It's a Complete Myth that Japan is an Expensive Travel Destination, right?
Posted by Danascus88@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 77 comments
I'll be heading to Japan in June and i'll be keeping it as cheap as possible.
I'm very pleasantly surprised with the prices i'm seeing for stuff out there.
Let's ignore flights, as that's relative to your starting destination, but for accommodation, food, and travel? I'm confident I can have a great time without killing my bank account.
Using Osaka as an example, which is where i'll fly into. (I'm English, so things are in £.)
Costs
- Accommodation - A simple 7.3 rated guesthouse with air-conditioning (shared bathroom). Close to the Tsūtenkaku observation deck and a 35 minute walk to Dotonbori - £11 a night.
- Sushi - Kaitenzushi (conveyor belt sushi) - Starting from as little as 60p a piece. Meaning if you stick to the cheapest menu, you can get 8 freshly-made sushi for less than £5.
- Ramen - Ramen Kiou JR-Shin-Osaka station - Cheapest ramen on the menu - £4
- Street Food - Takoyaki Octopus Balls can supposedly be bought for around £2.60.
- Beer - Riverside Wonder Pub (picked at random) Pint of Asahi - £3.60 or 500ml can of Asahi from 7Eleven - £1.60.
- Coffee - 7eleven coffee, medium, £0.52p
The tap water is drinkable too, buying bottled water is such an annoying expense.
Free things to do in the centre
Wander Shinsekai at night, check out Osaka castle from the surrounding park, spending an afternoon walking around Dotonburi, walk to Minoh waterfall, see the free part of the Cup Noodle museum, go to Shitennoji Temple, visit the various other temples, shrines and parks.
The Royal Game Center also has loads of vintage arcade games for 50p a play, and supposedly you get free drinks.
Leaving Osaka
As for transport out of Osaka. The train to Kyoto can be purchased for under £4 one way, and the train to Nara for around £3.60, one-way.
Summary
So accommodation, a morning coffee, sushi for lunch, ramen in the evening, a couple of beers from 7Eleven, a street snack later on, and a few activities. Assuming you tackle the city on foot. A pretty fulfilling day can be had for about £26 by my reckoning. Avoid the beer and coffee, and eat some street food, fruit, and 7Eleven snacks, and i'd guess you could bring this figure to under £20.
If you have a quick Google, the 'minimum' cost of a day in Osaka is said to be around £75. I'm calling bullshit.
Hopefully this has been useful to someone and calmed any fears about a holiday to Japan being an unachievable goal. Personally, I know I can have a good time without paying to enter the main tourist sites, eating the best sushi and wagyu beef, drinking expensive tea, and staying in nice hotels. I'd be more than happy wandering the streets for 10 hours straight, making 7eleven pitstops.
Fit_Neighborhood9731@reddit
It is not a myth for the citizens of Poland. You are from the United Kingdom, consider yourself lucky!
mahogani9000@reddit
Dude Osaka is so fun to walk around in. I lived there for 12 years. Have a blast!
don_valley@reddit
Would you recco Osaka or Tokyo?
YuzuCat@reddit
As someone who lived in Japan, if you stay in areas where the locals live; you can find a lot a restaurants with meal sets from 500-1000 yen. There was this ramen place near the train station that gave you a big bowl of ramen and a giant sized onigiri for 500 yen. All carbs, no protein but it definitely filled you up.
skepticalbureaucrat@reddit
Ooh, this is great advice!
Would you have any restsurant suggestions? Also, the name of that ramen place near the train station? 😉
Wonderful-Loss827@reddit
I try to tell people this every time someone here in the states pay $20-25 for a bowl of 🍜 and thinks it's a good deal
mahogani9000@reddit
They also think it’s good ramen 😂
ScientistSanTa@reddit
With the tourism tax it went up a lot. We can't find nothing under 50 euro a night...
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H4lloM8@reddit
On par for east Asian countries, but flights aren't cheap enough to call it a "budget" holiday
Danascus88@reddit (OP)
Depends on where you are flying from I guess. If you're already in Asia, you can get there cheaply.
