5 Tips to Plan a Budget Trip to Japan
Planning a trip to Japan is one of the most stressful things I’ve ever done.
There are so many beautiful places to see and things to experience in Japan. The fascinating japanese culture leaves people super excited to plan their trip there. But, at the same time, they feel really overwhelmed by everything that needs to be planned.
Choosing what to do and where to go in Japan is a huge task in itself, but trying to plan a trip there without breaking the bank is even more overwhelming.
While planning my 8-month budget backpacking trip around the World, Japan was by far the most difficult country to plan. It took me weeks to get the hang of it and now I’m sharing all my best tips with you so that you don’t have to go through the same time-consuming process.
🚅 Don’t buy the JR Pass
Planning a trip to Japan is difficult for many reasons. In my opinion, the most difficult part is trying to figure out the transportation you will need to take to get around.
Shinkansen tickets are expensive and many people get scared when looking at those prices. That makes them consider buying the JR Pass to avoid ticket costs adding up. I have talked to so many people who traveled in Japan and made that mistake. That’s why I want to explain to you why I think the JR Pass is not worth buying.
As of February 2025, the JR Pass prices are as follows:
- 319€ for 7 days
- 510€ for 14 days
- 637€ for 21 days
Since most people have the wrong idea that Japan is very expensive, they might assume these prices are worth paying and they end up buying the JR Pass. If you want to travel in Japan on a low budget, don’t make that mistake.
The JR Pass allows you to travel all over Japan on bullet trains. That sounds perfect but it’s more than most people need!
Many people keep to the main route of Tokyo – Kyoto – Osaka – Nara, so buying the National JR Pass really feels like a waste of money.
Read more about the Japan Rail Pass on Japan Guide
If you want to calculate if the JR Pass is worth it for you or not, use this JR Pass Calculator.
If it’s not, here are some tips to travel cheaply in Japan instead of buying the National JR Pass 👇🏼
First of all, if you really want to buy a JR Pass, make sure to check the Regional JR Passes.
Many people don’t even know they exist. That’s why they end up buying the national pass even though they don’t plan to travel around the whole country.
The regional JR Passes are cheaper and they might be a great option for you if, like most people, you’re planning to stay in a certain region of Japan and don’t want to waste money on a Pass that covers more than you will use.
The Regional JR Passes are cheaper than the National JR Pass
An even cheaper way to travel around Japan are the Highway Buses.
These are bus lines connecting all points of Japan and they’re often the cheapest way to travel in Japan. Even though they take way longer than the bullet trains, these bus lines are a great option for people willing to do a longer trip in order to save money. You can book a night bus from Tokyo to Kyoto for as little as 17€, for example.
Check out Willer Express and Japan Bus Online to find the best deals on bus tickets in Japan.
✔️ Book your accommodations (a lot) in advance
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you’ll quickly realize that transportation and accommodations are the two things that will eat through your budget the fastest.
Hotels and hostels are not outrageously expensive in Japan but they are definitely not dirt-cheap either. Plus, they sell out in advance.
I was there for Sakura season and for the Autumn season as well, which are the two main high seasons. Those are the best times to visit Japan, which makes the accommodations more expensive and difficult to get.
I was really disciplined for the Sakura season and booked my accommodations way in advance. That allowed me to stay at great hostels for very reasonable prices. That would have been impossible if I booked last-minute!
Not being as disciplined for Autumn season and trying to book as I went felt like an impossible task, so I learned my lesson.
I would recommend you to book your accommodations at least 3 months in advance if you can. It might seem exaggerated for many of the go-with-the-flow travelers but Japan is not a destination where you can go with the flow. Believe me, I’ve tried!
The good news are that there are many accommodation options in Japan if you are willing to spend some time planning. Hostels usually have great quality and there are even capsule hotels that give you some extra privacy for a fraction of the price of a hotel room.
Accommodations in Japan are great but need to be booked in advance to guarantee good prices
Here are some suggestions of good accommodations for your trip to Japan:
Hostel Wasabi Asakusa – I stayed at this hostel in Tokyo and really loved it! It’s centrally located, really clean and the beds are super comfortable
A16 Hostel Tokyo – this hostel in Tokyo is really well located as well and has great common areas
Plat Hostel Keikyu Minowa Forest – if you want a private room in Tokyo, this hostel has great options for you. The private rooms are stylish and comfortable and the common areas allow for some socializing if you’re feeling like it.
Hostel Sui – I stayed at this hostel in Kyoto and it was one of the best hostels I’ve ever seen! It’s really clean and comfortable, the staff is super friendly and it’s located in a calm area where you can take direct buses into the city center. Would highly recommend it even if it’s not the cheapest hostel in Kyoto!
Hotel M’s Plus Shijo Omiya – if you’re looking for a private room, this hotel is a great option in Kyoto. It’s very well located and it has great reviews from more than 3000 previous guests.
Hostel Osaka – if you’re looking for a great hostel in Osaka, this place is a great option for you. You’ll be pleased to know that the top bunks have real stairs to go up to them – backpackers will know what a blessing this is!
