Budget-Friendly Travel in Japan: Tips for Saving Costs

Are you planning a trip to Japan? Find out how much to budget for Japan so you can track your expenses during your trip.

Why is building a travel budget important?

You must set a budget for yourself—and stick to it—when going on a trip. If you do this, you don’t run the risk of overspending while traveling. You don’t have to worry about additional expenses because you’re prepared for anything and everything that might happen.

How much does it cost to travel to Japan?

When building your travel budget to Japan, you must consider airfare, accommodations, transportation, food, and entertainment expenses, among others.

How much does airfare to Japan cost?

The cost for a flight to Japan varies—depending on where you’re coming from and flying to. Below are some round-trip cost estimates from some of the major cities around the world where JAL flies.

From Los Angeles, United States to:

• Tokyo: starts at USD 1,200
• Osaka: starts at USD 1,600
• Nagoya: starts at USD 1,700
• Hiroshima: starts at USD 1,700
• Fukuoka: starts at USD 1,700
• Sapporo: starts at USD 1,700

From New York, United States to:

• Tokyo: starts at USD 2,800
• Osaka: starts at USD 2,700
• Nagoya: starts at USD 2,800
• Hiroshima: starts at USD 2,800
• Fukuoka: starts at USD 2,800
• Sapporo: starts at USD 2,800

From London, United Kingdom to:

• Tokyo: starts at USD 1,900
• Osaka: starts at USD 1,900
• Nagoya: starts at USD 1,800
• Hiroshima: starts at USD 1,700
• Fukuoka: starts at USD 1,900
• Sapporo: starts at USD 1,800

From Hong Kong to:

• Tokyo: starts at USD 1,100
• Osaka: starts at USD 1,300
• Nagoya: starts at USD 1,300
• Hiroshima: starts at USD 1,300
• Fukuoka: starts at USD 1,300
• Sapporo: starts at USD 1,300

From Singapore to:

• Tokyo: starts at USD 880
• Osaka: starts at USD 1,100
• Nagoya: starts at USD 900
• Hiroshima: starts at USD 1,100
• Fukuoka: starts at USD 900
• Sapporo: starts at USD 1,100

From Sydney, Australia to:

• Tokyo: starts at USD 1,300
• Osaka: starts at USD 1,300
• Nagoya: starts at USD 1,300
• Hiroshima: starts at USD 1,400
• Fukuoka: starts at USD 1,300
• Sapporo: starts at USD 1,400

How much do lodgings in Japan cost?

Where do you want to stay when you visit Japan? Your accommodations will take a giant chunk of your budget, together with food.

If you plan to stay in a four- or five-star Western-style hotel in the city center, it will cost you approximately USD 150 to USD 350 per night for a single room. Alternatively, you can stay at a ryokan for about USD 100 to USD 220 per person per night (includes two meals).

You can find more affordable room options in business hotels, bed-and-breakfast lodgings, and accommodations on the city outskirts. Accommodations like these typically cost about USD 50 to USD 100.

If you’re traveling on a budget, you can always stay in dormitories and hostels. You can find them in places around Japan. They cost approximately USD 20 to USD 35 per night per person.

How much does transportation in Japan cost?

Japan has one of the most efficient means of transportation in the city centers. You can easily take a bus or train to malls, restaurants, and other tourist spots. For far-out trails and hard-to-reach areas, you may opt to rent a car, especially if taxis and ride-hailing services aren’t available.

IC card - easy access to several trains and buses

If you plan to use public transportation a lot, consider buying an IC card, as this is rechargeable. Load them with funds, and you’re good to go. You can also use the IC cards in convenience stores, vending machines, and some restaurants.

The most popular IC cards are the following:

• SUICA - allows you access to trains, subways, monorails, and buses in the Kanto region (such as Tokyo, Kanagawa, etc.) The card costs USD 7, with USD 4 as a refundable deposit.
• PASMO - available for all non-Japan Rail transportation in Tokyo. The card costs USD 7, with USD 4 as credit and USD 4 as a refundable deposit.
• ICOCA (offered by JR West) - services trains in Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka, and Okayama. The card costs USD 14 with a refundable deposit of USD 4.

The JR Pass - a special pass for foreign tourists

The Japan Rail Pass (also called the JR Pass) is a cost-effective means of long-distance travel via train in Japan. It is only for foreign tourists and offers unlimited rides on JR trains for seven days to one week, depending on the type of pass you purchase. You can get an ordinary pass or the green car pass. The green car pass allows you to travel on JR's green cars (first class cars), where the seats are more spacious than in ordinary cars.

If you’re staying in Japan for a few days or weeks, consider buying a Japan Rail Pass or a regional rail pass (especially if you plan to visit the provinces). Tourists often buy both an IC card and a JR Pass to get easy access across the various regions in Japan.

