#4497

5 Tips for Traveling Cheaper in Japan

When I talk to people about traveling in Japan, I normally get a response along the lines of I'd love to go, but it's just too expensive.

It's true that Japan is an expensive destination, especially compared to other nearby destinations like Thailand. But that doesn't mean that it's impossible to travel in Japan without breaking the bank. Here are five tips to help you save some yen during your trip.
1.Skip the conbini, head to the grocery store
Japanese convenience stores, called conbini, are great. They have different prepared foods, toiletries, alcohol, and sometimes even socks and underwear! Everyone should go at least once to experience just how truly convenient these places are. But shopping here every day for food ends up costing a considerable chunk of change.

Instead, hit up your local grocery store. Like convenience stores, they also have prepared foods here like bento, sandwiches, and salads, but at prices typically cheaper than those of convenience stores. Also, checking out all the unusual produce is kind of like a free cultural experience, too. Pro-tip: grocery stores mark down their prices in the evening so you can save even more.

2. Choose discount passes wisely

Depending on where you go in Japan, there are likely to be a number of discount passes that let you travel for a certain period of time (usually one to two days) on specific rail or subway lines. When used well, these can save you a bundle. How do you use them well? By planning how to get where you want to go before buying the ticket. Finding out that the majority of places you want to go are best accessed via the Tokyo Metro subway system after you've already purchased a pass for unlimited rides on Tokyo’s JR lines is a major bummer. Know how you'll get where you're going before making a purchase.

3. Consider buses over trains

Sometimes, a bus might do the trick when traveling around Japan, especially if you've decided that a Japan Rail Pass isn't the best fit for your travel plans. In particular, night buses provide an affordable way to travel to different prefectures without “wasting” time in transit as you'll ideally be sleeping on the bus. While the idea of spending a night on a bus might not seem so appealing, you'd be surprised at how comfortable some of the options can be. Also, Japan Bus Lines is a good place to book bus tickets.

4. For longer stays, try a hostel or guest house

For super cheap accommodation, capsule hotels are great. The only downside is that many of them don't have much by way of common spaces. This means you're either holed up in your capsule or out and about, which often translates to dropping anywhere from three to five hundred yen on a cup of coffee just so you can sit down and relax in a cafe for a while.

If you're planning on staying in one place for several days, search for a guest house or hostel. You can find those with comfortable common areas, kitchens where you can prepare some simple meals (another great way to save!) and even onsen! Some even offer cultural programs.

Tourank APP is a perfect tool to find the suitable hostels and guest houses in your area. It’s tour map not only shows the locations but also the navigation to your destinations. You can also get the basic info about the hostels and guest houses on the app before going there.

5.Chain restaurants are your friend

Japan is a foodie's paradise, but indulging at every meal will also have you eating through your budget before you know it. Plan your big, delicious meals in advance and try some Japanese chain restaurants in between should you need a bite on the go. There are places that serve gyudon-- marinated beef served over rice-- like Yoshinoya and Sukiya, udon chains like Hanamaru, curry chains like CURRY HOUSE CoCo ICHIBANYA, and many more.

To sum it up, there is one thing that is absolutely vital to traveling cheaply in Japan: planning. By deciding when to splurge and when to save as well as how you can get where you want to go before coming to Japan, you have a better chance of making the most of your yen. Happy travels!

Alexlovetravel image

Alexlovetravel

United States

Alexlovetravel's other advice

5 Traditional Japanese Villages to Explore images

5 Traditional Japanese Villages to Explore

The rural area of Japan is quite worth an exploration. Many villages in Japan have typical Japanese styles. Although they are quite far away from big cities, you can enjoy enchanting natural views an…

5 Food Streets in Japan - The Paradise for Foodies ! images

5 Food Streets in Japan - The Paradise for Foodies !

1. Dontobori Food StreetAs the landmark of Osaka, Dontobori is not only the shooting location of many Japanese films and plays, but also the famous paradise for foodies in Japan, which is praised a…

6 Very Well-kept Secrets in Tokyo images

6 Very Well-kept Secrets in Tokyo

Tokyo has many famous sightseeing places that are even known by people all over the world. However, there are also some hidden but great scenic spots in this city which are surely worth a visit. I go…

The Top 8 Places to Beat Summer Heat in Japan images

The Top 8 Places to Beat Summer Heat in Japan

Where do Japanese love to visit to avoid summer heat in Japan? I searched the top 8 summer resorts loved by Japanese including Furano in Hokkaido, Okinawa, Karuizawa and Hakone, which are famous amon…

8 Places to Have a Good Weekend Trip from Tokyo images

8 Places to Have a Good Weekend Trip from Tokyo

Many friends in Tokyo often ask me how to have a great weekend trip from Tokyo. Most attractions in city area of Tokyo are quite common to us, so I wanna suggest some great places near Tokyo which ca…

You might also like

What to do at a Japanese Funeral | Funeral Etiquette images

What to do at a Japanese Funeral | Funeral Etiquette

Attending a Japanese funeral can be stressful, even shocking, if you don't know what to do. The more you know beforehand the better, as you'll be able to comfort and support mutual friends and their …

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

Don't Wear Black in Japan images

Don't Wear Black in Japan

In Japan, the color white is attributed to happiness and good times. Death is a time of mourning and so people must dress in the color of depression, black. Men usually wear a black suit with a black…

GenS image

GenS

Yurei, Yokai and Obake: Japan's Very Busy Ghost Scene images

Yurei, Yokai and Obake: Japan's Very Busy Ghost Scene

Ghosts and spirits hold a place in the folklore of many cultures around the world. In the western world, Halloween, observed on October 31st, is a time for scary, spooky tales, while Latin America w…

jdlawrence image

jdlawrence

Enjoy bath, Japanese style images

Enjoy bath, Japanese style

Enjoy taking bath with Babu(Bub), a popular Japanese bath tablet to Relax after Exploring Japan on Foot.All travelers know how sight seeing can be exhausting. Especially walking around on foot, t…

mimichan image

mimichan

Know your Receipts in Japan! images

Know your Receipts in Japan!

Are you in Japan on business and working with a Japanese firm? Will you be taking your clients out for a meal?Recently I have been doing some consulting work for one of Japan’s eminent Chinese cuis…

 image

5 Traditional Japanese Villages to Explore images

5 Traditional Japanese Villages to Explore

The rural area of Japan is quite worth an exploration. Many villages in Japan have typical Japanese styles. Although they are quite far away from big cities, you can enjoy enchanting natural views an…

Alexlovetravel image

Alexlovetravel