After years of living and traveling around Japan, I’ve gathered plenty of practical ways to make your trip more affordable without missing out on amazing experiences. Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan on a budget or are just interested in some saving tips, I hope this article can be useful to you.

Note that this is a non-exhaustive list that I’ll update regularly, so feel free to bookmark this post or sign up for my monthly newsletter for updates.

🚌 TRANSPORT SAVING TIPS

1. Consider Night Buses Instead of the Shinkansen

While Japan’s shinkansen is a fast and iconic way to travel between cities, it’s not always the most cost-effective or convenient option for every destination.

Highway buses are a comfortable and budget-friendly option, especially for longer distances. In particular, night buses are one of the easiest ways to save money, and a night of accommodation at the same time.

For example, if you travel between Tokyo and Kyoto, it will cost you ¥13,320 by Shinkansen (2.5h) vs. from ¥4,000- ¥8,000 by night bus (7–8h).

What I love about highway buses in Japan, compared to my experience traveling by bus in Europe, is that they are surprisingly comfortable, with reclining seats, blankets, and Wi-Fi. Some have privacy curtains, and women-only sections. Prices vary depending on the level of comfort you choose.

I usually book my trips through websites like Willer Bus or highwaybus.com, but there are plenty of other options available for purchasing tickets online.

2. Check Regional and Public Transport Passes

Japan’s train passes can offer great value, but with recent price increases, they’re not always the cheapest option, so it’s worth calculating whether they truly fit your itinerary, depending on the destinations you plan to visit and your pace of travel.

Here are a few popular ones to consider (among others):

Japan Rail Pass for nationwide access (best for fast-paced, multi-region itineraries)
JR East Tohoku Area Pass
JR West Kansai Area Pass
Tokyo Wide Pass, great for day or overnight trips around Tokyo (Karuizawa, etc.)
Hokkaido Rail Pass

✨TRAVELY TIP: You can use Japan Guide’s pass calculator to compare costs for the JR Pass versus individual tickets.

For instance, I used the JR East Pass instead of buying individual shinkansen tickets, so I could take the shinkansen and other JR trains as much as I wanted for 5 days to explore Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures. Knowing a round-trip to Sendai alone costs ¥23,000, while the JR East Pass costs ¥30,000, it is likely that you will save money if you visit several cities in the Tohoku region.

3. Slow Travel by Train

If you’re a fan of slow travel, you can also consider taking local or limited express trains instead of the shinkansen. The journeys take longer, but they’re often far cheaper and give you the chance to enjoy scenic countryside views, make spontaneous stops in lesser-known towns, and experience a more relaxed side of Japan’s rail network. It’s a great option for travelers who value the journey as much as the destination. It’s what I did to explore the Izu Peninsula, traveling from Tokyo to Ito using local trains.

3. Consider Renting a Car to Go Beyond the Cities

For smaller cities or rural areas, renting a car can give you more flexibility and access to places not easily reachable by train, such as the Japanese Alps, various locations in Shikoku, or some remote onsens. If you are traveling in a group of 3-4 people, it is likely that you will save money by traveling by car rather than taking the shinkansen (though this may depend on your itinerary, parking fees…).

You can compare options and book a rental car through R entalcars.com, or check other rental car websites such as Budget Rent a Car or Japanese companies likes Toyota Rentacar, Nippon Rentacar, Orix Rentacar or Times Car Rental.

🏨 HOTEL SAVING TIPS

4. Compare Websites for Hotel Booking

I’d recommend checking multiple platforms before booking, as prices often vary from one to another. I mainly use Booking.com or Agoda. Both sites offer a wide range of options, from traditional ryokan to modern business hotels, allowing you to compare prices, amenities, and guest reviews. They also frequently have special deals and flexible cancellation policies. You can also benefit from special discounts if you join their loyalty programs (e.g., Booking.com Genius or Agoda Rewards).

✨TRAVELY TIP: If you’re living in Japan and are able to navigate Japanese websites, you can also check Japanese booking platforms, as in some cases (not always), they might offer even better prices.

Booking.com Late Escape Sale

5. Choose Reliable and Affordable Hotel Chains

Japan is full of budget-friendly yet spotless hotel chains, that can be great options for solo travelers, couples, or short stays. In cities, you can check out options such as:

APA Hotels, with very compact rooms, usually in excellent locations
Sotetsu Fresa Inn, a reliable business hotel with compact but well-designed rooms
Tokyu Stay, perfect for longer stays (many rooms have washing machine and kitchenette)
Dormy Inn, with excellent value, free night ramen, and onsen access (though it is a bit more pricey than the others above). I’ve very often stayed in Dormy Inn hotels and have always had an amazing experience.

