to experience the private onsen — we got to go in as a couple!

Yudanaka: $105 per night In Yudanaka, we opted for a stay in a wonderful little ryokan ; this one was even more traditional than the one in Tokyo! Often, ryokans can be super-expensive in Japan — as much as $500 a night for the experience — so I was thrilled to have stumbled across a more budget option in Yudanaka. It was run by an adorable Japanese couple and their house came with a private onsen, return transport to see  the snow monkeys , and one of the most extravagant meals of my life. A kaiseki is a multi-course (like, 20 courses) meal that will see you eating roughly a week’s worth of food in a single night, sampling fresh, local-to-the-region Japanese cuisine. It was phenomenal, and I loved having no idea what anything was. It even included homemade plum wine, which was so good! I highly recommend the experience (although strongly advise you not to add breakfast to your booking — we were still so full that we couldn’t eat any of it!)

Kanazawa: $65 per night Kanazawa is home to some seriously cool accommodation! We had a hard time choosing where to stay because every property looked so cosy and inviting. In the end, we settled on this minimalist, modern set-up — it was great value for money relative to most other places we stayed in Japan, especially when you consider it’s only been open a year. It’s in a great location, right outside Omicho Market, where you’ll sample the best sushi of your life. Also within walking distance is Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en Garden, so you’re really staying in the heart of it all. I recommend signing up for the traditional Japanese breakfast, as you’ll likely not have had anything else like it before! There’s also an onsen and laundry facilities (always appreciated mid-trip!), and the staff were so sweet and kind.

Takayama: $76 per night In Takayama, we stayed in a small, locally-run guesthouse  in the centre of town. It felt like particularly good value for Japan, as it was one of the few places we stayed that you could describe as spacious! It even had a kitchen and washing machine. The beds were comfortable and the hotel was within walking distance of everywhere, including the train station. It was quiet, the staff were lovely, and overall, it made for a comfortable stay!

Kyoto: $84 a night In Kyoto, we stayed in a cosy hotel in the heart of town — we loved this place so much in 2017 that when we returned to Japan this year, we knew we’d have to stay there again! The property was in a fantastic location for exploring Kyoto and the bathrooms were nicer than anywhere else we stayed. It’s one of the top-rated guesthouses in the city — while also being one of the cheapest — so when you take that into consideration, I’m convinced you won’t find anywhere better to stay in Kyoto.

Hiroshima: $40 per bed In Hiroshima, we opted for a capsule-style hostel because I didn’t want to leave the country without trying one — you can see a photo of the “capsule” at the top of this section. Fortunately, we found ourselves in a room with only two other people staying there, so our capsule room with 20-odd beds was light on snorers. The owner of this place was ridiculously lovely and it was within walking distance of all of the monuments and activities. Really great bathrooms, a fun common area, and a cheap price: surprisingly, I would have stayed another night!

Osaka: $108 a night I rounded off my time in Japan with a little bit of a treat, opting for this four-star hotel that offered a ton of freebies. It’s all about the onsen here — it’s open all day and is simply beautiful. After you’ve finished your daily bathe, there’s free ice cream to eat, free comics to read, massage chairs to relax in, and even free ramen to slurp on. Yes, really! It was in a great location for Osaka — just a couple of blocks from the nearest metro station. The decor was calming and traditional; the perfect way to say goodbye to Japan.

In total, I spent an average of $97 per day on accommodation over my 16 days in Japan.

The Cost of Transportation in Japan

Okay, so let’s talk about transportation now. And specifically transportation post-2024.

It used to be the case that practically every visitor to Japan would invest in a JR pass (a train pass that grants you unlimited rides over a certain time period). After all, the best way to explore this country is by train, and by buying said rail pass, you’d be saving a significant amount of money on your trip — especially if you were taking a similar route to my one. A JR Pass pre-October 2023 would have saved me a whopping $175 over buying individual train tickets.

Seems like a no brainer, right?

In October 2023, the Japan Rail Pass skyrocketed in price. No exaggeration here: prices increased by an incredible 70% .

What a baffling decision.

What that means is that it’s not such a clear-cut decision anymore. The Japan Rail Pass still holds some benefits: If you’re a first-time visitor to Japan and don’t feel too confident about buying multiple single-journey train tickets, the pass will make it a lot easier: you just show it at any station and get on a train. You won’t need to worry about any extra charges and will have the flexibility to take train-based day trips whenever you want.

For most travellers, however, the value proposition is simply no longer there. For example, my recent 16-day itinerary (Tokyo – Hakone – Tokyo – Nagano – Kanazawa – Takayama – Kyoto – Nara – Kyoto – Hiroshima – Osaka) cost me 50,000 Yen ( $350 ) with single tickets. However, a 14 day rail pass is priced at 80,000 Yen ( $530 )!

Alas, the Japan Rail Pass is no longer something I recommend — unless you’re going to be taking enormous, lengthy rail journeys (like across the whole country) in a short period of time. Alternatively, if you do want that added sense of security and ease by not having to juggle a dozen train ticket bookings, you may find the extra price worth it.

So with all that being said: you’re most likely going to be using the JR West website to book your single train tickets online. This covers the entirety of Japan that’s west of Tokyo (all of the places I visited were west) and allows you to book your train tickets all in one place — and then you can reserve a seat on said train one month before its departure date. Honestly, it’s pretty easy to use, book, and reserve — and being able to do it all online means you can get everything sorted before you step foot in the country.

Let’s take a look at the some of the prices that a typical train journey in Japan costs — in this case I’ll use my itinerary mentioned above to plot out the costs:

Tokyo – Hakone: 2,500 Yen ( $17 ) Hakone – Tokyo: 2,500 Yen ( $17 ) Tokyo – Nagano: 7,500 Yen ( $50 ) Nagano – Kanazawa: 8,500 Yen ( $57 ) Kanazawa – Takayama: 5,000 Yen ( $33 ) Takayama – Kyoto: 9,000 Yen ( $60 ) Kyoto – Nara: 700 Yen ( $5 ) Nara – Kyoto: 700 Yen ( $5 ) Kyoto – Hiroshima: 10,500 Yen ( $70 ) Hiroshima – Osaka: 10,000 Yen ( $67 )

So if you were to replicate my Japan route exactly, you would end up spending $381 on rail tickets. It sounds like a lot of money but I do want to stress that the trains in Japan are some of the best in the world. They’re spotless, comfortable, modern, and lightning-fast. You will feel like you’re travelling in luxury.

If you’re not down to spend hundreds of dollars on trains, then the buses are going to be your best option. They’re cheaper, slower, less comfortable, often run overnight, and are complicated to book. The best sites I’ve found for booking long-distance buses is Willer Express and Japan Bus Online — but even they don’t run buses for several of the routes I took on my trip.

I thought it would be a good idea to share the cost of buses for the trip I took, so that you can compare them to the train and see how much money you could save.

Tokyo – Hakone: 2,250 Yen ( $15 ) Hakone – Tokyo: 1,800 Yen ( $12 ) Tokyo – Nagano: 2,200 Yen ( $15 ) Nagano – Kanazawa: No bus for this route Kanazawa – Takayama: 3,300 Yen ( $22 ) Takayama – Kyoto: 3,800 Yen ( $25 ) Kyoto – Nara: No bus for this route Nara – Kyoto: No bus for this route Kyoto – Hiroshima: 4,300 Yen ( $29 ) Hiroshima – Osaka: 4,000 Yen ( $27 )

As you can, see prices are generally around half what they are for the trains. You’d be looking at paying $212 in total for taking the bus, with three trains replacing the routes where I couldn’t find any existing buses.

We’ve covered the main ways to get in between the destinations, so now it’s time to take a look at how much you could spend on transportation within the cities.

Fortunately, this was where I found Japan to be really affordable. I love to explore cities on foot and I found many of the places I visited to be surprisingly walkable. In total, I spent $6 on the metro in Tokyo, $7 on the metro in Osaka, and $2 on the metro in Kyoto! Everywhere else, I just walked.

A reasonably big expense was our Hakone Free Pass (spoiler: not free), although this was more of a combined transportation and activity cost. At a cost of 6,100 Yen, or $41 , It provides you with unlimited transport around Hakone (where you’ll find Mount Fuji), and discounted entrance to all the attractions in town. If you’re going to Hakone, this will save you money because it covers everything you’ll definitely do there.

Lauren with snow monkeys

The Cost of Activities and Entrance Fees in Japan

Activities and entrance fees in Japan were very reasonably priced, and I never found myself outraged over the cost of anything. You’ll typically pay less than $5 to enter most temples, museums, and gardens.

Here’s how I spread my cash around:

Entrance fee for the hedgehog cafe in Tokyo: $13/1400¥ Entrance to the Snow Monkey Park : $7/800¥ Entrance to Kenroku-en gardens in Kanazawa: $3/310¥ Entry to the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto: $3/300¥ Entry to Ryoan-ji zen garden in Kyoto: $5/500¥ Ticket for the Hiroshima Peace Memorial: $2/200¥

My total cost of activities in Japan averaged out to $2 a day.

Takoyaki from Gindaco in Tokyo

The Cost of Food in Japan

Oh, Japanese food — I love you so freaking much. And in Japan, I ate .

The good news is that as long as you’re not going out to fancy restaurants, meals in this country can be great value. I rarely paid more than ¥1000 ($9) for a bowl of ramen, and street snacks like takoyaki were  ¥500 ($4.50) . We splurged on our kaiseki experience at our guesthouse in Yudanaka and paid ¥4000 ($36) for our food extravaganza. 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. Another splurge was on sushi in Kanazawa, which I paid  ¥2000 ($18) for.

Whether you’re on a budget or ready to splurge, it’s essentially impossible to eat badly in Japan. If you’re on a really tight budget, you can even get surprisingly decent food from 7-Eleven !

My total cost of food in Japan averaged out to $23.20 per day.

Tokyo memory lane

Miscellaneous Expenses in Japan

A local SIM card: $14

I mentioned above that I was able to buy a local SIM card when I purchased my rail pass. If you aren’t going to be using a rail pass in Japan, I recommend taking a look at Airalo instead. Airalo is a company that sells local e-SIM cards for travellers. What that means is that you can buy a virtual SIM card online before you arrive in Japan, and then as soon as you land in the country, can switch on your data and start using it.

It’s worked flawlessly for me and I’ll never go back to physical SIM cards. It’s just so easy! You’ll pay  $6 for 1 GB of data  or $14 for 3 GB for Japan and can also top-up through the Airalo app.

If you’re going down the Airalo route, just make sure your phone is e-SIM compatible first (all recent iPhones and many Androids are).

Insight Guides guidebook to Japan: $10 

My sister bought me  this guidebook as a gift before I left for Japan and at first I was like, Insight Guides? Meh. I wish she’d got me the Lonely Planet instead. Then when I opened it up and started reading, I swiftly discovered that Insight Guides are my new favourite guidebook company. It was so, so useful!

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. 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. 

Luggage storage at Snow Monkey Park near Yudanaka: ¥500 ($4.50)

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. You can also hire snow shoes and winter gear if you’re unprepared for the climb, but I was fine in my totally impractical sneakers. 

Travel insurance for 16 days in Japan: $60

If you’ve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know that I’m a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. I’ve seen far too many Go Fund Me campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. These costs can quickly land you with a six-figure bill to pay at the end of it.

In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Travel insurance  will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died and you need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I use  SafetyWing  as my travel insurance provider, and recommend them for trips to the Japan. Firstly, they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. If you’re on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time. Finally, they’re more affordable than the competition, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

With SafetyWing, you’ll pay  $1.50 a day  for travel insurance.

Golden Pavilion in December

How I Track My Expenses While I Travel

Every time I share my expenses, you guys always want to know how on earth I manage to keep track of so many details from my travels!

Because Never Ending Footsteps is my company, the vast majority of my travel expenses are business expenses. I therefore studiously record everything I spend everywhere I go. I take photos of every receipt I receive and use Xero accounting software to record these expenses. 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.

Once a week, I then sit down and spend an hour or so uploading my receipts to Xero and making note of every penny I spent in each country I visit. It makes writing these posts super easy!

Takayama in December

How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Japan?

It’s time to tally up all of my expenses to see my total travel costs!

Accommodation:  $97 per day Transportation:  $27 per day Food:  $23 per day Activities/Entrance Fees:  $2 per day Miscellaneous:  $2 per day

Average amount spent in Japan: $151 a day!

I don’t know about you, but given Japan’s pricey reputation, I’m fairly impressed with the amount I spent in the country, especially as I included quite a few splurges in there.

How about you? How expensive were you expecting a trip to Japan to be?

Related Articles on Japan 🇯🇵 What’s it Like to Travel in Japan? 🏯 How to Spend Two Weeks in Japan: An Itinerary for First-Time Visitors 🍣 15 Weird and Wonderful Things to Eat in Japan 🎌 23 Incredible Things to Do in Osaka, Japan 🗼 21 Spectacular Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan 😎 Hipster Harajuku: The Coolest Neighbourhood in Tokyo 🦔 Should You Go to a Hedgehog Cafe? My Experience in Japan 🐒 Why Seeing the Snow Monkeys in Japan Sucked

japan trip money

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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99 comments.

Wow! that’s amazing. I especially got fascinated seeing the capsule hotel…must have been a unique experience.

It was surprisingly cosy! I would totally stay in one again.

Thank you so much for your information. We will go to Japan in October 2023 for 1 month. Have paid fully for 16 days. Using your guides to budget the remaining 2 weeks. Thanks again.

This is great! Do you think it would be much more expensive in summer or any of the peak holiday seasons? I’m going over July this year and wondering if the prices change much with the seasons.

Wow! That’s quite an eye-opener! I’ve wanted to visit Japan for years, and this has certainly nudged me a little closer, as I assumed it was expensive too. The costs seem much better than I found in Amsterdam this spring! (my boyfriend still gets a thousand-yard stare when I mention how much we paid for drinks in one bar.)

Yay! Yeah, it really did feel about the same price as Western Europe, if not cheaper. The transportation is more expensive, but the food was cheaper in Japan.

This is super awesome! I, too, was under the impression that Japan was a super expensive place to visit! Good to know that you can save so much on accommodation and activities! Are you going to be posting about food in Japan? My knowledge of what to eat there is very minimal…

Yes! I published a guide to my favourite things to eat in the country last week: https://www.neverendingfootsteps.com/best-food-japan/

Ditto for here in New Zealand Lauren. All said it would be expensive. But we house sat – rent-free – and saw that food and travel are on par or cheaper than New Jersey. We also saw that virtually all things are cheaper than folks said. Methinks many labeling Japan and NZ as expensive as can be are used to paying $1 for lunch in Chiang Mai LOL. Budget folks see all Western lands as expensive. Granted I am from NJ; living by NYC makes for a high cost of living. But not bad at all, living in these lands.

Yeah, definitely true. I know that when I wrote off Japan as being too expensive, it was in the early days of my travels, when I could only afford to live in Southeast Asia!

Loving the posts about Japan so far. Do you have many more articles planned? I’ve a trip booked in November and this has been the most useful of the blogs so far for help in planning – thank you. Although I’ve had to cut the hedgehog cafe off my plans after reading your article as I hadn’t quite considered the ethics enough!

Yes! So many. I’ll probably post another half a dozen or more over the next few weeks :-)

I always assumed Japan to be very expensive. Thanks to your blog I don’t anymore. Cheers!

This is all very useful info! I’m impressed with your budgeting skills. Awesome, Thanks for sharing this!

Ha! Thank you :-) It comes naturally (finally) after seven years of doing this.

Fantastic article. Love your budget posts because you never leave anything out.

I try not to! Thanks so much :-)

Beautiful photos, Japan look amazing and thank you for sharing your budget tips as well. :)

No problem! :-)

Thank you so much for this! I’m going to Japan in September and I’ve been worrying about my budget. This has definitely put my mind at rest!

Yay! Happy to hear that :-)

I’m so happy that you have posted so much lately, you’re my favourite travel blog and I check this page a lot more often now that the pace of the posts has increased :)

Thank you! :-) I’m aiming to stick to a three-times-a-week posting schedule now that I have a base and more time to dedicate to writing.

This is so much cheaper than I expected. Do you have any idea about prices for solo travellers though? Would I have to pay for a double room most of the time (apart from dorm beds of course)?

No, lots of hotels and guesthouses have single rooms, so you wouldn’t need to pay out for two people very often, if at all.

Thanks, that’s good to know!

Very useful breakdown that would be very helpful for first-timers to Japan.

Just to share, one of my own major expenditure in JP is … vending machine contribution! I simply can’t resist them and can end up buying seven times a day. “P

Yes! I couldn’t believe how many vending machines there were in the country, as well as the variety of things you could buy from them.

Hello! This is a very timely article for me to read as I’m actually going to visit Japan for a week on September. I really love Japan’s culture and their people. There are a lot of places that I want to visit and a lot of things I want to do but I am on a strict budget. Hopefully, your article would be able to help me fix my budgeting for my trip to Japan.

I hope so! I really didn’t find it horrendously expensive, so I think you’ll be surprised by how much you can do there for free.

I love your budget posts because they give me such a good idea of how much I can expect to spend in places around the world. Are you thinking of doing them for everywhere you visit?

That’s my plan! I’m slowly working my way through my records and adding more and more to the site.

Hey, thanks so much! :-)

I’ve planed to visit Japan next year, Thank you for sharing your budget, I’ll try to not exceed 100$/day, following your information on this post.

Have a fantastic trip, Ingrid! :-)

Which month you visited Japan? I am thinking for Cherry blossom (April 2019) and everything is coming up too expensive. Are those above for cherry blossom season you visited?

Ah yeah, unfortunately, the cherry blossom season is the most expensive time of year to visit Japan. I was there in December, so prices will be higher than the ones mentioned in this post. I’ll add that detail to my post now!

I was under the impression that Japan was a super expensive place to visit! Good to know that you can save so much on accommodation and activities! This article includes all the places you can visit in Japan and their expenses. It is very educative and it can be improved by providing expenses in INR. Thank you for posting this useful information.

Thank you! I usually just price these articles in the local currency and USD, which is where the vast majority of my readers are located. If I started including currencies for everyone, the post would quickly get ridiculous :-)

Seems a dumb question, but I’m assuming all the values are in USD, is it correct?

Yep! I write at the start of the post: “The amounts in this guide are listed in Japanese Yen and U.S. dollars, simply because the vast majority of my readers are from the U.S.”

That is a very good breakdown cost analysis there. i am planning to go to japan as well with my wife. and planning to stay for 10 days only. 4 in tokyo 3 in kyoto and 3 in osaka. i like to idea of 100 aud / day it’s a good target to keep but i guess the expense on buying cloths and souvenir would be uncontrollable though i heard things in japanese is not that dear if you know where to shop and avoid tourist trap. i didn’t see you mention buying internet data in advance ? or i missed it somewhere. i guess the expense for a couple will be double up. but i guess 3000 aud for 2 people is unavoidable.

amazing detailed guide

You’re welcome!

I’m so glad I found your website! I love the detail and photos. I just booked a trip to Japan with my boyfriend for this upcoming October, and your site will be very helpful. Question: do most hostels and accommodations that you experienced have you sleeping solo? I’m wondering if I should expect to sleep in a separate area than my partner for most of the trip…

Hi Lauren, Thanks for such a detailed description of your time in Japan! 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. Did you have to get separate beds for those nights?

Yeah, the capsule hotel-style accommodation is all single beds. You can see in my photo in this post that there’s not much room for anybody else!

My wife and I are heading to Japan in mid May and I plan to use your itinerary.

Would it be possible for you to write something about the travel logistics if you can remember them – ie to get from Tokyo to Mt Fuji we booked the following train, leaving at…from the following platform which took X hours and arrived at Mt Fuji at. We then bought our day pass from….and ……..

This would be really helpful to me and other independent travellers – from where did you buy your JR pass and how did you book your individual train rides?

Cheers Paul

Oh, man. That would take me hours and hours to put together and I’m sure times and platforms change so it would be impossible for me to keep the information up-to-date and accurate.

I recommend downloading the mobile app Hyperdia — you can plan your train travel out using that. Just enter in your destinations and it will tell you which train to take and from which platform. Super easy to use! :-)

The site I used to buy the JR Pass is this one . I booked the other train tickets in person at the stations when I arrived — there weren’t many that weren’t covered by the rail pass. Just the small regional ones to get to and from Yudanaka, I think.

Hello Lauren, I love the details in your blog. Your expenses were for 1 or 2 people?

I cover that at the start of the blog post: “And finally, these are the expenses I paid while travelling with my boyfriend. That means that accommodation prices (with the exception of the dorm bed in Hiroshima) have been halved to indicate my share.”

Great super helpful article. THANK YOU!

Hi Lauren, Thanks so much for this article, it is so helpful!!! on which dates did you fly to japan? what dates are you recommending on?

I spent the first two weeks of December in Japan. I’d recommend looking at May or September as the best months to travel there.

Hi Lauren I’d love your advice. I’m traveling with my 22yr old daughter to celebrate her graduation and my birthday. 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. I love the idea of the capsule hotels and the standard tatami mat rooms look enchanting. So how do I search for either? We’d like to experience both for the trip. oh by the way, I’m a traveler too, let me know where in the world are you now. 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. I’m in Bristol, in the UK. I actually don’t have an Instagram account — it wasn’t doing good things for my mental health, so I deleted it :-)

G’day Lauren,

Loved your detailed description of your travels through Japan. However; I’m not so brave as you travelling around on my own, especially with the language problem. I am a single traveler from Bangalore, India and would love to spend 7-8 days in Japan, with my journey starting and ending in Tokyo, reasonably priced hotels or local hostels, but preferably single accommodation, if possible. (willing to pay extra).

I love train travel and Japan is one of the best places to do that..your take on that would be appreciated. If you feel, I meet your requirements, would love to get an itinerary and costing for my 7-8 day stay in Japan.

Hello! 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!

If you click the link in the post, you can buy it through there. It’s currently listed for 414 USD.

$95/day seems cheaper than what I had expected – is that a tight budget? What can you do more with $150/day? I’d prefer to spend that extra on living in nice hotels + do more activities. Does that seem possible with $150/day?

No, not really. It was a mid-range budget and all of the hotels we stayed in were nice — I made zero effort to stick to a tight budget.

Hope you’re well. I’m wondering if you still advise from not booking Airbnb for Tokyo? Thanks.

Until moments ago, I had always assumed Japan to be too expensive to even consider. Never thought the cost of activities and entrance fees would be so cheap. This is an encouraging article, thanks, Lauren!

Really remarkable post, Lauren. Extremely thorough and helpful. I’m looking to plan a trip to Japan soon and stumbled across your blog. As you clearly hoped from city-to-city, (this may be a silly question) what did you do with your luggage on a day-to-day basis?

Thanks for any insight.

Oh, just left it in my hotels. If I spent less than a full day somewhere, it was visited as a day trip, so I didn’t take my luggage with me. And then whenever I arrived somewhere, I’d time my arrival with the check-in time of the hotel, drop my bags first, then head out exploring.

great article! As I have said in the past you always put out great stuff that’s very valuable information.

I just came across your website when searching for trips for Japan for my son. I have to say I am really so happy and want to thank you so much for the information. My eldest son has been taking Japan as a language course for the last 3 years and was looking forward to trying to get into the high school Japan trip in end of july beginning of August 2020. He also wanted to go to TUJ(Temple University Japan).

However, because of the olympics the high school Japan trip has been canceled for 2020. Unfortunately, he will be a senior next year so the 2021 high school program will not be available for him. Plus going to olympics are so expensive. If you can give me any advice, I would greatly appreciate. Thank you so much in advance for your time!!!

What advice do you need? About what?

Hi Lauren, I really liked you post and I think is really helpful. When exactly did you go in Japan? 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. So, do you think it is good idea travelling in Japan in February? Thank you and advance.

I went during the first half of December. As long as you keep in mind that it’ll be pretty cold (5-10 celsius), I think it’s a great time of year, as it won’t be as crowded as peak season.

is it favorable to use credit card or cash is much preferred? thanks

Hi. Thank you for the information! I am so inspired to go to Japan now. My mom who was from Japan, always told me it’s too expensive to go back and visit. I am now 56 and it has been my lifelong dream to go. My husband and I will go with backpacks like we did when we were younger and before having kids. Is October a good time to go? I read September can be humid. I want to follow your itinerary for the most part. My mom lived in Kanazawa. My heart is full right now and my eyes are misty. Thank you for making my dream a little bit closer.

Hey Lauren!

