Travelling to Japan can be a truly life-changing experience because there is no other country like it in the world. It helps to have an understanding of how far you can stretch your budget, as spending even a couple of days in Japan can quickly add up if you don’t have a plan.
To help you come up with a cost-effective trip to Japan, we share 15 travel hacks, which involve choosing accommodation, saving money on food and drink and booking unforgettable experiences.
1. Know the kind of hotel you want to stay in so it aligns with your budget
Capsule Hotel. Image credit: Fougerouse Arnaud, CC.
As a starting point, it’s worth knowing about the kind of Japanese hotel you want to stay in and how that will impact your budget. There are several budget-friendly options to choose from, which include guesthouses, hostels and capsule hotels. Many of which are clean, safe and communal and therefore perfect for solo travellers and families.
Here is a general breakdown of hotel prices by type:
Hostels and dormitories
These are arguably the most budget-friendly options and nightly rates range between 2,000 to 5,000 yen per person. For a week, you can expect to pay between 14,000 – 35,000 yen.
Business hotels
Japanese business hotels offer comfort and functionality and may vary between 8,000 to 20,000 yen per night for a single room or 8,000 to 30,000 for a double room. A weekly stay may cost between 56,000 to 140,000 yen.
Capsule hotels
Capsule hotels are another popular option that can be cheaper than business hotels. Nightly rates vary between 2000 to 5000 yen and weekly stays between 14000 to 35000 yen.
Ryokan (Traditional Japanese inns)
For immersive experiences, ryokans offer an authentic slice of Japan with traditional rooms and meals included. They are among the most expensive accommodation options with nightly stays priced at 15,000 yen per person. A weekly stay could be 105,000 yen or more.
The pricing for all of these hotels vary widely based on location and time of year. Make sure you check and compare deals through websites like booking.com.
2. Consider travelling to Japan in the autumn to save money
Japanese maple leaves. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Japan in the spring is perhaps the most popular time to visit because of hanami (cherry blossom) season. At this time, hotels can be more expensive and tend to get booked quickly. Instead, why not consider going to Japan in the autumn?
Generally, November is a good month to book. While there will still be crowds, footfall in Japan is typically lower compared to April. This is also an ideal time to embrace momiji (autumn foliage) when the leaves turn red. Early to mid-November is when the colours are at their peak.
3. Book flights and travel plans six months in advance
On the subject of travel times, a good rule of thumb is to book your flights to Japan at least six months in advance because hotels and experiences are increasingly in demand as tourism in Japan gets more popular year on year. Skyscanner is a useful tool for comparing prices quickly or another flight comparison tool that is better suited to your area.
Another potential cost-saving exercise is to sign up to the newsletters of different flight providers and look out for any special deals or a drop in ticket prices. For example, Japan Airlines provides regular updates that are worth keeping an eye on.
Don’t forget about domestic flights. Jetstar Japan and Peach Aviation are two low-cost airlines that fly across Japan and could potentially save you some money and time if you’re planning to travel between different prefectures.
4. Travel outside of the big two cities for fewer crowds and unique experiences
Statue of Date Masamune in Sendai.
Tokyo and Kyoto are perhaps the most popular places to visit in Japan for both first-time travellers and seasoned wanderlusters. They are also two of the most densely populated cities with native Japanese and tourists flocking to famous spots 24/7.
If you’re looking for places that are quieter and cheaper, there are so many awesome cities that aren’t to be slept on. For example, Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture offers plenty to see and do. The city was founded by the legendary samurai Date Masamune and its proud samurai history is on full display. There is also an opportunity to explore the Nikka whisky Miyagikyo distillery and absorb the stories of Japan’s whisky origins.
Another underrated city to visit is Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture. Often called Little Kyoto for the picturesque presentation of an older Japan, Kanazawa is more relaxed than the former capital. Kanazawa Castle offers an exceptional place to explore, while the Higashi Chaya district is brimming with teahouses and geisha.
5. Try tabehoudai (Japanese buffets) for new food at cost-effective prices
Want to save money and eat interesting Japanese dishes? Then you’ll want to check out a tabehoudai restaurant. This all-you-can-eat buffet style of dining is a common practice in Japan and diners can try a wide range of food for an allocated amount of time. Japanese staples such as takoyaki (octopus dumplings), karaage (fried chicken) and yakitori (grilled skewers) are common fare.
The prices of tabehoudai restaurants will depend on location and the quality of the food. Generally, the range is from 1,500 to 5,000 yen. In some cases, there may also be combined packages of nomihoudai (all-you-can-drink) costing 3,000 yen, allowing you to mix and match.
6. Konbinis are your best friend for snacking and convenience on the go
Konbinis (Japanese supermarkets), found throughout the country, are one-stop shops for travellers on a budget and wanderers hankering for food at one in the morning. Convenience is the key with konbinis. Open 24/7, they have a huge range of high-quality bento boxes, sandwiches and other snacks to choose from.
Pro tip: When searching among this smorgasbord of Japanese treats is to look for products with red labels. Often, these labels signify seasonal discounts or limited-time reduced pricing.
