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TOURISM
FOOD PAGE
TRANSPORTATION
Financial Matters
Accomodation
Guesthouse
Youth Hostel
Narita Airport
Supermarket
Department Store
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On a trip in Japan you will spend most of your money for the following:
- Accommodation
- Transportation
- Dining
- Shopping
- Entertainment, Culture, Entrance Fees
Accommodation:
The cheapest accommodation besides a friend's house may be a Youth Hostel. There are many International Youth Hostels throughout Japan. One night costs about $30. Reservations should be made well in advance.
If you stay in Tokyo for several weeks, a guesthouse may be a good idea. Some guesthouses offer contracts for only one week and up to several months.
Transportation:
For traveling in Japan the Japan Rail Pass is a good offer if you are going to use the trains often and over long distances. The Japan Rail Pass is good for almost all the services of the JR (Shinkansen included). In addition, seat reservations can be made for free. The Japan Rail Pass can be purchased only outside of Japan. One week costs about $300.
If you have much time in Japan, you may consider to use slower and, therefore, cheaper trains instead of the Shinkansen.
Another good idea is, to take a long distance bus. Since the buses drive overnight, you can combine the costs of accommodation and transportation. A trip from Tokyo to Osaka costs about $90.
For local transportation in cities, you may consider purchasing prepaid cards (e.g. JR orange card) or day passes.
For the cheapest ways to get from the Narita Airport to Tokyo, see the Narita Airport Page.
Dining:
All restaurants show their menus and prices next to the entrance in a window.
Department stores have several restaurants on special restaurant floors. There you can find a variety of different restaurants, that vary in their prices too.
Of course, the restaurants in the tourist areas are generally more expensive than the ones in other areas.
For lunch, lunch boxes (bento) are a good idea. They cost only about $5. Teishoku, set menus, are also delicious and inexpensive. Noodle shops, especially stands, are inexpensive too.
Shopping:
For everyday goods and food, supermarkets and convenience stores are the best. Department stores are more expensive.
Entertainment, Entrance Fees:
That's up to you! Try out pachinko. You may even earn money in the pachinko parlors. More likely, however, your trip gets more expensive there.
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