Thank you so much for the information. I actually got invited on a delegation to go to Japan this evening and am trying to get the average cost to travel in the country. Obviously, your trip was on a very impressive budget. I have two questions, 1. Based on the $95/day over the course of your 16-day trip, would it be right to say that (flight included) you only paid ~$1,600 for your entire trip? 2. 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?

In advance, I appreciate your advice on this!

Hi Lauren, Are you able to name all the accomodations you stayed with? I would like to visit Japan next year on a very tight budget. Thanks.

Yes, they’re already linked in the post along with the reviews of them under the accommodation section.

Hi Lauren. I’m debating spending 5 nights in Osaka and doing day trips to kyoto, nara and himeji castle. (I have hotel points where i can stay at osaka). Based on your experience – is that ok? or is better to stay 2 nights in Osaka and 3 nights in kyoto. 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. The one plus is i can save some money if using points and also staying in 1 location for 5 nights vs packing and moving to another location. Thanks so much for your posts!

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. With some research i found that the JR pass isn’t needed if you’re just staying in one city. How much do you think i would spend on transportation for 2 weeks in Tokyo? Will it come out to more than what you spent or less?

Definitely less! You can walk to a lot of places, but otherwise the metro won’t cost much at all — a dollar or two per trip.

Would you be able to give recommendations for food places in Kyoto that are affordable.

Hi Lauren. Came across your site on a Google search for budget travel. It convinced e that a trip to Japan is affordable. Never have done international travel and would like your advice on a couple of things. 1. What is the best way to pack? Do I have to just use a back pack? 2. Can I use a credit card or should cash be used? 3. Can I get cell phone coverage in Japan.

Thanks, you site is great!

1) I prefer to travel with a backpack, but you’ll do okay with a suitcase, too. I personally find backpacks easier for navigating train stations, as you don’t have to drag it up and down stairs, etc. It doesn’t really matter either way, though. 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.

2) Japan is mostly cash-based, so plan for lots of trips to the ATM. I didn’t find many places that accepted cards, although I also wasn’t looking very hard either.

3) Yep, you can pick up a local SIM card at the airport when you arrive. I bought mine through the rail pass company I link to in this blog post, but you can also just buy one when you arrive. Super easy to do and they’ll get it set up for you in the shop, too.

Love your posts! have been browsing but when I stumbled upon your page found it really helpful! Planning for Japan and Singapore so finding both blogs is perfect timing :) We are still not sure if the JRpass will help us- when we did calculation for the main routes we are going it resulted not worth it, however then not sure if we will require any additional rails/trains in between these. Tokyo>Hakone>Kyoto> Osaka without returning back… your input will be appreciated :) P.S. Feel free to visit the island of Malta, my home country

Wooow !! This is amazing , My wife and I have been planning to visit japan and we always had a misconception that Japan is expensive to visit .. This is a great blog .. So the overall cost including your flight tickets and local travel in japan would cost around 2500 $ per person ?

This was so incredibly helpful! Normally I don’t find myself reading entire articles but yours was so informational and in depth. Thank you so much for helping me get an idea of how much I would roughly spend!

Ah, no problem! Thanks for reading, and I’m glad you found it useful :-)

I super love this article Lauren! I thoroughly enjoyed it. When all is well and my country allows us to travel again, this is going to be on my top 3 places to visit (the 1st 2 will be diving spots as I’m a freediver). I made sure to bookmark this page for reference. Again, thank you for writing this. One question though, when you say $ do you mean USD?

Yep, USD! “The amounts in this guide are listed in Japanese Yen and U.S. dollars, simply because the vast majority of my readers are from the U.S.”

How much did you spend on transportation in Tokyo? I mean if you hadn’t had the JR Pass? How much did you save in Tokyo by having the pass?

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.

Hi Lauren! I just read your post. My boyfriend and I are backpackers and we are planning our next trip to Japan. I wanted to ask you when did you go there? (what time of the year). Because we can only take time off during winter time (dec-jan) and I don’t know if that’s a good time of year to go. We are from Denver and snow doesn’t bother us but we also want to enjoy it.

Thanks in advance! Love your blog

I was there in December! There’s fewer crowds then, which makes it a great time to go! As an added bonus you get to enjoy all of the cosy onsens in the snow :-)

Even in these unprecedented times, I feel as if I have already traveled to Japan! I loved every minute of the information you gave me. This place is definitely next on my list, of course! It can be months or a year from now.

It appears you’re still getting traffic in the comments here (excellent) so I thought I would ask a broad question. Wife and I are thinking to take our 6 and 9 year old to Japan for about 11 days. Any destinations you might leave off your itinerary given a bit less time and traveling with kids?

Fantastic! I’ve never seen any article about travelling to japan so specific and detailed before!! It sure will help me prepare for my own first&solo trip! thank you so much

Great post, but the prices are wildly outdated now. Your $30/night hotels in 2018 are going for around $220/night in 2023. Insane!

Hi CS, what time of year are you looking to visit? I’ve had a quick check and every hotel I link to still displays roughly the correct prices (a couple were out by about $10-20 a night, but nothing like $190!). If you’re looking at going in May, for example, Hakone Tent prices their rooms at $176 a night, but then offers rooms at a price of $73 a night a month later in June, so the time of year can affect the pricing. I’ll make a note to mention this in a future update to the post.

I visited in the low season, in December, so the prices I paid were lower than they might be at a more popular time of year.

This is amazing on every level. Thank you! only issue is prices for accomodations double during sakura season so what can I do

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Meet Lauren Juliff

Travel, culture, and stories from Japan.

The japan vacation budget calculator.

japan trip money

I love researching the best places to go when I go on holiday, especially when it’s in Japan. I love planning, and I love knowing I’ve got the money to do it all. But I can absolutely see that for some people, calculating all of the potential costs associated with a vacation to Japan seems like their worst nightmare.

Well, now you don’t have to! I’ve built a Japan vacation budget calculator to do all the hard work for you. Either compare your holiday’s actual spending to your initial budget or plan everything out beforehand and find out how much money you’ll have left to spend on fun things!

Halfway down this page, you’ll find that calculator and I hope it’ll change the way you plan your trips to Japan!

Table of Contents

Why You Need a Budget in Japan (5 Reasons)

Before you use the Japan trip cost calculator, let’s run through a few reasons why you actually need a budget in Japan (Even if that yen is burning a hole in your pocket!) and why I made it in the first place.

If you’re dreaming of savoring sushi in Tokyo, meditating in serene temples, or getting lost in the vibrant streets of Kyoto, then Japan is calling your name. As a seasoned adventurer and as someone who lives here, I can vouch for the incredible experiences that await you in the Land of the Rising Sun .

However, there’s one essential tool that’ll make your Japan trip even more unforgettable and stress-free: a budget! Actually sitting down and making a budget sounds a bit boring to me, so instead I made something that does it all for you!

Here are just a few reasons why having a budget will make your trip to Japan just that little bit better.

1. Making the Most of Your Yen

Let’s face it – Japan isn’t the cheapest destination on the map. While it offers an array of experiences that are worth every penny, you want to make sure your hard-earned money goes where it matters most – creating memories, not going down the drain.

By having a budget, you’re putting yourself in the driver’s seat of your spending. You’ll know exactly how much you can allocate to flights, accommodations, food, activities, and shopping. This way, you can focus on the things you’re truly passionate about, whether it’s riding Japan’s last sleeper train or skiing on Mount Fuji , without worrying about overspending.

2. Avoiding Post-Trip Regrets

So you’ve had this incredible time in Japan and have all these fantastic memories, and then you return from your magical Japan adventure, only to be greeted by an alarming credit card bill. Ouch!

That’s the last thing you want after having such an awesome trip.

Budgeting in advance helps you avoid those post-trip regrets and the unpleasant surprise of a depleted bank account. By planning your expenses, you’ll have a clear idea of your financial boundaries throughout the trip, ensuring you don’t overspend and end up with a mountain of debt when you return home.

3. Unleashing Your Adventurous Spirit

Here’s a little secret – budgets aren’t about killing spontaneity; they’re about empowering it! Once you’ve used the Japan trip cost calculator and you know how much you can spend on various aspects of your vacation, you can embrace your adventurous spirit fully (and buy all the Pokemon cards in Tokyo that you want ;)).

Imagine being able to say “yes” to that thrilling helicopter ride over Hiroshima or indulging in a Michelin-starred dining experience without guilt. With a budget as your trusty guide, you’ll feel liberated to explore Japan in all its glory, knowing you’ve got your finances under control.

4. Discovering Hidden Gems and Local Experiences

One of the most incredible aspects of traveling is uncovering hidden gems and immersing yourself in local culture. Japan has this in bucketloads!

The beauty of budgeting is that it encourages you to seek out these authentic experiences that often cost little to no money at all.

From strolling through quaint alleyways to stumbling upon a traditional festival, Japan has a plethora of magical moments waiting for you. The latter of which has happened to me in Kyoto before!

A budget helps you prioritize these local adventures, making your trip more meaningful and unforgettable.

5. Creating Lifelong Financial Habits

Last but not least, budgeting isn’t just a travel skill; it’s a life skill that you’ll carry with you long after your Japan journey. Maybe it’s not entirely relevant to your trip, but learning how to manage your money effectively, set financial goals, and stay accountable are invaluable habits for your future endeavors, whether they involve travel or not.

With a budget in hand, we’ll make the most of every yen, embrace our adventurous spirits, and craft memories that’ll last a lifetime.

How can you set a budget for Japan as easily as possible? By using the Japan trip cost calculator underneath!

How to use the Japan vacation calculator

So! It’s time to get to the fun part, the Japan Travel Cost Calculator – your ultimate tool for planning an unforgettable trip to Japan!

Follow these simple steps to gain valuable insights into your travel expenses. And no need to worry if you’ve already been, you can use it as a retrospective calculator to see how your initial budget matches your actual spend.

If you haven’t been yet, it’s a great way to get your head around some of the finances. A lot goes into planning a holiday, especially somewhere like Japan.

It’s all too easy to spend way more than you thought!

This calculator will show you how close you stuck (or will stick) to your initial budget, and let you know the actual cost of your holiday to Japan vs your original budget.

  • Select Your Currency and Exchange Rate: Begin by choosing your preferred currency from the dropdown menu. Enter the current exchange rate to Japanese Yen (JPY) or the rate you exchanged your currency for yen. All subsequent inputs will be in your chosen currency, making it easy for you to manage your budget comfortably.
  • Input Your Ideal Overall Budget: Enter your ideal overall budget for the entire trip. Don’t worry if it’s not exact; you can always fine-tune it later after the calculations have been made.
  • Estimated Flight Costs: Add the expected flight costs per person. This will give you a clear picture of the flight expenses, ensuring you stay well within your budget.
  • Consider Hotel Costs: Include the cost of hotels per night for all travelers. Ensuring comfortable accommodation within your budget is crucial. Plus, Japan can be overwhelming and there’s nothing like coming back to a nice relaxing room!
  • Calculate Daily Transport and Food Costs: Estimate the expected daily transport and food costs per person. Even a rough estimate will do if you haven’t finalized your itinerary yet. $20-$30 per person should easily cover you for an average day’s traveling.
  • Ensure You’re Covered with Travel Insurance: Don’t forget to add the total cost of travel insurance. Having comprehensive travel insurance ensures peace of mind throughout your trip and really isn’t worth skimping on.
  • Account for Miscellaneous Costs: Miscellaneous costs can be diverse, ranging from airport parking to pre-booked trips and other expenditures. Make sure to include these costs to have a complete overview of your budget, and be as thorough as you can.
  • Specify the Number of Travelers and Trip Duration: Enter the number of travelers joining you on this adventure and the number of days you’ll be exploring Japan.
  • Hit Calculate and Uncover Your Insights: With all inputs in place, click the “Calculate” button, and let the magic unfold. Discover valuable insights into your trip costs, including the total estimated expense, a detailed cost breakdown, and any budget left over for extra exploration!

Let’s talk a little bit about those insights and how to understand what they mean.

Your Trip Cost

Upon entering your travel expenses and clicking the “Calculate” button, the Japan trip cost calculator instantly provides you with a comprehensive overview of your estimated total trip cost. The magic happens as the calculator considers essential elements like flight expenses, hotel costs, daily transportation, food, travel insurance, and miscellaneous expenses.

The total trip cost is displayed in your selected currency, such as USD, GBP, or EUR, and simultaneously converted to the Japanese Yen (JPY) for your convenience. This yen conversion allows you to have a clear understanding of the local currency, enabling seamless financial planning while in Japan.

In the case where the total cost exceeds your initial budget, the calculator promptly notifies you, prompting an opportunity for reevaluation and adjustments to align your expenses with your planned budget effectively.

Conversely, if the total cost falls within your budget, you’ll be reassured that your financial planning is on point. This reassurance provides peace of mind and empowers you to embark on your Japan vacation confidently.

Cost Breakdown

The Japan Vacation Budget Calculator goes beyond presenting the total trip cost. It provides a detailed cost breakdown, categorizing expenses to unveil a more comprehensive view of your budget. The breakdown includes individual expenses for flights, hotel accommodation, daily transportation, food, travel insurance, and miscellaneous costs.

For each category, the expenses are presented both in your chosen currency and its equivalent in Japanese Yen (JPY). This dual presentation ensures that you have a crystal-clear understanding of how your expenses translate into the local currency, making your financial decisions in Japan hassle-free.

The cost breakdown also reveals the cost per person, which allows you to analyze expenses on a per-traveler basis. This insight is incredibly beneficial for group trips, ensuring transparency and equal distribution of costs among all travelers.

Budget Left Over

One of the most exciting aspects of using the Japan Vacation Budget Calculator is discovering how much budget you have left after considering all your expenses. If the calculator determines that you have a remaining budget, it will provide this information in your chosen currency, as well as its corresponding value in Japanese Yen (JPY).

Having a budget left over allows you the flexibility to explore additional activities and indulge in unique experiences during your trip. This extra budget, expressed in daily amounts and per person, provides a practical guideline for your daily spending while ensuring you have a safety net for unexpected opportunities or expenses.

With this knowledge, you can confidently immerse yourself in Japan’s rich culture, savor local delicacies, and engage in memorable adventures, knowing that you have budgeted wisely for an unforgettable experience.

Anyway, that’s enough talking from me. It’s time to have a go for yourself!

The Japan Travel Budget Calculator

Japan vacation budget calculator.

Has the calculator shown you a bigger number than you first thought? No problem, here are 5 ways to save money on your trip to Japan

5 Ways to Save Money on Your Trip to Japan

Traveling to Japan doesn’t have to be a drain on your bank account, even if it can sometimes feel like it might be. With a little savvy planning and some insider tips, you can experience the best of this fascinating country without breaking the bank.

Here are five practical ways to save money on your Japan trip:

1. Scoring Cheaper Flights

Let’s start with the big expense – flights. Booking early is your ticket to snagging those sweet deals.

Keep an eye on airlines’ sales and sign up with Going to catch the best prices (literally like 90% off your flights…). Also, consider being flexible with your travel dates – flying mid-week or during shoulder seasons often comes with lower fares.

Another nifty trick is to check nearby airports and alternative routes. Sometimes, flying to a different city in Japan and taking a domestic flight can save you a bundle. Not always the case, and not always ideal, but it can sometimes work out well.

2. Making Extra Income Along the Way

Now, this might sound a bit unconventional, but hear me out – you can actually make some extra yen while traveling in Japan! How? Well, put your skills to good use! If you’re a talented photographer, consider offering photography services to fellow travelers. Love writing? Start a travel blog and share your Japan adventures.

I’ve written a massive article about how to earn money in Japan , and while the majority of those suggestions are for people considering living in Japan, it could absolutely work for you as well

Alternatively, and depending on your visa, you can teach English online during your downtime or offer language exchange sessions with locals. This gives you a chance to earn a little extra income and enriches your travel experience by connecting with people on a deeper level.

3. Traveling Off-Peak

Want to experience the beauty of Japan without the crowds and the hefty price tags? Travel during the off-peak seasons. Spring and autumn are popular, but consider visiting during the shoulder months when the weather is still lovely, and prices are more budget-friendly.

Not only will you save on flights to Japan and accommodations, but you’ll also enjoy a more authentic experience, mingling with locals rather than fellow tourists. Plus, attractions and activities are less crowded, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in Japan’s culture and beauty.

4. Embracing Free Things

Ah, the beauty of freebies – they’re the traveler’s best friend! Japan offers a wealth of free or low-cost activities that are as enriching as they are enjoyable.

Explore the serene gardens, parks, and temples scattered throughout the country – many of them are open to the public at no charge. Enjoy the city lights by taking a leisurely stroll through bustling neighborhoods.

Don’t forget to research free events, festivals, and cultural activities happening during your visit – they’re fantastic opportunities to experience Japan’s traditions without spending a yen.

5. Eating Smart and Savvy

Let’s talk about everyone’s favorite topic – food! Japanese cuisine is undeniably delicious, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. While treating yourself to something special during your trip is a must, balance it out with more budget-friendly options as well.

Seek out local eateries, “izakayas” (Japanese pubs), and “tachinomiya” (standing bars) are perfect for affordable and tasty meals. Convenience stores are your best friend for quick and cheap bites, and they’re also so damn delicious!

Additionally, some restaurants offer lunchtime specials or “set meals” that give you great value for your money.

Congratulations! You have now mastered the art of budgeting for your dream vacation to Japan with the help of our Japanese Travel Budget Calculator. Armed with valuable insights into your trip costs, including the yen conversion, you can confidently plan your itinerary, book accommodations, and explore the wonders of Japan without worrying about exceeding your budget.

So, you’ve sorted out the budget, but you’re still a little sure about where to go? Take this Japan travel quiz I’ve made specifically for you. It’ll tell you where your next great adventure lies in Japan!

My Top Japan Travel Resources:

What’s the best way to get cheap flights to Japan?

Going  is BY FAR the best way to secure dirt-cheap flights to Japan. We’re talking as much as 90% off!

Should I live in Japan?

Maybe  – I’ve made  this quiz  specifically for you! Who knows, perhaps you’re closer to those bowls of ramen than you think 😉

Where should I visit next in Japan?

It depends  – To help you figure it out, I’ve made  this quiz  just for you!

Can I get online in Japan?

You can!  –  The eSIM  is the one I’d recommend using, plus it’s perfect if you’re planning to travel somewhere else afterward.

Can you help me plan my trip to Japan?

Yes  – I’ve got a  Japan bucket list  just for you! Simply download the PDF, print it out, and tick off some of the things you’d like to see, do, and eat.  

Can I get money out in Japan without getting charged?

Yep  –  The Zero-fee card    I use to get money in Japan hasn’t steered me wrong yet. Highly recommended to any traveler!

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Jonny is the founder of A Day of Zen and has an unhealthy obsession with Japan. In 2022 he moved to Japan on a mission to give his audience the best possible information. He's helped over 300,000 plan their trip so far, and is eager to make that number much bigger!

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Kanpai-japan.com logo

Japan travel budget calculator

What will exactly cost my trip to Japan? Every prospective tourist for the archipelago wondered about the amount necessary to plan a travel in their dream country.

Kanpai’s Budget Calculator provides a precise estimate of the travel expenditures item-by-item, with numerous possible choices. As a matter of fact, a backpacker’s 10-days trip will not cost the same as a 3-weeks stay for a family looking for a very comfortable trip.

Fill in the questionnaire below to discover the expenses to expect and many advices on how to keep the cost down.

How much should I budget to go to Japan?

  • Number of Travelers
  • Your Travel
  • Itinerary & Transportation
  • Accommodation
  • Outings & Shopping

April, July and August are peak touristic seasons: many services are more expensive during these periods. Consider traveling in January, February, March, May, June, September, October, November or December to keep your costs down.

  • Flights and Airports
  • Transportation
  • Internet & Phones
  • Budget and money
  • Japanese Food
  • Visit with Kids
  • Seasons: spring / summer / autumn / winter
  • Weather forecast
  • Time in Japan
  • Holidays & Festivals
  • Natural Disasters
  • Customs and Duties
  • Works and Closures
  • March 3 -- Hina Matsuri: little girls' festival in Japan
  • March 14 -- White Day in Japan
  • March 21 -- Spring start in Japan (sakura cherry blossom season)
  • April 1 -- Beginning of the fiscal year in Japan
  • From April 14 to 15 -- Sanno Matsuri (the Spring Takayama Festival)
  • From April 29 to 5 May -- Japanese Golden Week
  • Tokyo : Shinjuku , Shibuya , Harajuku , Asakusa , Akihabara , Odaiba , Ikebukuro , Ueno , Roppongi , Chiyoda , Ryogoku ...
  • Around Tokyo: Kamakura , Nikko , Hakone , Mount Fuji , Mount Takao , Yokohama ...
  • Kansai: Kyoto , Nara , Osaka , Mount Koya , Himeji , Kobe , Kinosaki , Kumano Kodo , Ise ...
  • Japanese Alps: Kanazawa , Matsumoto , Takayama , Shirakawa-go , Nakasendo ...
  • West: Hiroshima , Miyajima , Shikoku , Onomichi , Naoshima , Izumo , Kurashiki , Matsue ...
  • South: Kyushu , Okinawa , Yakushima ...
  • North: Hokkaido , Tohoku ...

japan trip money

  • Temples and Shrines
  • Gardens and Parks
  • Hiking and Trekking
  • Observation Decks
  • Public Baths (Onsen and Sento)
  • Festivals (Matsuri)
  • Amusement Parks
  • Visit on a Budget / Luxury

japan trip money

Keikaku is a travel agency specialist of Japan and providing different kind of services:

  • Japan Rail Pass
  • English speaking Guides
  • Pocket Wi-fi
  • Japan Nightlife
  • Working in Japan
  • Religion and Spirituality
  • Arts and History
  • Movies / Animated Movies
  • Japanese Music
  • Studio Ghibli
  • Photos / Videos
  • Weird Japan
  • Translations
  • Kana & Kanji
  • Japanese Swear Words
  • Honorific Suffixes (san, kun, chan...)
  • Introducing yourself
  • Thank you / Apologize
  • Count / Say Your Age
  • Say the Date / Tell the Time
  • Happy birthday
  • Enjoy Your Meal
  • Writing your name

japan trip money

Kanas are the much-needed basic characters of written Japanese language. Memorize them at a fast pace with our method.

japan trip money

Ask any kind of question and share your knowledge about Japan in Kanpai’s community space, our Q&A section Kotaete.

japan trip money

Isshoni means "together" in Japanese: share your trip details (dates, places you would like to visit) and find companions to travel in Japan.

japan trip money

Create your Kanpai account to manage your profile and view your participation history (questions, answers).

17 ways to save money when visiting Japan

Rebecca Milner

Dec 11, 2023 • 6 min read

japan trip money

These top tips to low-cost living can help you stretch your budget on a trip to Japan © AzmanL / Getty Images

Japan has a reputation as an expensive place to travel, but it’s an image that doesn’t hold up on the ground.

With a little strategy, a visit can be very reasonable – budget-friendly, even. Many of the country’s major sights, for example, cost nothing, and free festivals take place year-round . With these top tips on finding the best-value places to stay, the right transportation tickets and places to eat that suit all tastes and wallets, you can make your yen go further on a visit to Japan .

A guide to daily costs in Japan

  • Capsule hotel room: ¥4,000 (US$30) 
  • Basic room for two: ¥8,000 (US$60)
  • Self-catering apartment: (including Airbnb) ¥6,000 (US$45)
  • Coffee:  ¥400 (US$3.50)
  • Sandwich: ¥300 (US$2.20)
  • Beer/pint at the bar: ¥600 (US$4.50)
  • Dinner for two: ¥5,000 (US$38)
  • Hour of karaoke for two:  ¥2,000 (US$15)

1. Consider staying in a business hotel

These economical (and, to be honest, rather utilitarian) hotels offer the best prices for private rooms with en suite facilities. It’s possible to find double rooms for as low as ¥8,000 (and single rooms for as low as ¥6,000), though these will be a little more expensive in cities like Tokyo , Kyoto and Osaka . Look for places that include a free breakfast buffet – they can be substantial enough to keep you going for hours. 

2. Book direct at a guesthouse or hostel 

Japan has fantastic guesthouses and hostels all over; not only are they generally clean and well-maintained, but friendly English-speaking staff are usually on hand to offer near concierge-level service. A double or single room is comparable to a business hotel (but usually has shared facilities); dorm beds cost around ¥3,000. Some places do charge extra for towel rentals, so you can save a few yen by bringing your own. Note that rates are often slightly cheaper if you book directly rather than through a booking site.

