Costs of Traveling To Japan For Vacation

JAPAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TOURIST MAGNET: IT

OFFERS MODERN WORLD CONVENIENCES WHILE

HARKING BACK TO TRADITIONAL TIMES. HOWEVER,

ONE THING MANY PEOPLE DO NOT TAKE INTO

CONSIDERATION WHEN DECIDING THEY WANT TO

TRAVEL TO JAPAN IS THE COST. AS ONE OF THE MOST

EXPENSIVE COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD, IT BEHOOVES

THE SAVVY TRAVELER TO PLAN IN ADVANCE AND

BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET.

THE FLIGHT

• Unless you’re taking a ferry from South Korea or China,

you will probably be flying into one of Japan’s airports.

If you’re coming from Europe or North America, then

prepare for the large cost. Last minute round trip tickets

from the USA/Europe to Japan can cost as much as

$3000 for coach. If you plan ahead months in advance,

you can change that to less than $1000. Either way,

prepare to budget most of your money just for the cost

of getting there and back.

ACCOMMODATION

• Hotels are also expensive, whether you go for Western

style or the traditional ryokan style. It’s not uncommon to

pay over $100 a traditional boutique hotel in Tokyo even

for mediocre rooms. If you’re traveling by yourself or with

another adult, think about staying in one of Japan’s many

hostels, which run as low as $15 a night. You will meet

great people from around the world while getting right

into the culture. For extended stays, try renting a room

from a guesthouse.

FOOD

• Admit it; you’re going to Japan partially for the food. If

you’re in the city, however, you’re going to be swamped

with the usual Western fast food chains. The costs are

about the same as in the West. But if you do find an

authentic Japanese restaurant, be prepared to still pay

about $5 per meal per person. No one said getting

yakisoba was cheap in Japan.

TRANSPORTATION

• While many things will be available by foot if you’re

staying in a city, the best way to get around Japan is

still by train. Many tickets are pretty cheap, but the

costs can add up. If you’re staying for a long while,

consider getting a JR Rail Pass. These can be had for

one, two, or three week intervals. This is perfect if you

plan on traveling between cities in Japan as well.

ATTRACTIONS

• There’s very little to do in Japan for free. Museums and

landmarks often cost a small admission, and going shopping

can really rack up a bill. Plan out what you want to do ahead of

time and research admission costs online. This way you can

budget it into your schedule without having a heart attack at the

gate.

• Visiting Japan is a life altering experience. If you travel there,

you are sure to have a wonderful time, indulge in a fantastic

culture, and meet all sorts of neat people, both foreign and

Japanese. In order to maximize your enjoyment, it’s important to

plan ahead and budget accordingly. The more money you save,

the bigger the adventure you can have!