Affordable Japan

AFFORDABLE JAPAN

Like many countries, Japan can be an expensive place to visit if you don't plan ahead, however there are a wide variety of budget accommodation options, transportation passes and sightseeing discounts, which help to make Japan an affordable destination for even the most budget conscious traveller. It is worthwhile taking the time to decide which options will best suit your stay.

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  • COSTS FOR TRAVELLING IN JAPAN

    The price chart below is designed to give an idea of what you can expect to pay for a variety of everyday and travel-related items in Japan.
     Food & Drink
    JP¥
    GP€
     GB£
     Cola (350ml)
     120  0.95 0.85
     Mineral Water (500ml)
     130  1.03  0.92
     McDonalds Hamburger
     100  0.79  0.71
     Cup of Coffee (short)
     200  1.59  1.41
     Beer (pint)
     500 3.98
     3.53



     Resturants  JP¥ EU€  GB£
     Conveyor Belt Sushi
     100  0.79 0.71
     Tachigui (one dish)
     260  2.07  1.84
     Izakaya (casual Japanese style pub)
     2,500  19.90  17.70
     Yoshinoya beef bowl
     380 3.02
     2.69
     



     Accommodation  JP¥  EU€
     GB£
    Youth Hostel (per person)
     3,300  26.29 23.40
     Business Hotel (single room)
     6,000  47.74  42.50
     Western Style Hotel (mid range, double room)
     15,000  119.35  106.22
     Japanese Inn (per person)
     5,000 39.79
     35.41



     Transport & Tours
     JP¥
     EU€
     GB£
     Japan Rail Pass - 7 Day Pass
     28,300  225.24 200.59
     Underground Fare (single ride on Tokyo Metro)
     170  1.35  1.20
     One day underground pass
     710  5.65  5.03
     Guided Tour (half -day Tokyo sight seeing tour)
     5,000  39.79  35.41
     Night bus fare (Tokyo - Kyoto)
     3,000  23.89  21.30
     Domestic air fare: JAL 'Yokoso Japan Airpass' (one sector, incl taxes)
     10,500  83.63  74.56
     ANA Star Alliance Japan Airpass (per sector, incl tax)
     13,650 108.66
     96.86
     



     Amusement / Entertainment
    JP¥
     EU€
    GB£
    Sumo ( 2nd floor, section C, reserved seat)
    3,600
     28.64 25.54
     Karaoke (2 hours)
     600 4.77
     4.26



     Shopping
     JP¥ EU€
    GB£
    100¥
     100 0.79
     0.71
     T -Shirt
     500  3.98  3.55
     Yukata (cotton Kimono)
     2,990  23.78<  21.21
     Digital Camera (10 mega pixels)
     12,000  95.44  85.09
     Japan Times Newspaper (published in English)
    180
     1.43 1.28


    Use the Yahoo Currency Converter to determine the equivalent price in your local currency.
  • DINING OUT

    Dining out in Japan doesn't have to be expensive. Restaurant dining in Tokyo for example is certainly no more expensive than in most other world capitals and is often better value for money. Wherever you travel, restaurants in popular tourist areas will always cost more. Follow the locals and you will generally find both lower prices and more authentic Japanese cuisine. Avoid restaurants that don't list their prices outside the door. The people who can afford to eat in these places don't need to know how much they will have to pay. Budget dining can usually be enjoyed at more casual establishments such as Izakaya (Japanese pubs), Shokudo (general eating places, often with set meals), and Okonomiyaki restaurants ('Japanese pizza' places).

    For more information on Japanese food please see this link.
  • TRANSPORTATION

    If you are flying to Japan with one of the country's national carriers, Japan Airlines (JAL) or All Nippon Airways (ANA), and intend to take a domestic flight during your stay, it is worth buying your domestic ticket in conjunction with your international ticket. Both JAL and ANA can offer considerable savings on the cost of internal flights purchased in this way. Contact JAL or ANA for further details. See the transportation section of this site to find out more about discounts on domestic airfares.

    With the Japan Rail Pass, foreign visitors to Japan can enjoy discounted travel on nearly all services of the extensive JR Transportation Network, including the Shinkansen or 'bullet train'. There are also a variety of other rail passes, which offer significant reductions on rail travel in Japan. Long distances buses and local train services are other low-cost transport options.

    Taxis in Japan are expensive so long taxi rides are best avoided. Fortunately Japan's efficient and affordable local transportation networks mean that taxis are rarely required.

    For further information on transport within Japan please see this link.
  • ACCOMMODATION

    The cost and quality of accommodation in Japan is comparable with that of most other developed countries and there is something to suit every taste and wallet. Budget options include the Welcome Inn Group, the Japanese Inn Group, the Japan Economy Hotel Group, the Japan City Hotel Association and Youth Hostels. Brochures for each these organisations are available from your nearest JNTO Office.

    Welcome Inn Group
    Japanese Inn Group
    Japan Economy Hotel Group
    Japan City Hotel Association
    Youth Hostels

    Reasonably priced accommodation can also be booked on-line at:
    Japan Travel Bureau
    Nippon Travel Agency - Japan Hotel Pass
    Holders of the Japan Rail Pass are entitled to a 10% discount on accommodation at any of the JR Group of Hotels. There are 30 JR Hotels across Japan.
    JR Hotels across Japan

    For more information on accommodation please see this link.
  • SIGHTSEEING

    There are currently nine cities/regions in Japan that offer a discount "Welcome Card" service. Welcome Cards entitle foreign visitors to reductions on attraction and museum entry fees, meals, souvenir shops and accommodation, and are available for the following areas:

    Aomori Prefecture (Northern Honshu)

    Kagawa Prefecture

    Narita City (and surrounds)

    Mt Fuji (including the Hakone and Izu regions)

    Fukuoka City

    Kitakyushu City
    *The Tokai Region (including the Aichi, Gifu, Mie and Shizuoka Prefectures, and Nagoya City)

    The Tokyo Museum Pass (for discounts on entry to 46 facilities including museums, art galleries, zoos and aquariums in Tokyo)

    Most of the Cards are available free of charge when you present your passport at Tourist Information Centres (TICs) or local tourist information offices ("i" Information Centres). Other cards are internet based and are available at the links provided above.

    For more information on Welcome Cards or contact your nearest JNTO Office.
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