You can also look into guesthouses/hostels and capsule hotels for even more savings.

6. Go to Lesser-known Destinations

While Japan’s iconic cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are beautiful and exciting destinations, adding off-the-beaten-path spots instead of major tourist hubs can help you save on accommodation while experiencing authentic Japan.

Near Tokyo, you could consider for instance destinations like Kawagoe, Enoshima or exploring the Izu Peninsula. Near Kyoto, you could stay overnight in Ohara for a more affordable ryokan experience. Between Osaka and Hiroshima, exploring or staying in Himeji or Okayama and Kurashiki could also be great additions to your itinerary.

➡️ In my blog, I make a priority to introduce hidden gems and lesser-known destinations and prefectures in Japan, so if you’d like to discover more travel ideas, you can look through my Japan Blog, especially my articles on lesser-known destinations.

✈️ FLIGHT SAVING TIPS

7. Avoid Crowded Periods

Airfares and hotel prices rise dramatically during Japan’s peak travel periods:

Golden Week (early May)
Obon (mid-August)
New Year holidays (late December to early January)
Cherry blossom season (late March to early April)

If possible, plan your trip just before or after these peak times, you’ll find better prices, easier bookings, and far fewer crowds.

For cherry blossoms, timing your trip by region can also help you save while avoiding the crowds. Instead of heading to major tourist hubs like Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, consider Tohoku in late April or Hokkaido in early May, where the blooms arrive later. If you’re traveling in early March, you can even enjoy early-blooming cherry blossoms near Tokyo in places like Kawazu or Atami.

The same applies to autumn foliage: colors begin in northern Japan from early October, then move south toward Kyoto and Tokyo by late November, and Kyushu in mid-December allowing you to choose your destination, and potentially better prices, based on the timing.

8. Compare Flights

For international flights to Japan, I use flight comparison tools like Skyscanner or Google Flights to find the best deals.
For domestic flights, I’d recommend checking budget airlines such as Peach Aviation or Jetstar Japan. You can also fly into secondary airports (like Osaka Itami instead of Kansai International Airport) for additional savings.

🍜 FOOD-RELATED SAVING TIPS

9. Don’t Skip Japan’s Restaurant Chains

You can eat well in Japan without spending a fortune. Japan has so many great, affordable restaurant chains where locals regularly go to. Below is a list of my favorites:

Sukiya or Yoshinoya, which serve beef bowls and other set meals from ¥400
CoCo Ichibanya, my favorite spot for cheap, customizable curry rice. You can choose ingredients in your curry, as well as the level of spice (from level 0 to 10). I’ve personally never been able to go above level 4 because it was so spicy already, so I can’t even imagine what level 10 might be.
Saizeriya, Japanese-style Italian food (it’s a fun and super cheap eat I’d recommend to try at least once)
Tenya, a great chain for tempura bowls from around ¥600
Gusto, a western-style family restaurant with a very diverse menu, and meals served by cat robots.
Otooya, a Japanese restaurant chain that offers a wide variety of authentic, healthy and inexpensive Japanese teishoku (meal sets). There is a wide variety of choices, and a seasonal menu that changes from time to time. There is something about this place and its food that makes it feel like “mom's cooking”. If there is one place that you shouldn’t miss, it’s this one.
Torikizoku, widely-spread and a must-try budget yakitori izakaya. Every single dish and drink on their menu is only ¥350! And there is such a wide range of options to choose from. Not only the food is delicious, but it is also cheap and affordable for those on a budget.

10. Keep the Fancy Restaurants for Lunch

Many upscale restaurants offer reasonably priced lunch sets (¥1,000–¥3,000) versus ¥10,000+ for dinner. It’s a great way to experience fine dining without blowing your budget. I don’t have personal recommendations, but you can find plenty online.

11. Choose Affordable Breakfast Options

Instead of having breakfast at your hotel (often charged ¥1,500–¥2,500), you could instead:

Grab a konbini breakfast (¥300–¥500). A hot coffee and a melon pan is one of my favorite ways to start a day of exploring.
Stop by Doutor, Tully’s, or Komeda Coffee for affordable breakfast sets.
Try local bakeries.

🎌 EXPERIENCE-RELATED SAVING TIPS

12. Check for Activity Discounts and Special Campaigns

Platforms like Klook and KKday often offer discounted entry tickets, passes, or day tours. This can be interesting specially if you’d like to visit some attractions in Japan’s main cities like theme parks such as Universal Studio in Osaka or Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, or Warner Bros Studio Tour Tokyo, museums like TeamLab Borderless, and more.