3. Sleep in a capsule hotel in the cities

Capsule hotels, which offer small rooms with enough space for just a bed, provide a budget-friendly place to spend the night. A capsule berth costs slightly more than a dorm bed in a hostel (¥4,000 per night), but you get more privacy. You probably wouldn’t want to stay every night in a capsule, but they’re good for saving money in cities where hotels are pricier. 

4. Go camping in the summer months

If you really want to do Japan on the cheap, you can rely on its network of well-maintained campsites in rural or resort areas; prices range from ¥500 to ¥1,000 per person or tent. Note that many sites are only open in the summer. 

5. Swap a night in a hotel for an overnight bus ride 

Long-distance buses, like those operated by Willer Express , are the cheapest way to get around, and longer routes have night buses, which saves a night on accommodation. There are also bus passes, which can make this an even cheaper option. 

A hand holds up a passport-sized document labeled as Japan Rail Pass in front of barriers at a Japanese train station

6. The Japan Rail Pass is a great travel bargain

Like the famous Eurail Pass, the JR Pass is one of the world’s great travel bargains and is the best way to see a lot of Japan on a budget. It allows unlimited travel on Japan’s brilliant nationwide rail system, including the lightning-fast shinkansen (bullet train). There are also more regionally specific train passes that are cheaper, so examine your itinerary carefully before deciding. Purchase a pass online or from a travel agent like JTB in your home country.

7. Ride local trains for less with the Seishun 18 Ticket

The Seishun 18 is another great deal, but with very specific conditions: for ¥12,050, you get five one-day tickets good for travel on any regular Japan Railways train (meaning not the shinkansen or any high-speed limited express trains) during a limited period of a few weeks. The Seishun 18 Ticket is only available at certain times during the year – during school holidays (the ticket is designed for students, but there’s no age cap) – and can only be purchased from JR ticket windows in Japan. If the timing works, and you’re a fan of slow travel, this is a unique, ultra-cheap way to get around in Japan .

8. Consider renting a car to go beyond the cities 

Highway tolls and petrol in Japan are expensive; however, renting a car can be economical if you’re traveling as a group or family, or are plotting an itinerary that takes you away from major rail hubs. 

9. Take domestic flights with low-cost airlines

Japan has several budget carriers, like Peach , Jetstar and Air Do , that offer bus-like pricing on some routes – just be sure to factor in the time and cost of going to/from the airport. 

A young man walks down an urban street holding his phone. There are many Japanese signs on the buildings behind him

10. Japan’s shrines and temples are free to visit

The vast majority of Shintō shrines in Japan cost nothing to enter. Likewise, the grounds of many temples can be toured for free (often, you only have to pay to enter the halls or a walled garden). 

11. Eat cheap food and meet locals at a traditional festival

Throughout the year , festivals take place at shrines and temples and through city streets. They’re free, an excellent way to see traditional culture come alive, and are well attended by cheap food vendors.

12. Opt for hikes and walking tours

Going on a hike or a trek is free and can be the most rewarding part of your trip: explore an up-and-coming city neighborhood , walk  old pilgrimage trails or rural lanes, or get up into the mountains in one of Japan’s national parks . Japan’s cities, especially Tokyo, have some fantastic buildings designed by many of the big names in Japanese architecture. With a little bit of planning, you could chart your own architecture tour. Ask at a tourist information center or your accommodation for suggestions.

13. Spend time relaxing in the city parks 

Urban parks are generally free to enter (and some gardens are, too) and are popular with locals on weekends; pack a picnic and settle in for an afternoon of people-watching. If you time your visit right, you could be bathing in the beauty of Japan's cherry blossoms . 

14. Shop for cheaper goods at a local market 

Many seaside towns have fish markets, some rural spots have morning markets, and some cities still have their old-fashioned open-air markets. Visits here are a great way to connect with local culture and are often a source of cheap, fresh food. 

Aerial shot of two friends tucking into bowls of noodles in a restaurant

15. Choose the right dish in the right place to save money

You can get a good, filling meal in shokudō , Japan's answer to the greasy spoon, for under ¥1,000. A steaming bowl of tasty ramen can be picked up in many places for as little as ¥600. Tachigui (stand-and-eat counter joints) sell soba (buckwheat noodles) and udon (thick white wheat noodles) for even less – starting as low as ¥350 per bowl.

Many upscale restaurants in Japan offer a smaller course at lunchtime for significantly less than they charge at dinner, so for a bargain deal have your larger meal then. In all restaurants in Japan, tea and water are complimentary, and tipping is not required. 

16. Bentō are a budget alternative to a meal out

These "boxed meals," which include a variety of dishes, can be picked up for under ¥1,000 at supermarkets. Department store food halls sell gourmet ones for a little bit more; visit just before closing to buy them on markdown.

17. Get everything you need and more at the convenience store

Convenience stores are the best friend to all budget travelers. They stock sandwiches, rice balls, hot dishes and beer, all of which you can assemble into a very affordable (if not exactly healthy) meal. Accommodations always have kettles, so cup noodles are always an option. 

This article was first published May 2012 and updated December 2023

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Budget Travel Guide

japan trip money

Unlike in much of the rest of the world, consumer prices in Japan have barely increased over the past decades. Add to it a weak yen , and you have a travel destination that is much more economical than the outdated misconceptions about expensive Japan would suggest. With careful planning and a little know-how, it is now easier than ever to enjoy a budget trip in Japan.

The following budget travel guide contains the basics on how to save money on a trip to Japan. In addition, check out our sightseeing guide for information on access and admission to specific destinations and sights and get answers to your questions in our question forum .

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Links and Resources

Hostelworld.com.

japan trip money

japan trip money

How Much Money Should I Bring to Japan? Travel Budget for Visiting Tokyo!

Visiting Japan can mean different things to different people, but the kind of trip you will have depends to a large extent on what kind of budget you have and what you are willing, or not willing, to do in order to save money. Luckily, Japan has a lot of different options for a flexible traveler, regardless of whether they want to spend a little money, or a lot.

The Shoestring Budget

The mid-budget stay, the vacation splurger, book a trip you’ll never forget.

How much does the average American tourist actually spend in Japan? The data above is based on surveying done by the Japan National Tourism Organization for 2017 for Americans visiting Japan. As in all things, the cheapest options mean you need to be pretty open minded, to be willing to walk rather than take a bus or to stay somewhere quite out of the way rather than by a major station. For the traveler with money to burn it is very easy to get the absolute best of everything, from travelling in comfort to staying in stunning hotels ! To get a more specific perspective on recommended budget for Japan, the following following are the maximum claimable per diem rates according to the US Department of State's website (as of May 2019). These can serve as a reference point for relative expenses in major tourist areas around Japan. For convenience, rates are listed in Japanese Yen (rate of 110.424 JPY = 1 USD).

The Shoestring Budget

For accommodation the cheapest option will usually be hostels and guesthouses, though you can sometimes find a very good deal with business hotels . If you can find a cheap hotel stay with breakfast, as hotel breakfast in Japan tends to be really good, then you can also offset the cost of breakfast. Another money saver is to try a capsule hotel , but sometimes these can be a bit hit and miss in regards to cost. For breakfast your best option, will requires a bit of forethought, is to check out a supermarket the night before, bento prices and bread products tend to be fairly cheap here and also in the evening before they can get quite heavily discounted. In particular a cut price bento is perfect for lunch the next day. Other lunch options include ramen or Japanese fast food like at the Yoshinoya or Matsuya chain. You can also find some good lunch deals at some cafes . For dinner an izakaya (Japanese style pub ) is fairly cheap and will allow you to try quite a wide variety of dishes, while family restaurants are also quite inexpensive. It may seem hard to visit places on a small budget, but actually it is possible to visit many spots for no or little money, including observation floors on tall buildings like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building or walking around the Asakusa area. You are only limited by your imagination, and not your wallet, in regards to what you can see. For wherever you plan to visit check out information on parks , temples , neighborhoods, etc., for places you can visit absolutely free of charge. You can certainly enjoy areas like Ginza without spending a penny, sometimes just window shopping can be fun in itself. It can be hard to walk around Tokyo, or Japan, as stations and bus stops can be quite far apart, but to a certain extent you can walk and then use a train or bus just to travel the minimum amount of time that you need to. Travelling a small distance costs less than 200yen. Alternatively, you can get a metro pass or train pass and then just make sure you make the maximum use of it that you can do, you will be surprised at how many places you can visit in one day if you are strict with yourself! If you really want to visit other cities then your cheapest options will be either an overnight highway busy, or a very, very long journey by regular train.

Low-Budget (~¥6,000/day): ■ Accommodation ・Khaosan World Ryogoku : JPY2,300/day per person ・IRORI Hostel & Kitchen: JPY2,800/day per person ■ Meals ・Breakfast ( supermarket reduced price bento ): under JPY500/per person ・Lunch ( bento / ramen ): JPY500-600/per person ・Dinner ( izakaya ): under JPY2,000/ per person - Gyoro Gyoro - Kojigura - Fuwari ■ Sights ・ Sensoji Temple / Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building/walking: FREE ■ Transportation costs (train/subway): ・Used for a minimum distance: from JPY140 per ride

GRIDS HOSTEL + LOUNGE NIHOMBASHI EAST

  • Address 4-7, Nihonbashihisamatsucho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-0005 View Map
  • Nearest Station Higashi-Nihombashi Station (Toei Asakusa Line) 3 minutes on foot
  • Phone Number 03-6667-6236

Khaosan World Ryogoku

  • Address Sumida-ku Ryogoku 4-30-5, Tokyo-to, 130-0026
  • Nearest Station Ryogoku Station (Toei Oedo Line / JR Sobu Line) 5 minutes on foot

With a bigger budget a lot more accommodation options become available. You can find many great deals at business hotels , and even four star hotels . The best ones include breakfast, even a business hotel breakfast will be delicious with a great spread! In addition this will save you any costs for breakfast. For lunch you can try brilliant lunchtime deals at restaurants, cafes and family restaurants , or even slightly pricier yakiniku or tempura deals. While in the evening you can try any of the above, including izakayas and specialist restaurants which offer up amazing dishes using a variety of ingredients including tofu , wagyu beef or soba noodles. You can enjoy many sightseeing spots, including the free ones recommended above, and also entry paying venues such as museums . For a small fee you can go to the top of Tokyo Skytree , or buy a train pass like the 3-day Tokyo Wide Pass to visit famous sightseeing spots near Tokyo like Mt. Fuji and Nikko . With a bigger budget all kinds of different metro passes and train passes can be bought and utilized for different day trips and longer journeys. You can also experience the shinkansen for perhaps a week with a train pass and see as much of Japan as you want for seven days. There are also more and more budget flights becoming available, these are certainly no-thrill rides but as they fly between the same major airports they are a good option for travelling.

Mid-Budget (~¥15,000/day): ■ Accommodations ・ HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU: JPY8,000/day per person ・Ibis Tokyo Shinjuku : JPY7,375/day per person ・Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Shinjuku : JPY4,180/day per person ■ Meals ・Breakfast (at hotel ): FREE ・Lunch (lunch set menu): JPY1,000-2,000/person - SUZUYA - TOKORI ・Dinner : JPY2,500-4,000/person - Daigo - Grow ■ Sights ・Entrance fees to Edo Tokyo Museum : JPY 600/person ・ Tokyo Skytree : JPY 1,030/person ・ Ueno Zoo : JPY 600/person ■ Transportation costs (train/subway): ・Tokyo Wide Pass: JPY 3,333/day ・Tokyo Subway 24-hour Ticket: JPY 800

Hotel Graphy Nezu

  • Address Taito-ku Ikenohata 4-5-10, Tokyo, 110-0008 View Map
  • Nearest Station Nezu Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line) 4 minutes on foot

Vacancy search, reservation

  • from 16,320JPY 1room, 2adults View Deal

Check with our partner site as the latest rates, rate details, and guest room requirements may vary.

IBIS Tokyo Shinjuku

  • Address Shinjuku-ku, Nishishinjuku 7-10-5, Tokyo-to, 160-0023
  • Nearest Station Shinjuku-Nishiguchi Station (Toei Oedo Line) 4 minutes on foot

Anshin Oyado Tokyo Akihabara Denkigaiten- Male Only

  • Address Chiyoda-ku Sotokanda 1-2-12, Tokyo, 101-0021 View Map
  • Nearest Station Akihabara Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line / JR Yamanote Line / Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line / Tsukuba Express / JR Sobu Line) 5 minutes on foot
  • from 12,000JPY 1room, 2adults View Deal

*Reference prices are as of May 2018 and may not include tax.

With a large budget you can enjoy superb ryokan stays, or 4-5 star hotels , either or both of which may include onsens and gyms. By staying somewhere like here the whole experience becomes less about just having a place to sleep and more of an experience within itself, customer service being what it is in Japan you will find your every need satisfied. In addition they tend to be situated in really convenient places and are easy to find. Furthermore, breakfast at a ryokan or high-class hotel seems to have been raised to a whole new level, and will probably leave you full past lunchtime! If somehow you are hungry at lunch then you can consider having something delicious like sushi . For dinner, it is safe to say that the more expensive restaurants tend to be high up, so for example in Roppongi you will end up fairly high off the ground. Other options include Blue Note Tokyo, an extremely classy jazz venue in Aoyama, as well as dinner at the hotel restaurant. For sightseeing you can experience travelling by express trains and taxis, however most places you can visit are either free or can be entered for a low fee, in this way Japan is quite an equal society! You can’t miss shopping in Ginza or Roppongi , and you must experience department store shopping at somewhere like Takashimaya in Nihonbashi. The most convenient mode of travel is to hire a sightseeing taxi; the driver will show you around town and tell you about the different spots, and can accommodate your own personal schedule. In addition with a higher budget you may want to get a two or three week JR train pass and really explore Japan from the comfort of a fast bullet train. You can also enjoy fast flights between all the major cities of Japan.

High-Budget (~¥unlimited/day): ■ Accommodations ・Royal Park Hotel : JPY 37,000/day per person https://livejapan.com/en/in- ningyocho _ monzen-nakacho _ kasai /spot-lj0005632/ ・GRAND NIKKO TOKYO DAIBA: JPY 47,000/day per person https://livejapan.com/en/in- odaiba /spot-lj0001042/ ・The Tokyo Station Hotel : JPY 25,000/day per person https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo_train_station/spot-lj0001037/ ■ Meals ・Breakfast ( hotel ): included in accommodation price ・Lunch ( sushi ): JPY8,000+/person - Ichibachi - Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan ・Dinner (best to make reservations in advance) - Blue Note Tokyo - Hotel Restaurant ■ Sights ・ Ginza shopping ・Tokyo Prince Hotel bar overlooking Tokyo Tower ■ Transportation costs (train/subway): ・Japan Rail Pass (Green car): JPY 5,500/day ・Sightseeing Taxi: from 14,950 for three hours.

Royal Park Hotel

  • Address Chuo-ku Nihonbashi Kakigara-cho 2-1-1, Tokyo, 103-8520 View Map
  • Nearest Station Suitengumae Station (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line) 2 minutes on foot
  • from 33,600JPY 1room, 2adults View Deal

Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba

  • Address Minato-ku Daiba 2-6-1 , Tokyo, 135-8701 View Map
  • Nearest Station Daiba Station (Yurikamome) 3 minutes on foot
  • from 26,790JPY 1room, 2adults View Deal

The Tokyo Station Hotel

  • Address Chiyoda-ku Marunouchi 1-9-1, Tokyo, 100-0005 View Map
  • Nearest Station Tokyo Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line / Hokkaido Shinkansen Line / Tohoku Shinkansen Line / Akita Shinkansen Line / Yamagata Shinkansen Line / Joetsu Shinkansen Line / Hokuriku Shinkansen Line / JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Yokosuka Line / JR Sobu Main Line / JR Sobu Main Line (Rapid) / JR Keihin-Tohoku Line / JR Yamanote Line / JR Chuo Main Line / JR Keiyo Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line / Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line) 1 minute on foot
  • from 82,882JPY 1room, 2adults View Deal

japan trip money

  • Category Other Sightseeing
  • How To: Money

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A Broken Backpack

Cash In Japan: Everything You Need To Know

by Melissa Giroux | Last updated Dec 5, 2023 | Asia , Japan , Travel Tips

If you’re planning to travel to Japan, there’s one thing you should prepare for – money!

In this guide, we’ll explore all the topics related to money in Japan .

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We’ll talk about the currency, withdrawals and ATMs, money transfers in Japan, and some travel tips related to money.

Without further ado, let’s have a look at the Japanese currency.

Japan map with flag

Japanese Yen

The official currency in Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY).

You’ll find banknotes and coins.

  • 1000 (blue)
  • 2000 (green)
  • 5000 (purple)
  • 10000 (brown)

Japan money

As the currency exchange can fluctuate quickly, we recommend you keep a look at the latest rates before your trip and during your trip.

Planning your upcoming adventures? Travel by bus! (It's cheap!)

I usually take a screenshot of the latest rates the day before the trip so that I can have a quick look to get familiar with the conversion when I buy something or withdraw money.

Best Way To Get Cash In Japan

The best way to get Japanese Yen is to withdraw money in an ATM or exchange money before your trip/on arrival).

I personally use bank ATMs to withdraw cash in Japan as I’m not a big fan of exchanging money abroad, but some people prefer this, so we’ll make sure to cover each topic in this guide.

Withdrawing Cash In Japan

You can easily find ATMs in Japan, especially in bigger cities and tourist hotspots. You’ll find them at banks, convenience stores (like Seven-Eleven or Lawson), and airports.

Most ATMs accept debit/credit cards from all over the world. You should be able to withdraw JPY with no problem. I personally use Revolut in Japan to withdraw money.

How To Withdraw Money In Japan

Follow the steps below to withdraw cash in Japan:

  • Find an ATM
  • Insert your card
  • Select your language
  • Click on the option to make a withdrawal
  • If you’re given an option for the exchange rate, select the option “Without Conversion”, as you’ll get a better exchange rate this way
  • Accept the transaction fees (if any)
  • Take your money and card

I personally use my Revolut card to withdraw money in Japan. Revolut is a great option for travelers as you can freeze and unfreeze your card. There are other advantages for travelers too. Learn more by reading our Revolut review .

Bulgarian lev atm

Exchanging Money In Japan

Another way to get money in Japan is by exchanging currencies. You can find exchange offices in airports, major cities, or banks.

While some people prefer the convenience of changing money before their trip, it’s better to exchange money in Japan. The exchange rates you find in Japan are usually better.

Now, you may be wondering which currency to take to Japan. Think of the main currencies such as USD and EUR. However, you’ll only be able to use Japanese Yen (JPY) in Japan.

Payments In Japan

Cash in Japan is handy, and you should always have some in your pocket. For example, cash is useful to buy a train ticket. That said, many places accept payments with debit/credit cards.

Let’s take a look at the primary payment methods in Japan.

In some cases, you’ll have to pay with cash.

So, make sure to always have some Japanese Yens with you.

If you’re out of cash, you should be able to find ATMs easily, so you can always go withdraw money if needed.

Debit/Credit Cards

Although there are still some places where you can’t pay with cards, you’ll find that some restaurants and stores accept it. For example, modern restaurants, supermarkets, and malls accept payments by card.

When I pay with a card, I usually use my Revolut card .

In some shops, you can use the contactless method, but in some places, you’ll need to enter your PIN code.

Tipping In Japan

Tipping is not expected in Japan. However, some high-end restaurants may charge for service on the bill, or have a tipping box.

Japan Travel Money Tips

The best way to get Japanese Yens is to use an ATM to get cash or exchange currencies in Japan.

The best way to travel with money in Japan is by using a travel card like Revolut . This way, you can pay by card when you can or withdraw money easily.

Having a Japan SIM card to access the Internet in Japan can be handy if you want to see the currency exchange rates or find an ATM nearby.

When withdrawing larger sums, we recommend the following:

  • Put your money somewhere safe (wallet or money belt ).
  • Once you arrive at your accommodation , find a safe spot for your money. You don’t need to carry all your money at all times (unless you want to). If you stay in a hostel , make sure to keep your money hidden and locked in a locker. If you stay in a hotel, you can also hide and lock your money or simply put the “don’t disturb sign” on the door. As a result, you’ll get no cleaning and no strangers in your room.

How Much Money To Bring To Japan

It all depends on your travel style and budget. I always get money on arrival, so I don’t really “bring money to Japan”.

Although, if you wish to have money on arrival, you can exchange money before your trip.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind to figure out the right amount of money to bring to Japan:

  • How long is your trip?
  • Is your accommodation paid for, or will you need to pay on arrival?
  • Are your tours and activities paid for, or will you need to pay on arrival?
  • How are you planning on getting around Japan?
  • What’s your budget for Japan?

Once you know the answers to these questions, you should be able to have a rough idea of how much money is needed in Japan.

Alternatively, you can withdraw cash on arrival instead of bringing money with you. ATMs in Japan are available in airports, and convenience stores. So, you’ll be able to get cash easily.

Japan Money Transfers

The best way to transfer money to Japan is with Wise .

It could take a few days, so make sure to send money ahead of time if required.

That said, it’s worth comparing your options to find the best currency exchange rate and transfer fees.

Let’s see why you may need to transfer money to Japan:

  • Paying rent to the landlord
  • Buying a property in Japan
  • Payment of utility bills

Final Thoughts On Money In Japan

And that’s all you need to know about money in Japan!

Having a travel card from Revolut is the best way to manage your money. It’s easy to top up, gives you an excellent exchange rate, and you can use it to pay for things in Japan.

As you can see, having cash is still a must in Japan. Just make sure to be smart about it and pay attention to where you put your money.

Traveling soon? Read one of the following guides:

  • Japan rail pass
  • Is Hiroshima worth visiting
  • Is Hakone worth visiting

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japan trip money

How to plan a free and easy trip to Japan on a budget

japan trip money

After closing to the world since the start of Covid in early 2020, Japan has reopened to all travelers on 11 October 2022. Finally, you can visit Japan without booking through travel agencies or worrying about daily arrival limits, quarantines, Covid tests (if you are fully vaccinated).

Are you as excited as me? Yes! The freedom to rediscover Japan! I miss Japan and everything about Japan. I have received many questions about how to plan a free and easy trip to Japan. To celebrate Japan’s reopening, I have put together this step by step guide with money-saving travel hacks so you can see the best of Japan on a budget.

Table of Contents

Where to visit in Japan?

The first step in your Japan trip planning process is the most difficult step as you have to decide where to visit and plan your itinerary.

Japan is home to 47 prefectures that are spread over 8 main regions: Hokkaido , Tohoku , Kanto (Tokyo) , Chubu , Kinki/Kansai (Kyoto and Osaka) Chugoku , Shikoku , Kyushu  ( Okinawa ).

japan trip money

Most of the links I have provided in this guide are from my favorite website Japan-guide.com . I have been using this website for years as they provide concise and informative travel content. Other useful websites include the JAPAN by Japan website by Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and Cheesie’s Cheeserland blog .

Thanks to the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program , I spent 2 life-changing years in Okinawa and managed to explore Japan and visit 31 prefectures. I am more familiar with Okinawa and the Kyushu region and I usually recommend them to travelers who have been to the “Japan’s trinity of tourist attractions” in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka and are looking for new places in Japan to visit.

Inspired by Rick Steves’ Europe travel guides and the super useful overview he uses to recommend must-see sights in Europe, I have adapted his method for Japan to recommend top destinations for first-time and repeated travelers.

I used to pack many places during my trip. But these days, I prefer to spend more days to explore one place and not do a “fast and furious” trip to tick off bucket list attractions. Here are my recommendations and travel tips! Well, this list may change as I see more of Japan.

One week in Japan (for first-time travellers)

  • Tokyo (3 days)
  • Kyoto (3 days)
  • Osaka (1 day)
  • If you have more days, add day trips to Yokohama, Hakone (to view Mount Fuji), and even Disneyland from Tokyo. And add day trips to Nara and Kobe in Kansai (Kyoto and Osaka are in this region).

