How much does a trip to Japan cost?
Think Japan is insanely expensive? Don't be so quick to believe the rumors! 😅 While airfare is the biggest expense, the rest of the trip can be planned quite affordably. The key is choosing the right dates and managing your spending wisely.
🍂 When to travel to save money?
Peak seasons (holidays, cherry blossom season) — prices immediately double.
Concerts and major events (like BTS tour dates) — can quadruple the cost.
☝🏼 Optimal periods: October–November (autumn leaves, less crowded) or February–March (variable weather).
✈️ Airfare
Buy tickets six months in advance, track sales, and consider connecting flights (via China or Uzbekistan). It’s convenient to build an "into one city — out of another" route (e.g., arrive in Osaka, depart from Tokyo).
I always fly from Moscow, so these prices reflect that 😁. If you live outside Moscow, add the cost of getting there.
Average round-trip price: $660 per person.
Budget option: from $445 (less convenient transfers or special offers).
💸 Total per person: $445–$660; for two: $890–$1,320.
🏨 Accommodation
Tokyo is noticeably more expensive than Osaka; the value for money is much better in the latter.
Options:
1. Budget (hostels, shared shower): from $22/night per person (Tokyo districts like Asakusa or Ikebukuro).
2. Comfort (private bath/toilet, maybe breakfast): from $67–$78/night per room.
3. Osaka (good hotel near metro): about $33/night.
4. Onsen (hot springs): about $333/night for two.
☝🏼 By the way, you might wonder why I don't recommend famous Japanese capsule hotels as a budget option. In practice, they aren't that cheap, and you might get claustrophobic! 😂
For a 10-day trip (5 days in Tokyo + 5 days in Osaka), here’s a minimum estimate for two:
Tokyo: 5 nights × $22 × 2 people = $220;
Osaka: 5 nights × $33 = $165.
💸 Total: Minimum budget for accommodation for two starts from $385; if you want an onsen for at least one night, add +$333 to the budget.
🛜 Connectivity
This is the easiest and cheapest part! Buy an e-SIM on trip.com.
Prices start from ~$4 for 10 days. Depending on how much data you need, 2GB per day is optimal.
💸 Total per person: from ~$4.
🍜 Food
You can eat cheaply at local diners or choose restaurants.
Budget option: ~$22/day per person (chicken rice from $4.50, onigiri $1.10, water $1.10).
Comfort option (delicious and diverse food): ~$56/day per person.
💸 Total for 10 days:
Budget: $220 per person; $440 for two.
Comfort: $560 per person; $1,120 for two.
🚇 Transport
The JR Pass often isn't worth it. It’s better to buy a Suica card at the airport and top it up as needed.
Metro and local trains: ~$9/day per person.
Shinkansen (bullet train): $100 one way per person.
Trips to suburbs (Kamakura, Yokohama, Nara, Kyoto): ~$8 one way. Fuji from Tokyo is a bit pricier — $22.
Sample route: (Tokyo → Kamakura/Yokohama; Osaka → Nara/Kyoto; plus Fuji).
💸 Total for 10 days (excluding long-distance trips):
Metro + Shinkansen per person: ~$189; plus day trips ~$107.
Total for two with these routes: ~$592.
📄 Visas and Fees
Visas for Russians are free, but there are extra costs:
· Consular service fee: ~$11;
· Document delivery or travel to the embassy: calculate individually.
💸 Total per person: from $11.
🎌 Attractions
Many places are free, but museums and palaces start at $2.20.
Daily museum budget: ~$11/day per person.
Universal Studios or Disneyland: ~$56 per person.
💸 Total for 10 days: from $110 per person; from $220 for two; plus 1 major park per person (+$112 for two).
🛍️ Shopping
This is always individual, but it's best to set aside at least $110 per person as a minimum reserve.
💸 Total: from $110 per person; from $220 for two.
🔻🔻🔻
💰 Results and Final Totals
Cheapest option for 10 days
(budget accommodation and food, minimal paid attractions, no major parks, 1 night in an onsen):
Per person: ~$1,200.
For two: ~$2,400.
👀 Honestly, you could go even cheaper if you eat very little and don't like buying stuff, but in Japan, that’s almost impossible—the food is too good and there are too many cute things! 😂
Comfort option
Per person: from $1,600 and up.
Remember: prices can change based on the season, promotions, and exchange rates. If you plan carefully and avoid peak dates, Japan is quite affordable—and definitely unforgettable! 😍🗾