I am going to Japan from August 1st to August 12th…so, about two weeks. I’m staying with friends, so my “living expenses” are covered. I will mostly be staying in the Tokyo area and plan to do a few day trips (Nikko, Kawagoe, etc.).
Looking for a general budget…shopping/souvenirs, food, travel (by train).
I would really not like to bring more than $500. Cheap trip suggestions, tips on inexpensive attractions, budget bites, or best kept secrets are also appreciated. My mother speaks and reads Japanese fluently so I’ll be able to find pretty much anything you suggest.
Desired recommendations:
– I’ve already been to Kamakura and will probably go again.
– I’m really into historical sites (pre-Western influence, “old Japan”).
– I would love to visit a public bath…hot springs would be great if there are any accessible nearby.
– I would love recommendations on the best shopping…trendy/bohemian shops, out-door markets are a plus.
– Any out of the ordinary, must-sees.
– A traditional tea house
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How Much Money Should I Bring To Japan? Where Should I Go?
Posted on June 28, 2011.
Not much of anything is cheap in Japan. It costs at least $10 just to go up the elevator in Tokyo Tower. One city you might want to visit is Kyoto.
Try getting a book on Japan by Lonely Planet publishers. They have many suggestions of places to visit as well as costs.
$500???? LOL I spent more than that on alcohol in one night LOL
I know you said $500, but I would reccomend about $1000 in case unexpected expenses come up. Always plan to need more money than you actually expect to use while travelling. Good ideas are to eat at mostly traditional Japanese places, for about $10 you can get a main meal as well as miso soup, rice, side dishes and often as much tea as you want to drink. McDonalds is good for 100 Yen cheeseburgers as well. If you haven’t got it, get the Japan rail pass before you go. It seems expensive but remember it’s unlimited travel on most normal JR Lines and it’s a lot easier than buying tickets from the station: http://www.japanrailpass.net/
For cheap historical sites, check out temples as they’re free entry and a really good experience. One of the best is Sensoji in Asakusa- it also has a good market street out the front. If you want to travel the hour or so to Chiba, check out Boso no Mura which is a recreation of an old Japanese town in Sakae and the National Museum of Japanese History in Sakura. Also, check out the AEON shopping centre. For a tea house, can’t go past Hua Tai Cha So in Shibuya and for an onsen, travel out to Gunma and check out Kusatsu or Minakami.
$500 for 2 weeks :O That would be cutting it close on everything.
Food expense?
Travel?
Souvenirs?
Pft the last time I went to Japan last summer, I brought $2,000 spending money (not including hotel) with me even that was cutting it close.
Food expense you could cut back by eating boxed lunch sets or other instant foods at the convenience store, but after awhile it can get really gross. A rail pass for one person for two weeks costs $500 -_- so I hope you’re staying in the area. Or just don’t use the train that much. As for souvenirs that’s your choice on how much to spend.
There are a lot of different things to do in Tokyo, but I would seriously invest in a few travel books about the area for greater in-detail descriptions. For the best shopping, you have to visit Shibuya especially the famous Shibuya 109 building 😀
Fugetsudo has some pretty great tea and it’s located in Tokyo so that should be right up your alley.
Takaragawa Onsen is pretty close to Tokyo too and the atmosphere is AMAZING and very relaxing. The fee for the onsen I think is around $18.50 so sort of cheap.
You should really check out Japan-Guide.com because it has a long list of things to do and you can narrow it down by area. They also sometimes list the times and fees for certain places.
I find people who ask these questions clueless when it comes to money management. How much do you have in your bank account? if i said bring $2k can you afford it? bring as much as you can afford is the general answer. If you can’t afford to travel then don’t – stay home and watch some TV