Last Updated: Jun 29, 2023

Ballin’ on a Budget

How to Travel Cheaply in Japan

If you’ve been dreaming of traveling to Japan, chances are you’ve seen some spectacular imagery. These days, social media is littered with shots of spacious rooms at luxurious ryokan, verdant foliage, exquisite kaiseki ryori course meals, and bullet trains whizzing by Mt. Fuji. Honestly, it’s the kind of panorama that makes one want to drop everything and travel to Japan immediately. At the same time though, these portraits also conjure the perception that Japan is an extremely expensive destination. While the country certainly has options for travelers with deep pockets, Japan remains an inviting destination even for those traveling on a shoestring budget. Assuming that you’re willing to skip on comfort and spend a bit more time trekking from one place to another, there’s a plethora of means to make Japan more affordable.

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty though, allow me to first begin with some cautionary words. I shouldn’t need to say this but NEVER go as far as sacrificing personal safety to save a bit of cash. This is just asking for trouble. At the same time, be sure to not make it obvious that you’re planning to travel on the cheap. Immigration reserves the right to refuse entry to travelers who they suspect might not be able to properly fund their…