H4lloM8@reddit
Sure, but given I've only heard this belief in the west I can't say anyone's wrong
Danascus88@reddit (OP)
Depends where you are flying from. You fly from Europe to Morocco for €40 return.
kiesket@reddit
8 pieces of sushi is nowhere near a meal. More like 40
Danascus88@reddit (OP)
If you're eating 40 pieces of sushi for lunch then fair play. 8-10 suit me fine.
kiesket@reddit
Yes
Danascus88@reddit (OP)
Someone mentioned that they struggled to find affordable accommodation in Tokyo, so it's prompted me to do a similar digging exercise for the capital.
For reference, the cheapest way to get from Osaka to Tokyo is to take the day time, 8hr JamJamLine Bus which costs £26. Setting off at 10am and arriving at 6pm.
Accommodation and three meals for £12, assuming there are no sneaky add-ons with the hostel.
thaisweetheart@reddit
these are great, but becomes a lot more expensive as a vegetarian in Japan.
stinkyt0fu@reddit
Hmm, vegetarian eating is not as popular in Japan?
pixiepoops9@reddit
Don’t ask why I’m replying to a week old thread but don’t waste 8 hours on a bus for £26, fly down with Peach or Jetstar for £32.
Your comparisons are pretty close if you have never been but you will get sick of 7-11 food it’s fine but it’s fine if you know what I mean.
For prices think Osaka = Newcastle, Tokyo is more a Manchester in price (for UK people). It’s not expensive once you get there especially at ¥190/£1
Danascus88@reddit (OP)
Thanks. I'll check out internal flights closer to the time.
I definitely won't be eating from 7 Eleven on a regular basis ha, just saying it's an option. I'll be trying as much local food as possible but sticking to the cheap & cheerful joints.
pixiepoops9@reddit
Don’t forget the chains, they are amazingly good in Japan (not Saizeriya although they do wine for ¥100 a glass)
ViolinistLeast1925@reddit
food and drink is so inexpensive in Japan for the best quality, it's crazy.
I had multiple multi-course meals at upscale, neighborhood resto's in Tokyo, always with sake pairing, and the most I paid was $100 CAD TOTAL for two people.
Recent-Curve7616@reddit
wtf? No the fuck it won’t. What sort of rich Canadian bs is this. With conversion that would still be like 75 to 150 euros a meal
epat_@reddit
You think you could find a tasting menu in vancouver or toronto with drink parings for under 300$ cad for 2 people you are DREAMING
GhostOfKev@reddit
They said "literally any meal" not a tasting menu you goon
epat_@reddit
they "literally" said pairing you goon
GhostOfKev@reddit
And you can very easily get a meal with a drink for under 150 lol
TheIlluminaughty@reddit
A meal and a drink is different than a tasting menu with alcohol pairing…
viccityguy2k@reddit
In Canada: Two people getting dinner with drinks going to: Mcdonalds - $35 Sit down burger/fast casual chain - $60 Decent date night Italian / French place -$120 ‘Fancy’ dinner out/multi course $200-300plus
Oftenwrongs@reddit
Currency there has plummeted 30% in the last year. It has not been expensive since I started traveling there though, in 2017.
Danascus88@reddit (OP)
Yeah. I saw that's it's the best conversion rate in 30 years! Always helps.
Alextheseal_42@reddit
I’m actually in Tokyo right now and has been so cheap.
Xnuiem@reddit
Back in the late 90s it was crazy pricey. This is really encouraging. Great research OP
Individual-Energy347@reddit
Danascus88@reddit (OP)
I'm not American.
I think Japan would still fall into the affordable bracket even if the Yen hadn't dropped by 30%. It's probably a mid-range destination, in terms of price, closer to Eastern European prices, rather than Central or Western.
Individual-Energy347@reddit
I lived in Japan 2010-2014. I can tell you at that time, the dollar was weak in comparison to the yen. $1.25 to 100Y. Thats losing 25% of each dollar…… it was brutal!
AzureDreamer@reddit
I haven't ever heard the Japan was an expensive tourism destination. While it's not Vietnam. The yen has a very attractive rate against the US dollar.
