Yep, You Can DEFINITELY Do Japan On a Budget ($1K example)
Japan is VERY budget-friendly :)
Don’t forget to pin this for later!
You can absolutely do Japan on a budget——even in Tokyo, which has a reputation for being more pricey. Because psst, it’s actually not!
I live in Japan part-time and used be an English teacher in Tokyo. And one thing I’m always shocked by is how affordable Japan really is——especially compared to living costs in America.
But then again, Japan can get expensive if you go to the wrong places and travel like a tourist. So this is my guide on how to travel in Japan affordably (WITHOUT sacrificing on experience).
Let’s do this!
Table of Contents
Is Japan Expensive?
Nope! Well, it can be (anywhere can be), but Japan really doesn’t need to be expensive. It’s actually pretty easy to travel here (even in Tokyo) on a budget…especially with the weak yen right now.
And compared to the cost of living in the US right now, Japan is way cheaper.
Here are some examples of how much I’m paying for different stuff in Japan:
RENT/ACCOMMODATION
I pay less than $500 USD per month for rent (staying in a share house)
For hotels and Airbnbs, it’s usually below $50 or less per night for me as a solo traveler (you can stay at hostels or capsule hotels for even less though)
FOOD
I frequently eat out in Tokyo for less than $10 USD a meal
Except for fruit, food is pretty dang cheap (for example, eggs are about $1.50 for 10)
TRANSPORTATION
People don’t drive in Tokyo——trains are everywhere and very affordable (taxis are expensive though)
I budget around $200/month to get around Tokyo and that’s usually plenty (around 1000 JPY per day)
Tokyo is very walkable, so it’s easy to save money this way too
SHOPS
Places like Ginza, Daikanyama or Omotesando are pricey, but there are plenty of cheaper options, like Daiso, Donki or thrift stores (even Uniqlo isn’t crazy)
Obviously, you’ll be paying a premium if your’e doing touristy things in touristy places or taking taxis and bullet trains everywhere. But you don’t need to do any of that, there are lots of alternatives.
So let’s keep moving then and look at my top tips for how to travel Japan on a budget.
Explore more:
➤ My Weekly Budget In Tokyo
➤ How Much Yen to Bring to Japan
➤ What to Do If You Run Out of Money Abroad
Traveling to Japan for a Week With Less Than $1,000 (example budget trip)
Let’s say you only have $1,000 to spend on a trip to Japan (INCLUDING airfare). That works out to about 158,000 yen (*at the time of writing this).
Let’s see what we can do!
First, let’s assume you’re flying out of the US (west coast) and staying in Tokyo (not taking the Shinkansen anywhere else).
Let’s also assume you’re going solo, you don’t mind long layovers and you’re flexible with your travel dates (e.g. visiting Japan during winter is fine).
These are some *price estimates I found just by doing quick research with Google (i.e., no crazy cheap flight tricks):
Round trip flight from LA to Tokyo: ~$500
I found a February flight deal on Google Flights for the 5th to the 12th
Hostel: $150
Based on a quick Google search, looks like you can rent a hostel in Tokyo for ~$21/night
Food: $150
This gives you over 3,000 JPY/day, which should be plenty
Experiences: free(ish)
Yep, you’re doing (mostly) free stuff for this type of budget trip
You can probably swing Japanese souvenirs from places like Daiso though
Transportation: $100
$50 for trains for the week (this gives you more than 1,000 JPY to spend on train fare everyday…but you might just walk the whole time if your hostel is in a good spot)
Budget another $50 for train fare to and from the airport (especially if you fly into Narita, which is farther outside of Tokyo)
This is a realistic example of how to travel to Japan for a whole week for less than $1000. This is budget solo travel.
I know because I live in Tokyo part-time and I definitely DO NOT spend more than $1K per week there…more like $3-500 per week (renting a share house).
So with your transportation, accommodations and food all covered (which are the most essential things for travel), this still gives you an extra $100 as a cushion (or to spend on those cheap Daiso souvenirs).
Of course, I’d recommend over-budgeting for an international trip (don’t want to be stuck abroad with no money). But this example still illustrates how affordable Japan really can be.
(it’s worth noting I was researching for these prices in early January, a typically cheaper time to book flights and travel)
How to Travel Japan On a Budget (7 essential tips)
I live in Japan part-time. These are my top tips for traveling the country on a budget.
1. Avoid Tourist Traps
The biggest thing you can do to travel Japan on a budget is avoid touristy areas and attractions. And if you do want to do some touristy things, just try balancing your itinerary with some non-touristy stuff too.
