Japan is one the most exciting countries in the world, but itβs also one of the most costly ones. The country is less affordable than its Southeast neighbours and thatβs no secret. Having visited the Land of the Rising Sun a couple of times and having discovered the city life of Tokyo and the Kansai region, we have just the budget tips to help you out.Β Here are 5 ways to save money while travelling in Japan from getting around, eating out, saving on accommodation, doing free activities and enjoying the nightlife.
Getting Around Japan for Cheap
Fly in and out of different cities and pick the cheaper airports
If you can, weβd suggest flying in a city and out of another to maximise your time in Japan (Tokyo and Osaka for instance). Itβs also often cheaper to do so, especially if you are already in Asia. Once flights are booked, you have different options to get around the country. If you can, we have found flying into Osaka (KIX) airport cheaper than the Narita Airport of Tokyo (NRT).Β Itβs definitely one of the best ways to save money while travelling in Japan!
Taking the night bus in Japan
If the JR Japan Rail Pass (see below) isnβt worth it for you and your time in Japan is limited, you might consider an overnight bus to cover long distances. It is often cheaper than a local flight or a bullet train and you avoid transiting to and from the airport, which canΒ take hours alone.
From experience, it is possible to ride from Osaka to the center of Tokyo (Shinjuku) in just 7 hours with the Tokyo-Osaka Overnight Highway Express Bus. It cost less than 50 euros, which is the cheapest way youβll find and one of the best ways to save money while travelling in Japan.
If you are worried about being tired or not feeling fresh upon arrival, you can rent a space at a manga cafΓ© to rest, shower and grab a cup of coffee.
Using commuter trains and regional passes in Japan
Foreign tourists can choose to purchase the JR Pass β Unlimited Rail Travel for 7, 14 or 21 Days, which allows unlimited trips and include the use of the Shinkansen, the Japanese bullet train.
It is quite expensive and we would only recommend it for longer trips or trips where you intend to move around a lot. Instead, regional multi-day passes and commuter trains can save a lot of yens.Β
Walking or Biking in Japan
Japan is such a clean and organized country, where walking and riding a bicycle is a bliss. Sometimes, you wouldnβt realize how easy it is to just walk somewhere instead of using public transport, which can be expensive, especially in metropolitan areas. For a future trip, we are considering flying with our Brompton folding bicycles to make the most of the experience.Β
Affordable and Delicious Food to Try in Japan
Food isnβt where one should make compromises, even on a budget. After all, the purpose of travel is to discover a new culture, and the cuisine is an important part of it. Itβs even more true in Japan, where the food and restaurants are truly unique. Not only the dishes but the way people eat out as well!
Ramen Bars in Japan
TheyΒ are perfect for solo travelers, since the configuration makes it easier to eat on your own. Some of them facilitate the ordering process with a machine, where you can select your dish and pay in advance. This is convenient when you donβt speak the language. Itβs also quite cheap: a bowl of ramen will range from 800 to 1200 yen.Β
Our tip: An even cheaper alternative to the ramen bar is its standing version: you can find soba noodles for about 500 yen.
Conveyor Belt Sushi Restaurants in Japan
For as low as 100 yen per plate, you can get quite full on sushis in Japan. Itβs a very fun experience to spot plates you want to try out on the moving belt and grab them. You can of course order from the regular menu at the same price.
Konbinis (Convenience Stores) in Japan
This isnβt exactly the most authentic or cultural option, but convenience stores offer a large choice of food, such as rolls, noodles or onigris (these triangles or rices wrapped in seaweed) . It is also open 24/7 in Japan. The staff can even heat the food for you to eat inside or on the go.Β Look for aΒ Lawson, 7-Eleven or Family Mart.
Family Restaurants in Japan
These are, in a way, the American βdinersβ of Japan. The chain Sukiya, for instance, offers a large array of food (curry, ramen) at an affordable price. These establishments also have extended opening hours.
Izakayas in Japan
An Izakaya is an iconic piece of Japanese culture. Itβs typically where salarymen (or anybody who wants to gather) meet after work to share tapas-style plates and drinks. Unlike the sushis conveyor belt and ramen bars, youβll sit in a small booth, which offer privacy and conviviality at the same time.
Street Food in Japan
Have you heard of the famous Takoyaki (squid fried balls) or Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) from Osaka? Youβll find them in stalls on the streets. While street food isnβt as present as in other Asian countries, it is nonetheless delicious!