Danascus88@reddit (OP)
From reading this thread, I think it's more the fact that Japan can be expensive, rather than it being expensive. Living in the UK, I've always been peddled the myth that it'd be an insanely expensive holiday.
phillyphilly19@reddit
Funnily enough I'm in Mexico right now but someone here said the same thing. There are many vids about affordable options so I think you're good.
fortunato84@reddit
Interesting. I didn't realize Japan could be done cheaply. However... I'm probably not going to eat and sleep in these accomodations so it may not apply to me anyway, I'm kind of picky. Have fun on your trip though.
Antique_Party5761@reddit
You are completely right! Food is shockingly inexpensive for the quality that you get. Even Disney Sea was like $60 per person when we went. And much of the entertainment is cheap or free. The only thing that was expensive was the high speed trains that take you quickly and conveniently to anywhere you want to go, but of course we don’t even have anything like this in the US so I have nothing to compare it to pricewise.
amykizz@reddit
We were there in the summer. Lodging was reasonably and really good Ramen pretty cheap
memla_@reddit
I always hear this and I think people must be comparing it to South East Asia. Japan is not expensive relative to Europe/USA/Australia.
here_now_be@reddit
It's because it used to be, when I was there in the late 90's it was crazy expensive. Also an entirely different experience than traveling there now.
3wettertaft@reddit
What made it so different?
teethybrit@reddit
It used to be, but not since last year.
Danascus88@reddit (OP)
Even if prices were 30% higher, it still wouldn't be an expensive place to travel in comparison to actual expensive countries like Scandinavia, Finland, Iceland, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, or the US.
OGigachaod@reddit
Some places in Canada can get stupidly expensive.
Worried_Spinach_1461@reddit
You can eat a hearty meal for 1000yen or £6 approx transport is cheap get a rail pass if you plan to .over around a lot. Accommodation depending on what you are willing to put up with can be found really cheap. Reasonable hotels aren't too expensive either just look around try to organise where you're staying and how you're travelling before hand and the rest is a doddle.
hillswalker87@reddit
buying food and beer in restaurants is expensive. buying it in the supermarkets that are all over the place is cheap.
kokorokompass@reddit
It used to be similar to western Europe, but the yen fell and Europe got crazy inflation. So Japan feels very cheap now. Getting a room for yourself in Tokyo is still very pricey though.
timwaaagh@reddit
flights *are* the issue though. tourists usually come from high income countries and there arent any near japan except for Taiwan, which is not much of a market by itself.
Danascus88@reddit (OP)
It's the same for any long distance country though. But for some reason, Japan has a stigma surrounding it in terms of being ridiculously expensive for your average tourist, when in fact it's actually way cheaper than most places in Europe for everyday things.
timwaaagh@reddit
I think it mostly has this reputation in Europe. For Europeans Japan is expensive. Everyday things are more expensive compared to other countries in the region. Flights are costly because of the distance. Overall it's expensive. For Americans for example Europe also has this reputation of being expensive.
whalewatch247@reddit
I did Japan for a week cheaper than a lot of other trips in the states. Hostels and cheap food saved me.
Broutythecat@reddit
I travelled Japan for 9 months and found it cheap.
Some people spend in 2 weeks what I spent in 9 months and say it's expensive. Like guys, just because you go the expensive route it doesn't mean it can't be done cheaply.
Danascus88@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I think the misconceptions come from people packing absolutely everything into a fortnight. I.E. travelling across the country by bullet train, staying in the traditional (expensive) accommodation, doing the 'experiences' aimed at tourists, and gravitating to more luxurious, novelty food.
That's totally fine but that sort of holiday would cost a lot in any country, regardless of the general cost of living.
With-You-Always@reddit
£11 a night? It would be cost effective to live in that place permanently…
OverCategory6046@reddit
Look at the price of sharehouses! Some really nice (albeit small) places for like 500 a month in central Tokyo. Meant for long term accomodation (some do medium term by the month though).
zennie4@reddit
It is true that Japan is cheaper than lot of people thing, however, I would like to add a few remarks:
Japanese currency went down a lot during covid.
There was a lot of inflation and rising prices in Europe during last years, while there has been a very little inflation in Japan. So it's not a "myth", Japan really was much more expensive until covid than it is now.
