The Facts About Traveling Japan On A Budget

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Hi Japan travel guide

9 min readJan 9, 2018

When we think about budget travel destinations in Asia, countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia and the Philippines spring immediately to mind.

To many of us, these countries immediately evoke images of palm trees swaying over pristine beaches, street food vendors making their daily rounds, long treks to remote villages that feel as though we’re stepping back in time, and arduous overland bus journeys, crammed in with 100 other sweaty people on a trip that seems as though it will never end.

Traveling in these countries isn’t always easy, but we put up with some of the hardships because for many of us, it means that we can extend our stay just a little longer, allowing us to keep pushing, searching, and exploring.

The last thing many of us think of when we hear the words budget travel are gleaming skyscrapers, bustling metropolises, super efficient transportation, and ubiquitous technology.

It seems ingrained in us that budget travel means sacrificing in some way, that a country like Japan, where everything is seemingly at our fingertips just has to be expensive. Indeed it seems like this is the mindset that keeps many budget-conscious backpackers from ever even thinking about traveling here.

While it’s true that Japan may not fall under the same extreme budget friendly category as some of its neighbors, it seems that rumours of it’s expense have been greatly exaggerated.

In this article we’re going to look at what it really costs to travel in Japan by breaking down the three main costs every traveler faces: Transportation, Accommodation, and Food.

Be sure to also check out the companion podcast to this post here.

Transportation

Flights

Depending on where you’re coming from, getting to Japan in the first place could be a significant expense. Flights to the country are one of the most oft-cited major expenses travelers to the country will have to fork over if they want to visit.

But here’s the thing. If you’re debating between Japan and one of the many budget travel destinations in Southeast Asia, you’re going to be spending about the same amount either way.

Secondly, I did some research by running some different locations through Google Flights for a return trip with 3 weeks in the country.

Frankly, the results shocked me.

I tested flights originating from Vancouver, LA, Toronto, New York, London, Paris, and Sydney, all arriving in Tokyo. The average price for a return flight?

$650 USD.

I don’t know about you, but I was expecting to find flights costing at least double that from many of the locations mentioned. What’s more, for almost every single location I found some dates where areturn flight was priced at under $500.

Too be fair, if you don’t have much flexibility with your travel dates, you could easily get stuck paying upwards of $1000, but flight deals do exist out there if you’re willing to do a little bit of research.

Japan By Train

Japan’s train system is known the world over for its high-speed transportation, efficiency, and comfort. As you might expect however, these luxuries are not without cost. For example, a one way trip from Tokyo to Kyoto can cost between $100-$150, and depending on how long you’re in the country for, you might easily make upwards of 5 such trips.

This is where the Japan Rail Pass comes in.

The JR pass is a rail pass available to travelers that allows you unlimited access to the long distance train system for either 7, 14, or 21 days depending on which pass you buy. While these passes are not necessarily cheap in themselves, if you plan on doing a lot of traveling throughout Japan, you can end up saving a ton of money.

The 7-day pass is currently around $250, the 14-day is $400, and the 21-day option is $520.

Depending on your travel plans, you can also look into regional passes that offer similar benefits within a smaller region at much cheaper costs.

Transportation Within Cities

Most cities in Japan are extremely walkable, so in many cases, depending on where you’re staying it’s completely possible to travel within the city for free!

If you do end up taking one of the metro systems, you can expect to pay about $2 per one way trip.

“To hack transportation, something that a lot of people might not know is that hitchhiking is actually pretty safe [in Japan]”
- Moataz Ahmed

Accomodation

After transportation, accommodation will likely likely be your biggest expense when traveling in Japan. But yet again, the hype of how expensive it is to travel to Japan seems to be if not wholly unfounded, then at least ignorant of an entire range of budget friendly options.

Hostels

Most travelers are familiar with Hostelling International, and should be pleased to know that in addition to numerous independent hostels, Hostelling International Japan has a strong presence, with over 200 hostels spread across the country.

These can range in price, with locations in cities such as Tokyo costing as much as $50/night, while a more common price point falling in the $20/night range. Some can even be found for a super budget friendly $10/night in places!

“One of the things [we did to save money] was hosteling, and Japan is the place to do it. We found Hosteling International to be very good, the hostels are the cleanest, they offer the best actually, for the money”
- Jure & Simona of Slovenians Travel

Business Hotels

If you’re looking for a bit more privacy, business hotels are ubiquitous in most cities. These small, but tidy, comfortable rooms are frequently used by business people working late nights for whom it’s more convenient to stay overnight in the city than head home.