One week in Japan (for repeated travellers)

  • Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa (for the amazing  Asahiyama Zoo  if you are traveling in winter and with children), ski resorts like Niseko or Rusutsu, Furano and Biel.
  • If you have more than one week, add Abashiri for the spectacular drift ice in winter, Kushiro and Shiretoko for hiking, and Hakodate (the most northern part of Hokkaido).
  • Highlights: Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Yufuin, and Beppu.
  • If you have more than 1 week, add Kumamoto (Mount Aso), Kagoshima (4-5 days at  Yakushima  for the best hiking experience, Sakurajima, and sand onsen at Ibusuki), Miyazaki for the Takachiko waterfalls, Amakusa islands, Saga (Ureshino onsen), and Kitakyushu.
  • Road trip all over Okinawa mainland and trips to outer islands like the Kerama islands.
  • If you have more than 1 week, add far-flung islands like Miyako and Ishigaki to your summer adventures.
  • Check out my guides to Okinawa:  Top 15 things to do in Okinawa  ,  islands to visit from Naha  , and the  ultimate guide to everything about Okinawa .
  • Setouchi islands (see my  guide to Naoshima ), Tokushima (in August for the famous Awa Odori festival), Ehime (Matsuyama, Dogo Onsen), and Kochi (Iya Valley).
  • If you have more than 1 week, try the scenic cycling route  Shimanami Kaido  from Hiroshima (Chugoku) to Imabari (Shikoku).
  • Highlights: Hiroshima, Kinosai Onsen, and Tottori.
  • If you have more than 1 week, add Shimane (famous Izumo Grand Shrine), Matsue, Yamaguchi, and Okayama.
  • Highlights: Kanazawa (a “quieter Kyoto”) and Gifu (Shirakawago, Takayama).
  • If you have more than 1 week, add Nagoya, Fukui, Mie (Izu Peninsula), and Matsumoto.
  • If you are travelling in winter, amazing ski slopes in Nagano/Hakuba area.
  • Wakayama (Mount Koya, temple stays, and hiking), Himeji, and Lake Biwa.

When to visit Japan?

japan trip money

Japan welcomes travelers all year round! The changing seasons make travel around Japan very interesting as you can enjoy a variety of sights and experiences in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Here’s a summary of what you can enjoy when you visit Japan in different seasons. If you have the flexibility to choose when to visit Japan, you can visit during popular flowering and festival periods.

Japan in Spring (March to May)

  • Plum blossom season   marks the start of spring! Most people do not know about the beautiful plum trees bloom and plum festivals that take place in from February to March.
  • Cherry blossom season   starts from end March to April. The flowers start blooming from the south with the dark pink cherry blossoms in Okinawa appearing in early February to the flowers blooming in Hokkaido in April
  • Popular spots in Tokyo and Kyoto are packed. Head to other regions further away from the big cities like Tohoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu for spectacular sakura viewing spots without the crowds.
  • Check out the super useful  Japan-guide.com’s Cherry Blossom Forecast and Reports  .
  • The Japanese have very accurate Sakura Navi (桜ナビ) so you can search for the Japanese sites like  this  (using Google Translate) and get accurate and timely updates about the progress of the flowers blooming (like 50% bloom or full bloom (sakura mankaiさくら満開).
  • Avoid the  Golden Week  (a period of 4 national holidays in Japan when domestic travel is at the peak) from end of April to the first week of May.
  • Try to avoid the  rainy season  (tsuyu 梅雨) starts in Okinawa in early/mid May and lasts for a month till early/mid June.

Japan in Summer (June to August)

  • In early summer, most parts of Japan have the  rainy season  from early June to early/mid July. While it may be inconvenient to travel during the rainy season, you can enjoy lush vegetation and the  blooming season of hydrangeas .
  • July and August are busy periods for summer celebrations with local festivals and fireworks. The Japanese festivals are out of this world so make sure you check the  festival calendar  and participate in some festivals!
  • July is the famous flower viewing season in Hokkaido.
  • Mount Fuji  is open for climbing during July and August.
  • The hot weather and clear blue skies perfect for beaches and island hopping. Summer destinations like Okinawa are packed.
  • Take note that the August to September is the peak season for  typhoons  (sometimes the typhoons can also hit anytime from May to October). Watch out for the weather reports.
  • Travel activity is high in August due to summer school holidays.

Japan in Autumn (September to November)

  • September is still considered summer in some prefectures in the south as the weather is warm for sea activities and island-hopping in Okinawa, Kyushu, and Shikoku areas.
  • Autumn starts in mid/late September in the north of Japan where the leaves start to turn colors in Hokkaido. November is the best period to see autumn colours. Check out the autumn leaf viewing spots  here .

Japan in Winter (December to February)

  • December heralds the start of winter and winter/Christmas illuminations decorate most cities. There are many Christmas festivals and markets so do some research about their locations and check them out.
  • From mid December, the Japanese start to prepare to celebrate the Japanese New Year (oshogatsuお正月). Join the festivities by watching the first sunrise of the year (hatsuhinode 初日の出) and visiting the first shrine or temple (hatsumode 初詣), on the 1st of January (or on New Year’s Eve).
  • Some shops and attractions close for oshogatsu (from end December to early January). Find out more about  visiting Japan during New Year here  .
  • Ski season starts from December and January, and February is the best time for winter sports and viewing winter sceneries.
  • February is the closest month so fantastical winter festivals are in action.

Check out Japan-guide.com ’s informative guide about when to visit Japan with tips about the weather, recommended activities, and more.

How to get to Ja pan?

japan trip money

Once you have selected the places/prefectures and confirmed on your travel dates, it’s time to book your air tickets to Japan.

Step 1 : Use Skyscanner to have a quick overview of the types of airlines flying to your destinations and the range of air fares.

Step 2: After you have selected your desired flight, book your air tickets directly on the airline website.

Airports in Japan

To Tokyo : Narita Airport (NRT) (handles most of the international flights), Haneda Airport (HND) (handles mostly domestic flights and increasing number of international flights)

To Kyoto/Osaka : Kansai International Airport (KIX)

To Hokkaido T: New Chitose Airport (CTS)

To Kyushu : Fukuoka Airport (FUK)

To Okinawa : Naha Airport (OKA). Check out this guide on how to get to Okinawa .

Here are some general tips based on my experiences traveling to Japan from Singapore and my budget saving strategies. Remember to always book your air tickets in advance (as early as you can to secure good fares)!

Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airlines (ANA ): These two national air carriers are great but I find their air fares quite high. I only flew JAL to Japan from Singapore when my air tickets were paid for (thanks to the JET program and travel prizes).

Singapore Airlines (SIA ): It’s always nice to fly SIA but air tickets can be more expensive. One good to way to fly SIA is to redeem flights using KrisFlyer miles. My best flight was redeemed with 48,000 miles for return flight to Narita Airport-Changi Airport. This was thanks to my Citibank PremierMiles card.

The credit cards I recommend for earning miles for flight redemption:

  • Citi PremierMiles Credit Card : Use my code ( s1152801010N) to get up to 30,000 Citi Miles (which can be easily converted to KrisFlyer miles).
  • Citi Rewards Credit Card: Use my code ( s1152801010N) to get up to 30,000 Citi Thank You Points (which can be easily converted to KrisFlyer miles).
  • American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card: Use my link and earn 5,000 KrisFlyer miles with minimum spending and 10,000 miles if you are new to AMEX.

Delta Air Lines : I flew once to Narita Airport from Singapore during the Lunar New Year period. Delta offered the cheapest return direct flights and the experience was decent.

Low-cost carriers like Jetstar and Scoot : They offer flights that are value for money and the flight time to Japan from Singapore is not too long for no-frills flights. Jetstar used to have direct flights to Okinawa, Naha Airport (it takes just 5 hours to reach the island paradise) and they may resume the flights soon. Jetstar is running a special “Hello Tokyo Sale” now till 14 October 2022! Enjoy cheap flights from Singapore to Tokyo (via Manila) from $271 SGD!

  Domestic Airlines

There are many airlines running domestic flights all over Japan. Sometimes taking domestic flights to get from one prefecture to another is faster and cheaper than taking train and other modes of transportation.

Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airlines (ANA ): They offer many flight routes and options. The air tickets can cost as low as budget airlines if you buy in advance. Based on my experiences, ANA domestic fares seem cheaper than JAL.

 Skyscanner may not show flights by small budget airlines so you can search for flights and fares on their websites. Some common budget airlines include:

  • Jetstar Japan
  • Skymark Airlines
  • Peach Aviation

Make sure to check the luggage allowance and any hidden fees. If you have big luggage, you have to top up the fares for the budget airlines and sometimes it may be more worthwhile to fly with ANA or JAL.

Find more flight options and tips here .

How to get around Japan?

japan trip money

Japan has a fantastic public transportation network that connects big cities to smaller towns. Depending on the places you are visiting in Japan, you may have to take a range of public transportation from trains to buses and even ferries. Here are my insider tips to traveling around Japan efficiently and cheaply!

Rail passes

Tourists to Japan (short term visitors) are entitled to purchase rail passes and they are convenient and offer great savings if you are traveling around Japan.

There are many types of rail passes available. The most popular rail pass is the Japan Rail Pass that offers unlimited travel on almost Japan Rail (JR) trains nationwide. You should get this pass if you are doing heavy travel for 7, 14, or 21 days. A general tip: The 7-day JR Pass (at 29,650 yen) is worth it if you do at least one return train trip between Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka plus some shorter trips. Spend some time to select the most suitable the rail pass based on your travel destinations and do some calculations to evaluate if you should buy it.

Many people do not know that there are other passes that are cheaper for region-specific travel. There are 6 JR companies (collectively known as the Japan Railways JR Group) that operate train routes in Japan:

  • JR Hokkaido

There’s no JR service in Okinawa! I kind of get annoyed when people don’t do simple research and ask me this!

japan trip money

For example, I used the JR East Tohoku Area Pass to explore the Tohoku region and Nikko for my winter trip, Takayama-Hokuriku Tourist Pass to visit Kansai, Kanazawa, Takayama and Shirakawago, and JR Setouchi Area Pass for the Setouchi Triennale and island hopping around the Seto Inland Sea. Check out all the available rail passes here . Remember to check the eligible train lines for the rail pass and take note of any exclusions.

Don’t forget to experience special sightseeing and themed trains in Japan! This is something uniquely Japan that you can only enjoy in the land of trains. Check out the dazzling network of scenic train lines here . My best train travel memories were crossing the Setouchi sea from Okayama to Takamatsu on the Marine Liner and passing through snow-capped landscapes in Yamagata and Hokkaido. I love themed trains and I have fulfilled my childhood fantasies onboard Anpanman trains in Shikoku and the Asahiyama zoo train in Hokkaido.

How to buy rail passes?

You can buy your rail pass in Singapore before you enter Japan. Here are some places/websites you can purchase from:

  • Japan Tourism Bureau (JTB)
  • Nippon Travel Agency (NTA)
  • Changi Recommends
  • Japan Rail Pass (official website by the JR Group)

There are many other websites selling the JR passes. Remember to check if they are legitimate and the current exchange rates. I usually check different websites (or even call the vendors directly) and compare the rates. You can enjoy free travel consultation at Japan Rail Café in Singapore . Check out their informative JR Times website with travel itineraries and guides.

Once you have purchased the rail pass from your selected/verified website, you will receive a voucher. Use the voucher to exchange for the rail pass when you arrive in Japan. Klook has an informative FAQ about how to redeem the rail pass . Use this Klook discount code (Use my special Klook promo code WENDY5OFF to enjoy 5% any Klook purchases (no min. spend; capped at USD $10). ⁣

Buses are everywhere in Japan. Local buses provide convenient travel in cities and towns. In Kyoto, the local buses bring you to more places than the train. There are highway buses for long and medium distance travel. Highway buses that travel overnight are cheaper than express trains even though the traveling time is longer. I took a long distance bus from Tokyo to Nagoya and it was quite comfortable. Find out more about the bus routes and bus companies here .

I love road trips in Japan! My favorite trips in Japan were driving around the Okinawa islands, Kyushu, and even Tottori. Car rental can be affordable in Japan if you travel with your friends/family (because of cost sharing) and you can explore more places. Make sure you have your International Driving Permit (for Singaporeans) to rent vehicles and drive in Japan.

Book rental cars with car companies like Orix Rentacar , Toyota Rentacar , Nippon Rentacar , OTS Rentacar , and more. You can also book with websites like Tabirai and Tocoo that provide a wide selection of car brands and types. I usually book my cars directly with the car rental company that offers the lowest rate (with English GPS navigation system and insurance). I find that the rental rates are cheaper when I book through Japanese websites. Learn more about driving in Japan here .

Do you know Japan has over 6000 islands? So it’s not surprising that Japan as an extensive network of ferry routes that connect Japan to 4 main islands–Honshu (main island), Hokkaido, Kyushu (including Okinawa), and Shikoku–and the smaller outer islands.

I love ferry rides as they are relaxing (as long as the ocean is not too choppy). Find out more about the ferry routes and ferry companies here .

Tips for taking ferry rides in Japan

  • Book your ferry tickets in advance for popular routes (especially in summer and during special events/festivals).
  • There are different types of ferries like regular, high speed, and slower cargo ship. High speed ferries are usually the best choice as they bring you to the island much faster but they cost more. High speed ferry rides tend to be choppy so prepare your sea sickness pills.
  • Car ferries are fun! Some ferries allow you to pay more and bring your car across the ocean to the island so you can just conveniently drive your car around the island.
  • Overnight ferries help to save time and money. And they can be quite comfortable. I had a memorable long ferry ride from Shodoshima to Kobe!

Japan is a very cyclist-friendly country! The Japanese love their bicycles (自転車 jitensha) and cycling is a popular activity. There are many scenic cycling routes in Japan great for short cycling expeditions. I highly recommend Shimanami Kaido しまなみ海道. This well known bikeway connects Japan’s main island Honshu to Shikoku and runs through 6 islands and 6 bridges in the Seto Inland Sea. This picturesque route is every cyclist’s dream. Read about my Shimanami Kaido adventure here ! Every time when I write or talk about it, I just want to go back to Japan and do the cycling route again!

Tips for cycling in Japan

  • Bicycle rental is widely available in Japan. The most common type of bicycles is the simple bicycle called mamachari or mom’s bicycle that usually comes with a useful basket. You can also pay more for efficient bicycles like mountain and road racing bikes at more specialized bicycle rental shops found in places with popular cycling routes.
  • Make use of the convenient and inexpensive takuhaibin (宅配便) delivery service to transfer your luggage for multi-day cycling trips.
  • Don’t drink and cycle! Just like drink-driving, drink-cycling is illegal. True story: I met a foreigner in Japan who was fined for riding a bicycle while drunk on an island!

If you are adventurous and seeking a different kind of travel experience, you can walk through Japan! Interested to do a meditative walk through Japan and learn more about the country? Check out this classic book “The Roads to Sata: A 2000-Mile Walk through Japan” by Alan Booth where he shared his experiences walking from the northernmost point of Japan, Cape Soya in Hokkaido, to the southernmost point of mainland Japan, Cape Sata in Kagoshima.

Want more information? Check out Japan-guide.com’s comprehensive overview of transportation in Japan !

Where to stay in Japan?

japan trip money

The rule of thumb is to book your accommodation as early as possible. The earlier you book, the more options and cheaper rates you will find. The cost of accommodation is one of the biggest travel expenses so I tend to plan a lot of time looking around for the best deals. For popular travel periods like the cherry blossom and autumn leaves seasons and during major festivals, you should try to book your accommodation at least 6 months in advance.

Here are some of my travel tips to secure convenient and affordable accommodation ranging from hotels to hostels for your next trip to Japan!

I like to choose hotels near major train stations (not more than 1 km away) for my trip especially for winter travel (dragging luggage on snow-covered pavement is not fun). Hotels can be expensive in city centres in Tokyo so I usually stay in small business hotels (room size about 18-20 sqm) to save money (location trumps room size for me) since I will not be in the room most of the time.

There are many hotel websites that you can use to book to hotels. Quoting Rick Steves again, he advises traveler to use general hotel websites to research for options and rates and book directly with hotels. I sometimes try to do that but if the rates offered by hotel websites like Booking.com are better, I will book with the platform.

Here’s a list of websites I usually use:

  • Agoda : I use Agoda the most as they usually offer cheaper rates than other booking platforms. You can earn Agoda PointsMax and use them to offset the cost of your next hotel booking. Their customer service is generally responsive and friendly. Check out their discount coupons !
  • Booking.com : I use Booking.com too as I find their rates cheaper than other websites and their customer service is generally responsive and friendly.
  • Trip.com : Like the other websites, Trip.com offers competitive rates. Their customer service is quite good too. Join their telegram group to receive regular alerts about discount deals.
  • Traveloka : Traveloka is gaining popularity. I have used them to book hotels in Singapore and some countries. Use my exclusive promo code wendywritesTVLK and enjoy 5-10% discount for your hotel bookings!⁣ Join their telegram group to receive regular alerts about discount deals.
  • Expedia : I use Expedia when I find good rates (usually because of credit card promotions).

Tips to enjoy discounts when booking hotels:

  • Use Skyscanner to compare and find the best hotel rates! Skyscanner shows you all the rates from a range of booking platforms like Agoda, Booking.com, Expedia and more!
  • Always check if there are credit card promotions for the websites. Many hotel booking websites have regular partnerships with companies/banks (like AMEX, Mastercard, Standard Chartered, POSB/DBS and more) and they offer discounts when you book using the credit cards.
  • Use ShopBack (use my link to enjoy $5 when you sign up) when you book the hotels to enjoy cash back! ShopBack is a cash back reward program that allows online shoppers to receive a small percentage of their purchases on the platform. When you click on the Booking.com link on the ShopBack website or app and book your hotels using the link via ShopBack, you will receive a percentage of your booking price. The cash back percentage can be quite generous from 6 to 14%! I have saved quite lot for my hotel bookings thanks to ShopBack!

I used to stay in hostels around Japan when I traveled solo to save money! I have spent nights in female and even mixed dorms and also in capsule hotel and all my experiences were pleasant. Hostels in Japan are generally clean and safe so if you are backpacking or traveling on a budget, staying in hostels is a good choice. My favorite hostel chain is K’s House ! I enjoyed all my K’s House stays especially in these beautiful hostels: K’s House Fuji View and K’s House Habuka Alps.

A visit to Japan is not complete without indulging in a ryokan stay. Staying in Japanese traditional inn is truly a pampering experience where you can immerse in the Japanese traditions and Japanese-style hospitality “omotenashi.” A typical ryokan experience includes a well-furnished room, lavish meals (breakfast and dinner), and facilities like hot springs. Ryokan stays can be expensive but you are paying for outstanding service, food, and outdoor onsen or even private access to exclusive baths. I have been lucky to I have stayed in some ryokans in Japan and I did not pay too much for my experiences.

Where to book ryokans?

You can book ryokans via the usual hotel websites listed above. But I find that the English websites have limited selection of ryokans and they tend to be quite expensive. Here are some recommended sites:

Jalan : I have used Jalan a number of times. I like their selection of ryokans and they provide different packages for the ryokans (like with or without meals, in-room tubs, and etc.). I usually use Google translate to access their Japanese website as I find that there are more and cheaper options.

Rurubu : This Japanese website is similar to Jalan. You can find a wide range of hotels and ryokans in every prefecture in Japan. If you can’t read Japanese, you can try to navigate using Google translate.

Rakuten : Like Jalan, I use their Japanese website to book for cheaper deals.

There are other websites like Japanican , Japanese Guesthouses , and Ryokan.jp . I have never booked with these websites before but I used them for research and then I look for cheaper deals on other websites.

I have used Airbnb a few times in the past, especially when I traveled in big groups and needed bigger rooms. But I don’t think I can save much when I book through Airbnb when I travel alone or with a companion. So I usually book hotels as I don’t have to worry about check in and out times and security.

Creative sleeping spaces

What if all the decent accommodation options are fully booked for your travel destinations? Well, you can be creative and try to find non-conventional sleeping spaces. Or if you really like to save money and don’t like slight inconvenience and discomfort.

Manga Cafes (Manga kissa まんが喫茶) : 24-hour manga cafes is your resting haven if you like to save money or need a short rest. Manga Cafes offer packages where you can enjoy all the comics you can read, drinks, and a public seat or private mini room. I spent a night in a manga cafe in Takamatsu during the Awa Odori Festival because all the affordable hotels were fully booked during this famous festival period and I didn’t want to pay for an expensive hotel for a few hours of sleep. Let’s just say it wasn’t the most comfortable sleeping experience but it was definitely the most interesting.

Karaoke Rooms : One of the favorite pastimes of the Japanese is singing karaoke! In big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, you can find karaoke chains easily. If you like singing and just need a room with AC to rest for a few hours, book a karaoke room!

Some other unforgettable sleeping experiences during my young backpacking days: Sleeping on a bench in a park at Miyajima during the Miyajima Fireworks Festival as my camping attempt failed and sleeping in Kansai airport to save money as my flight was very early.

How to save money?

Currency exchange and credit cards.

The Japanese yen is quite weak now so it’s good for you if you are holding stronger currencies. I have been changing my Singapore dollars to Japanese yen to prepare for my next trip to Japan.

I found the best exchange rates on Wise and YouTrip .

Wise is a convenient platform to transfer money and change currencies. It is free to register for an account and apply for a Wise debit card (just pay 9 USD for a physical card).

How to use the Wise card in Japan? You just have to top up your account with funds transferred from your local bank. Then you can exchange currencies easily (like Singapore dollars to Japanese yen) using the Wise app. You can store in yen our WISE app and use your WISE debit card (physical card or e-card via your phone’s e-wallet like Apple Pay) when you make purchases/payments in Japan. You can also just use your Wise’s auto convert feature so you don’t have to exchange yen in advance and you can pay using your Wise card and the payment made in Japan will be converted automatically to yen with the lowest possible fees. I love using my Wise card to make payment in Japan.

Join Wise using my link and enjoy fee-free money transfer of up to $900 SGD.

I have been using YouTrip too. It works like Wise and you can exchange up to 150 foreign currencies with no fees. Sign up with this my link to earn $5 SGD. Start saving Japanese yen for your next trip to Japan!

Travel insurance

Remember to purchase your travel insurance once you have booked your air tickets! In this Covid-19 environment, you may want to pay abit more to have Covid-19 coverage just in case if your trip is affected by any Covid-19 disruptions. Here are some travel insurance companies that offer travel insurance for Singaporeans.

1. FWD : I have recently purchased FWD travel insurance for my family. I like that I can enhance your coverage with COVID-19 add-on benefit and they have an app that facilitates claims easily. I have no issues making claims so far. Check out the policy coverage and cost here (use my link to get extra 2% discount on top of their existing promotional code TRAVEL25). If you are planning a more complex trip that requires more coverage, read their policy wordings carefully.

2. Income : I have been purchasing Income travel insurance for many years. Recently, I find that FWD offers more comprehensive travel insurance packages recently. But Income is always reliable and you can add their Covid-19 travel extension .

3. MSIG : They offer some comprehensive travel insurance coverage and rates. However, for my recent trip to Turkey, my luggage was damaged during transit and their claim process/response was so troublesome that I gave up trying to make a claim.

There are many other travel insurance options and you can check out websites like Singsaver and Moneysmart to see a summary of travel products and promotions. Sometimes these aggregator/third party websites offer quite attractive perks and discounts if you purchase through them. However, before you make any purchase through these websites, check the official travel insurance company website to cross-check the policy coverage and final cost.

Some credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance if you use them (like AMEX Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Citi PremierMiles) to purchase the air tickets. But please note that the coverage offered is very limited. So you are planning a long trip and would like adequate coverage, you should buy a separate travel insurance!

I strongly believe in empowering travelers to know better, travel better! I value privacy and transparency. The article contains affiliate links so I may be compensated to run the website and continue to create content if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you.

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Compare your travel money options for Japan

What is the best travel money card to take to japan, how the different travel money products work in japan, japanese yen: exchange rate history, a guide to the japanese yen, how much ¥en do i need to bring.

Travel Money Cards

Compare your travel money options, read our guide on Japanese yen and figure out how much you'll need to budget for those ramen lunches and karaoke nights.

Our top tip? Most ATMs in Japan don't accept international cards so you'll need to keep an eye out for ATMs inside Japanese Post Bank and Seven Bank.

Cash is still king in Japan, especially due to the difficulty of ATM access for visitors form overseas. You've also got the choice of prepaid travel cards and debit or credit cards for larger purchases.

  • Prepaid Travel Money Cards
  • Travel Credit Cards
  • Travel Debit Cards

We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.

Learn how we maintain accuracy on our site.

Best is a subjective term — it means something different for everyone. At the very least, a travel product should have one of these features:

  • No currency conversion fee
  • Either no international or local ATM operator fee
  • Travel extras: insurance, airport lounges, worldwide concierge service, etc

Next, you need to have an idea about how you plan on transacting in Japan. While Japan is very much a cash society, there are times when you'll need to use your card. Hotel and travel bookings as well as big ticket items should be purchased on your credit card if possible to make the most of your card's interest-free days feature.

