How to save money while traveling to Japan: 17 tricks!

Discover how to save money while traveling to Japan with 17 simple tricks. From trip planning to souvenirs!

Japan is known for being one of the most expensive Asian countries to travel to. While it is definitely more expensive than Indonesia, Vietnam, or the Philippines, it has a unique culture and plenty of places worth visiting. No country I have been to can be compared to Japan. For a comprehensive review of how much traveling to Japan costs, check my Japan travel budget and my one month to Japan expenses posts. Maybe it is cheaper than you imagine!

However, there are plenty of ways to save money while traveling to Japan. Some of them can be applied to any trip to any country. Others, yet, are specific from Japan. Here you have 17 tricks to save money while traveling to Japan!

How to save money in Japan: trip planning

Choose the right season to visit Japan

The cost of travel fluctuates depending on the season. In a nutshell, spring and summer are the most expensive months to travel to Japan, while autumn and winter usually have the best price deals. Yet, each season has its pros and cons. Consider them before choosing the dates of your trip.

Book your flights in advance

One of the main expenses when traveling to Japan is flights. Prices will depend on the season, but also on when you book them. Once the dates are decided, check the prices between different airlines using a price comparison service like Skyscanner. Booking flights 3-4 months before your trip can save lots of money. Besides, this is a way to distribute the trip expenses across time.

Identify a price that you feel comfortable paying for the tickets. Check regularly the prices, and once you find an offer below the goal price, buy the tickets.

Consider a JR Pass

Most tourists traveling to Japan book a JR Pass. This train pass that allows taking (almost) all Japanese Railways trains, including the Shinkansen (high-speed) for a fixed period of time (1,2 or 3 weeks) is a way to save money during any trip to Japan.

The JR Pass is a perfect solution for those that will be traveling between cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima,…) although if you are staying only in a big city like Tokyo, it might not be the best option. To make sure if buying a JR Pass is a good solution, estimate how much will be all the trains that you plan to take (using a tool like Hyperdia), and compare it to the price of a JR Pass. Include into the equation the ease of use of a JR Pass. No need to book in most trains, and it is as easy as getting to the train station, showing the JR Pass to the security personnel, and getting the train.

Find more information about the JR Pass here or by clicking on the image below. This is an affiliate link. If you purchase your pass via this link, I get a small commission that will help me create more guides like this one. Of course, the price you pay is the same either if you use it or not. Thank you!

How to save money in Japan: accommodation

Sleep in hostels

This is not a tip for the 20-30-year-old travelers, it is for everyone. Hostels in Japan don’t resemble hostels anywhere in the world. In fact, the Japanese model is being slowly implemented in other countries. A hostel bed in Japan can be as cheap as 10€/$ per night in big cities like Osaka or Tokyo if you know how to find the deals.

Hostels in Japan are a mix between a normal hostel and a capsule hotel, with the best of each world. Rooms can be of 4-8-16-32 beds, but each one has its curtain, locker, and a lot of privacy. Beds are comfortable, and if you avoid party hostels, no drunk tourists all around.

All hostels I’ve been to in Japan were as clean as any 5-star hotel room. Consider a hostel for your stay, give it a try and it will not disappoint you.

Book on the go or in advance?

It is possible to save money in both ways. Traveling during the low season? Book your first accommodation and from there use apps like Booking to find places on the go. Last-minute deals are real, and excepting weekends, most hotels or hostels have a couple of free beds/rooms every night. However, check regularly the availability, some remote locations (like Koyasan) have only a couple of guesthouses, and it might get pricey. On the other hand, if you travel to Japan during the high season, it is wise to book some of the accommodations in advance, making the most of special deals. Cities like Tokyo or Osaka get crowded not only with European and American tourists but with Asian tourists also.

Pro tip: Be aware of the dates of Japanese festivals. It will be almost impossible to find accommodation in advance, and cities get crowded. Check the Japanese festival calendar here.

How to save money in Japan: transportation

Use JR trains whenever possible

If you got a JR Pass, this is an essential tip on how to save money while traveling in Japan. Use JR trains, always. Even in some cities like Tokyo, there is a metro line that can be boarded using the JR Pass. The same happens in Osaka. After activating the JR Pass, make sure to use it as much as possible.