You can easily purchase the JR Pass from designated sales offices or agencies. Rates may fluctuate depending on the exchange rate.

Cost for JR Pass for 7 Consecutive Days:

• Ordinary Pass:
　- Adult: USD 210
　- Child: USD 110

• Green Car Pass:
　- Adult: USD 280
　- Child: USD 140

Cost for JR Pass for 14 Consecutive Days:

• Ordinary Pass:
　- Adult: USD 340
　- Child: USD 170

• Green Car Pass:
　- Adult: USD 460
　- Child: USD 230

Cost for JR Pass for 21 Consecutive Days:

• Ordinary Pass:
　- Adult: USD 430
　- Child: USD 220

• Green Car Pass:
　- Adult: USD 590
　- Child: USD 300

The Seishun Juhachi Kippu - seasonal railway ticket

The Seishun Juhachi Kippu (青春18きっぷ), meaning "Youthful 18 Ticket" is a special ticket that gives you five days of unlimited nationwide travel on local and rapid JR trains. It costs about USD 90 and can be used by anybody of any age, whether foreign tourists or Japanese locals and foreign residents. They are only available three times a year on the following dates:

• Spring (March 1 to April 10)
• Summer (July 20 to September 10)
• Winter (December 10 to January 10)

If you are traveling on those dates, you may want to consider getting this special ticket.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps - safe transportation options

Taxis typically have a base fare of approximately USD 5 for the first two kilometers. The fare increases by less than USD 1 for every 300 to 400 meters traveled. At night, the rates often increase by about 20% (usually in the late evenings from 10 PM to 5 AM).

Ride-hailing apps, such as JapanTaxi and Uber, give you other transportation options though they can be pricier than regular taxis.

Rent-a-car - for off-beat adventures

If you’re traveling with a group of friends or plan to go to places that are difficult to access using public transportation, you may want to look into renting a car and driving it around. Typical fees for a 24-hour rental are as follows:

• Sub-compact car - USD 40
• Compact car - USD 60
• Mid-sized car - USD 75
• Full-sized car - USD 120
• Van - USD 145

Keep in mind that you will also have to pay for gas and toll fees. If you travel during peak seasons, you’ll even find an increase in rates, especially in places like Hokkaido.

How much does food in Japan cost?

If you’re staying at a hotel or want something fancy for breakfast, you can expect to spend about USD 7 daily. Breakfast in first-class hotels may even cost up to USD 25 or more. You can also opt to have breakfast sets in cafes and restaurants, which cost around USD 5 to USD 7. If you’re traveling on a budget, you’ll be able to find some meals for as low as USD 4 in convenience stores or fast food restaurants.

Lunch and dinner at upscale restaurants in the city center cost approximately USD 11 to USD 18. You can find more affordable choices at inexpensive restaurants costing around USD 6 to USD 11. If you’re on a budget, convenience stores and fast food restaurants have lunch boxes for as low as USD 4 to USD 7.

How much does it cost to go sightseeing in Japan?

There are a lot of places to visit when you go to Japan. From museums to shrines and temples, zen gardens, amusement parks, and more, you'll find something for every kind of traveler.

Museums and attractions cost about USD 7 to USD 22—with the more frequented tourist areas sometimes costing more. Theme parks cost approximately. USD 36 to USD 64. Some onsen charge up to USD 14 per person, but you may find a good onsen place for USD 3 to USD 6.

If you’d rather skip the long lines and the high rates, you can opt to visit other inexpensive museums and castles, which may charge around USD 3 to USD 8 per person. Budget-conscious travelers may find other options, as most shrines and temples don’t have admission fees. You may also check with museums as some of them charge no admission on a specific day of the week or month.

How to budget for a trip to Japan

A lot of the work before you travel happens before you go on your trip. If you’re serious about building a budget before your trip, you must do plenty of research beforehand.

Plan where you want to go

Even as you start planning for your trip, research the places where you want to go. Do they require entrance fees? Are they out of the way and may require taking a taxi instead of a bus or train? Are you planning to rent a car to access some hard-to-reach places? If you plan out your trip carefully, you’ll be able to see where you need to spend money so you can avoid having to shell out money for unexpected expenses.

Set your total budget

Rather than leaving everything to fate, it’s good to draft a plan for where you’re going and how much it will cost. Set a cap for how much you are willing to spend and work around that budget. That might mean letting go of some sightseeing opportunities, but there are a lot more for you to see that will help you save up.

Calculate anticipated expenses

It’s good to add a little buffer when planning your budget. Do your research ahead of time to know how much everything costs. Because exchange rates constantly fluctuate, you may want to add to your overall expenses. It’s also good to set aside some money for an emergency fund and resolve not to use it unless you need to.

