Tips to Avoid Overspending While Traveling in Japan

The transportation fees in Japan can be quite expensive, so it's wise to check train schedules and prices to avoid overspending in this area.

Tips to Avoid Overspending While Traveling in Japan

Japan is a vast country, with Okinawa to the south and Hokkaido to the north. The land of cherry blossoms has four distinct seasons and a rich culinary scene, offering plenty for travelers to explore. However, to avoid overspending here, consider the following tips:

Pack Light When Visiting Japan

Japanese products are often perceived as more expensive than those from South Korea or Taiwan, but this perception is sometimes exaggerated. That's why many travelers end up bringing too many belongings when traveling in Japan. As a result, they end up paying a large sum for transporting their belongings without realizing that transportation fees are the costliest aspect of traveling in this country.

Check Hotel Prices in Advance

Guesthouses in Japan are relatively inexpensive compared to European countries, even during peak seasons like July. Tokyo has the highest hotel prices, but you still have reasonable options if you take the time to research room rates before your trip. Hotels in some areas tend to increase prices on weekends and close to holidays, so it's advisable to inquire beforehand.

In less touristy cities like Sendai or Kanazawa, a hotel like Nikko offers softer room rates, around under 150 USD per night. If you're traveling in a group, this is a very reasonable option.

Explore Casual Dining Options

If you don't have the budget for fine dining, consider visiting fast-food chains like Nakau or Sukiya. There, a donburi rice bowl costs less than 10 USD, and rice balls at Family Mart are around 2-3 USD. These are considered the cheapest meals in Japan.

You can also enjoy other delicious and affordable dishes like ramen, tonkatsu, rice bowls, and slightly more expensive options like Kaiseki (seasonal course meals).

Affordable Sushi Options

Transportation

Transportation is one of the most costly expenses in Japan. However, with efficient planning on most routes, you can still save a considerable amount of money in this area. The key is to research information beforehand.

If you're in the Kansai region and plan to spend 4 days in Kyoto, a Haruka Icoca card or JR West Kansai Rail Pass allows you to travel comfortably from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto. Moreover, you can use this card for unlimited travel on local trains to visit Nara, Osaka, Arashiyama, and Uji to enjoy the culinary culture here.

Considerations When Buying Souvenir Food

Japanese are skilled at packaging visually appealing products that tourists can't resist buying. In Kyoto, an exclusive Malebranche green tea (matcha) cookie box ranges from 5 to 32 USD (approximately 5-30 pieces per box).

Similarly, in Hokkaido, a box of Shiroi Koibito containing 18 white chocolate cookies costs 10 USD.

An important note when selecting food items to take home or as gifts is to purchase them towards the end of your trip as most Japanese sweets typically have a short shelf life, around 1-2 weeks.

Other Expenses

In addition to the main expenses, you also need to prepare for other fees such as entry fees into Japan or related transportation fees. While most attractions require an entrance fee of around 2 - 7 USD, some places are quite expensive, especially museums if you opt for full access to contemporary exhibitions which may cost around 17 USD.

Some relatively inexpensive attractions you can experience include cable cars at Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route or Shin-Hotaka Ropeway in the Alps. You may also consider using other services such as a Japanese-style hot spring day pass (prices range from 5 – 17 USD)...

For more details on expenses when visiting tourist destinations as well as entry fees or transportation costs, you can visit the Japan-guide.com website. Additionally, Hyperdia is also a useful tool that allows you to easily check train schedules and prices for travel around Japan.

If you're a thrifty traveler and don't mind researching for budget accommodations and food, you can explore Japan for over a week for just 1,500 USD. For a 10-day excursion to Kyoto, passing through Nara, Osaka, and other cities in the Kansai region to indulge in local culture and cuisine, costs range from 1,800 to 2,000 USD.

Source: VnExpress

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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour