How much does it cost to travel in Japan? Not as much as you think. This guide on Japan budget trip tips contains regular updates, according to price fluctuations and Japan cost changes in the travel market, to ensure you get the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding logistics, bookings and budgets for travel all across the country. Alongside Japan travel cost advice, you will also find helpful resources and discounts at no extra cost to you. 

The cost of travelling in Japan should never overshadow all manner of cultural sights, landscapes and unique situations you will come across. In this case, where I see the cost being the main drawback of travel here for most, the expense is secondary to the experience. Yet despite being more costly than its Asian neighbours, Japan doesn’t have to be really expensive. 

Whether you want to soak up the bright lights and the distinct buzz of the big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, wander the old, narrow wooden housed lined alleyways of Kyoto, stroll through the scenic smaller towns of Kobe and Nara, or relax within the beach towns and mountain ranges of the peninsulas and islands, Japan is vast and full of natural beauty and endless changing scenery.

The diversity of the country means a single visit isn’t enough to conquer everything there is on offer, so you need to map out a rough route to calculate your estimated Japan budget.

I choose to travel in Japan for one month overland, in order to really immerse myself in the culture, see a range of different places, spend a quality amount of time in areas that are both key highlights and some of the biggest areas to explore – Tokyo (one week), Kyoto (six days) and Osaka (three days), to climb Mount Fuji and have some beach time.

Yet in one month, I didn’t get the chance to explore the far northern regions of Japan, the Alps, anywhere further south than Hiroshima, nor the outlying islands, which would have likely meant having to budget for an internal flight. The country is much bigger than you think and it might well be worth organising a Japan trip planner or enlisting the help of locals to pull together a personalised trip itinerary (there’s a 5% discount for Borders of Adventure readers, applied at checkout).

Aside from where to go and what to do, the questions of ‘is Japan expensive’ and ‘how much does a trip to Japan cost?” are always at the fore. So I will cut to the chase and admit that travelling here can be on the higher end of Asia travel budgets, but will soften and blow and tell you that is absolutely worth every single penny.

This Japan travel cost breakdown will help you plan your trip, see where your money goes and the ratio of what things it will be spent on.

How Much Does a Trip to Japan Cost in Comparison to Travelling the Rest of Asia?

Japan has a reputation for being one of the most expensive countries to travel in when it comes to traversing the Asia region, and for that reason, many people choose not to travel here in favour of the more established and budget-friendly Southeast Asia routes.

In fact, backpackers and hardcore travellers are a minority here; most westerners being expats or those just visiting on business. Although visitor numbers to Japan are growing, with Japan tourism having one of the fastest growth rates in the industry year-on-year.

In reality, Japan isn’t going to get any cheaper; in fact, it may get even more expensive – and avoiding Japan for cost reasons alone means missing out on what is rated as an absolute must-see destination from each and every person I know who has visited.

In the Southeast Asia countries of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar you can look to spend on average of £500- £600 / $800-$950 + a month on a budget. China and Nepal come in slightly around the same, as does Korea and Taiwan, dependent on transport options and the number of activities undertaken.

A step up from that are destinations like Mongolia, Borneo, Singapore, Brunei and cities like Kuala Lumpur, where your budget would stretch closer to £800 / $1,300+ over a month because they are places with stronger economies, where prices are naturally higher or where activities and options for travel are harder to reach or organise on your own (and thus they know how to extract the most money from you!).

Japan Budget – Per Day, Per Week, Per Month

In Japan, independent travel was much easier than I had originally thought it would be, with hostel options being plentiful, local food outlets being cheaper than larger restaurants, and transport being cost-effective. But where does your money go to in Japan, and what is the ratio of the spend?

Calculated Approximate Total Spend

£1,700 / $2,242    > Japan trip cost for one month 

£425 / $560         > Japan trip cost for one week 

£61 / $80              > Average cost per day in Japan

All variations include the cost of a three-week Japan Rail Pass for comprehensive Japan travel.

Average Cost of a Japan Vacation

Based on the average amount of days a person has to travel, a month can be impossible for many. The most common question is: how much does a trip to Japan cost for two weeks? To which I would say you need to budget at least $1,200.

Note that around one-third of that will be spent on a Japan Rail Pass.

How Much Money Do You Need Per Day in Japan?

Since there’s no set amount of time to travel in the country, with some even visiting as a layover just in Tokyo, it can be easier to calculate how much money you need per day in Japan.

10,000 Yen per day (£70 / $90) is for Japan on a budget, for those looking to stay in hostels, eat cheaper meals and not indulge frequently in nightlife.

15,000 Yen per day (£100 / $130) is more of an average for those wanting to stay in low-cost hotels, enjoy the restaurant scene, nights on the town, and the odd activity/experience splurge.

20,000 – 25,000 Yen per day (£135-£170 / $175-$225) is good for those wanting more luxury, the best sushi in town and those first-class tickets.

