Travelling to Japan

‍Did you know that you could go on a trip to Japan for less than $500? It’s true! If you’re reading this, you might be one of the many people who are interested in travelling to Japan but cannot afford it just yet.

Fortunately for you, there are ways to visit Japan without breaking the bank. Here is some essential information about travelling to Japan on a budget:

How to travel to Japan on a budget

The Japan Tourism Bureau estimated that visitors to Japan spent an average of ¥137,580 (approximately $1200) per person per day in Japan in 2017.

That’s a lot of money! Fortunately, there are ways to travel to Japan on a budget. Here are a few tips:

Plan your trip

Travel to Japan is most expensive during cherry-blossom season, Golden Week (when both Golden Week holidays fall on the same week), and the winter months of December and January.

These times also tend to be the most popular times to visit, so expect crowds and expensive flights. If you can, visit during less popular times like spring or autumn.

You’ll miss the cherry blossoms, but you’ll get to enjoy mild temperatures, less rain, and lower prices on everything from flights to hostels.

Book your flight early

Air travel is an expensive part of any trip, but it’s one of the best ways to cut costs when visiting Japan.

Since flights to Japan are highest from December to February, try to avoid travelling during these months if you can. You can save a lot of money by booking well in advance. If possible, try to book your flight at least six months ahead of the date you want to visit.

This way, you’ll have enough time to save up for the trip and to look for the best deals on flights and accommodation.

Keep in mind that there are also a few low-cost airlines that you can use to get to Japan. For example, AirAsia flies from Bangkok to Tokyo.

Stay in hostels and guesthouses

Hostels and guesthouses are a great way to save money while travelling. You’ll also meet lots of other travellers, so you can make new friends and find travel companions while staying in budget accommodation.

Hostels and guesthouses aren’t just for students and backpackers. You can stay at these types of accommodation regardless of your age or profession.

You might even find fancier guesthouses that are more like hotels. Whatever type of place you choose to stay, you can expect to save a lot of money by staying in hostels and guesthouses.

For example, a dorm room at a hostel or guesthouse will usually cost around ¥3,500 per night.

Use the Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass is a pass or ticket that gives you unlimited travel across Japan’s train network.

Most people think that the Japan Rail Pass is only for tourists travelling to Japan on a long-term basis.

The truth is that you can also use the Japan Rail Pass to travel to Japan on a shorter trip of 7 to 10 days.

Keep in mind that there are a few different types of Japan Rail Passes. You’ll want to make sure you get the one that’s best for your situation.

Some people also find that it’s cheaper to buy a regular ticket and then refund it later than to get a Japan Rail Pass.

Don’t forget to visit Mt. Fuji!

If you can, don’t forget to visit Mount Fuji, Japan’s most famous and iconic mountain. The good news is that you can visit Mount Fuji without spending a lot of money.

You can take a bus to Mount Fuji, and admission to the Mount Fuji visitor centre is free. You can also take a ropeway to the top of Mount Fuji, which costs less than ¥1,000 per person.

Still, visiting Mount Fuji isn’t cheap unless you know how to travel to Japan on a budget. Here are a few more ways to save money while visiting Mount Fuji: - Visit during the off-season.

Peak season at Mount Fuji is between July and August. During this time, it’s extremely busy, and you’ll pay a lot more for everything from admission to ropeway tickets.

- Visit a nearby sight like Hakone, which is only 30 minutes from Tokyo by train. You can visit Hakone and Mount Fuji on the same trip.

- Stay near the train station for easy transportation to and from Mount Fuji.

Conclusion

If you want to travel to Japan, there are many ways to do so on a budget.

Some of the best ways to travel to Japan on a budget are by booking your flight early, staying in hostels and guesthouses, using the Japan Rail Pass, and visiting Mount Fuji during the off-season.

If you follow these tips, you can easily visit Japan on a budget and experience all that this amazing country has to offer.