Budget Japan:
How to Travel on $50/Day
Think Japan is expensive? Think again. With the weak Yen and some smart choices, it's cheaper than Europe or the US. Here is how to do it.
Table of Contents
01. Cheap Accommodation
Forget the Park Hyatt. Here is where you sleep to save money.
Capsule Hotels
¥3,000 - ¥5,000
Clean, futuristic, and cheap. Try "Nine Hours" chain.
Manga Cafes
¥1,500 - ¥2,500
Sleep in a private booth with unlimited drinks and manga. Hardcore budget.
Business Hotels
¥6,000 - ¥9,000
APA Hotel or Toyoko Inn. Small rooms, but private bath included.
02. Eating on a Budget
You can eat like a king for under ¥1,000 ($7).
- Konbini (Convenience Stores)
Onigiri (¥150), Bento boxes (¥500), Fried Chicken (¥200). 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart.
- Beef Bowl Chains (Gyudon)
Yoshinoya, Sukiya, Matsuya. A full meal for ¥500.
- Supermarket Discounts
Go after 7 PM. Bento boxes get "Half Price" (Hangaku) stickers.
03. Transport Hacks
The Night Bus (Willer Express)
The Shinkansen is fast but expensive (¥14,000 Tokyo to Osaka). The Night Bus is slow but cheap (¥4,000).
Bonus: You save one night of accommodation!
04. Free Attractions
- Shrines & Temples: Most are free to enter (e.g., Meiji Jingu, Fushimi Inari).
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: Free observation deck for views of Tokyo.
- Parks: Yoyogi Park, Ueno Park. Great for people watching.
- Walking: Just walking around neighborhoods like Harajuku or Akihabara costs nothing.
05. Tax-Free Shopping
Bring your passport! If you spend over ¥5,500 at many stores (Don Quijote, Uniqlo, Bic Camera), you get the 10% consumption tax refunded instantly.
Save Money, Travel More
Japan is affordable if you know where to look.