The Estimated Breakdown of Costs for One Month in Japan

Japan Rail pass

£405 / $532

Accommodation for 30 nights

£600 – £800 / $790 – $1,055

Money spent on food, drink, tourism site entry fees, other modes of transport and day-to-day living

£700 / $925

For a slow and budget traveller, this hit my monthly outgoings hard, but I don’t regret a single penny spent and I would happily go back many times over and spend the same amount. Yes, it really is that incredible.

When is the Cheapest Time to Travel to Japan?

With the best times to visit Japan being March to May (for spring season) and September to November (for autumn), it’s a good idea to look for flights to Japan and accommodation deals during the off-season: November to March. The summer months from June to September (especially July and August) can be unbearably hot and uncomfortable for travel and sightseeing.

Is it Worth Getting a Japan Rail Pass?

The cost of the Japan Rail Pass might be one of the biggest initial costs. If you are planning on visiting more than two or three long-distance destinations in Japan, then it is highly advised to buy one, to give you unlimited journeys on all Japan Rail, Japan Ferry and Japan Buses throughout the country.

Many people are put off by the high cost of the rail pass, but individual rail journeys are expensive and when added together can actually cost more than the unlimited rail pass.

Example one way train ticket costs in Japan without using a Japan Rail Pass

Tokyo – Kyoto:

£94 / $124

Tokyo – Osaka:

£97 / $127

Tokyo – Hiroshima:

£128 / $168

Kyoto to Osaka:

£20 / $26

Kyoto – Hiroshima:

£77 / $101

Osaka  – Hiroshima:

£70 / $92

The average cost of train travel without using a Japan Rail Pass for a basic Tokyo – Kyoto – Osaka – Hiroshima – Tokyo round-trip = £348 / $459 providing you can find good fares at the time of travelling. Therefore you save a lot more money and avoid the hassle of the lowest cost ticket searching when buying a Japan Rail Pass for unlimited travel in Japan.

How Much is a Japan Rail Pass?

So, if you covered this basic route over 14 days, you save money by purchasing a two-week rail pass. If you were visiting these key places within 21 days, by booking ahead and planning your timings well, you could spend less than the cost of a three-week rail pass, yet it could still be cost-effective to purchase the 14-day pass, if you are spending a week in Tokyo, for example. The tricky part of travelling in Japan is making decisions!

Therefore it’s worthwhile investing in a Japan Rail Pass, to make the cost of multiple and long-distance travel worthwhile. The following are prices for the standard / ordinary class tickets.

7 day Japan Rail Pass

£199 / $259

14 day Japan Rail Pass

£316 / $416

21 day Japan Rail Pass

£405 / $532

Buy a Japan Rail Pass Here

The Japan Rail Pass MUST be booked prior to your arrival in Japan. Local travel agents can book this for you, where you will be given a receipt to be presented at main stations in Tokyo in exchange for your pass. It’s quick and easy to purchase a Japan Rail Pass online below.

 

 

 

Other Transportation Costs in Japan

Local trains in Japan

Local trains outside of the JR Rail pass can cost anywhere from £3-£10 / $4-$13 for a short half-hour journey up to £15 / $20 for a destination an hour or more away.

Ticket prices vary according to which of the five different types of train you take:

• Local trains stop at every station on the route.
• Rapid trains skip some stations
• Express trains skip even more stations
• Limited Express stop only at major designated stations
• Super Express (shinkansen ‘bullet trains’) operate separately on different lines and with their own stations

Extra costs on trains

An extra fee is applied on top of the train ticket base fee for the faster trains. This applies to the Express trains upwards (in terms of speed)

What class of seat you choose. While most local trains have a standard class across all carriages, there are two classes of seats on long-distance trains which also affects your overall costs – Ordinary (Second Class) and Green (First Class)

• • Green / first-class seats can sometimes be double the price of the standard fare.
  • Shinkansen (bullet) trains have reserved and non-reserved seating options, where a reservation can cost within the region of $5.
  • Shinkansen (bullet) train seat reservations are free with the Japan Rail Pass.

Check here for routes and timetables for trains in Japan.

Japan Metro and Bus System

Japan has metro lines in nine cities, although you are likely to mainly end up using those in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Tokyo’s subway is the largest and most tricky to navigate, although I always find myself being helped out by locals who came to my aid in helping me purchase the right ticket or even ride the line with me until my correct stop.

The cost for a single trip on a Metro and average bus journeys in all cities varies but is usually from 750 – 800 Yen – around £1.25 / $1.5 for a single journey.

The Unlimited Metro Day Pass in Tokyo is £6 / $8

You can skip the queue and purchase an unlimited 24, 48 or 72 hour Tokyo Metro Pass for less than $15, which includes booking fees and delivery of the ticket to your hotel.

A comprehensive breakdown of all metro lines, ticket prices and tips on how to navigate each system can be found here.