Food found at konbinis. Image credit: Flickr
Beyond the food advantages, konbinis are also convenient for being multi-purpose terminals. Use them to buy tickets for buses, theme parks and other experiences and draw money at the ATM. You can also enjoy free wi-fi or go for a toilet break in a hurry.
7. Find discounted tickets at kinken shops across Japan
Another place where you can score tickets for various events, often at discounted prices, is a kinken shop. These kinds of venues are resale shops found near rail stations and arcades. And it’s not just tickets that can be bought in kinken shops. Jewellery and luxury brand items are also traded here, which could be ideal if you’re looking for cost-effective souvenirs to bring home for your family.
In terms of what to expect from a pricing standpoint, buying a train ticket from a kinken store is generally offered at 90% – 97% of the original value. For other vouchers, you might save between 1% – 10%. Also be aware that it’s unusual to see tickets priced at face value, so don’t assume you’re going to find a bargain as soon as you walk into a store.
What’s also important to know is that some tickets bought from kinken shops may have information covered up and will only be disclosed once you’ve made a purchase. This information could be the specific seat, ticket number or name of the original buyer of the ticket. This shouldn’t be a problem though because the location of a seat will generally be visible on your ticket.
8. Use Takuhaibin to move your luggage between hotels
When you’re exploring several parts of Japan, carrying heavy luggage can soon become a burden. To limit your stress, there’s a specialised service from Yamato Transport called takuhaibin which delivers luggage between hotels.
To take advantage of this service, be sure to consult with the hotel(s) you’re staying at to see if they have arrangements with Yamato Transport. Make sure your luggage is securely packed and then hand over your luggage at the airport or front desk of the hotel. The rest will be handled for you and many capsule hotels, business hotels and ryokans will help with shipping and paperwork.
Generally, luggage is delivered the next day or with some short-distance trips, same-day delivery may be possible. For longer distances e.g. to Hokkaido or Okinawa, delivery may take two days.
Here is a list of prices to give you a rough idea of how much it will cost you to use takuhaibin with a suitcase that’s less than 25kg.
- Within the Greater Tokyo area: 2500 yen
- Between Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka: 2600 yen
- Between Tokyo and Kyushu: 3000 yen
- Between Tokyo and Hokkaido: 300 yen
- Between Tokyo and Okinawa: 4700 yen
Alternative: Store your luggage instead of moving it
If you’re hopping between cities or just don’t need all your belongings for each leg of your journey, another smart option is to store your larger suitcase at a luggage storage service like Bounce. Instead of sending your bag ahead to each hotel, store items you won’t immediately need—like bulky clothes, souvenirs, or toiletries (most hotels provide the basics).
Bounce has numerous locations across Japan’s major cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Sapporo, etc.) and charges around 500–650 yen per day, which is roughly $3.20–$4.10 USD or £2.50–£3.25 GBP per day. It’s a flexible and cost-effective way to travel lighter without constantly dragging your suitcase across the country.
This hack gives you more mobility and makes spontaneous stops or day trips much easier—perfect for budget-conscious travellers on the go.
Even better:
Store Your Bags, Explore More! Get 10% Off Bounce Luggage Storage when you book using this link: bounce.com/?ref=JAPANNAKAMA997349373
Use Code: BOUNCEJAPANNAKAMA
This simple hack gives you more freedom to enjoy your trip and makes spontaneous day trips or stops along the way far less stressful. Check out our latest itinerary—14 Days in Japan: Tokyo & Hakone.
9. Make travel convenient with a Suica card
For travelling efficiently on buses and trains, consider getting a Suica card. This pre-paid card can be bought for 500 yen and lasts for 28 days. Not only is the Suica card worthwhile for travelling around Tokyo it can also be used for travelling to Sendai, Niigata, Aomori, Morioka, Akita, Hokkaido and Okinawa. Do note that the card doesn’t allow for travel between all of these areas, and for a full list you can go here.
Generally, the Suica card is well worth the money because of the overall convenience to your travel time and prices, the option to shop in certain stores with it and to get a refund on the card.
10. Buy gifts in 100 yen shops
Among the many discount stores to check out, 100 yen shops are perhaps the most reliable in terms of pricing. As you might expect, goods sold in these shops cost 100 yen per item. However, there are some places where selected items might be sold in multiples of 100 yen and are still good value for the price.
The most popular 100 yen store brand is Daiso, which operates 3000 shops nationwide. Here are the locations of some great 100 yen stores:
Tokyo
- The Arcakit Kinshicho Store is on the 7th floor of the Arcakit mall. This is a few steps away from the northern exit of the Kinshicho Station.
- The Decks Tokyo Beach Store is on the 4th floor of the Decks Toyko Beach mall. This is a short walk from Odaiba-Kaihinkouen Station on the Yurikamone.
Kyoto
- The Aeon Mall Kyoto Store is on the 4th floor of the Aeon Mall Kyoto. This is five minutes away from Kyoto Station’s Hachijo exit.
Osaka
- The Shinsaibashi-suji Ni-chrome Store is nearby the Shinsaibashji-suji Shopping Arcade a few minutes walk from exit number 14 at Namba Station.