But, if you plan on indulging in Japanese culture — think tea ceremonies, guided tours in Sakura season, entry the Emperor's Palace and small cafeterias and eateries — you'll need cash. The cost of withdrawing from an ATM should be a factor in your comparison of travel money products.

A product which doesn't charge for currency conversion or to use the ATM is ideal. Some ATMs in Japan (mainly in 7/11 stores and post offices) don't charge a local ATM operator fee. Pick the right product and it could be cheaper to withdraw your money in Japan than it is at home.

A quick summary of travel money options for Japan

Japan is a cash society; however, credit and debit cards are accepted in most places in Japanese cities. Establishments such local restaurants, markets and rural inns (ryokans) are cash only. In the places where you can use your card, you may have issues if you're using a travel card at the point of sale. Some merchants may reject this card because it doesn't have your name on the front.

Using a prepaid travel card

A travel card like Wise lets you load Australian Dollars and convert the funds to Yen (along with a number of other currencies). The main advantage to these cards are they allow you to spend without paying extra for currency conversion. Other benefits for travellers include:

  • A dual card account. You get a backup in case your first card is lost or stolen.
  • Security. Travel cards are CHIP and PIN protected.
  • Prepaid accounts. Stick to your budget and top up your travel card when you need more money.

These products require a little more management than debit and credit cards, as you're responsible for ensuring you top up the card before you run out of money. Remember it can take up to 3 business days for funds clear, and even longer if there's a public holiday or weekend in Australia.

  • Travel card considerations

Travel cards do have benefits from international travellers; however, all that glitters is not gold. Be wary of travel card fees (initial load, reload fees and ATM fees), and if you're a rate hunter, you may want to compare the exchange rate on offer from your travel card issuer. Travel card foreign exchange rates are different to the rate your bank gives you when you send money online or when you buy foreign cash.

Using a credit card

All credit cards allow you to spend in a foreign currency. Some cards are cheaper to use than others. You can compare credit cards which do not charge a fee for currency conversion in the above table. This is an additional charge of roughly 3% when you use your card outside of Australia.

  • International ATM fees. The majority of credit card issuers on the market will charge a fee to use an international ATM. Some credit card issuers, such as Bankwest, waive the international ATM fee.
  • Cash advance fees. Withdrawing cash on credit is one of the most expensive ways to get money. Cash advance fees and interest charges apply to this type of transaction, and you're not eligible for interest free days either. Some issuers waive the cash advance fee and rate of interest if you've preloaded a credit card with your own money. The rules are different for each credit card issuer; you can see which issuers let you do this in the FAQs section of our travel money page .

Using an Australian debit card

The majority of debit card issuers will charge you a fee when you make a purchase in a foreign currency. However, in the table above you can compare available transaction accounts that waive this fee when you meet certain requirements.

It's important to know that most ATMs in Japan do not accept international cards. Look for ATMs inside Japanese Post Bank and Seven Bank. Citibank have a presence in major cities and airports. Visa and Mastercard have ATM location tools on their website you can find the closest ATM. The post offices opening hours will vary with size. Some open from 7:00 to 23:00, others 8:00 to 20:00 and others from 9:00 to 16:00.

Taking a traveller's cheques to Japan

Although traveller's cheques are becoming an antiquated form of travel money, they are still used by people who are looking to take money to Japan. The safest way to carry your bulk of money to Japan is to use a traveller's cheque. The traveller's cheques widely accepted in Japan are Visa, American Express and Thomas Cook.

To buy American Express traveller's cheques in Australia, visit participating banks, selected Australia Post outlets, credit unions, American Express travel services and American Express foreign exchange offices. Fees charged to purchase traveller's cheques vary from one establishment to another. Some establishments will charge a nominal fee while others will offer traveller's cheques free of a charge as a service to customers.

After taking your traveller's cheques to Japan, you can redeem them at banks announcing 'authorised foreign exchange bank' outside the front door. You can also redeem your cheques at Japan's main post offices. In Japan, the traveller's cheques attract a relatively better exchange rate than bank notes. To get the best rates, redeem your cheques in banks and post offices. Redeeming the cheque at stores or hotels will attract fees and commissions.

*Exchange rates are accurate as of 1 January on each year listed above.

Today's exchange rate AUD to JPY

japan trip money

  • 1,000 Yen note. This note has been in use since 1945 and it is currently the lowest value Yen banknote. The front side of the note bears the image of the legendary regent and politician under Empress Suiko, Prince Shōtoku. The reverse side bears a drawing of Mt. Fuji and cherry blossoms.
  • 2,000 Yen note. This banknote was issued in July 19, 2000. The front side of the note bears a serial number and portrays Shureimon, a 16th-century gate at Shuri Castle in Naha, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The reverse side portrays a scene from "The Tale of Genji'" and a portrait of Murasaki Shikibu, the noblewoman to whom this work of literature has been attributed.
  • 5,000 Yen note. The front side of the 5,000 note has a portrait of Ichiyo Higuchi, a Meiji era writer and poet. The reverse side depicts "Kakitsubata Flowers", from a folding screen by Korin Ogata.
  • 10,000 Yen note. The front side of this note has a portrait of Yukichi Fukuzawa, a Meiji era philosopher and founder of Keio University. The reverse side has a drawing of the hoo (Chinese phoenix) in the Hall of the Phoenix, Byodoin temple.

*Prices are approximate and are subject to change.

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Jacob Joseph

Jacob Joseph was a writer and video journalist for Finder.

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I have Australian citibank card. I realised that there are no citibank in japan anymore. When I withdraw cash from Smbc ATM, do I get charged?(withdrawal and conversion) Thanks

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Thanks for your question.

The exact fees you’ll be charged will depend on the specific card you’re using. However, Citibank credit cards generally charge a currency conversion fee of 3.4% of transaction amount. If you’re using the credit card for ATM withdrawal fees, you’ll be charged a $5 cash advance fee and will accrue cash advance interest rates immediately. Local ATM fees may also apply.

For any more questions on what you’ll be charged for the specific card you’re using, you might want to contact Citibank on 13 24 84.

We are considering either the NAB or Travelex pre-paid travel money cards. My concern is around the delay in loading extra funds – 2-3 business days. Is there a way to avoid this delay in funds transfer?

Unfortunately, the only way you can avoid the funds transfer delay is loading funds on the card in-branch or in-store. This means that you can’t really avoid the funds transfer delay when you’re in Japan. Instead, you’ll just need to be wary of how much you’re spending and make sure you load funds on your card well before you run out of money on your card.

Since Citibank Japan is now SMBC Trust Bank, will I get ATM charge if I use my Citibank Plus debt card to withdraw money from a SMBC Trust Bank ATM machine?

Yes, you should still be able to withdraw funds from SMBC Trust Bank ATMs with your Citibank card in Japan.

I hope this has helped.

Another site suggests that cards with chips are not accepted at post office ATMs in Japan and that few other ATMs accept foreign issued cards to withdraw cash, especially outside major cities. Most cards now have chips of course. Is that advice accurate? If so it sounds much more difficult to get money out than you suggest. Do you think it would be sensible to take traveller’s cheques just in case?

From our experience, Australian chip-protected prepaid travel cards are generally accepted in most 7/11 convenient stores and post offices in Japan. However, you may have some difficulty withdrawing cash from ATMs in some smaller towns in Japan.

To prepare for such situations, we would recommend that you organise more than one source of funds at all times during your trip. For example, if you have a prepaid travel money card, you may also want to carry cash and a credit card to ensure that you’re prepared for any potential drawbacks.

Do they require a pin or signature on purchases made with the Credit Card in Japan?

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Swipe and sign is generally accepted in Japan, though some retailers still accept chip and PIN.

Cheers, Shirley

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Yes, a signature or PIN will be required to make credit card purchases in Japan.

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Tokio, Akihabara District, Japan Rundreise

Home » Topics » Budget Travel » 1 Month Japan Cost – How to travel Japan on a Budget for under $ 1,200

1 Month Japan Cost – How to travel Japan on a Budget for under $ 1,200

Anyone who has ever been to Japan knows that traveling in Japan is anything but cheap. So often, I have heard from people that they’d love to visit Japan but just don’t think it’s affordable for them to go. Those who book a standard travel tour in an agency easily pay € 2,000 – € 3,000 for two weeks in the country.

I have often heard from traveling friends and acquaintances something along the lines of “ Japan is my absolute dream, but I just can’t afford a trip to Japan “. But how much does a trip to Japan really cost ?

The truth is, traveling to Japan on a Budget is actually not that difficult if you keep a few simple things in mind. In order to show you how easy it is, we want to share our 1 month Japan cost with you in this article. (Yes, we kept a precise account!)

Honestly, we really didn’t miss out on anything during our trip to Japan. We went to restaurants, had a beer in the evening, and admired all kinds of attractions. Here, I want to show you how you can do the same without breaking the bank.

japan trip money

What to find out in this post

  • 1 Average travel costs in Japan per day
  • 2 Travel Cost Calculator for Japan
  • 3 Our Japan Travel Cost (27 Days)
  • 4 Average Japan Cost per Day (27 Days)
  • 5 Our Daily Japan Budget per Day per City
  • 6 Japan Prices – What costs what
  • 7 How to Travel Japan on a Budget
  • 8 Money and Currency in Japan
  • 9.1 Save money when flying to Japan
  • 9.2 JR Pass
  • 9.3 Day Passes
  • 9.5 Hitchhiking
  • 10.1 Convenience Stores
  • 10.2 Affordable Restaurants
  • 10.3 Avoid fresh fruit
  • 10.4 Cooking
  • 12.1 Temple Pass
  • 13.1 Booking in advance
  • 13.2 Capsule Hotels and Dorms
  • 13.3 Couchsurfing
  • 14.1 Alcohol
  • 14.2 Sim Card
  • 15.1 Well-planned is half-saved
  • 15.2 About the AuthorVicki

Average travel costs in Japan per day

Travel cost calculator for japan.

The average traveler in Japan spends about € 130 ($ 138) per day . If you are a backpacker or on a small budget, you usually spend € 60 ($ 64) per day . Those traveling in more luxury will pay around € 320 ($ 340) per day .

We even managed to stay under 40 € ($ 47) per day on our trip. Later in this article, I will tell you step by step how we did it.

Our Japan Travel Cost (27 Days)

Total: 995.22 €/ $ 1.103.37 per Person

Author’s note: Of course, all listed expenses were made in the local currency (yen). The Japan prices are listed in Euros and USD only for better understanding. Any discrepancies are caused by rounding.

All costs are per person.

Average Japan Cost per Day (27 Days)

Our daily japan budget per day per city, japan prices – what costs what.

  • Budget accommodation (Private double room for 2): approx. $ 60 – 120 (50 – 100 €) per night
  • Budget accommodation bed in a hostel: from $ 19 (16 €) per night
  • Lunch cheap restaurant (menu): from $ 6 (5 €)
  • Lunch: Sushi Menu: ca. $ 12 (11 €)
  • Dinner at a cheap restaurant: approx. $ 7 – 12 (6 – 10 €)
  • Dinner for 2 in a good restaurant: about $ 45 – 60 (40 – 50 €)
  • Dinner for 2 in an upscale restaurant: approx. $ 120 – 360 (100 – 300 €)
  • 1.5 liters of water in the supermarket: approx. $ 1.20 (1 €)
  • Bottle of wine in the convenience store: approx. $ 4 – 5 (3.5 – 5 €).
  • 0.5 l bottle of local beer in the restaurant: approx. $ 4 – 4 (3.50 – 5 €)
  • 0.5 l bottle of local beer in the supermarket: approx. $ 3 (2.50 €).
  • A bowl of ramen: $ 7 – 12 (6 – 10 €)

How to Travel Japan on a Budget

miyajima island, Deer, Japan on a budget

Ugh. That was a lot of numbers. Now you surely want to know how we managed to spend so little money. Here is a small summary.

Money and Currency in Japan

In Japan, you pay with the so-called Yen (¥). One Dollar is currently equivalent to about 150 Yen. Depending on where you exchange your money, you will get a similar or worse exchange rate. It is usually advisable to exchange only a small amount at first and to change your money on-site (e.g., at the airport). Be sure to check the exchange rate.

It may be worthwhile to compare the exchange rate locally before deciding on a place to exchange. First of all, only exchange as much money as you actually spend. This way, you will avoid losing too much money by exchanging currencies.

Also, when choosing a credit card, make sure that there are no or very low withdrawal fees when you withdraw money from abroad. You may also be charged exchange fees if you pay with your credit card in a foreign currency. Before you leave, get advice on which credit card is best for your trip.

Japan Transport on a Budget

Transport costs make up about 42 % of our whole costs in Japan. Quite a lot, right? It can be very difficult to keep your transportation costs as low as possible because they are just incredibly expensive in Japan. Here are a few tips on how you can still save a few Bucks transportation costs.

Save money when flying to Japan

In general, you should expect the average cost of your Japan flight to be around $ 800 for a round-trip flight to Japan from the US and $ 700 from (Central) Europe.

For our flight to Japan, we paid just under € 250 per person (outbound only). Since travel is usually a big part of your travel costs, it is especially important to hope for a good price when booking. Although there is always a little bit of luck involved in finding a good flight, there are also some tricks that can help you save money.

Since I specialized in airline management in my studies, I know a few tricks of the airlines and can always find the best flight. In my low-cost flight guide, I pass on some of the most important tips to you. If you don’t feel like reading the whole guide, here is a short version:

  • Start comparing airfares a few weeks (preferably several months) before departure.
  • Always delete cookies or search from an incognito window
  • The more flexible you are, the better chance you have of finding good flights.
  • Compare different days, airports, and flight times
  • Direct flights are usually more expensive
  • Use flight comparison sites like Skyscanner to find the best flights
  • Set a price alert to notify you when prices change

Most travelers in Japan choose the JR Pass to get from A to B in Japan. With this pass, you can use all means of transportation from JR free of charge for the selected days.

Make sure to check beforehand which routes are covered by JR. In Tokyo, in particular, many routes are covered by other companies and therefore have to be paid for additionally. The best is to plan your Japan itinerary ahead of time to see whether the JR pass is worth it or not .

More information on the JR Pass can be found here .

Within big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, it is worth buying a day or metro pass. Especially if you want to see a lot in a short time and travel a lot by public transport, buying a Metropass usually pays off.

Examples are the Icoca Card (for Osaka and Kyoto) or the Tokyo Metro Pass .

Even if you have a JR Pass, public transportation within the cities is not always included. Especially in Tokyo, many routes are covered by other companies, and therefore you have to pay extra. Here, a Suica-Card is a good idea, with which you can pay for all train companies. Simply load money at the machine in each metro station, and off you go. This saves a lot of time because you don’t have to buy a new ticket every time. You can purchase the Suica card at Tokyo Station.

Buses in Japan are often the cheaper alternative to expensive train rides. Many routes are covered by buses, and the buses are mostly of very good quality. Almost all buses have a toilet on board, and there are stops at service stations every 2 hours.

Willer Bus Pass

In addition to the JR Pass for trains, foreigners can also buy a Willer Bus Pass before arriving. The principle is similar. You can choose a certain number of days on which you can use the Willer buses. Here the days are calculated based on the trips you take. That means days do not have to be contiguous.

Although we first decided on the Willer Bus Pass, we canceled it on-site because we had to cancel a planned day tour due to the bad weather and found that a route we wanted to take was not covered by our pass. Therefore, it was ultimately cheaper for us to book our buses separately. But it all depends on your chosen route.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking in Japan, Japan travel cost

Another option to save real money is hitchhiking. Japan is considered one of the safest countries in the world, and the people of Japan are incredibly friendly. If you have enough time, you should definitely try it.

We hitchhiked almost 400 km during our trip to Japan, and it was a great experience. If we had had more time, we would definitely have hitchhiked further distances.

Meme, Japan travel walking meme

It actually sounds quite obvious, doesn’t it? The more you walk by yourself, the fewer transport costs you have to pay. You can save a lot of money, especially in cities. During our time in Tokyo and Osaka, we walked around 20 km every day. If the next destination is only 3 metro stations away, it can be very worthwhile to simply choose to walk.

Japan Food on a Budget 

Did someone say food meme

First of all, eating in Japan is not nearly as expensive as many blogs say. We were pleasantly surprised, as we had set our budget for around € 5 per meal per person. There are many ways to save a lot of money on food while traveling in Japan.

Convenience Stores

It’s hard to walk around Japan’s cities without passing by a 7/11 and Co. (and this can be taken literally). Many affordable dishes are offered here.

For breakfast, there are different types of pastries and sandwiches. You can even find fruit (Unfortunately, fruit in Japan seems to be priceless. Only bananas fit in our budget. and watermelons for € 20 apiece are not uncommon)

For lunch and dinner, you can find all kinds of dishes here. Simply slide it into the microwave when paying, and you’re done. – Backpacker Heaven.

Affordable Restaurants

If you’ve had enough of convenience stores and microwaves, you can also eat at one of the many affordable restaurant chains. You can usually find the prices displayed outside. Many restaurants display plastic dishes in the shop windows so that you know what you are ordering. But many also have English menu cards.

You can find dishes starting at about $ 6/5 €. There are usually a lot of people in suits looking for a quick lunch during their lunch break. The quality and freshness of the dishes differ from restaurant to restaurant but generally correspond to our Western standards.

Avoid fresh fruit

I love fruits and fresh vegetables. However, I recommend you give them a wide berth in Japan. Except for a banana or an occasional apple, we did not dare to eat the fruit in Japan. Unfortunately, the prejudice that fruit is hardly affordable in Japan is true. Watermelons for 20 € are not uncommon here. And other fruits and vegetables can also tear a big hole in your budget.

If you have booked accommodation with access to a kitchen, it may be worth making use of it. Don’t worry, you don’t have to miss out on the delicious Japanese food . But if you already replace just one meal in a restaurant with a homemade meal, you can really save money.

Of course, you can use local ingredients and be inspired by the selection of Japanese supermarkets. If you choose Couchsurfing as we did, your host will be happy to have a delicious meal cooked by you.

Staying hydrated while traveling is important. Saving money for water in Japan is very easy, though. The magic word is tap water. The tap water throughout the country is very clean and has drinking water quality. So just fill up the bottle before leaving the house, and you’re done. Since drinking water in Japan is not exactly cheap, tap water is a real alternative that saves you a lot of money.

Entrance & Activities

Matsumoto castle, Japan Price entrance fees

Saving money is probably the most difficult thing when it comes to admission costs. Many attractions offer student or group discounts. In the Edo Museum, we even received a couple-discount. Otherwise, you can only check blogs you trust (maybe this one? *blink blink*) to see if the attraction is really worth the entrance fee. (Because a few times it was clearly not). Another option is to check the attractions you might want to see on Tripadvisor and see what other travelers are saying.

Temple Pass

There is another way to save on entrance fees and activities in some places in Japan: tourist passes. With the purchase of such a tourist pass, you get free access to the attractions included in the pass. This way, you can save a lot of money compared to buying individual tickets.

Such passes are, therefore, especially worthwhile in places where you want to see several sights, such as the Osaka Amazing Pass .

Japan Accommodation on a Budget

Booking in advance.

We Germans are known for planning everything in advance and being super organized. My way of traveling is usually completely different. I like to travel spontaneously and decide on the spot where to go, where to sleep, and how long I stay.

In Japan, it was a bit different. Already two months before departure, we set up a (worst case) budget (approx. 1,200 €) and collected information about all the places we wanted to visit during our trip to Japan. We compared prices for various types of transport, accommodation, and activities and summarized everything in an Excel table.

Before we started, we had a detailed plan with all our routes, accommodations, and prices. So we weren’t as flexible anymore, but we were able to save a lot of money. And somehow, it is nice to travel and to know exactly what to expect in the next place.

We almost exclusively use Booking.com to book accommodation. It is super easy to use, and thanks to the many reviews, you usually know what to expect. You can find accommodation for all types of Budgets.

Check accommodation in Japan on Booking.com

Capsule Hotels and Dorms

It doesn’t always have to be such “extreme” possibilities as Couchsurfing (see next point). In Japan, you can save money by choosing a classic dormitory in a hostel instead of a private (single) room. Since you share your room with other travelers, you usually pay only a fraction of what you would pay for a private room.

Such a bed in a dormitory also gives you the great opportunity to get in touch with other travelers from all over the world. Especially for solo travelers, this is usually a great advantage.

Another option – and a real experience in Japan – is the so-called capsule hotels. Maybe you’ve seen such a capsule on TV or social media. As the name suggests, instead of renting a whole room, you rent a small capsule to sleep in. The concept is similar to that of a dorm room. However, the capsule usually offers you a bit more privacy than a conventional single bed. This is because you are shielded from the other guests by walls.

Couchsurfing

Saving money in Japan, Couchsurfing

It’s time to Couchsurf. Couchsurfing is not quite as popular here as it is at home in Europe. But you can find Couchsurfers in many cities. Whereas in Europe, there are more younger people using the platform, in Japan, there are also older Couchsurfers or even whole families.

We had a little bit of everything. We slept in student apartments on the floor or with families in our own room, lived for four days in the unique Couchsurfing house in Kyoto (an entire house just for Couchsurfers – such a fun experience), and even had an entire flat for us in Hiroshima.

So if you look at the average price of our accommodations per night and consider that we spent 21 nights with Couchsurfers and friends, you can calculate that we might have saved about € 706.02 for accommodations.

But please don’t see Couchsurfing just as a way of saving money. Every day, I get requests from people who are only just looking for free accommodation and don’t even take the time to read my profile.

Couchsurfing offers much more than the opportunity to meet new people from other cultures, exchange ideas with them, and learn from them. Couchsurfing gave us the opportunity to get a much deeper insight into Japanese culture and to get to know different areas. (Student life, family life, life as an expat living in Japan, etc.) It was an incredible experience that you cannot book in any travel agency. And I can only recommend this to everyone.

Update: Unfortunately, Couchsurfing in the post-pandemic world is not as easy to use as it used to be. In the meantime, the site has evolved into a platform that you have to pay to use. Accordingly, there are far fewer people Couchsurfing. It may still be worthwhile to see if there are still interested hosts in Japan.

Random Expenses in Japan

Alcohol in Japan is much more expensive than we know in Europe. So if you want to go out for a drink, expect to spend a little more.

It becomes cheaper if you buy a bottle of sake or beer in the supermarket and have a drink with your hosts or in the park. But if you follow all the tips and tricks to save money during your trip to Japan, you can treat yourself to a drink or two with a clear conscience. 😉 (Sake and Japanese plum wine (mixed with mineral water) should definitely be tried)

Anyone who is traveling naturally wants to stay mobile. But it is already clear at the airport that a SIM card and mobile internet are not for free. Of course, it is practically always available, no matter where you are. But is it really necessary to buy a sim card in Japan?

Our tip: In our experience, a Japanese SIM card is not necessary. Almost every convenience store offers free wifi for up to two hours a day. You can also find wifi in most accommodations, in many metro stations, and in enough restaurants and cafes. So there is always a way to google something, check WhatsApp or similar in about five minutes. The easiest way to connect to free wifi is the Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi app .

If you want to have a GPS map to get your bearings, just try maps.me. This app works similarly to Google Maps but is completely offline. Super practical. And on this trip, this app saved us several times from getting lost.

We didn’t buy a SIM card and didn’t miss it. But if you don’t want to rely on public wifi, I recommend using pocket wifi during your trip to Japan (e.g., this one ).

More One Month in Japan Budget tips

Your travel time

Like most tourist places, there is a high and low season in Japan. If you travel in the high season, you have to expect higher prices. Especially during the cherry blossom season ( Sakura ) in spring, you will pay a lot more for accommodation and activities than in other seasons.

The same is true for a visit during the Christmas season as well as the ski holiday season. Since it gets very hot in Japan in the summer, surprisingly, the months of July and August are considered more affordable.

Well-planned is half-saved

If you really want to save money, you should plan a good bit before your trip. Accommodations and flights are usually cheaper if you book them in advance. The Japan Rail Pass is also cheaper if you book it before you arrive in the country.

In addition, you have more time in advance to compare the prices of different providers and generally the different offers in the country.

Japan travel cost pin

Interested in Japan?

iwatayama monkey park kyoto vicki viaja

About the Author Vicki

Hi, we are Vicki & Eduardo, an international travel couple on a mission to help you save money for priceless travel experience. Follow us through the miracles of this world and you will be rewarded with a bunch of practical travel tips.