Our tip: Osaka is an absolute must for street food! We highly recommend you visit the city. Weβve found that Osaka is one of the cities where there are truly many budget activities or ways to save money while travelling in Japan. If you would like to find our best things to do in Osaka for free, our article below has got you covered!
Best Places to Stay in Japan
Where to Stay in Japan For Solo Travellers
Typically, travelers on a shoestring can choose between a hostel and something typically Japanese: the capsule hotel.Β Unlike their western counterparts, Japanese hostels maintain a sense of privacy and cleanliness that is much appreciated. There is often dedicated lockers and a privacy curtain for your bed. Itβs among the many ways to save money while travelling in Japan.
The traditional capsule hotel was originally for people working late and only for men. It can sometimes feel a too quiet and the pods where you sleep look like a space shuttle bed. It is although very clean and quiet if you are just looking to get some rest.
Where to Stay in Japan for Couples and Groups
While some hostels offer double pods, couples are better off finding an affordable hotel room or an apartment rental on Airbnb. Youβll often find Japanese apartments with a single room and futons that convert into a bed.
Things to do Japan on a Budget
A lot of landmarks in Japan are 100% free. It is the case for parks and shrines, which are worth a trip to the land of the rising sun alone. Walking around urban areas and narrow streets is also activities you can do for free.
Shinto shrines and temples are a big draw to Japan. Fushimi Inari (Kyoto) or Senso-ji (Tokyo) are amongst the most impressive and it doesnβt cost anything to get in.
Japan has some of the most unique and rich parks and gardens in the world! Shinjuku and Yoyogi (Tokyo) are gigantic oasis with a stunning flora, depending on the time of the year. In Kyoto, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is such a unique experience.
Visiting urban landscapesΒ is what took the most of our time in Japan. If you enjoy photography, you can get really creative capturing the local life under all of its traits. The Dotombori and Tsutsenta-kuΒ (Osaka), the neons of Shinjuku and Ginza (Tokyo) and the traditional streets of Kyoto are a playground of choice for every street photographer.
Our tip: Try going to an arcade! While itβs not free to play the games, itβs an entertaining and visually stunning experience.
Want to find the best things to do in Tokyo for free? Our article below has got you covered!
Nightlife Culture in Japan
Ways to Save Money While Travelling in Japan
Now, of course it wonβt be as cheap to party in Japan as compared to South East Asiaβs backpacker hubs. But there are still a few tips to lower down the bill and key nightlife areas to not miss out on.
As suggested above, Izakayaβs are a great place to start the night and drink affordably.
Or you can simply have drinks from the konbini at a nice public location,Β such as Dotonbori (Osaka), Golden Gai or Shibuya (Tokyo). Just donβt be that person who gets noticed in public, as Japanese tend to be respectful and disciplined.
Some places also have deals in the early hours of the night.Β For the heavy drinkers, bars and clubs offer all you can drink deals (Nomihoudai). We have once found a deal in the Roppongi area of Tokyo that offered unlimited drinks for three hours for just 1000 yen β how awesome is that? Itβs one of our recommended ways to save money while travelling in Japan especially if you want to experience the nightlife.
A few places that include drinks with your ticket are Jumanji, Bar Mist, Bar Oath (Tokyo) and Ammona (Osaka).
Our Final Thoughts
While Japan is definitely not a cheap destination, it is still possible to travel here without breaking the bank.Β We would insist on planning ahead as compared to other destinations, because mistakes in Japan can easily be made and can be costly. Things like early hotel bookings or pre-booked transportation can really make your trip easier, especially in a place where English isnβt widely spoken.
If you are planning to go to Japan or have lived there previously, weβd love to hear your other ways to save money while travelling in Japan. Let us know in the comments below any other tips you may have as we plan on going back in the future.
This is such a useful post! We’ve always wanted to visit Japan – I will be pinning this.
We hope you’ll get to see it with your own eyes one day, Naomi! The land of the rising sun is probably the most unique place we know!
I know this post is supposed to be about saving money, but it inspired my wanderlust more than anything!
That’s wonderful to hear, Mahnoor! <3
Japan is top on my bucket list. I actually planned on going to the Olympics last year but I didn’t win tickets. I’m thinking of visiting when cherry blossoms bloom. Thanks for the great tips!
