A trip to Japan doesnt have to break the bank.
Maria Ligaya/Travel + Leisure
Japan is a top destination for travelers in 2025.
And if you venture beyond the main tourist hubs, the prices get even more reasonable.
Mt. Fuji in Japan.Credit:Maria Ligaya/Travel + Leisure
Here’s how to plan a trip to Japan on a budget.
The trouble with this time of year?
Not surprisingly, its incredibly crowded and expensive.
Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, Japan.Maria Ligaya/Travel + Leisure
Plum blossom season is also exquisite and occurs in February, which is still off-peak.
Shinkansen tickets and flights can be particularly hard to come by during these times, too.
Autumn is also quite popular for viewing colorful foliage, but its generally not too busy.
A bullet train in Tokyo, Japan.YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP via Getty Images
Keep in mind that fall colors tend to start later than most people imagine.
Think: early November rather than mid-October, says Fong.
The shoulder seasons spring (outside of Golden Week) and fall offer the best chances foraffordable flights.
Skyline of Tokyo, Japan.Manorath Naphaphone/Travel + Leisure
International travelers might also want to consider a stopover to cut costs.
The average cost to spend the night is around $20.
Ticket prices vary depending on the route and fare class.
Empty street in Kyoto, Japan.Daniel Gorostieta/Travel + Leisure
Planning to travel around Japan extensively?
In major cities like Tokyo, the subway is the fastest and most efficient way to get around.
The Tokyo Metro and Toei Transportation both offer discounts on unlimited single-day passes.
Eating your way through Japan doesnt have to cost a lot.
Cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka have seemingly endless choices.
In lesser-touristed locations, the cost of living keeps the price of a meal down.
Lunches represent the biggest value meal around Japan.
Izakaya are the more permanent versions of these stalls found throughout Japan.
Konbini(Japanese convenience stores) are ubiquitous.
The big three chains 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson are famous for inexpensive and tasty prepared food.
Most stores have hot food such as katsu, steamed buns, andkorokke(croquettes) for a buck.
If you dont want to pay for admission to a museum, consider a gallery.
Many boutiques in Ginza and Omotesando have free galleries.
Fujifilm Square at Tokyo Midtown offers an ever-changing collection of photography from all genres, according to Fong.
Popular, big-name sights tend to be priced to match.
Japan is very safe and pedestrian-friendly.
Another way to immerse yourself in a new destination that doesnt cost a thing?
Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka tend to be the most expensive.
Okinawas beauty rivals that of Hawaii at a fraction of the cost and Amami Oshima a fraction of that.
Thats not to say you should skip Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Its just about being smart and employing strategies to save money such as looking for hotels outside the center.
If youre willing to commute in, its much easier on the wallet.
Kobe constitutes a tremendous value in comparison to Kyoto and Osaka.