One of the largest expenses when travelliing in Japan is the transportation. If you only stay in one area, obviously you are not feeling this.
The area around Shinsekai and Shin-Imamiya has the lot of cheap accommodation, but it's also probably the most run-down area in the whole country (dirty streets, shady areas, prostitution, lot of homeless people). Personally I stayed in the area many times as a student as well, lots of hotels are just a 3-tatami room with strong cigarette stench. However, you don't find accommodations like this outside Osaka.
I absolutely agree that Japan is cheaper than lot of people tend to think, however, you are cherrypicking and there's definitely a point in saying Japan is/was expensive.
Also, while the food has always been cheap, I always feel it's a pity that lot of people just eat in konbini and cheap noodles/kaitenzushi to save a few yen. Japan is a country with amazing food and if you pay a bit extra, you will see the huge difference and will get your money's worth. That's not disputing your point, that's just a personal recommendation from a person who travelled to Japan many times, both on very low budget, and with money to splurge. Also, I'd recommend not skipping the sightseeing sites - the traditional ones are either free or very cheap. Usually only skyscrapers have a little bit high entrance fees (still cheap by European standards).
gustavazo@reddit
Adding to this comment: there's no tipping in Japan. Another plus.
queenieofrandom@reddit
I went pre covid and yeah it really isn't that expensive at all
Real_Echo@reddit
My god man where did you find those accommodations? I'm planning a trip in late March and I can't find anything even close to that price. Granted it's Tokyo so that probably explains the difference in price but those accommodations sound incredible.
Danascus88@reddit (OP)
I just saw at least three capsule hotels for less than £10 a night in Tokyo on Agoda.
TaterTotLady@reddit
It’s super cheap. I went back in 2019 for two weeks, and with airfare & lodging included, I only spent $1,700. Plane tickets were way cheaper back then lol, and I booked like 8 months in advance, but it was super affordable.
fluffthegilamonster@reddit
One thing that's cutting down on your expenses is you don't need a JR pass (fast train + select metro lines) and you are not multi-city hopping outside a region where the regular metro does not connect to.
Transportation in Japan using the JR lines is outrageous and they just increased the JR pass. 7 day pass is 270 pounds, 14 days is 432 pounds, and one train ride from Toyko to Osaka is 100 pounds (most people who fly in and out of Tokyo will want a round trip ticket)
Ambry@reddit
Yep - IMO the JR pass is pretty much not worth it anymore since it has gone up massively in price. It typically wasn't worth it even before the price increases but could sometimes work out better depending on your itinerary, but now it just doesn't make sense.
Ambry@reddit
I went in October last year - was shocked how affordable it was. Everything including accommodation, food, alcohol, transport etc was so reasonable.
Obviously it's not cheap compared to India or Vietnam - but its not India or Vietnam. Its a highly developed country with fantastic infrastructure and its so safe. Its way, way cheaper than Western Europe or the US.
Bob-Doll@reddit
Yes
ReedFreed@reddit
Yes
alecm88@reddit
I went to Japan prepandemic and considered it a very good country to travel to. I wasn’t on a budget but there are good inexpensive food options, public transportation goes everywhere and is relatively cheap and many of the places you visit like shrines and hikes cost only a few dollars. Your budget increases when you start traveling longer distances to other cities since those trains are expensive but same goes with other countries. And there’s always the nightbus options if you want to limit spending.
SalamancaVice@reddit
I'd be interested to see a follow up after your trip to see how closely your actual expenses tracked your predictions.
Also, what website did you use for this accommodation? Am planning a similar budget trip to Osaka/Kyoto at the end of April/May.
orbital_uk@reddit
Use Agoda. Search for Osaka and sort by cheapest. Top result for me is Hostel Furoya rated 8.1 for £4 a night. You can get accommodation in Osaka for far less than £11 a night.
fyhf6yhj@reddit
google usd to yen exchange rate, japan as a whole is basically on a third off sale if you're from a country that uses the dollar/euro
Radiant-Nomad@reddit
Yes! It’s absolutely not that expensive as its made out to be. I’ve been to Japan and it’s definitely doable with $50-$70 usd a day