Because if your big goal is to drive Go-Karts around Tokyo, then get it! But maybe for dinner, opt for the smaller local spot rather than the main strip next to Sensō-ji in Asakusa.
I get it, some things are touristy for good reason (they’re freaking cool!). So don’t deprive yourself. But don’t write off the free stuff either.
Japan is FULL of amazing free things to do and see. So let’s keep moving and talk about those things.
2. Do Free Stuff—Buy Cheap Things
One of the easiest (most obvious) ways to do Japan on a budget? Do free stuff and buy cheaper things.
Luckily, this is really easy to do in Japan. There are TONS of affordable shops and experiences and a lot of popular attractions have free alternatives.
For example, rather than going to Tokyo Skytree or Shibuya Sky, check out the Tokyo Metropolitan Building observation deck (it’s totally free).
Another thing to think about is food.
Sure, you can pay premium prices (in Ginza or touristy spots)…or you can grab much cheaper (but still INCREDIBLE) food at smaller local shops or chain restaurants like Kura sushi (conveyor belt sushi).
And if you like beef bowls (gyudon), try the 3 main chain restaurants: Sukiya, Yoshinoya and Matsuya. Everyone has a favorite, and it’s fun trying all 3 to find your preferred beef bowl flavor.
(personally, I like Yoshinoya the best, followed up by Matsuya)
Even if you’re buying souvenirs in Japan, there are much cheaper spots and stores to explore than just going to Asakusa or other popular areas.
For example, Donki or Daiso are super cheap (basically like dollar stores in Japan). Or check out local shops outside of typical touristy areas (yep, this means you’ll have to do some exploring and go off the beaten path).
3. Book Smart (accommodations)
If you’re looking to do Japan on a budget, then boujee hotels aren’t an option. Luckily, Japan has plenty of affordable accommodations.
Hostels, capsule hotels, even Airbnbs all have lower price points. Especially if you stay a little outside the city (the tradeoff here is you’ll end up paying more for train fare, so that’s something to weigh in when deciding where to stay).
And if you’re able to stay for one month or more, you can save even more. I always stay at a share house because they’re super affordable, convenient and an awesome way to meet other travelers and locals.
Explore more:
➤ Best Places to Stay In Tokyo Your First Time
4. Travel During Shoulder Season
The best time to travel Japan is probably the springtime for cherry blossom season or fall for leaf peeping. The weather is perfect and the scenery is beautiful.
But it’s also crowded and more expensive. So if you’re looking to do Japan on the cheap, go during the shoulder seasons.
You can save a lot of money by simply exploring Japan during the hot summer or winter season (cheaper airfare too). And don’t worry about missing out on the scenery, Japan is amazing all year round.
Check out my post on what to do in Japan during the winter for more info.
5. Take Busses Over the Shinkansen
If you plan on exploring more than one city or doing some epic day trips (and you’re not buying the JR Pass), then take the bus over the bullet train. You’ll save a lot of loot that way.
Overnight busses are super popular (for traveler and locals) and will take you to all sort of popular spots. I’ve taken them from Tokyo to Osaka as well as up to the mountains for some Japan snowboarding.
Willer Express Bus is a popular site for booking.
Explore more:
➤ Tokyo vs. Osaka (+ Kyoto)
6. Avoid the Taxis
While we’re on the topic of transporation, avoid taking the taxis in Japan if possible. They’re way more expensive than the train.
The only times I use them is if I miss the last train home or I’m feeling particularly lazy (and have a friend to split the cost).
Or if you’re in a more remote area.
For example, we took a taxi from Kifune shrine (a couple hours outside Kyoto) to Kurama-dera temple, which has an energy vortex at the top. Mostly because we were tired from walking all day and it wasn’t too far (but far enough to justify a cab).
Plus, split 3 ways it wasn’t too expensive.
But generally, I never take the taxi in Japan. Besides, they say walking is good for me :)
7. Plan Ahead
Finally, simply doing a little bit of planning will make doing Japan on a budget (and actually staying on that budget) way easier.
For example, buying the JR pass ahead of time will save you money if you plan on taking the Shinkansen to explore other cities. And mapping out different restaurants (and their prices) before you go will prevent you from settling on whatever’s closest to you (and potentially more expensive) in moments of hangry frantic searching.
You can make a list of free things to do and know exactly how much you’ll need to (not) spend.
But overall, Japan is not that expensive. Like, I spend way less money living in Tokyo than I would staying in the states. So it’s definitely budget-friendly.
Alright, good luck in your travels and maybe I’ll see you around the city!
Later ✌️
