How Much Does It Cost To Travel To Japan?

Planning for a trip to Japan can look pretty expensive when you begin to tally up the expenses, however, it is not necessarily so. Therefore it is very possible to enjoy this amazing country for a reasonable price if only one takes his/her time to smart plan, budget and research on discounts. I have provided a rough estimation of expenses that you are likely to incur and some tips to help you shed off a few bucks on your trip to Japan.

Flights

The initial expense to travel to Japan may be your biggest challenge. The cost of a round-trip ticket from the West Coast of the United States to Tokyo ranges from $500 to $900 depending on the season. You are likely to be charged more if you are flying from other states or even from other countries. You can save money by not fixing your travel dates, travelling during off peak times, and tracking flights for the best prices.

Lodging

Hotels, hostels, ryokans, and apartments are very different in pricing and can range a lot. Accommodation, for instance, is relatively cheaper in Tokyo and Osaka where a budget hotel room costs $50-$70 per night. It is known that middle-class hotels in tourist attractions area cost from $100 to 250 per night. Luxury hotels for the upper-end market can easily exceed $500 per night. The cheapest form of accommodation is hostels and capsule hotels with shared facilities, which start from $25 for a night’s accommodation. The renting of an Airbnb apartment can also be economical for a longer stay. This shows that, on average, lodging is slightly cheaper in less popular areas of Japan.

Food

The good news is that cheap food in Japan is always within your grasp at convenience stores, fast food joints, train stations, supermarkets, and cafeteria-style eateries. Expect to spend $10-$15 in basic eating places. For mid-range restaurants having dinner will cost between $20-$40 per head. Eating exorbitant and exotic foods such as sushi counter at Michelin star restaurants could easily set one back hundreds of dollars per head. Target this where it matters to you – perhaps eating out for a few lunches so that you can partake in a delicious sushi dinner.

Transportation

Japan is also well endowed with a good public transport network of trains, subways, buses and domestic flights to transport you to your preferred destination. Services such as the Japan Rail Pass allow for free use of JR trains for a given period and can be quite useful if used for the correct amount of days. Local buses, subways and most train lines, one has to buy a ticket each. Short distance tickets $1-$3, long distance bullet train tickets $10-$30+. Domestic flights are highly volatile depending on the final destination and the time of the year. The more you plan your itinerary to involve a lot of transport, the more these costs will accumulate, so consider this wisely.

Sightseeing & Entertainment

The good news is that those options are free or very cheap in Japan like shrines, temples, parks, markets, people watching and strolling. Paid attractions can vary from $3 for a garden up to and over $60 for places such as Tokyo Disneyland or Ghibli Museum. It may be advisable to spend money on one or two special attractions per city that you do not want to miss out on. Other leisure such as karaoke, game arcades, concerts and theater can also accumulate rather quickly. As for lower cost considerations remember window shopping, evening strolls in the city, sunsets.

Shopping

Here, shopping preferences significantly alter trip budgets. Japan has it all from 100 yen shop to the high fashion flagship stores. Although there are often good deals, Japanese-made pottery, electronics, anime products, and crafts are steep in price. Develop a shopping budget and try to adhere to it. Another disadvantage is the fact that one may need to ship the purchases further home which may also be very expensive.

The Bottom Line

This means that you can plan a trip to Japan that will cost you anywhere from $100 to $150 per day, per person on average, excluding airfare. Less if you are trekking around in youth hostels or if you are going to indulge in the luxurious ryokans and fine dining restaurants and private guided tours. Japan provides decent backgrounds for those who use a limited amount of money but also numerous opportunities to spend more. Know what you want to achieve on your trip, do your homework and do it wisely, spend wisely. If you can do your research and saving before you get there, then you will be able to have more experience when you get there. Regardless of the price range, Japan is ready to surprise you.

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