How To Visit Japan On A Budget – Japan is one of the most amazing, beautiful and friendly countries in the world. From bustling Tokyo and Zen-like Kyoto to Okinawa and wintry Hokkaido, Japan is a world of cutting-edge technology with courtesy and respect for their past.
It was a long time dream to go there and when I finally went, it lived up to my expectations.
How To Visit Japan On A Budget
Japan has mouth-watering food, majestic temples and shrines, tranquil Zen gardens, lush national parks, and historic culture. It is an amazing place and although it is an expensive country to visit, there are many ways to make this country affordable.
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Backpacking or traveling in Japan isn’t as expensive or difficult as you might think. It’s one of the big travel myths that Japan is expensive or difficult to get around.
And everyone here is very friendly and helpful. Everyone here is so excited to have guests and they are lovely, lovely people!
Let this Japan travel guide help you plan an affordable trip to the country so you can see more, eat more, and spend less!
Tokyo is one of the best places in the world: shrines, palaces, temples, cherries, hip clubs, bars, people and fashion stores – Tokyo is a fast futuristic city. Don’t rush! It’s everything you’d expect and more. Don’t forget to visit some quirky cafes, visit Harajuku, see the iconic Shibuya Crossing and admire the Imperial Palace while you’re here.
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A city of beautiful temples and Japanese gardens, Kyoto is one of the most popular destinations in Japan. It embodies much of the traditional Japanese lifestyle and is well-suited to fast-paced, high-tech Tokyo. In my favorite part of the country, see as many temples as possible and don’t miss the legendary bamboo forest (get there early to beat the crowds).
The first atomic bomb used in war was detonated in Hiroshima in 1945. 80,000 people died instantly and tens of thousands died later due to radiation exposure. Visit the Atomic Bomb Memorial and learn about one of the most controversial events in human history. The museum is sobering and eye-opening, but a must-visit if you want to understand modern Japan.
This 3,776 meter (12,389 ft) high mountain is located near Tokyo and is a worthy challenge. During the day, fog and clouds often cover the mountains, so hikes are best done early in the morning or at night. But the lack of sleep is worth the amazing sunrise. Keep in mind that the climbing season is low from early July to mid-September. If you’re visiting outside of the climbing season or don’t want to climb the mountain, there are several tour providers that offer day trips from Tokyo starting at around 12,000 JPY. If you end up climbing, plan ahead – it gets very cold at the summit!
The gateway to Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, the city is known for its surrounding mountains, thermal baths, ski resorts and long brewing history. The city was put on the international map by hosting the 1972 Winter Olympics and became very popular for winter sports. Also check out nearby Otaru for delicious uni, squid and seafood!
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The fish markets in Tokyo start loud at 4am. Here you can see the crazy buying and selling of the world’s largest tuna market. Eat freshly caught sushi for breakfast and marvel at the peaceful atmosphere. There’s nothing like it in the world, so it’s a must-see when visiting Japan! Tsukiji was the original market, but as of 2018, the indoor fish market has moved to Toyosu and is now called Toyosu Fish Market. However, Tsukiji still has an outdoor market (where you can find food and shops) from which you can take a guided tour to learn about its history, how it works and even learn how to roll sushi in a workshop. . At the end.
Also known as the Geisha District, this neighborhood is filled with attractive historic architecture and is a great area for window shopping. Geishas (traditional professional entertainers) have been entertaining here for centuries, and if you’re lucky, you might spot them going to a social engagement in one of the establishments here. (Note that photos are prohibited in narrow alleyways to avoid harassment by geishas.)
“Maiko” is the name of an apprentice geisha or geiko, as they are known in Kyoto. The Zion District offers miko makeover experiences where you can go for a full makeover and try on a formal, miko-like kimono. Photos make a wonderful keepsake later (you can even make stickers). This is perhaps the most interactive way to learn about the ancient geisha tradition.
The gate is a popular tourist attraction in Kyoto, so get there early. The garden is full of beautiful cherry blossom trees
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, and a beautiful place for photography. The shrine is free but the nearby garden costs 600 JPY to enter. To see the trees in bloom, make sure you’re there in mid-April. Book as soon as town fills up (and prices go up!).
Established in 1873, Ueno Park in Tokyo is a great place to spend a free day. Pack a lunch and bring a camera as this is the perfect spot to record the many cherry blossom trees (April is the best time of year if you want to see them in full bloom). You can also take an architecture tour around the park, ending at the Tokyo National Museum, and then head inside to explore the collections on your own. Tours last approximately 3 hours.
The Imperial Palace is the residence of Japan’s emperor (whose lineage spans over 1,000 years). Built in the 15th century on the site of the former Edo Castle, today, the Imperial Palace is the perfect place to learn about some of Japan’s history and culture. Although you can’t go inside the palace, the surrounding grounds and garden are beautiful and you can watch the changing of the guard. You can visit selected parts of the farm on a 75-minute guided tour from Tuesday to Saturday at 10am and 1:30pm. The Eastern Imperial Gardens are free to visit and open every day except Mondays, Fridays and holidays.
Miyajima is an island about an hour outside of Hiroshima, nicknamed the “Shrine Island” because of the shrine and floating symbols.
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This can easily be turned into a full day trip if you hit one of the nearby hiking trails. Make sure to go up Mount Misen – it’s great exercise and the views are amazing! There is also a cable car that you can take for 2,000 JPY round trip.
At 430 meters (14,100 ft) high, it is not only Japan’s tallest castle, but also the only remaining original castle in Japan (most were destroyed by fire or during World War II). The castle was originally built in 1240 by Akiba Shigenobu on a nearby mountain. In 1929, restoration work began on the fort and it is now a popular tourist destination. Admission is 500 JPY to the castle alone or 1,000 JPY to the castle, temple and nearby samurai houses. If you want to visit both Takahashi Folk Museum and Yamada Hokoku Museum, the total ticket price is 1,500 JPY.
The 88 Temple Pilgrimage (also known as “Shikoku Henro”) is an ancient pilgrimage route that circumnavigates Shikoku Island, one of Japan’s four main islands. The route spans 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) and can take between 30 and 60 days. Besides the 88 official temples, there are also 20 additional sites that you can visit. You can visit a few temples and not walk the entire trail!
Located 125 kilometers (77 miles) north of Tokyo in the mountains, worshipers of the Buddhist and Shinto traditions have been coming here for centuries, so there are many temples and shrines in the forest to visit. The trails in Nikko National Park also make for excellent hiking and meditation, and there are many famous and luxurious mausoleums.
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Located in Osaka, this 17-minute ride (800 JPY) offers great views of Osaka Bay and the surrounding area. Between 1997-1999, it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, but has since been surpassed (the current tallest Ferris wheel is in Dubai). It is also next to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (2,400 JPY), one of the largest aquariums in the world.
There are many temples and monasteries in Japan that hold daily meditations, some of which also offer accommodation and allow tourists to sample monastic life. It was truly an eye-opening experience. Many only advertise in Japanese so ask your accommodation staff to help you arrange a visit/session.
A traditional Japanese bed and breakfast, usually found in the most scenic areas of the country. with them
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