General budgeting tips to save money while traveling to Japan

Before your trip, here are some Japan budget travel tips to consider:

Tip #1: Avoid peak tourist seasons

The peak tourist times in Japan vary depending on the season and the attraction for the season. For example, the spring peak season happens from March to May, when thousands of visitors flock to Japan to see the cherry blossoms. Tourists also tend to come from September to November to see the stunning autumn foliage. Accommodations and transportation can be more crowded and expensive in certain areas of the country during these times.

You may want to plan your trip around dates when there aren’t many tourists, such as during the winter months when fewer vacationers are present. If you are still traveling during peak tourist season, you can research some roads less traveled or sites less visited, which could cost less than the busy areas that attract thousands of visitors.

Tip #2: Check out tour packages

Some tour packages combine airfare, accommodations, and tours at a special rate. Take advantage of these as they help you save up in terms of expenses and also set the itinerary for you, so you don’t need to worry about it. JAL offers Vacation Packages that let you book your room together with your flights. You can also find and book some activities together with your flights and accommodations.

Tip #3: Take advantage of domestic airlines’ special discounts

Some airlines have special discounts allowing you to travel around the country at special rates. With special passes and airfares, you can reach faraway destinations at a cheaper cost than if you were to take the bullet train. Japan Airlines, for example, has a JAL Japan Explorer Pass that gives you access to special fares across the country.

Tip #4: Set a daily budget

If you don’t want to go overboard in spending your money while on a trip, you need a plan to spend your money wisely. And that means setting a daily budget for yourself and making sure you won’t go beyond that.

Determine how much money you want to spend in a day. Remember to factor in costs like food, transportation, and activities (e.g., tour fees, etc.). You may also want to include a bit of a buffer for emergency expenses.

Tip #5: Plan ahead of your trip

While some people love planning every travel detail, others prefer a more spontaneous approach. It’s okay to do this, but maybe not when aiming for a budget-friendly vacation to Japan.

Researching and planning ahead of time can help you determine when and where to go to avoid peak tourist dates or avail of special discounts. By planning, you can also prevent spontaneous decisions and unplanned spending.

Tip #6: Check out free walking tours

Learn about Japan's unique history and culture without going over budget with the help of free walking tours. They are usually available in major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

In Tokyo, for example, some tours are led by local guides who will tell you about the city’s history and culture. In Kyoto, you can find a walking tour that focuses on the cultural heritage of the geishas.

While the walking tours are free, it’s encouraged to thank them by tipping them or paying for their lunch and drinks. It’s also best to book the tours in advance as some may only allow for a limited number of visitors to join per tour.

Tip #7: Combine activities

If you’re interested in visiting a certain tourist spot in a particular area, you may want to check for nearby attractions. For example, if you’re shopping in Nakamise-dori, you may want to check out the nearby Seonso-ji Temple first.

Some attractions are near each other. Plot your schedule by grouping activities and sightseeing spots near each other so you can save on transportation instead of running around.

Another place you can visit is the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, a large botanical garden that was once a feudal lord’s residence during the Edo period. It has a minimal entrance fee, but you’ll find a lot to see, and the stunning landscapes are worth it.

Walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto for a tranquil experience amid the towering stalks of Bamboo. See the Nijo Castle Gardens - home to a traditional Japanese landscape garden, a large pond, and some ornamental stones. While the entrance to the castle has a fee, you can walk around the gardens for free.

Many local transportation also offer discounts at selected tourist attractions. Come passes give you reduced admission fees at museums and cultural sites. It’s best to check with the local tourist information centers for their deals.

You’ll find various types of street food available anywhere in Japan, such as the Tsukiji Outer Market (Tokyo), Nakasu (Fukuoka), Nishiki Market (Kyoto), and Dotonbori (Osaka).

Example budget for 3 weeks in Japan

If you’re staying for approximately three weeks in Japan, the average budget for a Japan trip may look like something like this:

• Round-trip Airfare: USD 1,500
• Accommodations (single room): USD 60 per night x 21 nights = USD 1,260
• Transportation:
　- JR Ordinary Pass for 21 days: USD 430
　- IC Card (basic card cost and daily transportation expenses): USD 70
• Food (for one person): USD 27 per day x 21 days = USD 567
• Entertainment and Sightseeing: USD 7 per day x 21 days = USD 147
• Emergency Fund: USD 100

Total budget for a single person for three weeks: USD 4,074

Plan your trip to Japan

Before you go on your trip to Japan, it's best to have a clear plan in mind. Start with researching where you want to go. Calculate possible expenses, and determine how much you should budget for your trip to Japan.

Explore Japan today through the JAL Japan Explorer Pass.