Japan has the potential to be an expensive vacation destination if you don’t plan properly. If you follow some of the key suggestions outlined in this article, it is entirely possible to visit the land of the rising sun on a budget.
Getting familiar with the best ways to get to Japan and how to use transportation inside the country effectively can save you a lot of money. Understanding the best practices when choosing where to stay and following advice on how and what to eat in Japan can also put you in the right direction toward being cost-effective.
From travel hacks to important insider information, there are essential things to know to maximize your experience in Japan while being money conscious.
1. Best Ways to Book Your Flight to Japan
Perhaps the best method for booking a reasonably-priced plane ticket to Japan is to book as early as possible. Google Flights is a great place to start your search, but getting the browser extension, TravelArrow will expand your flight search to help you find hidden flight deals on reputable websites like Kayak or Expedia, among others. It is still possible to find good deals closer to your departure date. ZipAir is Japan Airlines’ budget subsidiary and often has stellar flight deals.
Another hack, if you are coming from North or South America, is to have a layover in Hawaii. Whether that layover is a day, a few days, or just long enough to leave the airport, the stopover can help break up an otherwise very long trip and give you the option to explore Hawaii.
2. Transportation Hacks
While this first hack doesn’t exactly pertain to travel, it is paramount for any stay in Japan. That is to either get a pocket Wi-Fi, which can be picked up at the airport upon arrival, or a Japanese sim card which also has the airport pickup option. I prefer the pocket Wi-Fi because all it requires is that you keep it charged and with you so that you always have a reliable internet connection. That internet connection will be vital for getting around and enjoying your stay without worry.
Another must-have for Japanese transportation is your Suica, or IC, card. It is a plastic transit card that can be purchased at any of the major train stations, including the airports, and you can use it everywhere in Japan in a tap on tap off manner to get on and off the train and bus systems. Be sure to look out for the black machines in the stations, as those are the only ones that can issue the card itself. If you don’t have your Suica card, getting around Japanese towns and cities will be complicated, as you will have to buy different tickets continuously, and it is easy to make mistakes and end up paying more. Two other important things to note are that your Suica card can only be topped up with cash, and you cannot use it for purchasing the high-speed Shinkansen trains.
The third Japanese travel hack that will help you figure out the most cost-effective way to get around the country is to understand whether you need a Japan Rail (JR) Pass or if buying single-way or roundtrip tickets will be the best option for your plans. The JR Pass is marketed to be an economical option for traveling long distances by the Japanese rail and Shinkansen (bullet) trains. The passes are good for either 7, 14, or 21 days and can be used unlimitedly during the number of days you choose. While it is a good option if you are traveling long distances within a set amount of time, it is not always the best option for the steep price.
A great tool to help you decide whether a JR Pass is right for you is using Japan-Guide.com’s Japan Rail Pass Calculator. The calculator allows you to plug in your itinerary and compare the pricing with you to show you whether the JR pass or individual tickets is the cheapest move.
3. How to Choose a Place to Stay
There are three main options for accommodations in Japan: hotels, vacation rentals like Air BNB, or traditional Japanese ryokans.
Ryokans are inns that typically feature tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear robes and commune with the owner. They are Japan’s more expensive options but provide a unique and authentic experience.
Hotels are the next most expensive option when choosing a place to stay. It is hard to find reasonably-priced hotels in good, popular areas of Japan that offer proximity to public transportation. After calculating tax, hotels, more often than not, end up being costly.
The best option for accommodation in Japan is Air BNB or another vacation rental resource. Not only can you live in actual Japanese accommodations like a local, but it is also an affordable option. There are usually plenty of stays available in any given location, and you can search by the price you are looking for. While having an entire place to yourself on, say, Air BNB can be an affordable option, stays can get significantly cheaper if you are okay with staying in a room in someone’s house.
4. Do’s and Don’ts about how and what to eat
Regarding food choices in Japan, there are several things to consider when trying to eat on a budget.
Traditional Japanese ramen is always a good option and is a fantastic meal for under $10 in most cases.
When sitting down at any restaurant, if you are an English speaker, always ask for the “Eigo” (English) menu so that you can know what you are looking at and purchasing. Choosing by pictures or trying to Google Translate a menu can be frustrating and may end up costing you more.
In Tokyo, avoid sitting at a table in bars or getting just a drink in a restaurant setting because bars and restaurants charge you a fee for sitting at a table that can be upwards of $7.
Italian cuisine is the most expensive type of food in Japan, so unless you want to splurge on the many Italian places around the country, stay away from Italian restaurants.
Conclusion
These four primary tips for traveling to and around Japan on a budget are great things to consider when trying to live your best life in a cost-effective way there. Having a clear idea of the cost of getting to Japan, transportation in the country, accommodation options, and how and what to eat will put you well on your way to an inexpensive trip to the wonderful country of Japan.
