How to Travel Japan in a Cheap Way? Tips for Planning a Budget Japan Tour

As one of the most expensive countries in Asia, Japan has always given budget travelers a feeling of being out of reach. Does traveling to Japan mean high expenses? How to visit the exquisite country of Japan cheaply? Here, we’re compiling tips on how to travel to Japan on a budget and keep your Japan tour expenses low.

Travel to Japan in off-peak Season

Low seasons are the cheapest time of year to travel to Japan. The low season for tourism in Japan usually starts in late autumn and lasts until March (except for the New Year holidays). There are fewer tourists, both domestic and international, in Japan at this time, and airfares and hotel prices are discounted at this time, making travel much cheaper than during the peak season.

Travel Japan in off-season can save more cost for you.

Please Notice:
Japan is a country that can be traveled all year round. It is worth noting that the cherry blossom season and the maple leaf season are the peak seasons for travel in Japan. New Year and summer holidays (July to August), the important domestic holidays in Japan will also be more tourists, during which airfare and hotel costs rise. If your time is flexible, it is recommended to check in advance to avoid traveling during the peak season.

Get Cheap Flights to Japan

Another way to cut down the price of your Japan tour is to get cheaper flight tickets, not only for international flights to Japan but also the domestic flights in Japan.

The first way to get a cheaper flight ticket is to purchase it as early in advance as possible. Some Japanese domestic airlines also offer discounts on bookings made seven, three, or one day ahead of the travel date.

The second way to get cheap airfare, especially domestic flights in Japan, is to get round-trip discounts. Because many airlines offer more discounts on round-trip tickets than one-way tickets.

Save on Local Transportation in Japan

Most Japanese cities are easily accessible by train and bus. Since taxis in Japan are very expensive it is recommended to take advantage of public transportation while traveling around Japan so that you can save more on transportation.

Buy Japan Rail Pass

Also known as JR Pass, the Japan Rail Pass is the economical and convenient means of traveling throughout Japan by rail. There are types of JR passes in Japan and each type can be purchased for 7 days, 14 days, or 21 days. With the JR pass, you can take unlimited rides on all related JR trains within the validity period.

Please Notice:
The JR pass can’t be used to take the Shinkansen (the Japanese bullet train).

Take a Long Distance Bus instead of a Train

In Japan, long-distance buses are usually cheaper than trains. This is one of the most economical ways to travel medium and long distances in Japan. While slower than trains, buses usually cost less than half the cost, especially on the highly competitive Tokyo route, where discounted fares can be very low. Furthermore, overnight buses can save you more on a night’s accommodation and increase your sightseeing time.

Choose Budget Accommodation in Japan

Accommodation always affects the cost of a Japanese tour a lot. There are many options for accommodation in Japan, ranging from luxury five-star hotels to cheap capsule hotels. It is important to choose the right accommodation if you want to cut down on the cost of your trip to Japan.

Hostel or Guest House in Japan

Hostels in Japan typically charge between 2000 and 4500 yen per person and night. They provide vare essentials for budget travelers with shared bedrooms and facilities in return for low rates. Hostels can be found all across Japan. The network of Hostelling International Youth Hostels covers both cities and the countryside, while many independent hostel operators are found in the big cities and can be booked online easily through sites such as Hostelworld.

Business Hotels in Japan

The Japanese “business hotel” is known in Japanese simply as bizunesu hoteru. These are typically chains that provide single – or double-occupancy accommodations for a reasonable charge — usually well under ¥10,000 per night. Outside the big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, single rooms can usually price under ¥6000 per night.

Though most business hotels don’t offer room service or even have a restaurant, there are usually any number of restaurants, izakaya (Japanese pubs/bars), and konbini (convenience store) within walking distance.

Choose the right accommodation helps cut down the cost of your trip.

Eat Cheap in Japan

It is easy to find a wide selection of cheap, quality meals throughout Japan. The extremely budget-conscious tourists can get cheap and nutritious food for as little as 1500 to 2000 yen a day.

Discount Food in Supermarkets

Many Japanese supermarkets begin to mark down their unsold lunch items around 14:00 and other prepared foods from around 19:00. Discounts start at 10% and can end up as high as 70%. They also discount fruits and vegetables that are blemished or otherwise unfit for sale at full price. In this case, if you stay with a supermarket nearby, you can go to get some discounted food there.

Inexpensive Food in Japanese Convenience Stores

24-hour convenience stores can be found almost anywhere in Japan. Convenience stores in Japan usually offer a variety of fresh sandwiches, rice balls, bentos, drinks, and snacks at cheap prices but with good quality.

Japanese Fast Food Chains

In Japan, in addition to McDonald's, KFC, and other international fast-food chains, there are many Japanese-style fast-food chains. Most of them specialize in a certain type of cuisine, such as Yoshinoya and Sukiya gyudon chains, Hanamaru Udon, and CoCo Curry house. Dining at these chains is usually no more than 1,000 yen per person.

Join in a Group Tour to Visit Japan

For most tourists traveling to Japan for the first time, the most economical and hassle-free way is to join a group tour.

When visiting Japan with a group, you can share the cost of local transfers, tour guides, and meals with your group members. Also, tour agencies can usually get a better discount on hotels and airfares. It will help you save more on your Japan tour by joining a group.

Join a group tour is the most economical and hassle-free way for first-time traveler.

Moreover, if you are traveling with a group you need not worry about navigating your way around. Guides and interpreters are on board for sightseeing buses, so you will not feel inconvenienced even if you do not understand Japanese at all.

Conclusion

Although the cost of living in Japan is high, there are still some ways you can reduce your Japan tour costs. Booking your flights early, choosing affordable accommodation, and trying local inexpensive eats can all help you save a lot of money. Of course, if you want to save money and don’t want to spend too much time looking for every cheap option by yourself, then the best way to travel to Japan on a budget is to join a tour group, during which you can not only share the bill but also share the joy of travel with like-minded travelers.