The hub of emergent technologies and yet a home to the ancient traditions, Japan has become one of the most frequented holidays and travel destinations. And yet, it is called an expensive place to travel to by many! A little tweak in your travel plans can make your visit to Japan cheaper, and you can be sure of finally being able to visit the country.
This travel guide to this island paradise is for you, whether you want to go to Japan on a luxury trip or a budgeted one. Either way, you’re going to enjoy and make memories worth a lifetime. So, read on and who knows if you will be on the next plane to Tokyo.
You will get answers to each and every query on Japan Trip. You can also ask your doubts in the comment section if you have any. We will be happy to help you and update this post accordingly.
Complete Japan Travel Guide
How to reach
The first thing when planning the trip is how to reach Japan. There are flights available from almost all parts of the world, but some places aren’t connected by direct flights, so you have to take connecting flights to Tokyo. The best flights can be found from Skyscanner, according to your time and airline of convenience.
Where to go in Japan
With so many places to explore and discover, planning an itinerary can be tricky. If you’re on a budget, make sure to add cheaper places like Okinawa, for all expensive places you’re visiting. There is a lot to see and do in Japan. Here is our list of must-see places:
1. Tokyo
The capital city, along with being fast-paced and futuristic, is also home to various shrines, palaces, and temples. It’s also famous for its hip clubs, bars, people and fashion.
2. Kyoto
This place is the opposite of Tokyo, and one of the few that retains the traditional Japanese lifestyle. Be sure to visit the beautiful temples and scenic gardens that Kyoto is known for!
3. Hiroshima
The site of the nuclear bombing, Hiroshima is the city that still thrives. Learn about the tragic past of the place with a visit to the bomb memorial.
4. Mount Fuji
This 3,776-metre peak, just outside Tokyo, makes for a good ascent. In the day, it is covered with fog and clouds, so ascents can be made only in the early morning, or at night. Overnight climbing is done by those, who want to experience the amazing sunshine from the top.
5. Sapporo
Located on the Japanese northern island of Hokkaido, Sapporo is famous for its surrounding mountains, thermal baths, and ski resorts.
6. Gion/Geisha District
The Geisha District is famous for its geishas, and you can meet one too. Other than that, it has fascinating architecture and beautiful shops.
Where to stay
If you want to have low accommodation costs, you can stay in dorm rooms and capsule hotels. Dorms rooms, typically, are available from 2,500-4,000 JPY, which is about USD 20-35, and about 1,600-2,500 Indian rupees. Capsule hotels cost about 3,000-5,500 JPY for a night, which is 25-50 USD, and 2,000-3,500 Indian rupees. Hotels are available for around 8,500 JPY, which is 5,400 rupees. Hotels in Tokyo are more expensive than in other off-beaten places. Private apartments cost around 8,800 Japanese Yen. If you want to get even lower costs, you could go Couchsurfing, and if you want a luxury trip, you can book rooms in luxury hotels. If you’re looking for a traditional experience, you should stay in a Ryokan, which is a Japanese Bed and Breakfast. It is slightly more expensive to stay in, but it can be an experience of the Japanese culture at its finest.
Eating Options
If you’re going backpacking, you could eat at various streetside shops, which offer everything from ramen to miso and soba noodles. These are very cheap dining options, costing you on average, 250-1,250 JPY, which is about 160-780 Indian rupees. And while in Japan, the Sushi is a must-try! Sushi trains around the country cost about 125-620JPY, which makes trying it very reasonable. For 800 JPY, you can get various fast foods from in and around the streets. If you’re staying for a longer time, you can buy groceries and make meals for yourself in about 4,000 Japanese Yen a week.
If eating in style is what you want for your Japanese trip, then most restaurants charge you about 2,000 JPY a week. Mid-range restaurants cost you about 4,400 JPY. There are even higher-end restaurants for you if you want to splurge.
Also, 7-eleven offers pre-packaged items and meals for those who want food on the go.
How to get around
1. Metro
Most of the cities have metros that connect all parts of the place. They usually cost around 100-200 JPY for a single journey. You can also get a day pass for 800 JPY, which provides 24 hours of unlimited travel.
2. Train
Japan is very famous for its bullet trains, which have made travel more comfortable, fast and awesome. And yet, it is not a preferred method of travel, as it is very expensive. Individual tickets of the Japanese rail can cost up to hundreds of dollars, which is thousands of rupees. A much better option is to get a Japanese Rail Pass. Japanese rail offers 7-day and 14-day and 21-day passes, which begin from around twenty thousand rupees. These passes can be bought online before arrival at even cheaper rates. You can also buy them at various locations and airports.
3. Buses
Buses ply from almost everywhere, but they take much longer than the trains. They are the cheapest way to get to places. But it all depends on the time it requires for a journey, and the budget you have for travel!
4. Flights
Domestic flights are available and have prices similar to that of bullet trains. You can get the best deals from Skyscanner and also ANA, as they have flights which are cheaper only for foreigners.
When to go
Japan is a beautiful place to go year-round, but you can schedule your visit according to where you want to go at the best time. The months of June and July see rain and humidity, whereas August is relatively drier. Typhoons usually strike in September, and you should be prepared just in case. It is also good to have umbrellas and raincoats at all times. If you want to see the famous cherry blossoms, then you should go between March and April, although Thai time sees bigger crowds! December to February are the driest months.
Travel tips
- It’s considered very rude to tip.
- Smoking on the streets is forbidden.
- Foreigners with tattoos are not welcome everywhere.
- Get an IC card, which are prepaid rechargeable cards to pay tickets and convenience stores.
- Bow to people.
- Learn some basic Japanese tips.
- Dig into Japanese culture before you visit temples, or else they will become boring o visit.
- 100-yen stores are must-visits.