BESTIE by DOYANEN – if you’re looking for a cheap private room in Osaka, this option is great for you. The hotel is located slightly off the city center but there are great connections and the cheap price and good reviews make up for it.
Torifito Hotel & Pod Kanazawa – this capsule hotel in Kanazawa is one of the best accommodations I’ve seen in Japan and, surprisingly, it’s quite cheap! Sleeping in a capsule was such a cosy experience and the hotel even has an onsen (traditional japanese spa) that is open 24/7 and that you can use for free. There are also amenities like toothbrushes, shampoo and shower gel, sleepers and even pajamas. I just loved it there!
Torifito Hotel & Pod Kanazawa is one of my favorite accommodations in all of Japan
📍 Choose strategic places to be based in
When you’re choosing where to stay in Japan, you’ll quickly notice that some places are way more expensive than others.
Usually, the rural and more remote areas have fewer hotel options. That’s why it’s more difficult and expensive to find accommodations there.
Those countryside areas are really worth a visit though! I really think anyone traveling in Japan should get a taste of the more remote japanese towns. So don’t let the accommodation prices deter you from going there!
READ THE FULL ARTICLE: Most Beautiful Towns to Visit in Japan’s Countryside
If you want to visit those places without spending a ton of money on accommodations, I have the solution for you.
After spending months planning my trip to Japan, I realized that the only solution for traveling on a budget there is having strategic places where you are based. That’s because some cities are really well located and have plenty of accommodation options.
That means you can stay in an affordable accommodation there and take day trips to explore the more remote areas where finding accommodation would break the bank.
Some cities are great spots for that purpose. For example, if you want to explore the picturesque village of Shirakawa-go but the hotel options there aren’t ideal, you could stay in Takayama and take a day trip from there. Staying in Nagoya is also a great option!
If you want to explore the Koyasan region but don’t wanna spend a ton of money on the temple stays that are so famous to do around there, you can take a day trip to Koyasan from Osaka. It will be a long day but I’ve done it and I really believe it’s one of the best day trips to take from Osaka!
Koyasan is one of the best day trips to take from Osaka
🗾 Travel slowly
When you’re traveling in Japan, it won’t take long before you realize that transportation is one of your major expenses.
Even with the cheaper options that I mentioned above (remember the highway buses?), transportation in Japan isn’t cheap. That’s why one of my best budget tips for people visiting Japan is to travel at a slow pace, if possible.
The problem usually is that people have only 2 or 3 weeks in Japan and want to see a huge list of places. That means they need to move every other day! Those travel days are always the most expensive and if you’re trying to travel on a low budget, it will hurt.
If you plan a longer trip to Japan and decide to stay for a month or more, you’ll notice that it’s way easier to keep costs down!
You’ll be able to stay in each city for a longer time and enjoy yourself without spending a ton of money. That’s because your expenses will basically be food and accommodation, which can actually be quite affordable in Japan.
🍣 Save good and cheap restaurants on Google Maps before you go to Japan
Food in Japan is delicious and it’s definitely not as expensive as people think!
There are so many affordable food options in convenience stores and even in restaurants! Food expenses definitely don’t need to be a problem for your budget. But there are some important things to keep in mind.
There are endless restaurant options in Japan and some of them, especially in more touristic areas, can be expensive. For people who are willing to pay for gourmet food, that might not be a problem, but I’m guessing you’re not one of them if you’re reading this article.
My best tip to not spend a lot of money on food in Japan is to save every good restaurant recommendation on Google Maps.
That way you can simply open your map when you’re out exploring and see which good restaurant are nearby! That’s a great way to not fall for tourist traps or end up paying for expensive restaurants because you’re starving and can’t be bothered to look for cheaper options.
Food chains are always a good option to have marked as well. Kura Sushi and Hamazushi are my absolute favorites. They’re conveyor belt sushi restaurants with really cheap and delicious sushi and other japanese food options. Water and green tea are always free!
Mark all the Kura Sushi and Hamazushi restaurants on Google Maps in the cities you will visit so that you never lack cheap and delicious food options
Another great place to eat sushi in Tokyo is Uogashi Nihon-Ichi.
There are several of those restaurants in Tokyo, including one in Shinjuku and one in Shibuya. Some people say they’re the best sushi restaurants in the city. I’ve eaten there so many times and can definitely confirm it’s the best sushi I’ve had in Japan!
And the best part: it’s cheap, with prices starting from 150 yen for 2 pieces of sushi.
The sushi at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi is the best I’ve had in Japan and it’s really cheap
I hope this blog post showed you that it’s possible to plan a budget trip to Japan and, above all, that it helped to relieve the overwhelming feeling that planning such a trip can give you! A trip to Japan is the dream of a lifetime for many people and when it’s done right, it doesn’t have to be that difficult.
If you need more help and inspiration to plan your trip to Japan, don’t forget to check my free travel guides 👇🏼
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