Save Money Travelling to Japan

Many people dream of visiting Japan, but are put off by the perceived high prices. The truth is Japan can cost a lot - if you stay only in high end hotels, eat in expensive restaurants, and go shopping every day. There are countless ways to experience Japan, and the less expensive ones are often better suited to people who want more than a tourist's glimpse of the country.

1. FLIGHT PLAN - Flight prices in the thousands of dollars are for business travelers or people confined to a very specific schedule. When I went to Japan three years ago, I searched internet flight websites, and managed to go round-trip for $650. One other option which many overlook is travel agents. While you may avoid them because of commissions and the hard sell, these problems only apply if you go to their office. Mass email all the travel agents you can find with a description of what you're looking for, your possible dates and requirements, and have them send their offers to you! This lets you take advantage of the special rates they have access to, and can sometimes beat web prices.

2. JR PASS - While some find it convenient to hitchhike within Japan, you may be on a more compressed time schedule. The train system across the country is extremely well developed, but the high-speed rail from city to city can cost over a hundred dollars each way. Enter the JR Pass, a special deal which is only available to foreign visas and gives you a worry free period of unlimited train rides. While it may seem a little pricey upfront (around $250 for a week-long period), it pays for itself after the first trip and is invaluable if you want to move freely from city to city during your trip. Highest recommendation. (note that you cannot buy the JR Pass when already inside Japan - you must buy a "purchase order" ahead of time and exchange it for the pass in Japan)
www.japanrailpass.net

3. HOSTELS - For older people or for those traveling with kids, a hotel may be needed; but for many - particularly young people traveling light, there are relatively inexpensive hostels offering beds or rooms for as low as $25 a night. One popular company, Sakura House, specializes in renting clean rooms at a variety of convenient city locations to foreigners on tourist visas on a month to month basis. Their rooms are visible on their website, www.sakura-house.com, and start from approximately $600 / mo. for a cozy single room with shared kitchen, bathroom, and shower facilities, ranging up to full apartments.

4. FOOD - Sushi tends to be very expensive anywhere you go, but that's not the only food there is! Look for "beef-bowl" restaurants - where you select your food, a bowl of meat, rice and veggies, from illustrated buttons on a ticket-dispensing machine out front. After buying the ticket from the machine, all you need to do is go inside, take a seat at the counter, and hand in your ticket. These places serve a variety of bowls, plus curry and other set meals. The price is comparable to a McDonalds, but the food is far healthier (and one of the things I miss most from Japan). Another option is to go to supermarkets and buy packaged meals that you can heat in the microwave (often these are near their salads and chilled drinks). It's certainly feasible to eat a variety of distinctive Japanese foods for the same amount you spend on food at home.

These travel tips have worked for me in the past. I've spent months in Japan, had a great time, made friends, and done it all for the same amount of money I'd spend living in the U.S.A. Remember that money shouldn't keep you from enjoying Japan!