17 thoughts on 1 Month Japan Cost – How to travel Japan on a Budget for under $ 1,200

Oh this is super useful! Japan is a definite bucket list destination for me and if I can do it on a budget, even better!

Japan is just wonderful. The people are so kind there. I’m sure you will love it.

I love these kind of posts!! Budget travel is something I need to work on and this post was so helpful thanks!! 🙂 Saving it for when I go to Japan!

I’m always happy if I can help people saving money for traveling 🙂

I am dreaming about Japan butt pff way too much expensive!! It worths the effort though ?

It doesn’t have to be that expensive as you can see 😉

I’ve always wanted to visit Japan but have always been put off by the cost – this had been really helpful in opening my eyes, it certainly looks achievable with a bit of planning! Thanks for sharing.

Thank you. I hope you can go. It’s such an amazing country

I love your post, I love how you have broken the expenses down, by destination as well. Really helpful for a budget traveller like me. My theory is the more you budget the longer you can travel. Thanks for sharing

I totally agree. If I wasn’t on a tight budget all the time I would be back home already. 🙂

This is so funny that I’m reading this because I just told someone yesterday that I don’t want to visit Japan because it’s too expensive ?. These are awesome tips and I’m definitely saving this post for if/when I go. So good to know about the buses because I know trains are insanely expensive there! Thanks for all of the info!

Awesome post… Definitely helpful.

I’m looking to spend 4 days in Akihabara Tokyo this year, And I was wandering if it’s possible for me to go for $1200 counting the flight?? $1500 is the max that I can spend.

I live in Houston Texas USA

I just checked and yes, it is totally possible to go for $1200. For example, if you’d go from the 16th April to the 20th April, there are flights for $722 round trip from Houston to Tokyo. To find it, just scroll up to the section on this posts and click on the Momondo-Link under the Text. (or I guess this link will work as well: http://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?gid=309328&mid=7198&awinaffid=450159&linkid=627845&clickref= ) The average spendings from us per day (with breakfast at 7-11, and cheap lunch & dinner) are $33,64 per day, which is $134,56 for 4 days. The accommodation, in general, is $40,06 per night (thus $160,42 for 4 days), but you might be able to find something even cheaper or maybe a little more expensive here: http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en.html?district=2040&aid=1341044&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1

In Total that would be $1016,08.

So, you even have some money left for different things to do or souvenirs. 😉 I hope this helps you! Please let me know!

Hey Vicki! Did you apply for Couchsurfing in advance also? Im travelling Japan for 1 month, 20 days on Okinawa and 10 days from kagoshima -> Tokyo. We booked all of our stay in Okinawa, and Tokyo, but nothing else.. Love your post, It’s very helpfull! Best regards, Sofie

thank you so much for your comment! Yes, we applied around 1 month beforehand, because Japanese are usually pretty organized and like to know whether someone is coming in advance. 🙂 We didn’t have time to see Okinawa during our stay in Japan, but I’ve heard it’s super beautiful. Enjoy!

Hi! Thank you for this post, it was very useful, we are now in Cambodia and then in a few weeks going to Japan so I’m a bit afraid of the expenses since here is so cheap! My name is also Vicky, my husband is german and we meet also through couchsurfing in Barcelona six years ago haha what are the odds?!? 🙂

That’s truly crazy how much we have in common! Would love to meet you guys one day 😀 We did it exactly the other way around. We went to Japan first and afterwards to Cambodia, so we didn’t get used to cheap prices before going to Japan haha

Comments are closed.

Lists by Lukiih 🍀

Practical travel guides with less fluff

  • 💰 Trip to Japan Cost: 2024 Budget Breakdown

A woman holding chopsticks with little plates of foot in front of her.

Japan, a country in Asia famous for its cherry blossoms, onsens, and temples, can be visited with a budget of $60 to $120 a day.

My two-week trip to Japan cost a total of $2,829. In this post, I share:

  • 💰 Expected travel costs
  • 💡 Budgeting tips
  • 💵 How much cash to bring
  • ✈️ My trip’s costs by category
  • 📍 My trip’s costs by major cities

Planning a trip? Here’s what to know about Japan .

  • Is Japan Expensive?
  • How Much Is a Trip?
  • About My Trip
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Daily Budget: $145
  • Flight Cost: $796
  • Accommodation Cost: $807
  • Food Cost: $489
  • Transportation Cost: $374
  • Entertainment Cost: $155
  • Withdrawing Cash
  • How Much Cash To Bring
  • Cash-Only Places
  • Tipping Etiquette

Japan Trip Planner

Disclosure: Lists By Lukiih is readers-supported. If you buy through an affiliate link on this post, I may earn a small commission. Thanks!

Is Japan Expensive To Travel To?

Japan is one of the most expensive Asian destinations to visit. Along with Singapore and Hong Kong, Japan is frequently considered a luxury destination in Asia.

However, with some advanced planning, Japan can be visited on a budget , making it friendly to travelers with a range of budgets.

💰 Trip Daily Budget for Countries in Asia

For comparison, I visited these countries in Asia within a year of visiting Japan, and here’s how much I spent per day at each one:

*My Cambodia trip could have been closer to $85 per day, but I splurged on accommodation.

💰 Trip Daily Budget for Popular Destinations

Here’s how my Japan trip cost compares to the costs of other popular destinations I’ve visited:

How Much Is a Trip to Japan?

Depending on your travel style, here’s how much you can expect to spend in Japan on a daily basis and during a one-week trip.

🎒 Japan Trip Cost for a Budget Traveler

Budget travelers can expect to spend approximately $60 per day or $420 for one week of travel in Japan, excluding flights.

To travel on a budget to Japan, below are some things you’ll need to do.

Accommodation Budget Tips

  • Stay at a dorm room in a hostel for about $20 a night in non-touristy areas and for about $35 in cities like Tokyo.
  • If you want more privacy, consider staying at a capsule hotel , where you can rent an enclosed bed for less than $40 a night.
  • The average cost of a private room in a budget hotel can also be cheap , but only if you stay on the outskirts of central areas. Otherwise, budget hotels are priced like mid-range hotels in central places of major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

A small room with a bed, small table and narrow walkway.

  • Avoid traveling during Japan’s high season, which is the cherry blossom season in the spring (March to May). Traveling during the low season, which is summer or winter, will get you the best deals on accommodation .

See what traveling to Japan is like in December .

Transportation Budget Tips

Japan’s public transportation, a complex and vast network of trains, makes traveling convenient and cheap.

  • If you know you’ll be taking the train a lot, consider buying a day pass, which can be as cheap as $4 per person in Tokyo.
  • If you’re traveling long distances around Japan, consider getting the Japan Rail Pass , which gives you unlimited rides for a set time and includes access to high-speed bullet trains.

The JR Pass is expensive , so you should know your rough Japan itinerary before getting it. That way, you can evaluate whether getting the pass is worth it.

Food Budget Tips

You can eat cheaply in Japan and find meals for $5, even in big tourist cities.

  • A great way to save money on food is to shop at convenience stores like Family Mart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson, which provide decent meals for less than $5. I had a latte and onigiri (rice ball) for breakfast several times at convenience stores, which only cost $2 per meal.

If you buy a refrigerated meal, like gyudon, ramen, or pasta, they will warm it up for you and provide utensils .

A store aisle selling sandwiches and snacks wrapped in seaweed.

  • Fast food places that typically have automatic ordering machines also provide hearty meals for $5 or less. In Kyoto, I had an udon bowl for $3; in Tokyo, I ate at a ramen restaurant for $7.

A woman pushing buttons on a screen with food selections on it.

  • Markets, like the popular Nishiki Market in Kyoto and the Kuromon Ichiba Market in Osaka, are cheap places to try a wide variety of good food for less than $12, as each stall sells $1 to $3 snack-bite food.

Black fish next to thinly-sliced white raw fish.

  • Conveyor belt sushi restaurants are a good deal if you’re craving seafood . I ate at one in Shinjuku, a central location in Tokyo, for $13.

A conveyer belt wrapped around a big dining table with sushi dishes on the belt.

Entertainment Budget Tips

While many of Japan’s main attractions require an entrance fee, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the country without spending much money . Some of my best days in Japan didn’t require me to pay for any attractions.

  • Many famous temples have a small entrance fee, but there is an abundance of other less well-known temples around Japan that are free .

A pathway surrounded by trees leading to a small temple.

  • Similarly, gardens and some bigger parks will also have entrance fees, but many urban parks have free access.

💰 Japan Trip Cost for a Mid-Range Budget Traveler

A mid-range budget traveler like myself can expect to spend approximately $120 per day or $840 for one week of travel in Japan, excluding flights.

I break down my Japan travel budget by category below.

About My Japan Trip

To give context to the expenses below, here’s what you need to know about my trip to Japan:

🗓️  Two weeks . I spent two weeks in Japan, visiting five different cities. During my trip, I visited the country’s three most popular cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. I also traveled to some quieter cities in Japan to hike Mount Fuji and cycle the Shimanami Kaido .

☀️ High season. I visited Japan in September, the beginning of the high season. Japan has two high seasons: one in the spring and one in the fall.

See the upsides and downsides of visiting Japan in September .

✌️ Two travelers . I traveled with one other person, so I was able to split accommodation, food, and transportation costs.

📱 International data plan. I didn’t pay for a pocket Wi-Fi or SIM card as I have the Google Fi international plan for my mobile phone.

My Google Fi’s international plan worked exceptionally well during my Japan trip. You can get a $20 credit when you use my Google Fi referral code here .

💰 Mid-range budget. I don’t aim to travel on a budget, but I’m thoughtful about how and where I spend. I consider myself a mid-range budget traveler, and these expenses reflect that.

💵 US dollars . All costs listed in this post are per person and in US dollars, which have been converted from Japan’s local currency, the Japanese yen.

The exchange rate was $1 USD = 142 JPY at the time of writing.

A woman standing on a bridge with a lush mountain background.

Japan Trip’s Total Cost: $2,829

My two-week trip to Japan cost a total of $2,829 , including flights.

My trip’s highlights are featured in this 10-day Japan itinerary .

💰 Cost Breakdown for Japan

Here’s a quick overview of my Japan travel expenses by category:

💵 Daily Budget in Japan: $145

My Japan trip cost $145 per day , excluding flights.

A mid-range budget traveler can expect to spend $120 per day in Japan. This generally means staying at accommodations that cost about $70 per night, eating a mix of food from convenience stores and restaurants, and visiting several of Japan’s big cities.

✈️ Flight Cost to Japan: $796

My round-trip flight from the West Coast of the United States to Haneda Airport in Tokyo was $796.

The cheapest month to fly to Japan from the United States is January, according to Skyscanner . A direct, round-trip flight that is below $700 is considered affordable.

Booking international flights to Japan three to four months in advance is a good idea for the best ticket prices.

🏠 Accommodation Cost in Japan: $807

My average cost of accommodation in Japan was $58 per day . I was able to split accommodations with one other person at all times.

Here are the accommodations I stayed at in Japan and how much I paid for each one:

Cost-Saving Tips for Japan’s Accommodations

Here are some cost-saving tips when booking accommodations in Japan:

  • Tip #1: Accommodations in Japan can be affordable in non-central areas, but expect to pay $70 for mid-range hotel rooms in central areas of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Luxury hotels in those major cities will be as high as $900, but I recommend staying at a ryokan if you have a higher accommodation budget.
  • Tip #2: Ryokans , traditional Japanese inns, are typically more expensive than mid-range hotels, and a decent one starts at around $150 . They are usually attached to onsens and provide kaiseki, a multi-course Japanese meal, as part of breakfast, dinner, or both. Despite their higher costs, they’re considered a unique experience that’s usually worth a one- or two-night stay.

Two Japanese-styled beds on wooden floors.

  • Tip #3: Many hotels in Japan will provide toiletries, pajamas, and breakfast sets as part of their accommodation costs. Across all my listed hotels above, except for the hut on Mount Fuji, the hotels provided toothbrushes, toothpaste, face lotion, and more.

A rack with boxes filled with toiletries like toothbrush and face soap.

🍣 Food Cost in Japan: $489

My average cost of food in Japan was $35 per day . Food costs in Japan vary widely; you can eat on a budget or extravagantly.

One of the highlights of my trip to Japan was the local cuisine . Here’s a hack for finding local eats in Japan and a list of foods to try.

Cheapest Meals in Japan

Here are the cheapest meals I had in Japan:

If you’re on a budget, you can eat Japanese food  for $3 to $10  at convenience stores (Family Mart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson), street food markets, and fast food restaurants where you sometimes order at a machine resembling a vending machine.

Most Expensive Meals in Japan

Here are the most expensive meals I had in Japan:

A circular grill with marbled meat next to an open kitchen.

You’ll notice that fresh fruits in Japan can be very expensive (e.g., over $15 for a handful of grapes) because fruits hold more significance in Japanese culture. But if you go to local supermarkets, you can buy them for reasonable prices.

🚆 Transportation Cost in Japan: $374

My average cost of transportation in Japan was $26 per day .

Here are all the transportation methods I took in Japan and how much I paid for each:

A woman biking on a modern-looking bridge.

When figuring out transportation, know that many of Japan’s train stations have coin-operated luggage storage that is cheap and convenient. It typically costs less than $5 for 24-hour storage. As the name implies, they are sometimes cash-only and need exact change. Train station attendants can give you change for larger bills.

A set of lockers with the sign that says COIN-LOCKERS.

Cost-Saving Tips for Japan’s Train

The best way to travel around Japan is by train. Here are some cost-saving tips when riding Japan’s trains:

  • Tip #1: JR Pass. JR, the same group that operates all the bullet trains (called Shinkansen ), serves many of Japan’s trains. A bullet train ride can be expensive (around $100 from Tokyo to Kyoto), so you should determine whether getting a JR Pass , which gives you unlimited rides for a set time, is more economical. I got the 7-day JR Pass for my Japan itinerary because it was cheaper than buying individual rides.

A ticket that says Japan Rail Pass.

  • Tip #2: Day passes. Some local transportation, like Tokyo’s local trains, offers a cheap day pass that is usually cost-efficient if you take the train more than three times in 24 hours.
  • Tip #3: IC cards. You’ll notice that many places in Japan, including public transportation, convenience stores, restaurants, and vending machines, will accept IC cards like PASMO and Suica. An IC card is a rechargeable travel card that you can get to make navigating Japan easier.

✨ Entertainment Cost in Japan: $155

My average cost of entertainment and activities in Japan was $11 per day .

Paid Activities and Attractions in Japan

Here are all the activities I paid for in Japan and how much each cost:

Japan is a beautiful country where many people like to take photos. Before snapping a photo of a local, ask them for permission , as doing so without consent is considered disrespectful. Learn more about other proper Japanese etiquettes .

Free Things To Do in Japan

Japan has a lot of great things to do that you don’t have to pay for. Here are the attractions and activities I did in Japan that were free:

  • Walked around the extremely popular Fushimi Inari Taisha , a shrine complex in Kyoto

A view of red shrines overlooking a city.

  • Hiked up Mount Fuji , which is technically free, but you need to pay for transportation and accommodation if you want to split the trek into two days

A woman next to a Shinto shrine above the clouds.

  • Caught the sunset at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s free observation deck on the 45th floor
  • Walked around and enjoyed the silence at Tokyo’s urban parks, including Yoyogi Park and Shinjuku Central Park

A lush garden with a small pond and Chinese-style building.

  • Visited and enjoyed the silence of the smaller temples in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district and Philosopher’s Path
  • Explored the bustling lights of Tokyo’s Akihabara and Osaka’s Dotonbori districts

A set of lit-up buildings with anime girls on it.

Cost Breakdown by City in Japan

Below are my trip expense breakdowns for Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. If it’s your first time traveling to Japan, these three major cities are typically on the itinerary.

I also spent time in the following places:

  • I stayed at Gotemba , a nearby city of Mount Fuji, to hike up the iconic volcano . I spent $139 over two days while doing the hike.
  • As part of the Shimanami Kaido two-day cycling activity , I stayed on Ikuchi Island and Imabari City. I spent $223 cycling the route.

🍱 Tokyo Cost Breakdown

I spent a total of $597 over six days in Tokyo, so my average cost was $99 per day.

In Tokyo, I stayed at two hotels in the Shinjuku and Nihonbashi areas to be close to major train stations like the Shinjuku Station and the Tokyo Station. I paid to visit the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden , watch an Olympics Qualifiers volleyball game at Yoyogi Stadium, and sing karaoke with some locals.

Tokyo is the most expensive city in Japan to live in, but it’s not the most expensive city to visit . With a plethora of restaurants and sights to see, you can explore Tokyo on your own for free or hire a local guide to optimize your time there.

A full sports stadium with a volleyball court at the center.

⛩️ Kyoto Cost Breakdown

I spent a total of $616 for two days in Kyoto, so my average cost was $308 per day.

Kyoto is where I splurged more on accommodation as I stayed at a ryokan and a nicer hotel near the Kyoto train station. I also spent more on dining, as my two most expensive Japanese meals were here.

Kyoto is known for its well-preserved historical sites. It boasts over 1,600 temples, and all the major or popular ones have a small entrance fee (usually around $5). The city also has many free temples , like the ones found on the Philosopher’s Path or in the Arashiyama district.

A red temple peeking out of a lush forest of green trees.

🐙 Osaka Cost Breakdown

I spent a total of $50 during my day trip to Osaka from Kyoto.

I visited the Kuromon Ichiba Market , walked around the popular and bustling Dotonbori area, and visited the Osaka Aquarium , which I found to be unique and well-designed.

Osaka is called “Japan’s Kitchen” and a foodie’s paradise. It’s well-known for its street food, nightlife, and numerous Michelin-starred places, so expect to spend a bit on dining . If you like some guidance, plenty of English-speaking guides offer street food tours .

A busy, commercial street next to a canal at night.

Do You Need Cash in Japan?

Although Japan has a good credit card infrastructure, a significant part of Japan’s economy is still largely based on cash transactions . This is especially true once you wander outside its major cities, so make sure to bring some cash.

Here are some tips on bringing and using cash in Japan:

💴 1. Withdraw cash in Japanese yen.

Japan’s currency is the Japanese yen (JPY), and the US dollar is not widely accepted.

ATMs are readily available in many central areas of Japan, but you might have trouble finding them elsewhere. For example, during my ryokan stay, I had trouble finding an ATM on the outskirts of Japan.

A hand holding a couple of Japanese yen bills next to an ATM.

💵 2. Carry more than $40 worth of cash per day in Japan.

You’ll need at least $40 in cash in Japan to cover food, transportation, and attractions on a typical day for a mid-range budget traveler. Your cash daily expenses in Japan can look like this:

  • $15 at restaurants and cafes
  • $10 on shopping
  • $5 on attractions
  • $5 on taking the trains
  • $5 on miscellaneous spending like vending machines, coin-lockers, etc.

Every time you ride Japan’s trains, you’ll have to calculate the price based on the distance you’re riding and buy a disposable ticket accordingly. If you want a rechargeable card to avoid calculating the price every time and minimize how much cash you need to carry , you can buy a PASMO card .

A machine in Japanese that has several slots and takes cash.

I spent approximately $200 in cash in Japan, and here’s how I used it:

I kept my cash in my crossbody pouch , but if you want extra protection against pickpocketing , carry a hidden money belt instead.

🏧 3. Many places in Japan are cash-only.

While credit cards are commonly used in Japan, I still had to use cash more than 30 times during my two-week trip.

Here are some of the places that were cash-only in Japan:

  • Markets like Nishiki Market in Kyoto and Kuromon Ichiba Market in Osaka
  • Several restaurants in both major cities and smaller towns, including places that specialize in tofu, fluffy pancakes, ramen, and conveyor belt sushi
  • Several cafes and dessert places, including a popular matcha place in Kyoto and an ice cream stand in Onomichi
  • Some of the smaller shops , especially in less accessible areas (e.g., at the top of the Fushimi Inari in Kyoto)
  • Train stations kiosks . None of the kiosks took my Chase travel credit card, so I used cash for all my train rides.
  • Coin-operated lockers (as the name implies, these lockers only accept coins)
  • Some of the smaller temples in Kyoto
  • Most of the vending machines

A woman standing in front of a set of vending machines selling bottled drinks.

💰 4. Tipping in Japan is not customary.

Japan does not have a tipping culture, and you’ll find that Japanese people will refuse tips even if you offer or insist. This is because locals feel you’re already sufficiently paying for their service.

See other essential Japan travel tips before visiting.

To make your travel planning easier , download the trip planner below and use it as a starting point. The planner has country-specific travel information, an itinerary, a packing list, and a map with key places pinned.

The trip planner is built on Notion, which I use for all my travel planning (I genuinely love this tool). If you don’t have Notion, creating an account is free .

Three Notion template screenshots are shown: travel information, itinerary, and map + packing list templates.

If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to leave a comment below.

Japan Travel Guides

  • 🇯🇵 Planning a Trip to Japan: 11 Practical Things To Know
  • ⛩️ 10 Epic Days in Japan: A Unique & Active Itinerary
  • 🌋 How To Climb Mt. Fuji + My Subashiri Trail Experience
  • 🚲 How To Cycle the Shimanami Kaido: Complete Guide
  • 🙅🏻‍♀️ Etiquette in Japan: 13 Things Tourists Should Not Do
  • ☀️ Visiting Japan in September: Tips & What To Know
  • ❄️ Visiting Japan in December: Tips & What To Know

Lists by Lukiih is Readers-Supported

If you find my travel tips helpful, say thanks with a bubble tea 🧋!

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The Wandering Quinn Travel Blog

16 CLEVER Tips for How To Save Money in Japan When Travelling Japan!

Categories Asia , Japan

Japan is an expensive country to visit but I really don’t think that you should let the cost of visiting Japan put you off visiting and the thought of how much is a trip to Japan if you really want to visit! After Backpacking Japan for 2.5 weeks  I came to notice that you really can save money in Japan and travel Japan on a budget if you want to.

For example, for ways of how to save money in Japan , you can use your JR Pass in a clever way, you can stay in accommodation closer to train stations, find free activities in Japan, buy coffee from vending machines plus many more ideas!

Whether you’re in Japan already or planning your Japan trip , in this Japan travel blog and Japan travel guide , here are some tips for saving money in Japan so you can travel around Japan on a budget!

How to Save Money in Japan?

how to save money in japan

Transport in Japan on a Budget

1. get a jr pass & be clever with how you use it.

You have probably heard that you need a JR Pass to travel around Japan and if you plan to visit multiple cities and places in a short amount of time  you do need one, read this post to see why! The best way to save money on transport in Japan is to purchase a JR Pass , even if they are expensive initially.

To ensure that you save money on the JR Pass and save money in Japan you have to be clever in how you use it. For example, the JR Pass’s available are 7 Days , 14 Days and 21 Days .

I was in Japan for 18 days but I purchased the 14-day pass , not the 21-day pass as my first 2 days were spent in Osaka when I didn’t need to use it, and my last days in Tokyo where I didn’t need to use it either. Doing this saved me £80.00 which was the price difference between the 14 Day and 21 Day JR Pass at the time of my purchase.

You can use your JR Pass to do day trips in Japan as well as moving around the country which means you can fill your days in Japan with day trips that essentially cost you not much as the transport aspect has already been paid for.

For Example – Going to Nara and Kyoto on Day Trips from Osaka where accommodation is cheaper!

Get Your JR Pass here from Japan Rail Pass – They offer fast, quick, worldwide delivery & a free Japan guide!

japan trip money

2. Use the JR Rail Lines Within Cities as much as possible

The JR Pass is not just used for the fast Bullet Trains / Shinkansen Trains in Japan!

Cities in Japan have subway’s and metro’s which are the main and most obvious way to get around the cities. When using the subway, metro or tram’s in Japan you need to pay for them even if you have a JR Pass.

However I found, especially in Kobe, Kyoto and Tokyo that they have JR (Japan Rail) Train Lines going through the cities as well, these are noted on signs in the train stations and on maps as ‘JR Lines’ and when you take them you just need to show your valid JR Pass to the inspectors at the gates and you get on.

No ticket needed, nothing, because they are included in your JR Pass and you don’t have to pay any extra.

I spent 3 days exploring Tokyo whilst my JR Pass was still valid and made sure to only take JR Lines meaning I spent £0.00 on transport in Tokyo in 3 days which is a really good way of how to save money in Japan!

JAPAN SIM CARD

Stay connected in Japan by ordering a sim card in advance and picking it up at the airport you land in. There a huge range of sim card options in Japan which you can see and buy here !

