(Not so) Secret Tips for a Budget-Friendly Trip to Japan: How much can you save in yen?
Japan is a popular travel destination for many, but many people believe that visiting Japan is very expensive 🤑. However, traveling to Japan isn't as difficult as you might think. Today, we'll share some tips for those who want to travel to Japan on a budget without too much difficulty.
It's important to know that Japan has four distinct seasons, each with its own unique landscape. You should choose the time of year you want to visit to experience the different atmospheres. For your trip, we recommend visiting during spring or autumn to witness the changing colors of the trees and the blooming cherry blossoms.
Recommended months: Spring is from late March to early April for cherry blossom viewing.
Autumn is November for viewing the changing leaves.
1. The biggest expense making a trip to Japan expensive is the airfare. A trick to booking cheaper flights is to book connecting flights. This will lower the price and often includes checked baggage allowance. We recommend Hong Kong Airlines.
This airline requires a layover in Hong Kong. The layover in Hong Kong is convenient and the airport is relatively straightforward. Furthermore, the airline offers flights to Japan on many routes. Prices start at just 10,000 baht, and sometimes there are promotions for even less than 10,000 baht per person, including checked baggage.
You can choose a layover time of one to two hours, which only adds a little time but still gets you to Japan.
Booking a direct flight will be more expensive but saves you time. So, for those who want to save money, try booking a connecting flight; it's not as difficult as you might think.
We recommend booking at least four months in advance to get the best prices.
2. Accommodation: For those who don't have special accommodation requirements, Japan offers many types of lodging. However, if you don't want to be inconvenienced, staying in a smaller hotel can save you a lot of money, as Japanese accommodation is quite expensive. Choose a hotel with rooms that aren't too big, where one person can comfortably stay. Today, we'd like to recommend a moderately sized hotel in Tokyo. Although it's a bit old, it's still not bad. It's conveniently located in the city center: Hotel Suntargas in Ueno, which costs only 1500 baht per night, considered quite reasonable for this area of Tokyo.
In summary, choose a hotel with rooms that aren't too big. A slightly older hotel is fine. Location is more important because our main focus is sightseeing; we only use hotels for sleeping.
If you want to save even more, you can opt for a capsule hotel, but be warned that sometimes it lacks privacy.
3. For those who want unlimited travel in Tokyo, I recommend buying two things:
- A JR pass, such as the Tokyo Wide Pass in Tokyo, costing 15,000 yen.
- A Tokyo subway ticket (24-48 hours) costing 800-1500 yen.
These two train tickets allow you unlimited travel in Tokyo and the surrounding areas, saving you a lot of money.
For those who don't need to travel much, a Suica card is sufficient, paying only for the train trips you take. It's also very convenient as it can be used at convenience stores and various shops.
4. Food is another important expense. Finding budget-friendly restaurants will help you get the most out of your trip to Japan. Try restaurants like Yoshinoya and Matsuya, which offer delicious and filling beef bowls at affordable prices. Or you can find affordable and tasty food at convenience stores like 7/11 and Lawson, saving you a lot of money.
In summary, if we can find cheap airfare and accommodation, it will be very cost-effective. By buying unlimited travel passes and eating reasonably priced food, you can keep your expenses under 20,000 baht per person for a three-to-four-night trip to Japan, or possibly five nights for those who can find cheaper accommodation. This advice applies to Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Okinawa as well. Hokkaido might be slightly more expensive, but still manageable.
Hopefully, you'll have a fun, budget-friendly trip to Japan!
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