Get 24h metro tickets

This applies mostly to Tokyo, where unless you have a valid JR Pass, taking the metro is a must, due to the size of the city. Use the 24, 48, and 72-hour metro tickets. They will save you a lot of money. Bring your passport when buying them, as only foreign tourists can get these tickets. Find more information about the Tokyo Metro tickets here (official Tokyo Metro webpage), including prices, where to buy, and much more.

Consider night buses

An alternative to using a JR Pass to move across Japan is to get a night bus. Night buses cover the distance between the major cities of Japan in 6 to 10 hours (approximately), and have very affordable prices, considering that taking one saves one night of accommodation.

Walk, taxis are expensive

Even if you follow all the tips above, there will be situations where it will be either walking or taking a taxi. Taxis are very expensive in Japan, more than in any other country I’ve been to. Walking is the best solution, and every alley comes with a surprise in Japan.

How to save money in Japan: food

Eat in local restaurants

Eating is cheap in Japan compared to the cost of transportation or flights. Moreover, finding cheap but delicious options in Japan is not very difficult. Forget about McDonald’s, and other internationally known food chains. Go local. It is possible to get quality food for as cheap as 600 yen, and even in Japanese fast-food chains like Yoshinoya, the food quality is excellent.

PRO TIP: Some local restaurants are not in Google Maps. Observe where the locals eat. Chances are that it is delicious and cheap!

Use the vending machines

Japan has around 5 million vending machines. Every alley, village, train station,… hast its vending machine. Use them, prices are cheap and where else in the world can you get a hot bottled coffee from a vending machine in the streets for as cheap as 1 dollar?

Master the Konbinis

Japan’s convenience stores (Konbini) are unique. They offer snacks, drinks, sweets… and full meals! The food quality can’t be compared to the one of a restaurant, but it is still very good. It is a perfect option to save money. Onigiri can be as cheap as 200 yen (around 2$/€), and a course of rice + chicken + curry can be around 700 yen.

However, the real deal is to find last-minute offers. Japanese Konbini’s receive supplies every day. However, sometimes there might be food that is close to its expiry date, and that has to be sold. The deals are insane. From 100 yen full meals to 20 yen onigiri. I only found 3 or 4 times a Konbini with these offers, and always at dawn, but I also wasn’t actively looking for them. Consider it if you are on a budget!

How to save money in Japan: tourist attractions

Avoid touristy areas

Touristy areas are famous for two reasons: they have a beautiful attraction, such as a temple, castle… and they have been listed on many guides. I would not recommend skipping touristy areas but mixing them with off-the-beaten-path attractions. The whole experience will be cheaper (tickets, local restaurants,…), and way more authentic. In fact, Japan has international tourist attractions and local tourist attractions. Ask around and go find some of the second ones.

Free activities

In a country like Japan, everything is different at first sight. The culture shock can be perceived as soon as you step off the plane. Living this experience is completely free. Moreover, big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara… have plenty of free activities and tourist attractions. It is possible to see most of the world-famous Japanese spots without paying any entrance fee. Make sure to check them out!

How to save money in Japan: souvenirs

Use 100 yen shops

Just like in the UK there is Poundland or Dollar Stores in the US, Japan has its 100 yen shops. They don’t have the greatest variety of souvenirs, but I am a firm believer that a souvenir either has to be functional or cheap. A 6$/€ magnet will be as useful as a 1$/€ one. Thus, visit 100 yen shops, they are such a fun experience! However, if you want to get some expensive souvenirs, the next (and last) tip is for you.

Tax exemption for tourists in Japan

Getting a pair of fancy chopsticks for a friend? A kimono? Clothes? If the total amount of the purchase exceeds 5,000 yen, you are eligible to get a 10% refund of the total price. Most commercial streets, shopping malls, have their own counter where after presenting the ticket and checking that you are a tourist, will give you some money back.

Keep all the receipts with you until you reach your origin country! They will most likely check your passport before leaving Japan, and your local authorities might do the same at customs.

Yes, it is possible to save money while traveling in Japan. From planning the trip to getting souvenirs for your loved ones. Hope you found my how to save money while traveling to Japan guide useful. If you have been to Japan and have any other trip for fellow travellers, make sure to share it in the comments! Otherwise, if you have any questions, I will gladly try to answer them. Traveling to Japan? Find photography guides, travel tips and much more here!

Follow my adventures as a travel photographer on Instagram (@aniolvisuals). To get in touch with me, send me an email at hello@aniolvisuals.com.