Taxis in Japan

Taxi’s, especially in Tokyo, are ridiculously expensive and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, or if you have no choice. As an example, a 20-minute journey home after a night out in Tokyo cost nearly £38 / $50 and that was even on the metre.

Bike Hire in Japan

Many guesthouses offer this facility for free or the average cost I found for one-day bike hire was £3 / $4

Cost of Food in Japan

Prices for food (and drink) vary dramatically depending on location and whether you were eating a cheap bowl of ramen noodles to a full meal at a standard restaurant or trying the delectable beef that Kobe is famous for, with a hefty price tag! Chain restaurants like the CoCo Ichibanya curry house do great deals, alongside local establishments, which might throw in a free beer if you stick to a certain menu. I’m not a sushi eater but have been told if you look hard enough, it doesn’t have to be an expensive option, as does tempura.

One budget food tip for Japan is to get breakfast, snacks and sushi sets at a local supermarket, where you can even stay within a 1,000 Yen budget (£6 / $8) for a meal.

Meal in a local restaurant

£5-£10 / $6-$13

Ramen or Curry

£6 / $8

Can be sought for less than 1,000 Yen

Kobe beef (special, must-do treat!)

£17 / $22+

Budget Sushi

£0.75 / $1

Around 100 Yen per item on the menu

Sushi at Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market

£13 – £20 / $17 – $26

2,000 – 3,000 Yen for sushi sets (of around seven pieces or more)

Cover charge at themed bar or restaurant

£6 / $8 on average

Bottle/pint of beer

£3 / $4

Cup of Coffee

£3 / $4

Accommodation Costs in Japan

I’m used to paying around £3-£6 / $4-$8 for a dorm room in Central and Southeast Asia or £10 / $13 for a private, with the exception of Myanmar, where costs for accommodation are slightly higher closer to that of Japan.

In Japan, accommodation will be your biggest cost, alongside transportation.

However, this is a country that is quickly responding to the needs of the budget traveller, with more and more establishments becoming aware of the growth of tourism and a slow influx of more established backpackers looking for practicality over luxury. I found that hostels are prevalent in big cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and in many areas, old houses and traditional Ryokan are being preserved and turned into homely hostels and guesthouses, meaning you get to experience Japanese tradition, at a budget price.

I worked with Hostelworld.com to uncover the best accommodations in Japan and to pull together a comprehensive list of options that cover all manner of budgets, from no-frills to luxury hostels, to traditional homestays and Ryokans, on a journey that started in Tokyo and which took me through various key hotspots in the country, all the way down to Hiroshima.

Below is an outline on where I stayed and the costs per night for a dorm or a single room as stated.

Tokyo Accommodation Costs

Homeikan – A traditional Ryokan, said to be Tokyo’s oldest, with onsen bath.

£41 / $54 for a private room

Hotel Asakusa & Capsule – Standard Japanese capsule hotel.

£13 / $17 for a single capsule

Khaosan Laboratory – Modern and funky hostel.

£19 / $25 for a dorm room

Anne Hostel Yokozuna or Anne Hostel Asakusabashi  – A small and more homely hostel.

£18 / $23 for a dorm room

Mount Fuji Area Accommodation Costs

K’s House, Mt. Fuji – In the heart of the Fuji area, with free bus transfers to the main train station.

£17 / $22 for a dorm room

Standard mountain house on Mount Fuji.

£38 / $50 for a sleeping space, sleeping bag provided

Ito Accommodation Costs

K’s House – Shared and private rooms within a 100-year-old Ryokan, with onsen bath.

£20 / $26 for dorm style room

Nagoya Accommodation Costs

Kyoya Ryokan – Futons instead of bunk beds in another traditional Ryokan.

£20 / $26 for dorm style room

Kyoto Accommodation Costs

Santiago Guesthouse – A new hostel with its very own luxury café.

£11 / $15 for a dorm room

Kyoto Piece Hostel – A luxury hostel, with a swanky hotel vibe.

£42 / $56 for a private

£15 / $20 for a dorm room

Khaosan Kyoto – A no-frills budget hostel option.

£16 / $21 for a dorm room

Haruya Aqua – An old Japanese house converted into a homely guesthouse.

£16 / $21 for a dorm room

Utano Youth Hostel – A traditional ‘youth hostel’ outside of the central city.

£21 / $28 for a dorm room

Nara Accommodations Costs

Nara Backpackers – A traditional Japanese house turned into a cosy guesthouse.

£16 / $21 for a dorm room

Osaka Accommodation Costs

Osaka Hana Hostel – A new hostel with the very centre if the city.

£19 / $25 for a dorm room

J-Hoppers Osaka – Based slightly out-of-town in nearby Fukushima and main transport links.

£17 / $22 for a dorm room

Kobe Accommodation Costs

Yume Nomad – A huge local house turned guesthouse with its own in-house café.

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