11 Ways To Visit Japan On The Cheap

Many travelers assume Japan is so expensive as to be out of reach, but times are changing. The new Japanese government’s economic policies are turning the Land of the Rising Sun into the Land of the Falling Yen, and that’s great news for travelers. The U.S. dollar is now worth about 17 percent more against the Japanese yen than it was just six months ago; $1 would have bought you about 80 yen then; today it’s over 93.5 yen.

Even with the exchange rate shift, Japan can still be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are 20 tips to help you economize on your trip. Follow them, and you may well have funds left over for a few splurges.

1 – Travel Off-Peak.  Cherry blossom and autumn foliage times (usually around early April and mid-November, respectively) are peak season for Japanese travelers, meaning peak hotel rates. Traveling during the off-season (late autumn through March, except for the New Year’s holiday season) can save you a bundle. Watch out for other peak times around only-in-Japan holidays, such as the holiday seasons called Golden Week and Obon (April 29 to May 5 and around mid-August, respectively).

2 – Discounted Air Fares. Some carriers offer less expensive fares for passengers who forgo some benefits like frequent flier points and changeable tickets. For example, Singapore Airlines lets you choose three fares on its Los Angeles to Tokyo route; for the cheapest you’ll get only half the frequent flier points, and no cancellations are allowed.

3 – Domestic Air Discounts. If you’re headed beyond Japan’s main Tokyo gateway, look into discounted air fares such as the Star Alliance Japan Airpass offered by All Nippon Airways and the OneWorld Yokoso Visit Japan Fare by Japan Airlines. Both offer domestic flights at 10,500 yen ($112) including tax. For far-flung Japanese domestic destinations, this is faster and much cheaper than train travel – the Shinkansen (bullet train) between Tokyo and Fukuoka costs more than twice as much. For closer destinations, you’ll also want to factor in the cost and time of getting to and from airports.

4- From the airport. Don’t take a taxi! Fares into Tokyo from Narita Airport, the main international hub, can cost upwards of US$200, more if you’ve got lots of luggage. Instead, there’s a myriad of rail and bus options. Pretty much any Japanese airport has bus service timed to flights. In Tokyo, “limousine buses” (a lot less fancy than the name implies) take you directly to many hotels and train stations for 3,000 yen (about $32). The Narita Express train costs about the same to major stations. Fares on the Keisei Line are as little as 1,280 yen (about $13.70) to central Tokyo, though the cheapest trains are a lot slower. Look also for combination tickets which offer both transport into town and subway passes for around the cost of the airport transfer alone.

5 – Take Local Transit. Most Japanese cities are easily navigable by rail or tram, at fares less than in their US counterparts. The Tokyo subway, for example, starts at 160 yen ($1.71) per trip, vs. $2.50 for a ride on the New York  subway. Day passes will save you money if you’re planning on taking more than a few trips.

6 – Walk. Small wonder to us that Japanese stay so trim and live to such ripe old ages; they walk everywhere. And taking the slow route will unveil facets of the country that you just can’t see from a car.

7 – Get a Rail Pass. For frequent, long distance rail trips within Japan, a one- or two-week Japan Rail Pass will pay off despite the initial sticker shock (from 28,300/45,100 yen for one/two weeks, about $302/482) and the fact that they’re not valid on the very fastest of bullet trains (this has gotta change). Japan Rail Passes must be purchased before you arrive in Japan. If you’ll be exploring just one region (such as eastern Japan, Kyushu or Hokkaido), regional rail passes are a comparative steal and can be purchased after you arrive.

8 – Long Distance Buses. Taking a roomy, plush highway bus instead of a bullet train can save you thousands of yen per trip. The catch: the ride can take three to four times longer, but if it’s an overnight bus, that’s one night’s hotel bill you won’t have to pay.

9 – Sights for Free. Some of Japan’s most alluring sights don’t cost anything to visit: ageless Shinto shrines, bustling public markets, sprawling parks, and contemporary architecture are just for starters.

11 – Browse. Japanese stores selling crafts, electronics, manga, fashion, toys and anime let you experience the culture without spending a single yen. Many department stores have great craft floors and food halls.  If you do make a purchase, that too will be a cultural adventure, as you watch how intricately it’s packaged.