These can be a real bargain if traveling as a couple or group and fall in the $40-$100 range.

Capsule Hotels

Most of us are familiar with the uniquely Japanese capsule hotels, and while they might offer more novelty than functionality or comfort, a capsule can be booked for about $30/night.

Ryokan

Traditional Japanese Inns, known as Ryokan tend to veer into expensive territory, but offer a cultural experience that is well worth having at least once during your stay.

Ryokan will typically cost at least $100/night and will regularly cost upwards of $200. However, they will generally include dinner in the evening, breakfast the following morning, and access to any on site services, including frequently an onsen.

Food

Lastly, we come to food, one of the main attractions in Japan, and an unavoidable cost. Luckily, food can be surprisingly cheap depending on how you structure your meals.

“Food is a great value, especially if you’re in the big city. In Tokyo I think you can find the best food bargains because there are more people and more options for cheap food.”
- Stephen Bugno of GoMad Nomad

Convenience Stores

The cheapest option is generally to eat prepackaged meals from convenience stores such as 7–11, or Family Mart. While that might not sound like the most appetizing or nutritious option, convenience stores in Japan are vastly different from similar shops in western countries.

A bento box or tray of sushi from one of these stores will generally set you back around $4 and are surprisingly healthy. Rice balls with fish filling are about $1.

Japanese Fast Food Restaurants

A step up from the convenience stores are the ubiquitous noodle shops and fast food restaurants that seem to pepper every street corner in the country.

Meals at these types of restaurants generally fall between $5-$12 and offer good food at a good price.

Sushi Train Restaurants

One of the first images that pops into mind when many of us think about Japan and Sushi are the sushi train restaurants, where pre-made plates of sushi travel around the restaurant on a conveyor belt and you are free to choose what you want and then cash out your plates at the end.

Each dish will generally cost about $2, and offer a great way to sample a number of dishes for good value.

“Basically, two pieces of Nigiri — one of these little plates- was the equivalent of less than a dollar. So I could absolutely stuff myself to obscenity for less than $10.”
- Nora Dunn of The Professional Hobo

Other Food Options

If you’re looking to get into some of the really good cuisine Japan has to offer, you’re going to need to open your wallet a little bit more. Many mid range sit down sushi restaurants might cost you $15 and up for a meal, with nicer restaurants progressing higher.

Totalling Up The Bottom Line

The more you look into the particulars, the more apparent it becomes that for whatever reason, Japan suffers from something of a mistaken — or at least misunderstood — identity when it comes to the associated travel costs.

By no means is it a universally cheap travel destination, but then again, few places actually are. You could easily spend upwards of $200/day in Thailand depending on how you travel, and can just as easily get by in Japan on $75/day or even $50/day if you really watch your wallet.

The thing that mystifies me the most about Japan’s perception as an expensive travel destination is that it actually stops people from going. Western Europe has always been an expensive travel destination, yet that doesn’t keep the hordes of backpackers from flocking to see its sights.

Japan is at worst on par with most of western Europe in terms of travel costs, and decidedly cheaper than popular destinations like Scandinavia, London, or Australia. So it’s time to ditch the perception, and experience Japan as the budget travel destination it can be.

It’s up to you.

This article is only half the fun! Be sure to also check out the Japan Youth Hostel Inc ‘s HI! Japan Podcast, featuring more information and interviews with budget travelers to Japan!

Japan Youth Hostels, Inc has a network of more than 220 Youth Hostels in Japan. Here are 3 interesting Hostels to help your journey in Japan.

Kiyomizu Youth Hostel

Our hostel is on Chawan-Zaka, 3 minutes away from Kiyomizu Temple and15 minutes from Yasaka temple. It’s very convenient for walking around Higashiyama. Chawan-zaka has always been famous for ceramics, so lots of ceramics shops are located along the street.

Website: More info Tel: 075–541–1651
Google Map: click here
Address: 6–539–16 Higashi Gojoubashi Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, 605–0846, JAPAN

Amagi Onsen Zen no yu Youth Hostel

This YH has outdoor spa (Onsen) made of Japanese cypress and stone and a hall for zen at special prices. We really recommend the spa where you can enjoy the view of nature. Also, you can eat vegetarian dishes and Detoxification effects can be expected. You can experience an easy course of zen lying down or an intense course in early morning.