11. Visit prefectural museums to get an understanding of local history
The Tokyo National Museum. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
No matter the prefecture you’re travelling to, one of the best ways to get an understanding of the local history of the region is to visit the right museums. Often these museums will provide deeper insight into the cultures and customs of the prefecture instead of a more general overview that might come from some of the more commercial museums like the Ghibli Museum or Mori Art Museum.
Here are some specific examples of prefectural museums to visit:
The Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum is one of the most impressive museums in Japan that provides a good mix of general information about Japanese history and local Tokyo lore. The collections in the museum range from Japanese art through the Jomon to the Edo period, to swords and lacquerware made by local artisans.
The Osaka Museum of History
This museum tells the full story of the city, from how it began as Japan’s first capital city to how it became a hotbed for shopping arcades in the Showa period. One of the most visual exhibitions in the museum is on the 9th floor which features Osaka in the era of Hongan-ji Temple and the struggle against Japan’s first unifier Oda Nobunaga.
The Ishikawa Prefectural Museum
Found in Kanazawa, this museum walks visitors through the full history of the prefecture that is famous for kaga yuzen dyeing, kutani ware ceramics and gold leaf work. Of particular interest to history buffs is The Age of Samurai exhibit, which details the founding of the Kamakura Shogunate and the impact that had on Ishikawa.
12. Look for volunteering opportunities
Volunteering is one of the most effective ways to save money while you’re travelling around Japan because accommodation and meals are often provided in exchange for the work you do. There are several kinds of volunteering to try, the most popular being teaching English in Japan.
Worldpackers is a great platform for searching for volunteering opportunities that don’t just include teaching English. The platform connects volunteers around the world and the perks of applying through Wordpackers include free accommodation and tours.
Other volunteering opportunities you might want to consider in Japan are village architecture programmes that involve restoring ancestral villages or agricultural initiatives focusing on conversation.
13. Do some house sitting to save on accommodation costs
Another fantastic way to save money on accommodation in Japan is to house sit. This might involve staying in a house over a short period and looking after pets while the homeowner is away. But how do you do it?
Search platforms like trustedhousesitters.com and housecarers.com. Create a compelling profile that features any experience you have about house sitting or pet care. If you don’t have this experience, think about how you can showcase that you can be trusted by highlighting examples of previous jobs.
Once your profile is set up, be proactive. Search well in advance of peak travel times to the location in Japan you’d like to stay in.
14. Spend time in beautiful Japanese parks
Being close to nature is a core Japanese belief. With the wide range of stunning parks found throughout the country, you’ll be able to appreciate that belief and understand what it truly means. Many Japanese parks offer free admission and here are some you have to check out:
Ueno Park
This park is one of the biggest in Tokyo and is found near Ueno Station. The park grounds were originally part of Kaneiji Temple and during the Meiji Restoration, the temple grounds were converted into one of Japan’s first Western-inspired parks.
Besides the relaxing paths to walk, Ueno Park is home to several museums like the Tokyo National Museum and National Museum of Western Art.
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
One of Japan’s most beautiful national parks, Fuji-Hakone-Izu is approximately 2 – 5 hours outside of Tokyo. The park is known for the incredible views of Mount Fuji and the varied hiking routes through the forests of Aokigahara and Hakone Hachiri route.
Daisetsuzan National Park
If you’re planning to travel to Hokkaido, Daisetsuzan is definitely worth exploring. A hardy mixture of alpine trails and picturesque mountains, the park has earned the nickname of ‘playground of the gods.’
A base for exploring the park is the Sounkyo Visitor Center and hiking up the famous Mount Kurodake. The center has detailed maps of the main hiking routes and information about the local wildlife and flowers.
15. Get a Japan eSIM before your trip
Staying connected while travelling through Japan is essential—not just for navigation and translations, but also for making bookings, checking train schedules, and sharing those unforgettable moments on the go.
Rather than relying on airport SIM card kiosks or portable Wi-Fi routers (which can be expensive and clunky), consider getting a Japan eSIM before you even board your flight. It activates instantly upon arrival, saving you time and hassle.
We recommend Jetpac eSIM as a reliable and affordable option. With data packages starting as low as $1 USD per 1GB, it’s one of the best value choices for short and long stays alike. You can top up easily online and avoid the queues altogether.
Having an eSIM also means one less physical thing to lose—and more time to enjoy your trip.
Pro Tip:
Buy a 50GB data SIM and split the cost with your group—just hotspot from one phone. It’s cheaper per person and keeps everyone connected across Japan 📶💡🇯🇵
Want more tips on travelling to Japan? We’ve got you covered…
While we hope you find these travel hacks useful, we’ve only scratched the surface of what you can do in Japan when you want to make your yen stretch further.
To go deeper, we’ve put together Japan On A Budget: 100 Essential Tips For The Savvy Traveller. This guide has been created with the help of our passionate community of travellers who want to share their hard-won knowledge of what it’s really like to go to Japan and save money at every possible turn.
Download the guide now [Include link here to the guide] and let us know what you think and which hacks you rely on when travelling to Japan on a budget.
