13 Things to Do in Japan on a Budget
Deeply spiritual and rooted in tradition yet very forward looking and innovative- Japan remains one of life’s greatest travel adventures of all time. I miss Japan a lot and cannot wait to go back. For me, this country really felt like stepping into a different dimension. On my last trip back in 2015, I had the pleasure of shooting a series of videos with Lonely Planet titled ‘Hidden Japan’ where I got to not only explore Tokyo extensively but also get off the beaten track and see Niigata and Kanazawa. Based on that trip, I thought I would share with you 13 tips of things to do in Japan on a budget. All of the tips are classic but evergreen tips. Plus, I have also shared the links to the Lonely Planet Japan series, if you have not seen them yet.
1. Get a Japan Rail Pass
Nothing beats seeing Japan from a rail window. The JR Rail Pass is THE way to see Japan. It offers unlimited rides on the Japan Rail network for one, two, or three weeks (all services except the fastest express services). It’s available only to people on a tourist visa, and you need to purchase the pass at least a week in advance of your trip to Japan.
A rail pass for one week costs 50,000 yen (around $335-350 USD). A one-way fare from Tokyo to Kyoto is about 13,500 yen, so a return trip costs around 27,000 yen (about $180). With just one return journey from Tokyo to Kyoto, you’re already covering more than half the cost of your JR Rail Pass, making it excellent value if you plan to travel around the country.
2. Or… hop on a bus
If you’re already in Japan without a JR Rail Pass, then consider taking the bus. For example, traveling with Willer Express you can travel for as little as 3,500 yen one way from Tokyo to Kyoto. Journey time is around 8 hours and you can book online via their English website.
3. Eat out at a convenience store
If you are on a tight budget in Japan, eat at least once a day at one of the local convenience stores. In Harajuku district of Tokyo, I would often buy lunch/dinner from 7-Eleven. This isn’t your usual ready-made convenience fare. You can choose from delicious dishes like salmon on rice with butter soy sauce, their wide range of sushi dishes, or try their chicken soboro bento with sides of coleslaw and spinach. Delicious!
Locals clear out the shelves after work so get there early to get the best possible selection of food. Also another handy tip: ATM machines at 7-Eleven are one of the very few places where you can withdraw money using a foreign bank card.
4. Pop into one of Japan’s oldest fast-food chains
I arrived late into Tokyo at around 11:30 PM and the only place open in Harajuku was a restaurant called Yoshinoya. Later I discovered that this is one of Japan’s oldest restaurant chains, dating back to 1899! It serves tasty, cheap and quick food. Their signature dish is beef bowls, aka Gyūdon (牛丼). What you get is a bowl of rice topped with beef and onion simmered in a mildly sweet sauce flavored with dashi (fish and seaweed stock), soy sauce and mirin. They also serve red ginger (beni shōga) and Japanese tea (ocha, お茶) free of charge. It costs around 500 yen with a bowl of miso soup. Bargain!
5. Take advantage of lunch sets and happy hour deals
Many restaurants offer excellent lunch sets (teishoku) for 1000 yen ( Bento boxes are cheaper and around 500 yen ) that would cost double at dinner. These typically include rice, miso soup, pickles, and a main dish. Some places also have “morning service” breakfast deals and happy hour drink specials. Look for signs saying “ランチセット” (lunch set) or “定食” (teishoku).
6. Visit local markets for cheap, authentic food
Places like Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo or Nishiki Market in Kyoto offer street food and fresh ingredients at local prices. You’ll eat better and cheaper than at tourist restaurants. Try fresh sushi from market stalls, tamagoyaki (sweet egg rolls), or sample local specialties. These markets are where locals shop, so prices are genuine rather than inflated for tourists.
7. Drink water from the tap
Do not waste your money on bottled water in Japan. All the water from taps in Japan is drinkable and safe. Just buy one water bottle from a supermarket, then fill it up at your hotel or wherever you go.
8. Consider capsule hotels and internet cafes
Many people consider accommodation in Japan to be expensive, but if you are traveling solo there are some really budget-friendly options like sleeping in a capsule hotel or an internet cafe.
The capsule hotels were invented to give Japanese businessmen a place to crash if they missed the last train home or were too drunk after a few drinks out with colleagues. If you suffer from claustrophobia, it’s worth remembering these rooms are tiny: all you get is a tube with a mattress.
I stayed at the Nine Hours Hotel in Narita Airport ( see my video above ). They gave me a robe, toothpaste, toothbrush and even slippers. I had a large spacious locker to store my luggage. Showers were excellent. My bed for the night was just 4,000 yen (around $27). Another experience to sample is sleeping in an Internet cafe. If you come in late, you can get a room from midnight to 8 AM for about 2,500 yen (around $17). On many occasions you may be sleeping on a couch, but if money is tight, this is an option you may want to consider. The cafes often have showers as well.
9. Use public baths (sento) instead of hotel spas
For 400-500 yen, you can experience a traditional Japanese public bath. It’s cultural immersion and relaxation rolled into one affordable experience – much cheaper than hotel spas or onsen resorts. Most neighborhoods have a local sento, and it’s a great way to unwind after a day of sightseeing while experiencing authentic Japanese culture.
10. Visit the free observation decks in Tokyo
Here’s a great tip if you are visiting Tokyo. For the best view of Tokyo, hop over to the 45th floor of The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku. The building offers two free observation decks from where you can get a great panoramic view of the city. On a clear day, apparently you can see Mount Fuji, but unfortunately on the day I visited it was pretty cloudy.
11. Take advantage of free cultural experiences
Many temples and shrines are free to visit– see the imposing Thunder Gate (Kaminari Mon) and stalls, selling everything from food to Hello Kitty goods, leading up to the entrance to Sensoji Temple in the old Asakusa district. Jetlagged, I stumbled upon the beautiful Meji Jingu Shrine at located in Harajuku, right in the middle of the city and set amongst 175 acres of evergreen forest!You may also get to see a traditional wedding at the Meji Jingu Shrine.
Department stores often have free art exhibitions on their upper floors, and you can visit traditional gardens like the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace (free entry). These experiences give you deep cultural insights without spending a yen.
12. Shop at 100-yen stores
Don Quijote, Daiso, and other 100-yen stores are goldmines for cheap souvenirs, snacks, and travel essentials. You can find everything from chopsticks and fans to unique Japanese snacks and toiletries for just 100-110 yen each. It’s the perfect place to pick up gifts without breaking the bank.
13. Visit a Sake Brewery for FREE
You know your sushi but do you know your Sake? Like sushi, sake is an integral part of Japanese cuisine and culture. Sophisticated sparkling sakes, hearty cloudy sakes or sweet and smooth after dinner sakes: there are so many types of sakes to choose from. To learn about how Sake is made, I recommend a trip to ‘snow country’, Niigata and paying a visit to the ‘Toji’ Master Sake Brewer, Mr Yamamoto-San.
Niigata is famous for 2 things in Japan- Snow and Sake. In some parts of Niigata Prefecture you can get over 30 inches of snowfall! It is a great place for skiers and snowboarders. The snow melt water helps create the most pristine rice and this along with the pure water helps create the refreshing crisp dry taste of Japan’s best sake. There are over 80 sake breweries in Niigata to choose from. My pick is Imayotsukasa (1-1 Kagamigaoka, Chuo Ward, Niigata, Niigata Prefecture 950-0074, Japan +81 25-244-3010 ) where you can learn about the brewing process from master brewer Mr Yamamoto-San and afterwards get to sample unlimited FREE samples of his beautiful sake wine. If you need a taxi to your hotel after, he will happily order you one.