You can also keep an eye open for fun campaigns aimed at travelers in Japan. For instance, the Tokyo’s “Welcome! Sento” Campaign, running across 63 public bathhouses in Tokyo from September 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026, invites international visitors to experience Japan’s sento (public bath) culture. Expect a warm welcome with multilingual support, cashless payments, and other amenities. Visitors can also pick up discount coupons at selected locations, and even receive a free tenugui towel by completing a short survey (while supplies last). You can check out the official Welcome! Sento Campaign website here. Such campaigns can be a great way to discover lesser-known experiences while saving a little money along the way.

13. Try Free or Inexpensive Experiences

Japan has countless fun activities that cost little to nothing. For instance:

Visit temples and shrines (most are free), from large complexes to small local ones. I love how each has its own unique characteristics and atmosphere (like Gotoku-ji temple, the cat temple in Tokyo, or Namba Yasaka Jinja, with its giant lion head, in Osaka).
Go hiking, as there are so many fantastic hikes you can do in Japan, from walking part of the ancient Nakasendo trail, to walking ancient pilgrimage routes like the Kumano Kodo, and other beautiful mountain trails, such as the Kurama-Kibune hike near Kyoto. You can check out all my hiking guides in Japan here.
Buy a small stamp book and take part in stamp rallies at train stations or local attractions. You'll end up with a book full of stamps retracing your itinerary, that will probably be one of the most precious souvenirs of your trip.
Collect manhole cover cards and take photos of unique designs. These free cards showcase the beauty and meaning behind Japan’s decorative manhole covers, with designs unique to each city and region. I’ve always loved photographing manhole covers on my travels, but collecting the cards feels like an even more original way to explore new places while learning about local culture and history. You can check the official Manhole Card Website (in Japanese) to find locations and opening hours to collect them.
Visit free observation decks like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, or museums like the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.
Join local festivals to dive into Japanese culture and enjoy traditional music and performances (in Tokyo for instance, I usually check websites like Time Out Tokyo or Tokyo Cheapo to find out what the upcoming matsuri are) or guided walks by local volunteers.

14. Visit Day Onsen

You don’t have to stay overnight to enjoy a good hot spring. Thee are plenty of day hot spring facilities, and many hotels also offer day-use onsen plans from around ¥1,000–¥2,000.

For instance, whenever I go hiking in the countryside, I always look for nearby day-use onsen facilities to enjoy a relaxing bath as a reward after a long day of exploring.

➡️ For inspiration and to learn more about destinations where you can easily add a hot spring stop to your itinerary, you can read my guides on Kusatsu Onsen, Karuizawa or Kawazu.

💰 OTHER SAVING TIPS

15. Withdraw at Japanese ATMs

In general, ATMs in Japan tend to give the best exchange rate vs. exchanging cash at a currency exchange counter or buying yen from your bank at home before traveling to Japan. It’s easy to withdraw at ATMs in convenience stores, including Family Mart, Lawson, and 7-Eleven. If you need to withdraw big amounts, then the 7-Eleven ATMs are the most convenient as they have the highest withdrawal limit of ¥100,000 per operation.

16. Shop Smart for Souvenirs

While I always love visiting local supermarkets and picking up souvenirs from artisans in the lesser-known towns I travel to, I also have a few favorite places for affordable souvenir shopping in Japan. For cute and inexpensive gifts, 100 yen shops like Daiso and Seria are perfect, you’ll find everything from stickers and stationery to chopsticks, small cutlery, and fun kitchen gadgets. There are some large branches in Tokyo, so you’ll have plenty to browse through. I also never skip a stop at Don Quijote, a great spot for budget-friendly snacks, beauty products, and quirky souvenirs.

17. Refill Your Water Bottle With MyMizu App

Though you’ll find vending machines absolutely everywhere, instead of purchasing a new bottle each time, you can use the MyMizu app, which shows you all the public spaces, cafes and restaurants that are happy for you to fill up your water bottle when passing by. On top of saving a little bit of money, you can reduce your plastic consumption.

To Conclude

Traveling around Japan doesn’t have to be expensive. With a few smart choices, from using night buses and affordable hotel chains to enjoying free cultural experiences, you can have an amazing experience in Japan, even on a budget.

If you’re planning your trip, check out my other guides for inspiration and planning tips:

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Japan on a Budget: My Top Saving Tips For Your Japan Trip

🚌 TRANSPORT SAVING TIPS

1. Consider Night Buses Instead of the Shinkansen