Gone are the days when travel to Japan was exclusive to hedge fund managers and Nintendo geeks, and with it the assumption that it’s expensive, boring and difficult to travel here. From January to September of this year, the country has welcomed more than 24 million tourists, and expects at least another 6 million more by the end of December.
As the government carries out measures to make Japan more accessible to international travelers, we’re seeing transport get cheaper, hearing more foreign languages being spoken, watching new facilities being built and cheering as visa restrictions are relaxed.
What does this mean for thrifty travelers seeking the best in budget adventure? Here are five reasons why you should choose Japan for your next bargain trip.
1. The food is cheap
Japan has the highest density of restaurants in the world, amounting to nearly half a million places to find grub on the go. Best of all, it can be really cheap. From ¥100 sushi-go-round (that still tastes better than any sushi you’ll find at home) to Michelin-starred ramen for under ¥1000, it’s extremely easy to feed yourself on a budget while traveling around.
Tip:Look out for chain restaurants that are popular with your everyday salaryman. Places like Matsuya and Yoshinoya serve protein-packed gyudon(rice topped with beef) for under ¥500 while izakaya franchise Kinno-Kura has a menu where everything—including alcohol—costs just ¥270.
2. There are discount passes galore
The JR Pass, which offers discount rail travel on pretty much the entire Japan Railway network is a steal from $277 for a 7-day pass. Jump on the shinkansen(bullet train) from Tokyoto Kyotothen down to Hiroshimaand loop back up north to Hokkaidosimply flashing your pass to the station attendants along the way. The pass also covers the monorail to/from Tokyo Haneda airport, the ferry from Hiroshima to Miyajima, local JR buses and discounts at JR-affiliated hotels.
Private rail networks across the country also offer a big range of special train pass packagesthat include meals, souvenirs, and other freebies to encourage tourists to visit lesser-known areas. For day trips from Tokyo, for example, the Hakone Freepass and the Misaki Maguro Passare two of the most popular.
Don’t want to take the train? There’s now also a similar pass for planes instead. The JAL Explorer Pass offers travel on Japan Airlines domestic routes for a flat fare of ¥10,800. This often works out cheaper than taking a train or highway bus, and you can reach faraway destinations that aren’t served by these networks. Travel in bargain luxury to places like Okinawa, Kochi, Fukuoka, and Hakodate.
Tip:On top of this, a lot of major Japanese stores like Uniqlo and Bic Camera offer tax-free shopping for those with temporary visa status. Show your passport and you’ll also be able to get discounts for different activities like cultural workshops, outdoor activities, and tours with some travel agencies.
3. Options for cheap accommodation are increasing
With Tokyo’s hotels reaching 83% occupancy, Japan is getting creative with its accommodation. As Airbnb’s fastest-growing market, more and more competitively-priced options are springing up across the country in the run-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Traditional options are also getting a boost as demand rises; capsule hotels are getting more popular as a quintessential city experience; manga cafes, love hotels, and minpaku(guesthouses) are getting in on the action too, advertising on online booking platforms like Booking.com and Agoda.
Tip:Campsites in Japan tend to be dirt cheap. Popular outdoor spots in places like Toyama, Gunma, and Daisetsuzanin Hokkaido are full of low-cost sites. Or why not travel in a camper van? Even wild camping, known locally as “urban camping” (nojuku), though technically requiring the landowner’s permission, is generally acceptable as long as you choose a spot out of the way and tidy up after yourself.
4. It’s safe
Japan’s well-worn reputation as one of the safest countries in the world (apparently thesafest in 2014) still holds true and you’re generally much less likely to encounter scam artists, thievery or attacks than you would in other countries in Asia. Dodgy deals and tourist traps are pretty much non-existent so you generally don’t need to worry about being tricked into giving away your money at gems stores, being overcharged by taxi drivers, or getting a crappy deal for a tour or accommodation. Plus it’s always nice to see a drunk businessman adorably napping on the street using their wallet as a pillow.
Tip:If you lose something you have a very high chance of getting it back—just go to your nearest kobanor police box to file a lost property claim. Read this article for what to do in an emergency in Japan.
5. It’s incredibly, majestically, awesomely diverse
From Hokkaido to Okinawa, Japan soars in fragrant misty mountains through ancient cedar-forests, sweeping along roaring rivers above which mysterious temples precariously dangle. It’s neon and noise, the sound of a distant gong and the smell of incense in the rain. One minute you’re in a bullet train slicing from one city to another, the next you’re kayaking through tropical mangroves and sinking into a natural hot spring (with beer). All along the journey are super friendly people there to help you make the most of it.
Tip:The GaijinPot Travelsite aims to give a comprehensive insight into travel in Japan, especially to lesser-known destinations that don’t get much love from guidebooks and other media. Right now we are selecting our Top 10 Japan Travel Destinations for 2020and we need your vote. Hit the upvote arrows and help us decide the best places to visit in Japan next year.
This article was updated from the original on 11/27/2019.