If you prefer eSIM’s these days, here’s a great option for an eSIM Mobile Data Plan in Japan so you’re connected as soon as you land without the hassle of swapping sims and waiting for connection.

JAPAN RAIL PASS

I’m sure you know, or have heard, that the Japan Rail Pass is the best value for getting around Japan!

There are many providers for the JR Pass but this is the official provider and the one I used.

You need to get your JR Pass ordered BEFORE your trip and sent to your home address, so look into buying one here !

Not sure how the JR Pass works and wondering if it will save you money?

Read my JR Pass guide here!

Japan Shinsanken Train

3. Refund Your ICOCA Card

To get around the cities of Kansai on public transport (on non-JR Lines or when you don’t have a valid JR Pass) like Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara and Hiroshima to name a few, you need a loadable card called an ICOCA Card. This costs 2000yen to start with, you can order it online for the same price and get it delivered to your home so you have it ready to go or purchase it in the stations.

The cost of 2000Yen includes 1500Yen credit for transport and 500Yen as a deposit for the card. To save a bit of money in Japan, when you leave Kansai be sure to go to a ticket office and ask them to refund the 500Yen deposit and any extra credit you have on the card!

getting around Kobe Subway

Accommodation in Japan on a Budget

4. book accommodation near a jr station.

If you like the idea of using the JR Lines with your JR Pass to get around Cities at no extra cost, be sure to book accommodation near a JR Line Station so that you do not need to take a subway from a JR Station to your accommodation meaning money spent on the subway. This is a really clever way of how to save money in Japan!

I found that most hostels in Japan note in their Booking.com description if they are close to a JR Line or people had written about it in the reviews.

5. Book a Hostel in Japan & Book a Big Dorm

Japan is full of hostels and from my experience, the hostels in Japan are very well designed making them a popular and cheaper accommodation option to hotels in Japan.

To save money in Japan on accommodation not only will you want to stay in a hostel but for the cheapest accommodation in Japan , you’ll need to stay in a big dormitory room.

I saw hostel dorms in Japan advertised with up 56 beds! Personally, I find this crazy and the biggest I did in Japan was a 22-bed dorm but to save money in Japan, like the rest of the world, the bigger dorms will be the cheapest, so book them and be sure to pack your eye mask and earplugs!

  • Related Post to help you survive hostel life:
  • 5 Tip’s on Staying in Hostels if You’re an Introvert!
  • Top Tips For Staying In A Hostel!

22 bed dorm room in japan

Meals in Japan on a Budget

6. eat breakfast at your hostel.

I tend to find that Breakfast is always a pain to find in most places. Either it’s expensive as it’s a full meal in a cafe or restaurant, or it’s hard to find somewhere open.

Hostels in Japan, from what I saw, have Kitchens so buying some bread and eggs or cereal and milk when you get to a hostel is a great way to save money on breakfast costs and means you do not need to spend ages trying to find food in the morning.

Some hostels also include breakfast in their rates so look out for this as a good way of how to save money in Japan.

7. Make Use of Supermarket Food

On this note, the Supermarkets in Japan, mainly 7/11 and Family Mart, have some really good food options.

They have a huge range of Sushi from small individual pieces to whole boxes, as well as pre-made Japanese meals which can be eaten cold as well as selling ones that need heating up, and these meals actually look pretty good for less than half the price of a meal in even a cheap restaurant. 

As mentioned, I found most hostels in Japan do have kitchens so you could heat a meal up in your hostel instead of eating out in a restaurant for every meal.

If you’re not staying somewhere with a kitchen, 7/11 and Family Mart have microwaves and will ask you if you want your pre-made meal hot so you could heat it up there and take it away, although some supermarkets also have tables and chairs so you could eat it inside.

8. Eat Street Food in Japan

The Street Food in Japan is really good and is offered in many of Japan’s popular areas and Cities.

It ranges from picky foods like Sticks of Mochi (Japanese Rice Cakes), to different types of Rice Cakes, to its famous Beef and famous Takoyaki (Octopus Balls) and also to main meals like Okonomi Yaki and Noodles.

Taste the unique flavors of Tokyo, a culinary leader with a reputation for having some of the best food in the world. Discover the local lifestyle on a personalized food tour with your private guide.

japan trip money

9. Don’t Eat in the Touristy Areas

This is the most obvious money-saving tip for when travelling I know, but it’s worth mentioning as Japan has so many touristy areas like Dotonbori in Osaka and Harajuku in Tokyo with their huge signs and cool looking restaurants but these will cost you a lot more to eat in and a big way to save money in Japan is to avoid these.

On my first day in Osaka, I was hit with an unexpectedly higher bill! I saw a price on a menu outside that looked ok, ordered that meal but they made me order a drink which I never usually do, and tax was added on at the end meaning it cost a lot more than I initially thought.

Outside of the major tourist areas and streets, this does not happen.

Cafes you’ll also find in the tourist areas are ‘Animal Cafes’ from Owls to Penguins. This is why you should avoid animal cafes in Japan due to obvious ethical reasons, and they are also expensive to enter and eat and drink at so this is even more of a reason to avoid them.

Osaka tourist restaurants

10. Get Coffee from the Vending Machines

If you’re a coffee addict don’t get your coffee from Starbucks and the other coffee chains in Japan. Instead, use the vending machines that are literally all over the Country as a good way of how to save money in Japan!

They offer a range of drinks including all sorts of Coffee’s and Tea’s and they even have Hot Tea’s and Coffee’s which is great if you’re in Japan in the Winter and need warming up.

Not only are the vending machine Coffee’s half the price of Coffee Shop Coffee’s but it’s fun using the machines too!

japan drinks vending machine

11. Consider the Tax or Look for Tax-Free Shops

I was surprised to find that a lot of the prices shown in Japan do not include tax which as I said above can really make you end up spending more money than you thought.

japan trip money

Always look to see if tax is included or not to help you work out the final price, and look for tax-free shops!

12. Look out for Free Things To Do in Japan

As with all country and cities, Japan has plenty of activities you need to pay for but I found a number of really good free things to do in Japan as well as exploring the parks and cool neighbourhoods which can take you days to do and is completely free!

Have a look at my post – Free Things To Do in Japan’s Most Popular Cities  for more info!

japan trip money

13. Consider the Time of Year you Visit Japan

I visited Japan in Spring during Cherry Blossom Season and the prices of accommodation definitely increase during Spring.

If you want to visit Japan on a budget , winter is the best time to visit as it is less busy with tourists and accommodation is less expensive.

Summer in Japan is also a good time to visit but it does get very hot.

I’d really recommend looking into accommodation at different times of the year before booking flights to Japan to ensure you don’t visit during high season.

I used Booking.com to book all of my accommodation in Japan and the best thing about Booking.com is its flexible booking options so you could always book and reserve accommodation now and change it nearer the time if you see something cheaper with no cancellation costs!

Related Post: Pro’s & Con’s of Visiting Japan During Cherry Blossom Season

japan trip money

JAPAN ON A BUDGET

Japan isn’t the cheapest country to travel but you can save money in Japan, here are my budget tips for Japan:

How to Save Money in Japan!

Free Things To Do in Japan!

Save Money with the JR Pass!

JAPAN ITINERARY

Here’s my 2 week Japan itinerary for first time visitors which will help you plan yours and you can adapt it whether you’re in Japan or longer or less time.

14. Fly into One City and Out of Another

I flew into Kansai Airport which serves Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe City and flew out of Tokyo Airport. This really saved me money (and time), not only on the actual flights as it was cheaper for me to fly from Taiwan to Osaka than Taiwan to Tokyo but also because it meant I didn’t have to go back on myself.

Remember what I said in point one about using the JR Pass smartly as a way of how to save money in Japan.

At the end of my trip in Tokyo, my JR Pass was no longer valid so I had to pay for a train from Tokyo Station to the Airport but had I booked a flight out of Osaka I would have had to have made sure my JR Pass was valid until much closer to the end of my trip and probably would have had to buy a 21 Day Pass instead of 14 Day Pass.

How to get the best flights??

I use Skyscanner to book all of my flights! I’m a huge fan of Skyscanner because I love how easy it is to compare different destinations and different dates for the best price and route!

For example, I type in ‘everywhere’ in the destination if I have fixed dates and want to find the best flights on those dates on Skyscanner .

And if I have a set destination I’ll look at the ‘month view’ to check the cheapest days to fly in that month!

15. Take a Free Walking Tour

It’s always nice having a guide to show us around and explain what we’re seeing isn’t it but usually, this costs money which is where free walking tours come in.

Japan offers lots of free walking tours especially in the Cities of Tokyo and Osaka so be sure to look into these when you arrive as they really are great free things to do in Japan !

Note that they are not totally free and a tip is expected at the end if you enjoyed the tour but it is a budget-friendly thing to do in Japan and will help save money on full-priced tours.

Here are some free walking tours in Tokyo   and a free walking tour in Osaka .

16. Shop around for the best Sim Card

Getting a Sim Card in Japan is pretty expensive compared to so many other Countries and is not a way to save money in Japan.

I got a 3GB Travel Sim Card in Japan for about £20.00 and used the 3GB in one-week meaning I spent the rest of my trip in Japan with no sim card and internet apart from using WIFI. 

You can get 10GB for about £35.00 or get a WiFi Pocket Router which you pay for per day, however, I found that the WIFI in my hostels was really great and some Cities like Osaka had public WIFI in the stations, I didn’t find Tokyo great for public WIFI but most cafes and restaurants did too so I didn’t need constant internet anyway in the end.

I hope you these ideas and tips help you plan your Japan trip and save money when you are in Japan!

  • For more of my Japan posts see:
  • 2 Week Japan Itinerary for Your First Visit to Japan!
  • Free Things To Do in Japan’s Most Popular Cities
  • Taking a Day Trip from Osaka to Kyoto!
  • Where To See the Best Cherry Blossom in Japan!
  • Tokyo 2 Day Itinerary to See Best Places in Tokyo – DETAILED Guide
  • ALL JAPAN POSTS

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Sahana Kulur

Sunday 23rd of October 2022

Thanks for these essential tips! I am going to Japan in winter and am very worried about the budget! I hope your tips are going to lessen my burden. Thanks

Simone Ribeiro

Friday 23rd of August 2019

I absolutely love this post! I can't wait to visit Japan and your tips are precious. I never thought about the idea of tracking the free walking tours. Thanks for that!

TheWanderingQuinn

Sunday 25th of August 2019

You're welcome, yep the walking tours in Japan look really good! I'm annoyed I didn't look into them until the end of my trip.

Annie Berger

Tuesday 23rd of April 2019

Thanks for some great ideas on making a trip to Japan more affordable. This and your other posts about your recent trip to Japan have made me want to move the country up on our list of places still to visit!

I look forward to more posts wherever you travel next as well as reading about your time in Kerala. Annie

Thank you for reading Annie and glad you like the posts :)

  • Travel Tips
  • Japan on a budget

How to Save Money in Japan: Travel Japan Cheap With These 38 Thrifty Tips

japan trip money

  • tsunagu Japan

Japan can be a cheap country to travel, but it still requires some careful budgeting to balance having a good time with not going broke. Thankfully, there are plenty of services for travelers to take advantage of to save money in Japan and travel cheaply. This includes train passes, discount tickets, limited-time sales, cheap restaurants, capsule hotels, and more. But to travel Japan cheaply, a bit of advanced research is necessary, which is why we’ve compiled this list of 38 tips on how to save money in Japan! Thrifty travelers, read on!

Check out our writers’ top Japan travel ideas!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Traveling overseas takes a lot of money. When you're planning your trip to Japan, don't  you think about ways to save as much money as possible?

This article is split up into various categories for money-saving tips:

Please check these tips out and make your trip as affordable as possible! 

A. Transportation

1. japan rail pass.

This ticket is an essential item for people who want to go everywhere throughout Japan by rail. You can freely use it on railroads and buses owned by JR (there are a few where you can't), and if you use it wisely then it's a very good deal, especially if you want to take the shinkansen. However, if you buy it, there are a few terms and conditions you must follow, so please double check the homepage before you travel. Here are the prices:

Official Site:  www.japanrailpass.net/en/index.html

You can also book online here:  https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=30900&aff_adid=736947&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Factivity%2F1420-7-day-whole-japan-rail-pass-jr-pass%2F

Check out this articles for more on JR Pass and traveling by train in Japan: 

What you Should Know about the JR Pass while traveling in Japan

The Perfect Guide to Traveling by Train in Japan

2. Utilize local JR passes 

Similar to the JR Pass, JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR West, and JR Kyushu all have their own passes for their regional rail lines. If you're not traveling throughout the whole country and are just staying within a single region, buying one of these passes instead might be easier on your wallet. However, just like the JR Pass, there are some rail lines you can't use it on. There are also terms and conditions, so make sure you check the homepage before buying. 

Hokkaido Rail Pass:  https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=30900&aff_adid=768557&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Factivity%2F3067-7-day-jr-hokkaido-rail-pass-jr-pass

JR East Pass:  http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass/

JR West Rail Pass:  https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/shop/

Kyushu Rail Pass:  http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/railpass/railpass.jsp

3. Utilize the Seishun18 ticket 

This ticket is only valid over spring, summer, and winter vacations, and it allows you to use the JR regular and rapid trains as much as you'd like for 5 days (shinkansen and limited express trains are not covered by this pass). One ticket is 11500 yen (same price for adults and children) for 5 days. Since multiple people can share a ticket, it's an extremely useful ticket for travelers. However, if you're sharing a ticket, then each traveler counts as one day. For example, if 5 people are sharing a ticket, then the ticket will be valid only for one day.  

You can purchase it at the JR Midori no Madoguchi or at ticket machines. They also sell them at manned JR stations without Midori no Maduguchi, so double-check at the station. You cannot buy it online. 

Official Site: 

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/seishun18.html  (English)

4. Utilize highway buses (night buses) 

If you're traveling long distances, then highway buses can be a deal. The overnight buses are especially cheap. You can find buses from Tokyo-Osaka for 2000 yen sometimes depending on the traveling season. If you think about how you don't have to pay for lodging that night it's an even better deal. There are many plans that make it comfortable for women, such as placing female passengers next to other women, so it's definitely recommended for people who want to travel cheaply. You can buy tickets online, but there aren't many websites that have foreign language support. Here are some:

WillerExpress:   http://willerexpress.com/en/

VIPLiner:  http://vipliner.biz/?&lang=ENG

Highway-buses.jp:  http://highway-buses.jp/

JR also has highway buses, and you can buy those at the ticket windows at JR stations. 

5. Utilize an excursion ticket/1-day pass

Depending on the railroad company, you can find excursion tickets and one day passes. It's a good deal because you can use it as much as you want within the period of validity, so it would be good for people who would like to travel frequently within a specific area to confirm the details with station employees. For example, the Kintetsu company offers the Kintetsu Rail Pass for the Osaka area. 

http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/index.html

6. Buy discounted tickets

At stores called kinken shops, you can buy rail and bus tickets at discounted prices. "Daikokuya" is one of the best known, but there are other stores doing the same especially in the large business areas and near stations in the big cities. They sell not only travel tickets, but also tickets to concerts, sports events, as well as gift certificates. There are also shops that do currency exchange. 

8. Utilize bicycle rental programs

If you're going to move within a radius of about 5 km in one day, then maybe renting a bicycle would be a good idea. Lately within the big cities, especially Tokyo , bike rental services have been increasing, so if you're interested, you should definitely look into them. This article suggests some bike rental places in Tokyo: 

Check out this articles for more on Rental Bike srvice in Tokyo: 

9 Rental Bike Services in the Tokyo Area You Should Try

9. Walk

Especially in the big cities, the distance between stations is rather close, so it might be faster to walk than to take the train in some cases. If you use methods like using Google Maps to check out the different routes available to you, you can find some great walks that will allow you to save money.

10. Yoshinoya/Matsuya/Sukiya 

These are the three largest gyuudon chains in Japan. You can eat an average sized bowl for around 350-380 yen (as of July 2015). All of these chains are cheap but taste great, so definitely try it at least once.

11. Tachigui soba 

"Tachigui" is the term for a restaurant where you stand to eat ('tachinomi' refers to similar-style drinking places). At tachikui soba restaurants, you can eat soba for a surprisingly cheap price. You can find kakesoba (the simplest kind of hot soba) and morisoba (the simplest kind of cold soba) for around 300 yen or less. Some tachigui soba chains are Fuji Soba, Komoro Soba, and Yudetarou.

12. Self-serve udon restaurants

In Japan, there are many udon restaurants where you can choose your side dishes as you order, and lately there's been a huge increase in number. In these restaurants the meal prices are relatively cheap, and there are many chains where if you have the simplest dish, kake udon, you can eat it for less than 300 yen. Among those chains the most famous are Marugame Seimen and Hanamaru Udon. If you've never tried udon, the standard is sanuki udon, so please definitely try it if you get a chance.

13. All-you-can-eat restaurants

For people who want to eat until they're completely full, it would be good to head for an all-you-can-eat restaurant. There are various all-you-can-eat restaurants, including yakiniku, fruit parlors, hotel lunch buffets, tonkatsu restaurants with free bowls of rice, etc. If you're interested, it might be good to ask your hotel concierge or local Tourist Information desk for more information and restaurant recommendations.

14. Taste Japanese food at depachika's sampling corners 

Depachika are the basements of large department stores, and they're usually full of stalls and storefronts where you can buy both packaged and fresh food. Many of these stores offer tasting samples. If you want to easily try some Japanese food or ingredients, it would be good to go to a depachika and try out some of what's on offer. In most cases, you can quite comfortably sample a shop's wares, but going to the same place multiple times is considered rude, so only go once. If you find yourself wanting to go back there, it would be better to buy the product.

Check out this articles for more on depachika:

Need souvenirs or just a bite to eat? Try Japan’s famous depachika!

15. Stuff yourself cheaply thanks to the conbini

Buying bento, cup noodles, onigiri, and other foods at the conbini for a cheap price might be good for people who are trying to save money. In large convenience stores there are actually places where you can sit and eat, so you can enjoy your food right there. 

Also Check:   10 Meals You Can Buy At Convenience Stores in Japan

16.Local bakeries

In Japan, there are many local bakeries that have delicious sweet breads for sale for a reasonable price. You can find many original breads such as curry pan, melon pan, anpan, and others, so definitely stop by if you find one.

Also Check:  Weird or a new discovery?! 4 recommended souzai pan (stuffed buns)

17. Do your own cooking

In lodging areas like guesthouses, often they have a kitchen attached so you can cook your own food after buying ingredients in the supermarket. Also, you can buy fruits and vegetables at greengrocers. It would be interesting to experience the true Japanese lifestyle this way, so if you get the chance and you like to cook, maybe consider doing this as well.

18. Stay at a capsule hotel

The futuristic style of capsule hotels makes it very popular with travelers. At particularly cheap places, you can stay the night for about 2000 yen, so it's definitely recommended for people who want to spend as little as possible on lodging.

Check out this article for more on Capsule Hotel in Japan:

https://www.tsunagujapan.com/the-complete-guide-to-japanese-capsule-hotels/

19. Stay at a guesthouse

Guesthouses aimed towards backpackers are very reasonably priced. There are many private homes that were renovated to be stylish guesthouses. The best part about this sort of lodging for many people is that you can talk to other travelers from around the country in the shared living areas. There are many places where one night will run you 2000 yen, so it's definitely worth a try.

Check out these articles for more on guesthouses in Japan: 

14 Great Guesthouses in Tokyo

16 Guest Houses Suitable for Long Stay in Kyoto

9 Best Old Town Houses turned into Guest Houses in Kyoto

20 Recommended Guesthouses in Osaka

20. Utilize Airbnb

Airbnb is gaining popularity all around the world, and in Japan as well the number of Airbnb hosts as well as the number of travelers using it have been increasing. There are different types of options you can use, including renting just a room or renting an entire house. The prices range from cheap to exorbitant, including some places that start at 1000 yen a night. If you stay at a regular house in Japan, you might be able to create some precious memories.

21. Stay at sauna and super sento areas 

In Japan, saunas and super sentos are establishments that are primarily for spa purpose, but they often have huge resting areas and some even have proper rooms that you can rent. There are sleeping huddles and sofas that you can sleep on with no problem. You can usually stay for 3000 yen or less. However, many people are sleeping in the same area, so please take care of your valuables by putting them in a locker or other safe place. 

22. Stay at a manga kissa/internet cafe

Many people take advantage of the overnight packs offered by manga/internet cafes, where you can cheaply stay there for about 1000 yen. While they're called cafes, they're establishments where you have your own little cubicle. Often they have different "rooms," including furnished with reclining sofas, paired seats, or tatami. Many of them also have showers, manga that you're welcome to read as much as you'd like (if you can read Japanese), Internet, and a drink bar included. Japanese people often stay at manga kissaten/internet cafes if there are no hotels availablein the area as well.

23. Stay at a temple

A long time ago, Japanese travelers that wanted to economize on their trip would often spend a night under the eaves at temples or shrines. Now, thanks to various problems that arose from those travelers and their behaviors, many temple and shrine managers refuse travelers. However, at small temples and shrines in cities, or those out in the countryside, there are places that will give you permission. However, you absolutely must discuss this with the chief priest or the manager first, as well as properly letting them know your name and the purpose of your trip.

24. Doze at a family restaurant

If you definitely can't find a place to stay, there are actually a lot of people who doze off at family restaurants when they've missed the last train and can't get home. If you order just the drink bar, the most you'll spend is 400 yen. However, since this really isn't a place to stay, try not to spend too much time after the trains start there or at least order a meal if you're there for a long time. 

Check out our writers’ top Japan travel ideas!

D. Shopping

25. utilize 100 yen shops .

100 yen shops are shops where you can buy all of their products for 100 yen (around 1 dollar), and is very popular among Japanese people and travelers alike. A wide variety of products are offered here, including snacks, cosmetics, kitchenware, stationery, clothes, and more, so you can buy both emergency items as well as souvenirs here. The biggest chains are Daiso, Seria, and Can-Do. You should definitely stop by one to see what you can find. Check out the following articles: 

10 Japanese souvenirs you can buy at the 100 yen shop

26. Utilize the supermarket 

If you want to get food or drinks, the supermarket will be the cheapest option. Depending on the time (such as right before closing), you can find huge discounts on certain foods. It would also be good to buy snacks and treats at the supermarket as souvenirs. 

27. Buy food & drinks at drugstores

Japanese drugstores don't just sell medicine, they also sell certain food and drinks cheaply. At especially big drugstores, you can buy standard food items such as 1.5L juices or milk, eggs, tofu, bread, frozen foods, seasonings, and snacks for a reasonable price.

28. Pick up a supply of basics at Uniqlo 

If you're staying in Japan for a long time, you might run out of basic clothing like T-shirts or underwear. In those cases, it would be good to stop by Uniqlo. For example, you can buy a pair of socks for 300 yen. Also there are often discounted products in baskets around the store, and when that happens you can find products like T-shirts for 500 yen or less. 

29. Utilize flea markets 

Flea markets are more of a reasonably priced treasure trove than most people understand, so you should definitely check one out if you get the chance. Most of them are held on Saturdays and Sundays. This website is only in Japanese, but if you look at it, you'll be able to find information about flea markets all around Japan. 

http://furima.fmfm.jp/

30. Aim for lucky packs

Lucky packs are sold around the New Year (beginning of January). Lucky packs are a way to get lots of products from a brand or store at once for a discounted price; many items will be sold in one package but you won't know precisely what you're getting. However, this way you can get $500 worth of products for $100. However, some stores are beginning to sell lucky bags where you can properly see the insides. In any case, lucky packs are a great way to shop for a great deal. 

31. Aim for bargain and sale periods 

In summer (June-August) and winter (December-February), department stores, shopping malls, electronic stores, and other big shops tend to have huge sales and bargains available. Depending on the store, the time period they hold the sale changes, so if there's anything specific you want to buy definitely confirm with the store first. 

32. Utilize local recycle centers 

When you're staying for a long time, you can find necessary items like blankets, clothing, appliances, and other items at local recycle centers for free or cheap. There are also times when you can even get bicycles, so people who are interested should definitely inquire at their local city or ward hall.

E. Communication and Mail

33. choose the most suitable internet access method .

In Japan, there are a few ways to access the Internet while you're traveling.

1. Rent a pocket WiFi router.

2. Enter into a paid contract with a WiFi service.

3. Only use free WiFi spots.

4. Pay for a SIM card.

5. Utilize internet cafes and manga kissatens.

The usefulness of these methods depends on how much Internet you'll need to use and how often. If you read the article linked below, it might help you make a decision on which one will be the most useful method for the lowest price. 

