Introduction
For travelers on a tight budget, Japan can be an intimidating destination. With high prices for food, lodging and transportation, how does one visit the country without going broke? The trick is to plan ahead. There are plenty of ways to save money when traveling in Japan — you just need to know where to look for them. But don’t worry: We’ve got your back! In this guide, we’ll show you how to travel around Japan for less than $100 per day by combining free resources with cheap ones.
Check the Japan Rail Pass.
If you’re not a Japanese resident, the Japan Rail Pass is your best bet. It’s available to anyone who wants to travel around Japan by train–but it’s only available for non-residents of Japan.
The JR Pass comes in three varieties: 7 days ($229), 14 days ($316) and 21 days ($433). If you’re staying for less than seven days and don’t plan on visiting Tokyo very much or at all, then get the 7 day pass; if not, go with either 14 or 21 days depending on how long you’ll be staying (you can also share one with a friend). The JR Pass works out cheaper than buying tickets individually because it allows unlimited use of most trains operated by JR companies such as Shinkansen bullet trains and local lines throughout Japan (excluding some high-speed express services). The only exception is during peak season which runs from July 1 through August 31 each year–during this period there are certain trains where seat reservations are required even if using an ordinary ticket instead of an advance purchase one through JTB Corp.’s overseas offices or authorized agents abroad such as KNT/Kintetsu International Transport Co Ltd., Nippon Travel Agency Co Ltd., Hoshino International Travel Co Ltd., JTB Corp., HOKUTO TRAVEL CO LTD., etc.; however these reservations can still be made without having purchased any kind prepaid voucher beforehand so long as you have valid identification documents ready when boarding said train!
Get a JR West Pass.
If you’re planning on traveling around western Japan, the JR West Pass is a great option. This pass allows visitors to ride trains and buses across the entire region, with unlimited travel on all JR lines (except Shinkansen trains). It’s not valid on any Tokyo or Kansai region trains though–so if your trip involves visiting both of those areas, consider purchasing separate passes for each one instead.
The JR West Pass costs 5400 yen (about $52 USD) for one day; 7200 yen ($69 USD) for two days; 10800 yen ($106 USD) for three days; 14400 yen ($140 USD) for four days; 17600 yen ($177 USD) for five days; 20000 yen ($194 USD) per person per week (valid Monday-Sunday).
Sign up for cheap hotels.
If you’re looking to stay in a hostel or cheap hotel, there are many websites that can help. Some of the best include:
- Booking.com (booking.com). This site offers a wide range of options for hotels and hostels, along with reviews and ratings from other travelers who have stayed there before you. You can also use it as an alternative search engine when searching for flights and other travel services while planning your trip–it’s easy to find great deals on flights through this site!
- Agoda (agoda). Another great option if you’re looking for affordable accommodations around Japan is Agoda, which allows users to book rooms at thousands of hotels worldwide at competitive rates with secure payment methods like Paypal or credit card payment options available as well as cash payments via Paymate/Western Union money transfer service; however keep in mind that not all properties accept these forms so make sure first before booking anything!
Choose budget airlines.
- When it comes to air travel, you get what you pay for. If a flight is cheap and convenient, chances are there will be some hidden costs or fees that can add up quickly.
- Check the airline’s baggage policy before booking your trip. Some airlines allow one carry-on bag free of charge; others charge an extra fee for each piece of luggage (and sometimes even per kilo). This can add up quickly if your bags are oversize or overweight!
- If possible, try to avoid peak travel times like holidays and weekends when prices tend to be highest–and make sure not only that your flight leaves on time but also arrives on schedule so as not to miss any connections.*
Stay in hostels or guesthouses.
Hostels are a great way to meet people, and they’re also a relatively cheap option for travelers. However, not all hostels are created equal. Some will have better amenities than others; some will be cleaner or more centrally located; some offer free breakfast while others don’t. If you’re looking for a place where you can get your money’s worth in terms of comfort and luxury, then consider staying somewhere else–but if all that matters is having access to Wi-Fi (and maybe even some local tips), then look for an affordable option like Hostel World instead!
Pack light and avoid paying for checked bags on planes, trains and buses.
- Pack light and avoid paying for checked bags on planes, trains and buses.
- If you are traveling by plane, train or bus, it’s easy to avoid paying for checked bags. If you’re taking a train in Japan (and many other countries), all luggage can be carried on board for free!
There are lots of ways to save money when traveling to Japan
There are many ways to save money when traveling to Japan. Here are some of our favorites:
- Look for discounts and deals online. Sometimes you can find great deals on flights, hotels and travel packages if you look hard enough.
- Use the Japan Rail Pass if possible. This pass allows unlimited use of most JR trains in Japan, including shinkansen (bullet train), local trains, subways and buses throughout the country–and it’s cheaper than buying individual tickets every time! However, there are some restrictions so check out our full guide before purchasing one if this is something that interests you!
- Get cheap flights by searching multiple airlines at once using sites like Skyscanner or Momondo – these sites compare prices from many different airlines so they’re an excellent resource if your date isn’t set yet but still want to get started researching options now 🙂
Conclusion
Japan is a great place to visit and there are tons of things to do. However, it can be expensive if you don’t plan ahead and know where to look for deals. By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to travel around Japan on the cheap!