Cherry Blossom is a popular time to see Japan, even though a can be crowded. Please let us know if you need tips when the time comes. π
Your post has such a wealth of knowledge on how to affordable enjoy Japan. I would never have considered flying in and out of cities to keep expenses down. I also appreciate your food tips because outside of travel and lodging costs, that’s usually the most expensive item.
That’s so sweet of you, Kimberly! We hope these tips will come in handy one day.
I love saving money any way I can and this post helps! It would be wonderful to travel to Japan. Thanks for sharing!
Now you have given me goals. I feel like buying a foldable bike, eating at a Ramen Bar hogging a plateful of sushi and sleeping in a capsule hotel.
Yay! We hope you’ll get experience all of this as soon as travel resumes!
I was due to go to Japan at the end of last year but like everything else it got cancelled. Japan is a country I am longing to see and this post is perfect to give advice on saving money while travelling in Japan.
We are sorry you had to change your plans, Angela. Hopefully, you’ll be a bit more prepared when the time comes. π
This is an excellent guide with lots of great tips for traveling in Japan! This country has been on my list for a long time now and hope to see it someday. Using chain sushi restaurants and convenience stores is a good idea for saving money. I’m not sure I’d like to bike or use the night bus though. To me it seems dangerous, but probably because I wasn’t there before. Did you feel safe doing that?
We are so glad you found our Japan tips useful, Anda! To reassure you, it is one of the safest places on earth, even for female solo travelers! The night bus or train is really clean and safe, while there are cute narrow streets or big sidewalks to bike, especially in the Kansai region (Kyoto, Osaka)
We certainly took advantage of the day passes when we visited Japan. And walked until we dropped some days. We loved wandering into the local spots and just sitting at the bar. Good food at a great price. We loved saving where we could so we could splurge on other things.
That’s the spirit, Linda! We hope this post brought back good memories π
I only heard about the JR Pass, but it’s good to know your recommendation since it will save us yens. The night bus and to fly in and out from different cities are good things to learn, too. The standing ramen bars reminded me of when we visited a cafe in Rome. We saw people just standing by the cashier after they got their lattes while we sat on the table. Apparently it’s cheaper! lol.
Happy to help, Umiko! JR can be worth it but not for every type of trip π And you are so right, during our time in Turin we had a take out gelato on a small table outside, so cheap and so good <3
You had me at saving money. I adore Japan, lived there as a child but only recently went back for a visit a couple of years ago. Great tip about flying into Osaka, that’s a big savings. I’ll have to remember to grab some food at the Konbinis to save money.
It sounds like you have amazing childhood memories from your time in Japan, Debra! Even though you probably know much more about Japan than us, we are glad to give you friendly budget reminders. π
I definitely should have read a post like this one before I went to Japan. I wasted so much money because of bad planning and there were so many unnecessary expenses that I had to bear. I would have loved to have saved some money there. Nevertheless, I will keep these things in mind when I am there next time.
We are so sorry you had unexpected expenses on your Japan trip, Raksha! Hopefully, it didn’t ruin the mood and at least you’ll come extra prepared next time. π Some countries forgive more than others to just go with the flow and wing it, but Japan isn’t one of them (yet)
That is a very useful article Antoine. Indeed Japan is one of the places I’m scared of visiting because, a tiny small extra expenditure can prove very costly! Interesting to know about the night buses. We used to use night buses a lot between UK & EU, so that’s something we’d definitely save money with. I did know of JR pass, but didn’t know of regional passes. Thanks for that. Good to know that most of the tourist attractions are actually free to enter!
We are glad it helps! Don’t be afraid: if you come prepared, Japan can be quite affordable. π It is true that, while you are less likely to be scammed in Japan, booking a late flight for instance could leave you with no other option than taking a costly cab at the train station. Speaking of night busses, they have different standards; maybe you’ve tried real sleeper busses (Megabusin the UK) or in Vietnam. The one I took in Japan was just a regular bus riding at night.
Will surely remember these tips. Japan is on my bucket list. Thank you so much for this excellent guide.
Japan is my go-to shopping travel destination. I’m also a big fan of Japanese culture. I spend a lot of money every time I go there. Thank you for providing those suggestions. I’ll try to put them to use on my next trip to Japan.
These are all great tips! I will save this post so when I travel to Japan in the future I will know some tips to save money. Thanks for sharing!
Flying in and out of different cities is a brilliant idea! Next time I book flights for my Japan trip, I’ll keep this in mind.
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Thanks for the great tips! Japan is just amazing
Japan is my favorite country! Really want to visit there again!