Japan has become THE travel destination of the year, with everyone and their dog pining for a chance to go. We had the privilege to visit early this year in January and managed to do it without breaking the bank.
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Visa + Arrival Card
Regardless of where you are coming from, odds are the best deals bring you to Tokyo or Osaka - which is PERFECT for this itinerary. Getting from the airport to the city center can be a bit of a hassle, here are the cheapest options:
❕ Tip: Make sure to double check which airport!
Tokyo Narita Airport:
- Keisei Mainline Rapid, from the Terminal 2/3 Station to Tokyo Station
- From there, switch onto the Tokyo Metro to get to your specific location
Tokyo Haneda Airport:
- Keikyu Airport Line, from Terminal 3 to Tokyo Station
- There are limited “Airport Limited Express” trains, but local trains work as well
Osaka Kansai Airport:
- Nankai Express or Nankai Limited Express from the Kansai Airport Station to Namba Station
- From there, switch onto the Osaka Metro to get to your specific location, or to Osaka/Umeda or Shin-Osaka Station
❕ Tip: Bring Yen before you arrive. When we arrived at the Tokyo Narita airport they only accepted cash into the city.
Where to Go
Tokyo
- Spend 2 full days exploring the city, plus the first day and push through the jet lag
- Here are some districts to check out:
- Tokyo Station + Area - lots of good restaurants, some museums
- Imperial Palace Area - surrounded by several interesting parks, gardens and shrines
- Ginza - the high-end shopping district
- Harajuku - home to the largest shrine in Tokyo
- Shibuya - shopping district for the young people with great restaurants
- Akihabara - the tech and pop-culture center
- Ueno - home to a large park, the city’s best museum, a zoo, and a shrine
- Asakusa - home to the city’s most popular temple
- Take a look at the Top 10 Places to Stay
Fuji
Mount Fuji is Japan’s iconic peak, offering breathtaking views that captivate visitors year-round. Whether you’re hiking its trails or admiring its beauty from afar, the mountain’s serene presence never fails to leave a lasting impression.
- Option 1: Day trip from Tokyo - this will give you enough time to get some beautiful pictures and even check out an onsen
- Option 2: Stay a night nearby - in a room with an onsen
Soaking in the natural hot springs offers a deeply relaxing experience, promoting both physical and mental well-being while surrounded by stunning landscapes. An onsen offers a unique cultural experience and a chance to immerse yourself in traditional Japanese relaxation.
Kyoto
Kyoto offers a beautiful blend of temples, gardens, and if you have the time (and the budget), a traditional tea ceremony.
Here are some of the best places:
- Fushimi Inari Taisha - famous for its iconic red torii gates leading up Mount Inari, this shrine is one of the most visited
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - a Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf, set beside a reflective pond.
- Gion District - Kyoto’s historic geisha district, where you can stroll through traditional wooden teahouses and possibly try your hand at a matcha tea ceremony
- Philosopher’s Path - a scenic walk along the canal lined with cherry blossoms and peaceful temples
- To-ji Temple - home to Kyoto’s tallest pagoda and a tranquil spot for those seeking peace and architectural marvels
- Spend two nights here, which should be enough if you are ok walking around the city
Nara
Japan’s first permanent capital, is a charming city renowned for its friendly, free-roaming deer and ancient temples.
- Nara Deer Park - spend half a day frolicking with the deer
- Todai-ji Temple - home to a giant Buddha statue
- We spent 1 night here to avoid backtracking, but can easily be done as a day trip from either Kyoto or Osaka
Osaka
Spend a day and a half exploring Osaka, Japan’s vibrant culinary and entertainment capital, which blends skyscrapers and historic landmarks.
Here are some awesome places:
- Osaka Castle - a symbol of the city, this iconic castle is surrounded by lush parks and offers panoramic views
- Dotonbori - neon lights, street food stalls, and lively atmosphere
- Namba Yasaka Shrine - lesser known shrine, with a massive lion-head-shaped building
Kobe
- Can spend either a full day or half day from Osaka - Local, Limited, Rapid, and Express trains all stop in Kobe
- As vegetarians, we spent half a day. Heard the beef is nice, we only tried the Sake and visited a sake museum.
And there you have it, a simple itinerary to help guide your trip to Japan.
Budget
We averaged $170 per day for 2 people. So not shoestring, but definitely NOT luxury. You can keep your costs low by booking hotels in advance, and walking around most of the cities.
⚠ Note: this does not include flight to Japan. That round trip flight will set you back a tad bit more.
Accommodation
We use Booking.com 99% of the time. We sort price lowest to highest and see what comes up. Make sure that the ratings look good before you book. We averaged $40 per night, but prices fluctuate depending on the season.
Keep in mind that if you find a cheaper location outside of the center, you may need to spend more time walking/take public transportation, which could add up over time.
Cash
Make sure to bring Yen ¥ before arriving in Japan. Credit cards are widely accepted, but most markets and smaller restaurants will only take cash. You can also use your Suica or Passmo card to pay at most places (including 7-Eleven).
If you didn’t bring any Yen or run out, ATMs are widely available, we recommend the 7-Eleven (technically 7-Bank) ATM.
Food
- Sushi - most restaurants let you order with a tablet
- Revolving sushi - technically this is fast food but we think it’s ✨cool✨
- Udon
- Yam balls
- Mochi
- Mr. Donut - please check out this song
- Ramen
- 7-Eleven - the BEST, you could honestly eat every meal from there
Transportation
- Shinkansen/Bullet Train (Tokyo-Kyoto)
- Local trains (Kyoto-Nara, Nara-Osaka)
- Metro is useful in Tokyo and Osaka, not very useful in Kyoto
- Buses are useful in Kyoto and Nara
⚠ Note: For this specific itinerary, to keep costs low, we don’t recommend getting a JR pass. The local trains can get you a lot further than you think if you have the patience for it.
❕ Tip: Google Maps is your friend here. Everything we needed, like transit directions, station locations, and train wait times was up to date.
Suica and Passmo: These are cards you can add to your Apple wallet. Android users can get physical cards cause Japan ✨hates✨ you. They are super useful and most public transport accepts them. The Shinkansen tickets can also be bought ahead of time using these.
⚠ Note: If you buy a Shinkansen ticket ahead of time with your Suica or Passmo card, your paper ticket will automatically print from the station gates - just make sure to enter through the specified Shinkansen gates!
Data
As we are on a budget, we opted for no SIM card. We found many free WiFi hotspots scattered throughout the country. Most metro and train stations have them, and all the cities we visited had hotspots in the center.
But if you insist, you can get an e-SIM with Airalo, using our code WILLIA1097.
Best Time to Visit
Spring - cherry blossoms, higher prices
Summer - warm
Winter - cold, but affordable
Fall - shoulder, may be less expensive but not as cold
If you have extra time:
- Tech stops
- Tsukuba Space Center (1 hour train ride outside Tokyo)
- Miraikan National Science Museum
- Car stops
- Nissan Crossing (located in the Ginza District)
- Yokohama
- Disneyland
- Universal Studios (in Osaka)
- Go to the North for Skiing!
- Okinawa
- Hiroshima/Nagasaki