The Perfect Guide for the Traveller Connecting to the Internet in Japan

34. Utilize pay phones 

If you just need access to a phone, then using pay phones will be cheaper than using a cell phone. Lately since the numbers of people carrying cell phones are increasing, the numbers of pay phones have fallen, but you'll still be able to find pay phones around town.

35. Choose the best international postal service 

If you want to send anything back home, there are a few services you can choose. Japan Post offers EMS (Express Mail Service), SAL (Surface Air Lifted), or by ship. There are also private companies that you can utilize. There are trade-offs with each service depending on how much you're willing to spend and how fast it will arrive, so please choose which one works best for you depending on how much you want to send and when you need it by. Below is the HP for Japan Post. 

http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/index.html(English)

F. Miscellaneous

36. utilize coin laundromats .

If you're staying here for a while, or even people who just want to pack light, it would be cheaper to utilize a coin laundry rather than your hotel's laundry services (if available). You can usually do your laundry for about 200-300 yen, though many places require you to buy your own detergent. The following site is only in Japanese, but you can find coin laundromats around the country using it.

HP:  www.coin-laundry.co.jp/userp/up010/Up010Controller.jpf  (Japanese Only)

37. Sell personal belongings at pawnshops

If you're completely out of money, then it is possible to sell your belongings at pawn shops. If you have any items from international brands that are popular in Japan, or any rare accessories that can only be found in your hometown - if you have that sort of thing, you might be able to sell it for a decent price.

38. Utilize kinken shops 

We talked about buying travel tickets at kinken shops, but you can also buy tickets for many other things such as movies, theater, sports, or other events of interest.

You May Also Like:

15 Great Ways to Enjoy Tokyo on a Budget

15 Ways to Enjoy Osaka On a Budget

15 Great Ways to Enjoy Kyoto on a Budget

11 Ways to Enjoy the Sapporo Area on a Budget

[Travel tips in Japan]

10 fun details in Japan to keep an eye out for

[Japan Travel]

47 Tourist Attractions in Japan’s 47 Prefectures

50 Magnificent Views in Japan that You Shouldn’t Miss

30 reasons to go to Japan before you die

30 Most Popular Japan Sightseeing Spots for Foreigners (2014)

20 Japanese places chosen by travelers that no one should miss (2013)

A Guide to 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan

15 Beautiful Japanese Villages You Must Visit

30 shrines and temples in Japan to get lucky charms for love

[Tokyo Travel]

50 Things to Do in Tokyo

50 Things to Do in Shibuya

50 Things to Do in Harajuku

50 Things to Do in Shinjuku

50 Things to Do in Ueno and Asakusa Area

10 Japanese Cultural Experiments You Can Try In Tokyo

[Osaka Travel]

50 Things to Do in Osaka

11 Places to Experience Japanese Culture in Osaka

[Kyoto Travel]

50 Things You Must Do in Kyoto

10 Places in Kyoto to Play Dress Up in Traditional Kimono

[Hokkaido Travel]

50 Things to Do in Hokkaido

[Fukuoka Travel]

50 Things to Do in Fukuoka

[Okinawa Travel]

50 Things to Do in Okinawa

The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.

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Welcome to japan.

Be bamboozled by a country that surpasses imagination. Sci-fi is the norm in Japan, yet it still remains deeply rooted in its deep and humble traditions. While neon rainbow cities host karaoke, charming sunset towns hold quiet tea ceremonies. And then there’s the stunning landscapes that glide past in super-fast trains. It’s just too much goodness.

5/5 stars – Thankfully, ‘convenience store’ takes on a whole new meaning in Japan, with thousands of stores all over the country providing ATMs. This means you’ll go further with your travel money.

It’s not customary to tip, just be polite instead.

Phone and Internet access

When Godzilla isn’t breaking things, it’s excellent.

You’ll always find cheap and convenient food and transport, just make sure you keep coins handy.

  • Coffee:   AU$4.70 (regular cappuccino)
  • Water:  AU$1.20 (500mL bottle)
  • Beer :  AU$5.80 (draft beer)
  • Food :  AU$8 (bowl of ramen)
  • Taxi:   AU$44 (on a busy day)
  • Big Mac:  AU$4.30 (known as biggu makku)

Daily budget

Budget:  Around AU$80/day = 2x cheap meals, supermarket snacks, train ticket and entry to a baseball game Moderate:  Around AU$150/day = 2x cheap meals, supermarket snacks and traditional Japanese costume hire Luxury:   Around AU$200/day = 2x restaurant meals, supermarket snacks and a Robot Cabaret Show

Safety rating

5/5 stars -  You’ll always feel safe in Japan, because, well it is safe. Just keep your belongings away from cheeky forest monkeys and stick to the neon slick streets in the cities, rather than dark alleyways.

Travel Money Trivia

Don’t be a square The word yen directly translates to ‘a round object’.

Paperclip coin  The coin for 1 yen weighs 1 gram, around the weight of a paperclip.

Donut yen Both the 5 and 50 yen coin have a hole in their centre.

On emperor’s time Unlike our coins, yen display the year of the current emperor’s reign.

Hey big trader  The Japanese yen is the third highest traded currency (after USD and the euro).

Let's talk money

To keep your costs in Japan cheap and efficient, you’ll want to keep plenty of cash in hand for your day-to-day purchases. In fact, coins are a gateway to so many necessities, with some restaurants requiring tickets for meals (purchased at coin vending machines).

  • Tips are often refused, so tip by saying: “arigatou gozaimasu”
  • Save with a Japan Rail Pass
  • Choose a hotel with free Wi-Fi
  • Be smart with ATM fees
  • Convenience store  = cheap lunches!
  • Most vending machines require coins, so keep yo’ yen handy for burgers and quirky knick-knacks

Cherry blossom chasing  When spring awakens Japan’s flowers, you’ll see the cherry blossom. Plan out when they bloom in each city and walk down aisles of silky pink.

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine   Walk through the rows of mesmerising sunset-orange torii gates. There are 10,000 all up, so you’ll have time to enjoy it.

Robot restaurant    Sit back with a beer and watch robot monsters dance, fight and inspire with this profound cabaret show in Tokyo.

Nara, my deer    Visit the quiet city of Nara to discover the insanely cute (and bizarrely polite) deer of Nara Park.

Late night Gion Kyoto is full of places to enjoy, like Gion. This famous geisha district is full of traditional buildings and lantern-lit paths that are truly enchanting.

Get the best deal on your foreign exchange today and take off with more spending money. Order online 24/7 or visit one of our 130+ stores .

Travel Money Oz has sought to ensure that the information is true and correct at the time of publication. Prices, details and services are subject to change without notice, and Travel Money Oz accepts no responsibility or liability for any such changes, including any loss resulting from any action taken or reliance made by you on any information provided. Daily Cost: All prices are approximations. Your costs may differ depending on where you go, where you shop, and their individual factors. Daily Budget: Costs are estimated per person and do not include accommodation.

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https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2410.html = sample travel budgets

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japan trip money

The Telegraph

The surprising location the strong pound is making affordable

B ritish holidaymakers hoping to escape April showers this year can make their money go further in Japan than ever before thanks to a strong pound.

Sales for the Japanese yen more than tripled in the 12 months to January as Britons eyed up holidays to the land of the rising sun, according to a report by the Post Office.

It said that the pound rose 16pc against the local currency last year, helping to bring it into the Post Office’s top 10 best selling currencies for the first time.

The Japanese yen was one of seven Far Eastern currencies to dominate the top 10 in the company’s travel money index report. It was only surpassed by the Chinese yuan, which saw a 573pc surge in sales.

This means Britons gain £67.81 for every £500 exchanged compared to last year.

The Post Office said this was “clear evidence of the latent demand for holidays to Japan, which reopened to international visitors much later than other long-haul destinations”.

James Flynn, of travel debit card provider Currensea, said the strengthening pound meant it was “clearly a great time to make that once-in-a-lifetime Japan trip”.

He said: “Securing value on travel money should be just as much of a priority as grabbing a great deal on flights or accommodation.

“This year, Japan is offering fantastic value to long-haul travellers and is much more cost-effective to visit than 12 months ago.”

Flights from London to Tokyo in April start as low as £239, according to comparison site Skyscanner, while return flights start at £250.

The cheapest five-star hotel in the capital listed on Expedia, an online travel shop, costs £290 per person a night for a standard double room. In Osaka, prices start at £201 a night.

An upcoming report by the Post Office found local prices in Japan had also fallen even before the exchange rate was applied. A meal for two with wine now costs around £40, down from nearly £50 last September.

The Post Office said Japan had moved up to fourth place in the company’s worldwide holiday costs barometer as local prices fell 16pc since last year.

A separate report published by the company in September found that the Far East occupied half of the top 10 spots for value-for-money long-haul destinations.

Lesley Rollo, of travel agents Travelbag, said bookings for Far East regions were up 127pc last year compared to 2022.

Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at the Post Office, said the pound’s strength against most leading holiday currencies – including the euro and the US dollar – provided “ a great incentive for Britons considering trips abroad in the coming months”.

She said: “Most currencies have weakened against the pound in the past year, and many of these are for destinations that traditionally offer the cheapest prices for meals, drinks and other tourist staples.”

Ms Plunkett added that the pound had continued to strengthen against local currencies in Turkey, Thailand and Vietnam.

Britons visiting Turkey this year will get around 73pc more Turkish liras for the pound than a year ago, the Post Office found. The pound had also risen 13pc against the Czech koruna and 10pc against the Thai baht.

Experience Japan, the land of contrasts

Discover Telegraph Wine Cellar’s new wine club. Enjoy expertly chosen bottles at exclusive member prices. Plus, free delivery on every order.

Britons gain £67.81 for every £500 exchanged into Japanese yen compared to last year - DoctorEgg/Moment RF

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Elizabeth Hurley has a steamy sex scene in son Damian's directorial debut

21-year-old Damian Hurley said that "working together was a dream."

So that's how it is in their family.

Twenty-one-year-old Damian Hurley is making his directorial debut with the erotic thriller Strictly Confidential , and his mother, Elizabeth Hurley , 58, plays a key role in the project. The film follows Mia (Georgia Lock) as she investigates the mysterious death of her friend Rebecca (Lauren McQueen).

The elder Hurley appears to play one of Rebecca's family members holding a dark secret — and for some reason, a good portion of her screen time in the trailer is spent hooking up with another female character, played by Pear Chiravara.

To be fair, sensual scenes are par for the course for erotic thrillers, and there are plenty of other sexy sequences in the trailer that don't involve Hurley's character — but the overall tone of the Austin Powers star's scenes feel a little weirder with the knowledge that her son wrote the screenplay and is working behind the camera.

The filmmaker told PEOPLE that even though the "power dynamic" between him and his famous mom as director and actor was "complicated at the best of times," the collaborative process was still satisfying. ​​It was, he said, "a joy to come to work and tackle each day together.”

"We only had 18 days to shoot the whole film, so our twin-like telepathy was invaluable throughout," Damian Hurley continued. "To work tirelessly alongside such a committed and talented cast was truly inspiring."

Franziska Krug/Getty

In a 2022 Instagram post celebrating the conclusion of filming, Damian praised his "beautiful and supreme mother" for accompanying him on his creative journey. "I want to worship [Elizabeth Hurley] who, during the making of my first ever short film back in 2010 (when I was 8) promised me she'd be in my first feature; true to her word, the minute this film was greenlit, Mama dropped everything and raced out to the beautiful Caribbean to help," he wrote. "Working together was a dream."

Lionsgate will release Strictly Confidential on April 5. Watch the new trailer above.

Want more movie news? Sign up for Entertainment Weekly 's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.

Related content:

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My boyfriend and I spent $40,000 to take our dog to Japan on vacation. It was worth every penny.

  • Tiffany Chan and her partner brought home Siu Tim, a golden retriever, in November 2019.
  • Three years later, the couple paid $40,000 to take their pet on a 53-day vacation in Japan.
  • Chan says it was worth every penny — and they've already returned for a second trip.

Insider Today

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tiffany Chan, a 32-year-old dog owner based in Hong Kong. This essay has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider verified Chan's receipts.

My boyfriend, Anders, and I are based in Hong Kong, and last year we spent around $40,000 to take our dog on vacation in Japan. It was magical to watch Siu Tim experience his first snowfall and frolic through Japan's breathtaking landscapes.

Anders and I are both 32. He works in the IT industry, and I run a pet bakery. We brought Siu Tim home when he was three months old.

While we initially planned for a smaller breed, like a pug or a French Bulldog, the moment we laid eyes on Siu Tim at a pet shop in Mong Kok, we knew he was meant for us.

At around four or five months old, we felt the urge to travel with Siu Tim, but COVID-19 paused our plans for three years. When he turned three and restrictions eased, we embarked on our first trip together, deciding to seize the opportunity while he was still full of energy and playfulness.

Extra paperwork, planning time, and fees were required

In August 2022, we set our sights on Japan for our first international adventure. Known for its pet-friendly atmosphere and diverse seasons, it was the perfect fit for Siu Tim. With a flight of just over four hours, Japan seemed a more manageable choice compared to Europe's lengthy journey from Hong Kong.

In early September, we enlisted the help of a pet-relocation agency to assist us with the travel requirements for Japan. Given the necessary 180-day lead time for documentation, we kicked off the process promptly. By mid-March 2023, we were ready to embark on our adventure.

A $1,720 fee from the relocation agency included the shipping crate, an import permit, a rabies vaccination, blood tests, and various handling fees. The airline charged an additional overseas-courier-service fee of $1,615.

On the day of our flight, we arrived at the airport 2 ½ hours ahead to ensure a smooth boarding process for Siu Tim. After sorting out the paperwork, we gave him one last bathroom break before settling him into his crate at the designated drop-off. Though he entered without resistance, his cries hinted at his awareness of our impending departure. Witnessing his distress, even briefly, brought tears to my eyes.

But this sadness wore off quickly, as his excitement was palpable when we fetched him from the animal holding area at Narita Airport . Our first task was whisking him off to the quarantine facility for chip verification and completing the essential paperwork for entry into the country.

We visited 26 prefectures in Japan over the course of 53 days.

Our itinerary spanned iconic tourist attractions like the Asakusa temple in Tokyo and Kyoto for a kimono photo shoot. We ventured into rural areas like Mount Nasu and marveled at top waterfalls.

To make traveling around with Siu Tim easier, we spent $1,160 to rent a car. Siu Tim's first encounter with snow-topped mountains was my most memorable part of the trip. I can vividly recall his delight as he played in the snow — leaping, twirling, and barking with excitement. For Anders, the highlight was taking Siu Tim to the zoo to watch the dolphin show.

In Japan, Siu Tim stood out and quickly became a local favorite, perhaps due to the nation's affinity for small dogs. Anders even learned to say Siu Tim's age in Japanese, adding to his charm as a conversation starter.

The trip was expensive, but we've already gone on our second vacation together

Despite the steep cost — the total with flights, hotels, entertainment, and dining added up to around $40,000 — embarking on this journey was absolutely worth it. Giving our pet an unforgettable experience is invaluable to us, making the sacrifice entirely worthwhile.

Last month, we revisited Japan with Siu Tim. We thought Japan again would make the most sense for its smooth process, having already completed all necessary paperwork and tests.

On the second trip, we planned a less packed itinerary to avoid travel fatigue. We opted for longer stays at each location, minimizing hotel changes.

For our next vacation, we've decided to start saving up to take Siu Tim on a European trip.

japan trip money

Watch: This is the world's most luxurious dog hotel

japan trip money

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  1. A Traveler's Guide to Japanese Currency: The Yen

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  2. How Much Does it Cost to Go to Japan? Less than you Think (Japan Trip

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  3. 10 Japan Travel Tips to Know Before You Go

    japan trip money

  4. Travel to Japan on a Budget

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  5. Visit Japan: The Money in Japan Explained for Tourists

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  6. The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Japan Cheaply [Saving Money Guaranteed!]

    japan trip money

VIDEO

  1. Japan trip 2023!!!!!Day one……

  2. 💰money

  3. WE MADE IT TO JAPAN

COMMENTS

  1. Guide to Money in Japan: Currency & ATMs

    Coins. Japanese yen coins (clockwise from top left): 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 500 yen, 100 yen, 50 yen (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) 1 yen ( ichi-en) Light silver color with smooth edges. The smallest and lightest of the 6 coins, composed of 100% aluminium. Weighs exactly 1 gram, thus occasionally used as weights.

  2. Japan Travel Cost

    How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Japan cost? A one week trip to Japan usually costs around $877 (¥130,999) for one person and $1,755 (¥261,998) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

  3. The Cost of Travel in Japan: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

    Nara - Kyoto: 700 Yen ( $5) Kyoto - Hiroshima: 10,500 Yen ( $70) Hiroshima - Osaka: 10,000 Yen ( $67) So if you were to replicate my Japan route exactly, you would end up spending $381 on rail tickets. It sounds like a lot of money but I do want to stress that the trains in Japan are some of the best in the world.

  4. Money on your trip to Japan

    Money. The Japanese currency is the yen (円, en). One yen corresponds to 100 sen; however, sen are not used in everyday life anymore, except in stock market prices. Bills come in 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen (very rare), 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen denominations. Coins come in 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen denominations.

  5. Travel money Japan 2024: How to pay & how much to bring

    Get up to $300 cash bonus with qualifying direct deposit. Terms apply. This offer is available until June 30, 2024. Earn up to 4.60% APY on savings by meeting deposit requirements, and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Members without deposit requirements will earn 0.50% APY on both savings and checking balances.

  6. The Japan Vacation Budget Calculator

    5 Ways to Save Money on Your Trip to Japan. Traveling to Japan doesn't have to be a drain on your bank account, even if it can sometimes feel like it might be. With a little savvy planning and some insider tips, you can experience the best of this fascinating country without breaking the bank. Here are five practical ways to save money on ...

  7. Calculate your Travel Budget in Japan

    Kanpai's Budget Calculator provides a precise estimate of the travel expenditures item-by-item, with numerous possible choices. As a matter of fact, a backpacker's 10-days trip will not cost the same as a 3-weeks stay for a family looking for a very comfortable trip. Fill in the questionnaire below to discover the expenses to expect and ...

  8. How to visit Japan on a budget

    6. The Japan Rail Pass is a great travel bargain. Like the famous Eurail Pass, the JR Pass is one of the world's great travel bargains and is the best way to see a lot of Japan on a budget. It allows unlimited travel on Japan's brilliant nationwide rail system, including the lightning-fast shinkansen (bullet train).

  9. Japan Travel Budgets

    Medium budget: 500 - 2000 yen per day. Admission to famous temples costs between 300 and 1000 yen. Most museums and castles charge about 500-1500 yen per person. High budget: above 2000 yen per day. Some museums and attractions (usually outstanding ones or tourist traps) charge between 1,500 and 3,000 yen per person.

  10. Japan Budget Travel Guide

    Unlike in much of the rest of the world, consumer prices in Japan have barely increased over the past decades. Add to it a weak yen, and you have a travel destination that is much more economical than the outdated misconceptions about expensive Japan would suggest.With careful planning and a little know-how, it is now easier than ever to enjoy a budget trip in Japan.

  11. Is Japan Expensive? Our 2 weeks to Japan cost in 2024

    2 Weeks in Japan Trip Costs. The estimated total cost for 2 weeks in Japan is $5,530, £4,400 for 2 people.. This works out to around $200, £157 per person per day, and it includes flights, accommodation, transportation, food, activities, souvenirs, and other small expenses.. This is a for a medium-budget holiday with some luxury dinners, top attractions and occasional splurges on indulgent ...

  12. How Much Money Should I Bring to Japan? Travel Budget for Visiting

    Visiting Japan can mean different things to different people, but the kind of trip you will have depends to a large extent on what kind of budget you have and what you are willing, or not willing, to do in order to save money. Luckily, Japan has a lot of different options for a flexible traveler, regardless of whether they want to spend a little money, or a lot.

  13. Cash In Japan: Everything You Need To Know

    Exchanging Money In Japan. Another way to get money in Japan is by exchanging currencies. You can find exchange offices in airports, major cities, or banks. While some people prefer the convenience of changing money before their trip, it's better to exchange money in Japan. The exchange rates you find in Japan are usually better.

  14. Money in Japan: What to Know Before You Travel

    The national currency of Japan is the Japanese Yen (¥). It's best to get some cash converted before you leave home so you have change handy to catch the train to your destination once you arrive. Otherwise, you can access cash exchange places at the airport. Also keep in mind that while credit and travel money cards are accepted by larger ...

  15. How To Visit Japan On A Budget

    Read more: 20 Best Travel Hacks That Will Save You Money . Saving Money on Attractions in Japan. Unlike accommodation and overland travel, visiting Japan's attractions shouldn't eat up too much of your budget. Unless you go to specialty places, Japan's attractions are fairly priced so just make sure to do your research on the admission ...

  16. How to plan a free and easy trip to Japan on a budget

    After closing to the world since the start of Covid in early 2020, Japan has reopened to all travelers! Plan a free and easy trip to Japan with this guide that provides travel tips about where and when to visit in Japan, best ways to travel to and around Japan, and how to save money on accommodation and transportation in Japan. Start planning your next holiday to Japan!

  17. Japan Travel Money: Should you bring debit, credit or cash?

    How the different travel money products work in Japan. Japan is a cash society; however, credit and debit cards are accepted in most places in Japanese cities. Establishments such local ...

  18. 1 Month Japan Cost (2024)

    Travel Cost Calculator for Japan. The average traveler in Japan spends about € 130 ($ 138) per day. If you are a backpacker or on a small budget, you usually spend € 60 ($ 64) per day. Those traveling in more luxury will pay around € 320 ($ 340) per day. We even managed to stay under 40 € ($ 47) per day on our trip.

  19. Trip to Japan Cost: 2024 Budget Breakdown

    Flight Cost to Japan: $796. My round-trip flight from the West Coast of the United States to Haneda Airport in Tokyo was $796. The cheapest month to fly to Japan from the United States is January, according to Skyscanner. A direct, round-trip flight that is below $700 is considered affordable.

  20. 16 CLEVER Tips for How To Save Money in Japan When Travelling Japan!

    After Backpacking Japan for 2.5 weeks I came to notice that you really can save money in Japan and travel Japan on a budget if you want to. For example, for ways of how to save money in Japan , you can use your JR Pass in a clever way, you can stay in accommodation closer to train stations, find free activities in Japan, buy coffee from vending ...

  21. How to Save Money in Japan: Travel Japan Cheap With ...

    Japan can be a cheap country to travel, but it still requires some careful budgeting to balance having a good time with not going broke. Thankfully, there are plenty of services for travelers to take advantage of to save money in Japan and travel cheaply. This includes train passes, discount tickets, limited-time sales, cheap restaurants, capsule hotels, and more. But to travel Japan cheaply ...

  22. Japan Travel Money Guide

    Our FX experts created a guide for all things travel money including tipping, card access, ATM availability and much, much more! Quick Contact . Call us. instant response. 1300 426 997 . Visit us ... To keep your costs in Japan cheap and efficient, you'll want to keep plenty of cash in hand for your day-to-day purchases. In fact, coins are a ...

  23. Best ways to spend travel money in Japan: Debit and prepaid cards

    Using a mix of travel money options. Japan is still a cash-heavy economy; you're likely to need to have some cash handy to experience some of the best parts of Japanese food, hospitality, entertainment and culture. Many travellers visiting Japan opt for a combination of traveller's cheques and debit, credit, and travel cards.

  24. Sending money for Japan

    Japan ; Japan Travel Forum; Search. Browse all 149,518 Japan topics » Sending money for Japan Watch this Topic. Browse forums; All. Browse by destination. United States Forums; ... Reply to: Sending money for Japan. Your message. Read our community guidelines. Get notified by e-mail when a reply is posted. Preview. Japan forums . Japan forums .

  25. The surprising location the strong pound is making affordable

    The Japanese yen was one of seven Far Eastern currencies to dominate the top 10 in the company's travel money index report. It was only surpassed by the Chinese yuan, which saw a 573pc surge in ...

  26. Elizabeth Hurley has steamy sex scene in son Damian's movie

    Elizabeth Hurley has a passionate hook-up scene in the first footage from her son Damian's directing debut, 'Strictly Confidential.'

  27. I Spent $40,000 to Take My Dog on a 53-Day Vacation in Japan

    In early September, we enlisted the help of a pet-relocation agency to assist us with the travel requirements for Japan. Given the necessary 180-day lead time for documentation, we kicked off the ...